Top News Headlines In Singapore, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam & Thailand: Jan 7, 2025

SINGAPORE

1.MALAYSIAN PM ANWAR HOSTS DINNER FOR PM WONG TO KICK-START LEADERS’ RETREAT -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also Finance Minister, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 6 for the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat.

2.WHAT IS HMPV, WHY ARE CASES RISING IN CHINA AND SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED? -- CNA

China is seeing a surge in respiratory infections, including cases of the flu-like human metapneumovirus (HMPV) amid an annual winter spike across northern provinces, particularly among children aged 14 and below.

LAOS 

1.VIETNAM-LAOS TO HOLD  BILATERAL TALKS  -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will arrive for the 47th Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee meeting from 9 to 10 January. The talks will cover comprehensive cooperation, the planned Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Park in Laos and Vung Ang Port.  

2.INFLATION DIPS BUT PRICES OF GOODS STILL HIGH -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Prices of goods continued to be high despite inflation dropping to 16.9 per cent last month. The government has tried stabilising the kip and foreign exchange rates, targeted credit policies, domestic production, adjusted tax policy, and introduced debt restructuring.

MYANMAR

1.OVER 1,500 FOOD EXPORTERS TO CHINA APPLY FOR LICENCES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Ministry of Commerce said 1,650 Myanmar food processing companies and factories have applied to the General Administration of Customs of China from 1 December 2021 to 3 January 2025. Registration became mandatory for food exporters to China effective 1 January 2022.

2.MIGRATORY BIRDS FLOCK TO AYEYARWADY REGION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Kyonekapyin-Tapseik Wildlife Conservation Group announced that about 50 species of birds, including migratory birds, flocked to the Ayeyarwady Region last month. Over 20 species of migratory birds and several native birds were sighted. A few are facing extinction. 

VIETNAM

1.CIVIL SERVICE RESTRUCTURING TO DELIVER QUALITY -- VIETNAM NEWS 

The government plans to slash at least 20 per cent of civil servants and public employees as part of its restructuring to improve the quality of staff.  Those who helped to streamline payroll, restructure and improve quality will be rewarded. 

2.VIETNAM THIRD LARGEST SOUTH KOREA’S TRADING PARTNER -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam is South Korea's third-largest trading partner in 2024, after China and the United States. Trade turnover reached RM390 billion (US$86.7 billion). Bilateral trade relations blossomed since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, increasing by 150 times.

THAILAND  

1. THAILAND POST RAISES POSTAGE FEES -- THE NATION

State enterprise announces second hike in three years amid rising operational costs.

2. ANUTIN DEFENDS HANDLING OF KHAO KRADONG LAND DISPUTE -- BANGKOK POST

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has insisted that the Ministry of Interior has lawfully and fairly handled the Khao Kradong land dispute case after a senator questioned the Department of Lands' (DoL) investigation procedure.

-- BERNAMA