These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
China virus death toll jumps to 17; 470 cases confirmed
Deaths from China's new flu-like virus rose to 17 on Wednesday, heightening global fears of contagion from an infection suspected to have come from animals.
The previously unknown and contagious coronavirus strain emerged from the central city of Wuhan, with cases now detected as far away as the United States. Officials believe the origin to be a market where wildlife is traded illegally.
The latest death toll in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, had risen to 17 by 1200 GMT on Wednesday, state television quoted the provincial government as saying. – New Straits Times
Deputy PM urges enhancing ASEAN identity
Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình highlighted the necessity to enhance ASEAN identity and community awareness at a discussion on ASEAN during the 50th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum 2020 in Davos, Switzerland.
Bình joined other ASEAN leaders and experts to discuss how the region can capitalise on potential from the forecast that half of the world’s best-performing emerging economies are located in the ASEAN region. – Viet Nam News
4,000 evacuees fall ill; PHIVOLCS note weakening Taal activity
Nearly 4,000 people who fled their villages when Taal Volcano erupted two weeks ago have fallen ill in evacuation centers in Batangas and Cavite provinces, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Wednesday, as the country’s seismological agency announced that the volcano’s activity continued to weaken, giving rise to the possibility of lowering the alert level and many evacuees being allowed to go back home.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said it would not recommend that all the evacuees be allowed to return home because of the high possibility of another eruption. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Wuhan virus: Rats and live wolf pups on the menu at China food market linked to virus outbreak
The food market where China's deadly virus surfaced was a smorgasbord of exotic wildlife ranging from wolf pups to species linked to previous pandemics such as civets, according to vendor information and a Chinese media report.
The Huanan Seafood Market in the central city of Wuhan came under greater scrutiny on Wednesday (22 Jan) as Chinese officials said that the virus which has so far killed nine people and infected hundreds may have originated in a wild animal sold at the food emporium. – The Star
High alert for new Australia bushfires as heat and winds pick up
Australian firefighters are on high alert for the possibility that scorching temperatures and strong winds could whip up new bushfires on Thursday, coming after rain brought welcome respite to fire-ravaged areas.
Unprecedented bushfires fuelled by climate change have killed at least 29 people and devastated vast swathes of the country since September. – Bangkok Post