INDONESIA
1. PERTAMINA TO PHASE OUT FUEL IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT ORDER -- JAKARTA GLOBE
State-owned energy company Pertamina confirmed on Sunday that it would follow the government’s directive to gradually reduce, and eventually stop, fuel imports from Singapore, shifting supply sources to other countries. Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Pertamina’s spokesman, said the company is still waiting for more detailed instructions from the government before implementing the policy.
2. MOUNT LEWOTOBI LAKI-LAKI ERUPTS, SPEWS 300M ASH COLUMN -- ANTARA
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted on Sunday at 8.17 pm central Indonesia time, spewing a 300-metre column of volcanic ash above its peak. This was confirmed by a monitoring officer of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Herman Yosef Mboro in a written report received here on Sunday.
LAOS
1. APRIL INFLATION STANDS AT 11 PER CENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao Statistics Bureau’s Inflation Report said the inflation rate for April was 11.1 per cent, a slight drop from the 11.2 per cent recorded in March. Housing, water supply, electricity, and cooking fuel were among the commodities that pushed up inflation.
2. CHINESE DOCTORS CONDUCT SUCCESSFUL CATARACT SURGERIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES
China-based GX Foundation has completed its six-year Cataract Blindness Elimination Programme in Laos, conducting nearly 5,800 free cataract surgeries nationwide. Since September 2022, GX deployed 10 medical teams comprising 73 professionals to conduct 84 missions.
MYANMAR
1. KASON FESTIVAL CELEBRATION NATIONWIDE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
People in Myanmar ushered in the Kason Full Moon Day or Buddha Day by doing various meritorious deeds at pagodas, stupas and sacred sites. Activities included performing merit, pouring water at banyan trees, donating meals and giving alms to monks.
2. EXPEDITING REHABILITATION WORKS AHEAD OF RAINY DAYS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Rescue and rehabilitation operations are being escalated in the earthquake-affected areas with the assistance of local and foreign agencies. Focus is on providing drinking water, healthcare, ensuring fire safety, proper disposal of waste in landfills and preventing illnesses like fever and diarrhoea.
SINGAPORE
1. ‘NATURAL THAT VOTERS WANT IT ALL’: WHY SPECIFIC ESTATE PLANS STILL MATTERED IN GE2025 -- THE STRAITS TIMES
More sheltered walkways and cleaner estates may appear as rather provincial concerns, but the results of the 2025 General Election show that a considered town plan and municipal management chops have become baseline expectations for many voters here.
2. INNOVATIVE OR ‘DANGEROUS’? INDONESIA’S LOCAL LEADERS RAISE EYEBROWS WITH VASECTOMY-FOR-AID AND OTHER SCHEMES -- CNA
Wearing green uniforms and hats resembling those of the Indonesian army, dozens of teenage boys lined up neatly in the middle of a field in Purwakarta, West Java, shouting: “Ready, ready, ready! Awesome! Let’s keep up the spirit!”
THAILAND
1. CORRECTIONAL HOSPITAL HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER TO SUE MEDICAL COUNCIL -- THE NATION
The Department of Corrections on Sunday denied media reports claiming that its hospital has already resolved to seek a court order to revoke the Medical Council’s resolution to discipline three doctors involved in certifying former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for an extended hospital stay.
2. TOURISM IN THE DOLDRUMS -- BANGKOK POST
The tourism industry posted underwhelming results for the first four months this year as the international market contracted by 0.2% year-on-year.
VIETNAM
1. VIETNAM-RUSSIA HONOUR BILATERAL RELATIONS -- VIETNAM NEWS
Vietnam and Russia recognised the achievements during the 75 years of diplomatic relations. Their ties include political dialogue, defence and security cooperation, economy, energy, education, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
2. PROPOSAL TO RAISE TOBACCO TAX TO DETER SMOKING -- VIETNAMPLUS
Authorities have been urged to increase tobacco taxes to reduce smoking rates, as more individuals gain access to tobacco products due to rising incomes. Vietnam raised the consumption tax on tobacco three times between 2008 and 2019 but this did not deter smokers.
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