INDONESIA
1. INDONESIA URGES PEACEFUL RESOLUTION AFTER US CAPTURES VENEZUELA’S MADURO -- THE JAKARTA POST
Indonesia has joined a growing number of countries expressing concern over the sanctity of international law following the United States’ seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which Washington said would be followed by a temporary American control over the oil-rich country.
2. NORTH SUMATRA RECEIVES US$50.9 MILLION FOR SCHOOL REVITALIZATION -- ANTARA
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti said North Sumatra Province has received central government assistance totaling Rp852 billion, or around US$50.9 million, to support a school revitalization program targeting 897 schools.
LAOS
1. DEVELOPING MEKONG RIVER BANK -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government has invested RM276 million (US$68 million) to develop the Mekong River bank in Pakse City in Champasak province. The development of Stretch II of the project is to bring progress to the areas.
2. INCOMING NATIONAL LEADERSHIP -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party will open its 12th National Congress on Tuesday to elect the new leadership. It will also outline Lao’s development roadmap for the next five years.
MYANMAR
1. INDEPENDENCE DAY PLEDGE OF UNITY, PROSPERITY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The 78th Anniversary of Independence Day began with a flag hoisting ceremony at Nay Pyi Taw City Hall yesterday morning. The event aimed to promote peace and development for all ethnic groups.
2. AMNESTY GRANTED TO OVER 6,000 PRISONERS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Authorities granted amnesty to 6,134 inmates serving sentences in prisons, labour camps and detention facilities across the country in conjunction with the 78th Independence Day. Inmates, including foreigners and women, were released yesterday.
PHILIPPINES
1. RAINY MONDAY FORECAST IN MOST OF PH -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Three weather systems will dampen most parts of the country, the Philipinnes weather bureau said on Monday.
2. PNP RESOLVES 4.2K ADMIN CASES IN 2025; 3,124 PERSONNEL DISMISSED -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it resolved 4,203 administrative cases involving 6,527 personnel in 2025.
SINGAPORE
1. ALL NGEE ANN POLY STUDENTS TO LEARN GENERATIVE AI FROM 2026 -- THE STRAITS TIMES
All students at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) will learn how to use generative artificial intelligence, or Gen AI, from January, to prepare them for workplaces where the technology is increasingly part of everyday work.
2. VAPE SELLERS TARGETING THE YOUNG WITH DEVICES THAT CAN PLAY MUSIC, GAMES -- THE STRAITS TIMES
A scheme in which consumers pay a S$0.10 (US$0.07) deposit for bottled and canned drinks will start on Apr 1 as planned, with beverage companies to be given more time to clear stocks that are ineligible for packaging refunds.
THAILAND
1. THAI FIRST ARMY REGION ISSUES WARNING OVER SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS THREATENING NATIONAL SECURITY -- THE NATION The First Army Region warns that sharing videos of seized assets or mocking opponents online could be used as evidence of human rights violations.
2. TANGLED 'BOSS' TALE BACK TO HAUNT -- BANGKOK POST A landmark case long watched by the public -- the alleged assistance given to Red Bull heir Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya to evade prosecution -- has re-emerged with renewed intensity.
VIETNAM
1. HANOI TURNS INTO BUSTLING TOURISM CITY -- VIETNAMPLUS
Hanoi welcomed 560,000 visitors during the New Year holiday from January 1 to 4. Tourists, both local and foreign, spent RM325 million (US$80 million) during their visit to the capital.
2. HANOI-MANILA FOCUSING ON MULTIFACETED TIES -- VIETNAM NEWS
Vietnam and the Philippines have pledged to deepen bilateral relations this year. Both nations will focus on trade, maritime and ocean cooperation, collaboration on climate change issues, disaster relief and combating illegal fishing.
-- BERNAMA
