World

Search for Malaysian missing plane underway

Malaysia-based AirAsia announced on December 28 that it launched a search operation for its plane with 162 passengers and crew members on board that went missing in bad weather en route from Indonesia to Singapore earlier the day.
Malaysia-based AirAsia announced onDecember 28 that it launched a search operation for its plane with 162passengers and crew members on board that went missing in bad weather enroute from Indonesia to Singapore earlier the day.

It said it has set up a hotline and an emergency call centre for the passengers’ families and relatives.

According to the Singaporean Civil Aviation Authority, the contactwas lost about 42 minutes after the jetliner took off from Surabayaairport in Indonesia.

Later the day, AirAsiarepresentatives in Indonesia announced information on the all 155passengers and seven crew members on board Flight QZ8501.

Theairline said 156 of those were Indonesians, with three people of theRepublic of Korean and one person each from Singapore, Malaysia andFrance.

Ships and planes have been deployed to the area where the aircraft was lost contact.

In March, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, with 239 people on board, disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Months later, MH17 went down in July in the eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 on board.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Initiative to boost China, ASEAN city-level relations (Photo: en.gxzf.gov.cn)

Initiative to boost China, ASEAN city-level relations

Mayors of 12 cities, together with representatives and experts, from China and ASEAN countries gathered in Nanning city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for the Global Mayors Dialogue from January 15-18.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Uruguay Ngo Minh Nguyet and Vice President-elect Carolina Cosse (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Uruguay strengthen cooperation

Vietnam always remembers and thank for valuable assistance from the government and people of Uruguay during its past struggle for independence and national reunification as well as the ongoing integration and development process, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Uruguay Ngo Minh Nguyet.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (center) delivers a speech at the National Working Meeting of Barantin in Jakarta on January 16, 2025. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia focuses on technology to enhance quarantine systems

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan on January 16 called on the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) to strengthen its human resources, upgrade laboratory facilities, and harness information technology to bolster the nation’s quarantine capabilities.

Chinese tourists flock to the Erawan Shrine in Pathumwan to pray for New Year's wishes. (Photo: bangkokpost)

Thailand adjusts target for Asian visitors

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is revising its target for Asian visitors this year, focusing on potential markets to counter a decline in Chinese arrivals.

Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik (front row, centre) poses with ASEAN member nation envoys and government officials during a luncheon in Seoul. (Photo: Courtesy of Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat on X)

RoK reaffirms commitment to ASEAN-focused diplomacy

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Woo Won-shik has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to ASEAN-focused diplomacy and its active role in ASEAN-led mechanisms when he hosted a luncheon for diplomatic envoys from 10 ASEAN nations in Seoul on January 16.

App stores are also responsible for monitoring app content and are required to review apps and updates before they are released. (Photo: The Straits Times)

Singapore mandates age assurance for app stores

Singapore will soon require app stores to implement measures, including age verification, to enhance online safety, particularly for children, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced on January 15.

Malaysia defines two priorities to ensure food security

Malaysia defines two priorities to ensure food security

The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has set two major priorities for this year - reforming the national rice and paddy industry, and increasing productivity in the ruminant sector, particularly beef and buffalo meat production.

A screenshot of President Prabowo Subianto (left) at the Indonesia-Brazil business forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 17. (Photo: ANTARA)

BRICS – new key export market of Indonesia

Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports to the five major BRICS nations reached 84.37 billion USD in 2024, accounting for nearly 34% of the country’s total non-oil and gas export value, according to the country’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Thailand eases visa regulations to attract global citizens

Thailand eases visa regulations to attract global citizens

Thailand's Cabinet recently introduced updates to the qualifications, criteria, and conditions of the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa programme, aiming to attract a broader range of experts, investors, and executives to strengthen the country's foreign talent pool.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo Enrique Manalo (right) and his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya at the news conference in Manila on January 15. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Philippines, Japan agree to promote security cooperation

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo Enrique Manalo and his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya on January 15 agreed to continue communication with the incoming US administration of President-elect Donald Trump to promote their trilateral relationship.