A handout photo from Singapore’s National Parks Board that shows pieces of rhino horns after being seized from a transit passenger arriving from South Africa at Changi Airport. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean authorities on October 4 seized 20 pieces of rhino horns that were beingsmuggled through Singapore Changi Airport.
The National Parks Board (NParks) said airport security staff and NParks' K9 Unit detected andinspected two bags and found 34kg of rhino horns, estimated to be wortharound 830,000 USD. This is Singapore's largest seizure of rhino horns todate.
Genetic testing is being carried out at NParks' Centrefor Wildlife Forensics to identify the rhino species.
The horns will subsequently be destroyed to preventthem from re-entering the market, disrupting the global supply chain of illegallytraded rhino horns, said NParks.
Rhinos are protected under the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), towhich Singapore is a signatory. Under CITES, international trade in rhino hornsis prohibited./.
The Hanoi People’s Court on June 1 sentenced Nguyen Van Pho to five years in prison for violating regulations on the protection of endangered, precious and rare animals.
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Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
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The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
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Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.