Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address Thailand-Cambodia conflict held in Kuala Lumpur
The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, as the regional grouping seeks to promote de-escalation.
Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting serves as a platform for the grouping to consider possible steps to support de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities, in the interest of peace and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, who chaired the meeting, reminded those present that ASEAN stands at a critical juncture in regional and global affairs, as geopolitical disruptions challenge the very foundations of the region's order.
S. Korea's parliament launches investigation into 2024 Jeju Air crash
South Korea's parliament on Monday launched its 40-day investigation into a passenger jet crash in late 2024, according to Yonhap news agency.
The National Assembly's special investigation committee held its first meeting to launch its inquiry into the case of the Jeju Air passenger jet that belly-landed and crashed at the Muan International Airport, around 290 km southwest of the capital Seoul, on Dec. 29, 2024.
Four crew members and 175 passengers on board were killed, while two crew members were seriously injured.
The committee was composed of 18 lawmakers, including 9 members of the ruling Democratic Party and 7 members from the main opposition People Power Party.
Australian PM apologizes to Jewish community over Bondi Beach terror attack
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday issued an apology to the nation's Jewish community following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach as he announced new laws that will target hate speech.
Albanese said at a press conference in Canberra on Monday afternoon that he feels the "weight of responsibility" for the fatal shooting of 15 people at an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Dec. 14.
"I'm sorry for what the Jewish community and our nation as a whole have experienced," he said.
He said that his government would work "every day" to protect Jewish Australians and would not let the Islamic State-inspired terrorists responsible for the attack win by dividing Australian society.
Danish PM reiterates demand for respect after U.S. names special envoy to Greenland
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that they expect respect for the Kingdom of Denmark's territorial integrity from the U.S. side.
"We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the USA should not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity," the two leaders said in a joint statement.
The remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Sunday the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tension between Washington and the Danish Realm.
"Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country's Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies," said Trump on social media platform "Truth Social."
15 killed, 19 injured in bus accident in Indonesia's Semarang city
Fifteen people were killed and 19 others injured early Monday in a bus accident at the intersection of the Krapyak toll exit in Semarang city, Indonesia's Central Java province, local authorities reported.
According to the Semarang Search and Rescue Office, the passenger bus was reportedly traveling at high speed when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a road barrier and overturn.
"The evacuation process was quite difficult because some victims were trapped inside the bus, and access was obstructed by broken glass," said Budiono, head of the Semarang Search and Rescue Office. "Rescue personnel had to enter the overturned bus, open access to the victims and evacuate them with extra caution."
Japan's H3 rocket launch fails after engine issues
A Japanese H3 rocket failed to place the satellite "Michibiki No. 5" into its intended orbit after liftoff on Monday, the science ministry said.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched its eighth H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 10:51 a.m. local time, but the second-stage engine "experienced a premature end of engine burn," according to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which set up a task force the same day.
"It is regrettable that we were unable to insert Michibiki No. 5 into the planned orbit, resulting in a launch failure," said State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Shigeki Kobayashi, who is also head of the task force. "A thorough investigation into the cause is necessary."
The space agency is assessing the situation and investigating the cause of the engine's premature cutoff.■
