TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN MYANMAR, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE & VIETNAM: DEC 28, 2025

MYANMAR 

1. FIFTY SEVEN POLITICAL PARTIES CONTESTING POLLS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The Union Election Commission said 57 political parties and 4,863 candidates will compete in the three-phased elections that begin today. A total of 21,517 polling stations are open for voters.

2. UPGRADING IRON SMELTING INDUSTRY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The Industry Ministry will provide iron smelting and wire drawing technology to iron mills in Sagaing and Mandalay regions to ensure they meet manufacturing standards. There are 220 iron smelting and wire drawing mills in both regions. 

PHILIPPINES

1. EASTERLIES, 'AMIHAN' TO CONTINUE AFFECTING PH ON SUNDAY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

  The easterlies and northeast monsoon or “amihan” will continue to affect the country on Sunday, the weather bureau said.

2.  91 FIREWORKS-RELATED INJURIES RECORDED DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 91 fireworks-related injuries during the Christmas week, from Dec. 21 to 27.

SINGAPORE

1. 3D PRINTED HANDS, TOOLS CO-CREATED BY SINGAPORE NON-PROFIT GROUP PLUG ASSISTIVE-TECH GAPS-- THE STRAITS TIMES 

 Ms Irene Lim uses 3D-printed tools created by Salvage Garden to eat and apply makeup independently, after losing part of her limbs to sepsis.

2. INSIDE TEMASEK SHOPHOUSE: ORCHARD ROAD’S RESTORED BUILDINGS AND THEIR HIDDEN HISTORIES -- CNA

 Four conserved Orchard Road buildings, painstakingly restored and stitched together into Temasek Shophouse, reveal a trove of forgotten details – from ghost signs and Shanghai plaster to a secret vault beneath the floor.

VIETNAM

1. HANOI TO BE SENIOR-FRIENDLY CITY -- VIETNAMPLUS

Ho Chi Minh City is building more facilities to support the growing senior citizen population. The city has the highest number of elderly people in Vietnam, with about six million above the age of 60. 

2. PROMOTING ECO-FRIENDLY FERTILISERS, CHEMICALS -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry said managing the chemical and fertiliser industry is critical as the country transitions into a green era. The industry is major greenhouse gas producer that can harm the environment. 

-- BERNAMA