2. BIRD SURVEY RECORDS 161 SPECIES -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESS 

NatureLife Cambodia recorded 161 bird species during the January 2026 Asian Waterbird Census and Black-faced Spoonbill survey across two protected areas. Experts surveyed the Boeung Prek Lapov and Anlong Pring protected areas.

INDONESIA 

1. DENPASAR COURT SENTENCES A BRAZILIAN TO 18 YEARS FOR 3 KG COCAINE -- ANTARA

The panel of judges at the Denpasar District Court, Bali, sentenced a Brazilian citizen to 18 years imprisonment after being found guilty of bringing 3 kilograms of cocaine into Bali.

2. SEPARATIST GROUP KKB BATTALIONS BEHIND SMART AIR SHOOTING IN PAPUA -- ANTARA

The Head of Operations of the Cartenz Peace Task Force, Brigadier General Faizal Rahmadani, stated that the perpetrators of the shooting of a Smart Air aircraft in Korowai, Boven Digoel District, were members of a separatist armed group (KKB).

LAOS

1. MILLIONS TO VOTE IN NATIONAL, PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Almost 4.7 million citizens are eligible to vote for members of the 10th National Assembly and the 5th Provincial People’s Council elections on February 22. The elections represent a major step in strengthening Lao democracy.

2. LIGHTING UP SOUTHERN LAOS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Electricity access across southern Laos continued to expand last year, with coverage now reaching 98 per cent of premises. The Southern Power Grid system enables the distribution of electricity to the region. 

PHILIPPINES

1. DA COMPLETES PHP99-M BUILDING FOR CAR'S INTEGRATED LABORATORY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has finished building a PHP99-million, three-story facility that will serve as the integrated agricultural and health laboratory for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), making services more accessible to the public, especially farmers.

2. NFA TO USE TONNER BAG SYSTEM IN 42 BRANCHES FOR SAVINGS, EFFICIENCY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY 

The National Food Authority (NFA) is set to expand its “tonner bag” system in select warehouses of 42 branches nationwide following the successful pilot rollout of the tonner bag system in three NFA warehouses in Cabanatuan City, Oriental Mindoro, and Davao del Sur.

SINGAPORE

1. BUDGET 2026: SURPLUS FOR FY2025 REVISED UP SHARPLY TO S$15.1B ON HIGHER CORPORATE TAX COLLECTIONS, COE PREMIUMS -- CNA

Singapore’s budget surplus for the 2025 financial year is now expected to come in at S$15.1 billion (US$12 billion), more than double the earlier estimate of S$6.8 billion.

2. SINGAPORE’S DAREN TANG NOMINATED FOR SECOND TERM AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UN’S WIPO --  THE STRAITS TIMES

Singapore’s Daren Tang was on Feb 12 nominated for a second term as the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) director-general, said the coordination committee of the UN body.

THAILAND 

1. DISNEYLAND THAILAND IDEA RETURNS WITH THB300 BILLION EEC MIXED-USE PROPOSAL -- THE NATION

The “Disneyland Thailand” buzz has resurfaced after Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, floated the idea of moving ahead with a world-class theme park project in Chonburi under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme.

2. ELECTION RESULT TO KEEP FOREIGN FUNDS FLOWING -- BANGKOK POST

Stock market analysts expect foreign funds to keep flowing into Thailand as the decisive general election outcome signals stronger political stability and reduces the risk of extreme populist policies, keeping fiscal discipline intact.

VIETNAM

1. UAV POSTAL DELIVERY IN HO CHI MINH -- VIETNAMPLUS

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) postal delivery route connecting Can Gio and Vung Tau has been launched in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the country’s first cross-sea drone route. This initiative will enhance the digital economy and reduce delivery times.

2. FIXING INFORMATION GAP IN REMOTE AREAS -- VIETNAMPLUS

The implementation of digital transformation programmes is helping to reduce information poverty in the mountainous region. It reduces the lack of information and skills to access knowledge, which has been a barrier in remote communities.

-- BERNAMA