Latest news with #VIENTIANETIMES
Barnama
14 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. 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. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: June 18, 2025
Cambodia has been re-elected as a member of the Program Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). It will represent the Asia-Pacific Region for the 2026-2028 term beginning on January 1, 2026. China-funded Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Project on Mine Action in Cambodia will bring safety and development affected areas. About 700 families will directly benefit from mine-free land and an additional 55,111 families in targeted areas will also gain. TO DISCUSS SECURITY, TRADE WITH PUTIN -- THE JAKARTA POST President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to talk about security, trade and the economy during their first official bilateral engagement, following the two leaders' previous pledge to deepen Jakarta-Moscow relations. BANKNOTES ON DISPLAY AS AGO SEIZES US$728 MLN IN PALM OIL GRAFT -- JAKARTA GLOBE The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has seized more than Rp 11.88 trillion (around US$728 million) from five subsidiaries of Singapore-based agribusiness giant Wilmar Group in connection with a corruption case involving crude palm oil export permits. LAOS BANK-FUNDED WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT -- VIENTIANE TIMES Laos will implement the World Bank-funded RM162 million (US$38 million) waste management project from 2025 to 2031. The project involves the management of waste, plastics and pollution and also improving municipal solid waste services in Vientiane. TO ADDRESS BORDER CRIMES -- VIENTIANE TIMES At the 6th Thai-Laos and Lao-Thai Summit, both governments pledged to address border issues. Officials will address drug trafficking, unlawful border crossing and crimes. The Lao-Thai border passes through nine provinces in Laos and borders 12 provinces in Thailand. MYANMAR 50,000 PRIVATE BUSINESSES REGISTERED -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Private industries are growing with nearly 47,879 companies registered with the Ministry of Industry this year. Fifty per cent of the companies are in the food sector. Yangon is home to 8,220 businesses and Mandalay boasts 6,898 companies. PRICE RISES IN LOCAL MARKET -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Local maize prices have increased due to strong demand in the global market and a shortage in the domestic market. Myanmar exports about three million metric tonnes of maize annually, with Thailand being its main market. SINGAPORE CALLS FOR IRAN'S 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' AS ISRAEL-IRAN AIR WAR ENTERS SIXTH DAY -- THE STRAITS TIMES/REUTERS Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other on June 18 as the air war between the two longtime enemies entered a sixth day despite a call from US President Donald Trump for Iran's unconditional surrender. CALLS FOR IRAN'S 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' AS ISRAEL-IRAN AIR WAR RAGES ON -- CNA/REUTERS President Donald Trump called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" on Tuesday (Jun 17) and warned that US patience was wearing thin, but said there was no immediate intention to kill Iran's leader "for now", as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth day. VIETNAM ORDERS 40 ROLLS ROYCE TRENT 7000 ENGINES -- VIETNAMPLUS Vietjet ordered an additional 40 Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The latest procurement will help to expand its 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft fleet. The airline ordered 40 similar engines at the Singapore Airshow last year. WUTIP THREATENS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL -- VIETNAM NEWS Hanoi meteorologists warn about the severity of Storm Wutip that brings heavy rainfall due to a shift in seasonal weather patterns. So far nine people have died, 60,000 hectares of crops submerged in floods and eight boats damaged. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: June 17, 2025
Indonesian officials and activists have pushed back against recent remarks by Culture Minister Fadli Zon suggesting the mass rapes during the May 1998 riots were merely 'rumors', saying such comments risk erasing painful historical truths and marginalising victims. The government currently sees no need to send another delegation to the United States for the negotiations on tariffs as it believes it has made its case for open bilateral trade and says the ball is now in the US' court. 2. RI SEES NO NEED TO SEND TEAM FOR US TRADE TALKS -- THE JAKARTA POST The Lao media industry has undergone a rapid transformation, from analogue to digital broadcasting. Online media platforms have changed the way content is disseminated and consumed among the public. Laos has 86 radio stations, 49 television stations and 116 print media outlets. 