Wednesday, 9 Jul 2025

Asia

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MAS to stop issuing $1,000 notes over money laundering, terrorism financing concerns

SINGAPORE – The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will stop issuing the $1,000 note from January next year to minimise the money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with such a large denomination. From now till January, the MAS will also limit the quantity of $1,000 notes issued each month, although banks can continue recirculating the […]

Toxic air from fires is set to make India's Covid-19 fight deadlier

NEW DELHI (BLOOMBERG) – As winter sets in, the air hanging over north India thickens with smoke from burning fields, blocking out the sun and making it hard to breathe. This year, that could spell disaster for the country’s battle against the pandemic. With some of the most polluted cities on the planet and more […]

Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on Nov 3

Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Tuesday, Nov 3. At least one killed in Vienna attack involving multiple assailants, locations; manhunt under way The attackers are said to be “heavily armed and dangerous”. READ MORE HERE Institutions should be ‘open and timely’ in addressing sexual misconduct allegations: Lawrence Wong MOE has […]

U.S. Treasury cuts borrowing estimate for fourth quarter

FILE PHOTO: U.S. dollar notes are seen in this picture illustration taken at the Bank of Taiwan in Taipei November 11, 2010. REUTERS/Nicky LohNEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury said on Monday said it plans to borrow $617 billion in the fourth quarter, lower than the August estimate, with the decline due to the […]

Race to save whales in Sri Lanka's biggest mass stranding

COLOMBO (AFP) – Rescuers and volunteers were racing Monday (Nov 2) to save about 100 pilot whales stranded on Sri Lanka’s western coast in the island nation’s biggest-ever mass beaching. The short-finned pilot whales began beaching at Panadura, 25 kilometres south of Colombo, shortly before dusk and within an hour their numbers swelled to around […]

Indonesia expects export, investment boost after US extends trade privileges

JAKARTA – Indonesia is expected to enjoy a boost in exports amid US-China tensions, after the US extended special tariff concessions to South-east Asia’s largest economy. The privilege, called the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), covers more than 3,500 merchandise items ranging from electronic products and children’s toys to sports equipment and wigs. Last year, […]

Thailand's PM Prayut and Cabinet check tourism preparations on Koh Samui

BANGKOK (THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led a Cabinet visit to the tourism hot spot of Koh Samui on Monday (Nov 2), to check preparations for the return of foreign visitors. After landing at Koh Samui International Airport, the PM and his ministers inspected the Covid-19 screening checkpoints and told […]

Malaysia places Johor's health training institute under full Covid-19 lockdown

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – The Johor Baru training institute of Malaysia’s Health Ministry will be placed under a full lockdown from Tuesday (Nov 3) after Covid-19 cases were discovered. Senior Minister (Defence cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the institute will be placed under enhanced movement control order (EMCO), with food packets to […]

Jail, caning for man over role in Ang Mo Kio jewellery shop robbery

SINGAPORE – Three men decided to work together on a heist which was carried out last year at an Ang Mo Kio jewellery shop, a district court heard on Monday (Nov 2). The offender who drove the getaway car, Veeramani Subran Das, 37, was sentenced to three years’ jail with six strokes of the cane […]