INDONESIA
1.STEINMEIER'S VISIT SIGNALS A NEW PHASE IN INDONESIA-GERMANY TIES -- ANTARA
The visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Jakarta on June 15 extended far beyond the busy diplomatic schedule at the Merdeka Palace.
2.C SULAWESI LAUNCHES EMERGENCY RESPONSE AFTER M6.7 QUAKE HITS PALU -- ANTARA
Central Sulawesi Governor Anwar Hafid has ordered emergency response measures after a magnitude-6.7 tectonic earthquake struck the Palu area on Tuesday.
LAOS
1.BIG LEAP INTO NUCLEAR ENERGY -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos and Russia have agreed to cooperate in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. They plan to conduct a preliminary feasibility study to assess how a nuclear power plant could be integrated into Laos’ energy system.
2.MEKONG LANCANG FUNDING TO SPUR GROWTH -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos received more than US$3.31 million (RM14 million) for seven development projects under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund 2026. The funds will support human resource development, poverty alleviation, agriculture, water resources and public health.
MYANMAR
1.BORDER SECURITY, TRADE TOP GOVERNMENT TALKS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Reopening border trade posts and improving border trade management topped the agenda of talks between Myanmar and China. Officials also discussed increasing Chinese technical support for quarantine standards for Myanmar’s agricultural products.
2.TAPPING REGIONAL TOURISM POTENTIALS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Myanmar and Cambodia signed an agreement at the Mekong Tourism Forum 2026 to improve regional tourism. The forum themed “Tourism for People, Travel with Purpose” is being held in Yangon this week.
PHILIPPINES
1.CHINESE BBNJ DECLARATION WON’T DIMINISH PH RIGHTS OVER WPS –DFA -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said China’s implementation of the United Nations High Seas Treaty would not “diminish nor forfeit” the Philippines’ maritime zones in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
2.MARCOS LEAVES FOR RUSSIA TO LEAD ASEAN SUMMIT, HOLD TALKS WITH PUTIN -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. departed for Kazan, Russia late Tuesday to lead the Philippines’ participation in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on energy and food security.
SINGAPORE
1. SINGAPORE’S MAY NON-OIL EXPORTS SURGE 38.4 PCT ON AI-LED ELECTRONICS BOOM - CNA
Singapore's non-oil domestic exports (NODX) rose by 38.4 per cent in May from a year earlier, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) said on Wednesday (Jun 17), extending the 24.4 per cent growth recorded in April.
2. S$115M TOP-UP GIVEN TO FUND R&D ON OPTIMISING SPACE AND OTHER URBAN ISSUES IN SINGAPORE -- THE STRAITS TIMES
A further $115 million will be set aside to research Singapore’s most pressing development problems, and find solutions to improve city life for residents.
THAILAND
1. THAILAND ADVANCES 15% GLOBAL MINIMUM TAX ON MULTINATIONALS -- THE NATION
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved the collection of a 15% global minimum corporate tax on large multinational companies under an agreement led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), aiming to prevent profit shifting to tax havens and generate about 10 billion baht in additional state revenue each year.
2. THAIS SPEND 6.9 YEARS LIVING WITH ILLNESS OR DISABILITY -- BANGKOK POST
Thais are expected to spend an average of 6.9 years living with illness or disability in later life, highlighting growing pressure on healthcare services and long-term care systems, according to the Thai Health Report 2026.
VIETNAM
1.NEW AIRPORTS TO TRANSFORM AVIATION SECTOR --VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam plans to put seven new airports into operation by 2030 to expand the country's aviation infrastructure and meet rising travel demand. These airports will increase annual capacity to 220 million passengers.
2 ROBUST LYCHEE TRADE VIA BORDER -- VIETNAMPLUS
More than 16,000 tonnes of fresh lychees worth US$11 million (RM45 million) were exported to China via the border during the new harvest season. Nearly 1,500 trucks transported the fruits to Chinese markets.
-- BERNAMA
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