2. HARNESSING PRIVATE INVESTMENT FOR GROWTH -- VIENTIANE TIMES The International Finance Corporation and the government is working to enhance the Public-Private Partnerships legal framework to make the business environment attractive. This will help in welcoming private sector investment to promote sustainable economic growth and job creation. MYANMAR 1. APRIL-MAY FISH EXPORTS HIT RM200 MILLION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR About 43,600 metric tonnes of fish worth RM200 million (US$48 million) were exported in April-May this year. Myanmar earned over RM1.8 billion (U$421 million) from about 400,000 metric tonnes of fish exports in the 2024-2025 financial year. 2. MODERNISING FOOTWEAR PRODUCTION FOR EXPORTS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar's footwear manufacturers are striving to transform the sector into an export-oriented business. Producers are exploring modernising production, expanding domestic and foreign markets and utilising local raw materials. Nearly 85 per cent of inputs are locally produced. SINGAPORE 1. SINGAPORE AIMS TO RAMP UP AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE USE TO BOOST PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK -- THE STRAITS TIMES Singapore is poised to make a big push for self-driving vehicles to be deployed across the island in the next five years, to strengthen the public transport network. 2. SINGAPORE TO HAVE 'MANY' AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN FIVE YEARS: ACTING TRANSPORT MINISTER JEFFREY SIOW -- CNA Singaporeans can expect to see "many" autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the roads in five years, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. VIETNAM 1. DRIVING TOWARDS ZERO EMISSIONS ON ROADS BY 2050 -- VIETNAM NEWS A new draft regulation on car emissions standards has been introduced by the government to reduce carbon pollution and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The goal is for clean fuel distribution to achieve the nation's environmental goals. 2. ANIMAL VACCINATION YET TO MEET NATIONAL TARGET -- VIETNAM NEWS Animal disease vaccination funded by the state budget fell short in the first half of this year. Vaccination coverage for African swine fever, avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease failed to reach the mandated national targets. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Barnama
6 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, & Vietnam: June 13, 2025
President Prabowo Subianto will fly to Russia next week to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and attend several economic events in the European country, snubbing an invitation to attend the Group of Seven Summit in Canada. The Indonesian government is inviting global investors to participate in national infrastructure projects worth approximately Rp 200 trillion (US$12.3 billion), with opportunities spanning sectors such as roads, housing, food, and renewable energy. 1 COSTLY ELECTRICITY PRICE HURTING ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES Lawmakers are urging the government to reconsider the recent increase in electricity prices, as it has become a burden to households and businesses, and is hurting economic growth. The government adjusted electricity tariffs to ease the pressure on the national power supplier from debts. 2. URGENT NEED TO IMPROVE EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE -- VIENTIANE TIMES The National Assembly highlighted the rising school dropout rates and healthcare quality. Representatives want the government to allocate additional budget to improve the quality of education and impose tighter regulations on entertainment outlets and beauty salons that offer cosmetic procedures. MYANMAR 1. CLASSICAL MUSIC EYES UN'S INTANGIBLE HERITAGE LIST -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Officials are working to include Mahagita, Myanmar's classical music, in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Myanmar has an inventory of about 2,200 cultural heritage items. 2. AFFORDABLE RICE FOR CONSUMERS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Myanmar Rice Federation announced that rice traders will sell rice at affordable prices every Wednesday and Thursday in Lanmadaw Township. Retailers are not entitled to make a profit of more than eight per cent of the market prices. VIETNAM 1. REMOVING RED TAPES IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR -- VIETNAM PLUS The Ministry of Construction aims to streamline processes to make the building sector more business-friendly. They will review issues such as the issuance of construction permits, the speed of project approvals, and overlapping regulations to enhance the sector's efficiency. 2. RISE IN RUSSIAN TOURISTS TO VIETNAM -- VIETNAM PLUS More Russians are choosing Vietnam for their vacation and the numbers are forecast to hit 6.4 million this summer. The launch of new direct and charter flights, the strengthening of the Russian rouble and lower airfares are fuelling Russian-Vietnam tourism growth. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Barnama
