SEOUL -- The South Korean government saw downside risks to the Asian economy amid escalating Middle East tensions, a finance ministry report said Friday.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance said in its monthly report, called Green Book, that the South Korean economy recently showed a continuing trend of economic recovery on the back of the enhanced domestic demand, including consumer spending, and robust exports centered on semiconductors. (South Korea-Economic Report)
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BANGKOK -- Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed Anutin Charnvirakul as the country's prime minister, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Sirote Paetphan announced on Friday.
In a ceremony held at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, Sirote read out the royal command appointing Anutin to a second term in office, as he received majority support in a vote cast by the House of Representatives on Thursday. (Thailand-Election)
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PHNOM PENH -- A decade on, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) has evolved into a dynamic and results-oriented platform, fostering dialogue, development, and mutual trust among member countries, Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn said here on Friday.
Sokhonn, who is also a deputy prime minister, made the remarks at the LMC Night, which was held to celebrate LMC Week 2026 and the LMC's 10th anniversary, with participation from dozens of senior Cambodian government officials. (Cambodia-China-LMC)
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COLOMBO -- Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday that the country was maintaining a neutral stance amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Informing lawmakers on the steps taken by the government, Dissanayake said Sri Lanka received a request on Feb. 26 from Iran for three vessels to make a goodwill port call between March 9 and 13. (Sri Lanka-Politics)
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DAEJEON, South Korea -- A large-scale fire broke out Friday at an automotive parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon in South Korea, leaving 55 people injured and 14 others missing, local fire authorities confirmed.
Fire officials on site told Xinhua that, at around 10:30 p.m. local time, an initial structural safety diagnosis was completed, and rescue teams had entered the building from the second floor to begin search operations. (South Korea-Fire) ■
