INDONESIA
1.PRESIDENT PRABOWO ORDERS TASK FORCE TO SPEED UP DEREGULATION EFFORTS -- ANTARA
President Prabowo Subianto has instructed State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi to prepare the formation of a special task force aimed at accelerating deregulation efforts.
2.INDONESIA CONFIRMS US NAPHTHA SHIPMENT ARRIVING IN MAY 2026 -- ANTARA
Trade Minister Budi Santoso confirmed that imports of naphtha, the main raw material for plastic resin, are scheduled to arrive in mid-May 2026.
MYANMAR
1.ENGAGING LUCRATIVE INDIAN TOURISM MARKET -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Myanmar Tourism Federation will hold roadshows in at least five major Indian cities to showcase tourist destinations. These extensive campaigns are to promote long-term sustainable tourism in the Indian market.
2.INCREASING LIVE SEAFOOD EXPORTS TO RAISE REVENUE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Authorities are planning to export more live marine products that will generate lucrative revenue for the country. Live lobsters, shell crabs and shrimps are in high demand in overseas markets for their freshness.
PHILIPPINES
1.MARCOS: NO STATE FORCES IN SENATE SHOOTING, NO ORDER TO ARREST BATO -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday night said no state security forces were involved in the shooting incident inside the Senate complex and denied reports that government agencies had been ordered to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
2.MAGNITUDE 5.5 QUAKE JOLTS PARTS OF CAGAYAN -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake jolted Dalupiri Island in Cagayan province on Thursday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
SINGAPORE
1. RULE OF LAW BOOSTS SINGAPORE'S SOCIAL FABRIC; GOVERNMENT'S JOB IS TO REFLECT SOCIAL VALUES IN LAW: EDWIN TONG
The rule of law is a framework for strengthening Singapore's social fabric because it is "the basis on which we believe that no one is above the law, and so no segment of society will rise ahead or fall behind because of who we are", Law Minister Edwin Tong said on Wednesday.
2. SINGAPORE TO TRIAL MULTI-CANCER EARLY DETECTION TESTS AND TARGETED CANCER SCREENING -- THE STRAITS TIMES
A clinical study involving 1,000 people at higher risk of cancer due to genetic factors or pre-cancerous conditions will be carried out in the second half of 2026 to evaluate the use of popular multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests.
THAILAND
1. ACTUAL INVESTMENT JUMP STRENGTHENS THAILAND'S GROWTH OUTLOOK -- THE NATION
Thailand’s actual investment rose 18% to 260 billion baht in Q1 2026, as the government pushes BOI Fast Pass and 3% plus GDP growth.
2. FUEL CRISIS RESULTS IN FEWER FLIGHTS FOR THAI PILOTS -- BANGKOK POST
Pilots in Thailand have begun to feel the impact of reduced flights, as some low-cost carriers have announced a 20% cut in allowances and reduced productivity pay to cope with rising operational costs.
VIETNAM
1.EMPOWERING STUDENT STARTUP ENTREPRENEURS -- VIETNAMPLUS
The Education Ministry will implement a student entrepreneurship programme to develop a comprehensive startup ecosystem across the education sector. The new plan shifts focus from individual startups to an integrated and sustainable model.
2.UPGRADING CROSS-BORDER CRIME PREVENTION CENTRE -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam Customs is strengthening the Narcotics Targeting Centre by equipping it with modern surveillance equipment to tackle cross-border crimes. The centre will focus on the trafficking of narcotics, emerging psychoactive substances and hazardous chemicals smuggling.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; 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 : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
