Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: June 20, 2025
President Prabowo Subianto shored up ties with Russia in a bilateral talk with President Vladimir Putin in the northern Russian city of Saint Petersburg on Thursday, exploring ways to deepen partnership amid deepening conflict in the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that his country is willing to be Indonesia's oil supplier as Moscow embraces closer economic ties with Jakarta. Economic cooperation became a major talking point during Putin's bilateral talks with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto at St. Petersburg's Konstantine Novsky Palace.
LAOS
1.SOUTH KOREA TO UPGRADE MEDICAL EDUCATION -- VIENTIANE TIMES
A South Korea-funded university, the University of Health Sciences and Hospital, valued at RM510 million (US$120 million), will transform Laos' healthcare sector and medical education. The Vientiane-based facility will provide comprehensive clinical training for medical students and lecturers.
2.LAO AIMS TO BE REGIONAL BULLION TRADING HUB -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao Bullion Bank's participation in the Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference in Singapore recently underscores its commitment to become a regional player in the gold and precious metals industry. Currently, it provides gold deposit accounts, gold credit and gold deposit certificate services.
MYANMAR
1.GOVT-PUBLIC ASSIST EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Government agencies along with local communities are continuing reconstruction efforts in earthquake-affected areas in the Mandalay Region. They are removing roadside debris, rebuilding damaged buildings and building modular houses to provide temporary shelter for displaced victims.
2.ASIAN ELEPHANT POPULATION RISING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Taninthayi Nature Reserve is now home to 64 Asian elephants, which also indicates that the forest is ecologically healthy and rich in biodiversity. Myanmar's protected forests and wetland areas enable wild elephants to survive.
SINGAPORE
1.IRAN STRIKES ISRAELI HOSPITAL; TRUMP TO DECIDE ON US ROLE IN CONFLICT WITHIN 'TWO WEEKS' -- THE STRAITS TIMES/REUTERS
Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran on June 19 and Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel after hitting an Israeli hospital overnight, as a week-old air war escalated with no sign yet of an exit strategy from either side.
2.TRUMP SAYS DECISION ON US ROLE IN ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT TO COME IN TWO WEEKS -- CNA/REUTERS
US President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the United States will get involved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the White House said on Thursday (Jun 19).
VIETNAM
1.HAI PHONG CITY TO HOST ABAC IN JULY -- VIETNAMPLUS
The northern city of Hai Phong will host the third APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting (ABAC III) from July 15 to 18. Discussions will include free trade, digital transformation, capacity building for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and green financing.
1.VINGROUP RANKED 37TH BY FORTUNE SOUTHEAST ASIA -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup was ranked 37th in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 magazine. The top Vietnamese private enterprise is engaged in a wide range of activities — industries, technology, trade, services, infrastructure, energy and social charity.
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