30-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: May 30
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen urged the public to remain calm and trust the government and the armed forces to resolve the recent border clash through negotiation. He also warned of fake news that could incite tensions between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia will host the 2nd Badminton Asia Southeast Asia Regional Championships 2025 from July 7 to 12. The tournament includes double and single categories in the U15, U17 and U23 age groups. It will be held at the Morodok Techo National Stadium. The government has pushed back against reports that Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio has backed out of an advisory role at Indonesia's state asset fund Danantara and said it remained in contact with the United States hedge fund titan's team. 2. NORTH SUMATRA TAKES ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF FOUR ISLANDS FORMERLY UNDER ACEH -- JAKARTA GLOBE The central government has officially reassigned four islands previously under Aceh's jurisdiction to the administrative authority of North Sumatra Province, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution confirmed on Thursday. LAOS 1. HARSH PENALTY TO CURB ILLEGAL SURROGACY -- VIENTIANE TIMES Anyone involved in surrogacy in Loa will be punished with a 19-year prison sentence and fined up to 400 million kip (RM79,000). The warning comes after advertisements promoting illegal surrogacy were discovered. Hiring a surrogate mother needs a government doctor's approval. 2. PNEUMONIA TOPS LIST OF ILLNESS THREATENING KIDS -- VIENTIANE TIMES The Children's Hospital in Vientiane is strengthening paediatricians' skills to improve the health and mortality rate of newborns and infants. Pneumonia remains a leading illness at the hospital, followed by diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infections and malaria. MYANMAR 1. ETHNIC ARMED GROUPS TOLD TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The government has urged all ethnic armed organisations and relevant parties to respect the temporary ceasefire to ensure rehabilitation works are carried out smoothly. Besides, addressing the current risks being faced by the nation, it is imperative to consider potential future dangers. 2. TAPPING OIL, GAS, SOLAR TO POWER THE NATION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The Ministry of Energy is launching new offshore oil and gas projects to strengthen the energy sector. The government is also considering the import and installation of solar panels as they are key for power production for the country. SINGAPORE 1. 47 COUNTRIES TO ATTEND 22ND SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE IN SINGAPORE -- THE STRAITS TIMES Forty-seven countries, including 40 minister-level delegates, will attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), which takes place at the Shangri-La Hotel from May 30 to June 1. UNDERREPORTED PROBLEM? SURVEY FINDS 30% OF SINGAPORE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN BULLIED -- CNA A survey by CNA's Talking Point programme has found that student bullying could be more pervasive than official figures suggest, with about 30 per cent of secondary school students in Singapore claiming they have been bullied. THAILAND 1. SOMSAK VETOES MEDICAL COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION ON DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AGAINST -- DOCTORS THE NATION Public Health Minister Somsak vetoes Medical Council's disciplinary action against three doctors over Thaksin's hospital stay opinion. 2. FLOOD THREAT GROWS ALONG CHAO PHRAYA -- BANGKOK POST Bangkok is on heightened alert for potential flooding as high sea levels threaten low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River through to Sunday, with temporary and permanent flood protection measures underway. VIETNAM 1. PROPOSAL TO BUILD RM2 BILLION CASINO IN QUANG NINH -- VIETNAM NEWS The Ministry of Finance is seeking the government's approval to build a tourism complex in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh province, including a luxury RM8.5 billion (US$2 billion) casino. The casino will be built on 244 hectares of land. 2. TRADE FAIR IN SOUTHERN CITY EYING GLOBAL SUPPLIERS -- VIETNAMPLUS Ho Chi Minh City will host the Vietnam International Hardware Expo 2025 and the Home Show Vietnam 2025 from June 4-6. The business-to-business trade fair, aimed at connecting global suppliers, will showcase hardware, household products and gifts. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
