INDONESIA
1.EU ADMITS TO RUSHING PALM OIL DEFORESTATION LAW, SIMPLIFICATION UNDERWAY -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Senior European Union lawmakers admitted Wednesday that the bloc had rushed with the deforestation regulation that sparked concerns from the world’s largest palm oil producer Indonesia. Work is now underway to simplify the rules.
2.‘BANDUNG SPIRIT’ NEEDED, MORE THAN EVER -- THE JAKARTA POST
The “Bandung Spirit” introduced during the Asia-Africa Conference seven decades ago remains relevant as a strategy for Global South countries in facing the disintegration of the current world order, which requires increased communication and collective identity building among developing nations, diplomats and academicians have said.
MYANMAR
1.EARTHQUAKE RESCUE OPERATIONS STILL IN PROGRESS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Myanmar Fire Brigade, along with local and international search and rescue teams, continue their emergency response operations in earthquake-affected areas. So far, 3,667 people have been confirmed dead, 4,825 injured and 129 reported missing following the March 28 earthquake.
2.LEADER WANTS NATION TO BUILD MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in his New Year greetings to the nation on April 14 urged all citizens to participate in building a multiparty democracy. He said Myanmar faced various disasters, difficulties and challenges and has learned valuable lessons.
SINGAPORE
1.SINGAPORE WILL HELP SHAPE A MORE STABLE, RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT: PM WONG -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Singapore is charting new frontiers and will be opening diplomatic missions in Africa and Latin America over the next few years.
2.SINGAPORE 'NOT WITHOUT AGENCY' DESPITE ITS LIMITATIONS AS A SMALL STATE AMID GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS: PM WONG -- CNA
Amid deeply worrying global developments and despite the country's limitations as a small state, Singapore is "not without agency", said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday (Apr 16).
THAILAND
1. THAILAND DISMISSES RESERVE RAID AMID TRUMP TAX POLICY CONCERNS -- THE NATION
Thailand's Finance Minister, Pichai Chunhavajira, has ruled out the use of the nation's foreign reserves to counter potential economic fallout from US President Donald Trump’s tax policies.
2. DRIVE TO PROMOTE SOFT POWER HEATS UP -- BANGKOK POST
A draft bill to promote soft power will soon be submitted to the cabinet, while the establishment of the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (Thacca) is anticipated in the first quarter of next year, says the chairman of the National Soft Power Development Committee.
VIETNAM
1.DRIVING NATION’S GREEN TRANSITION STRATEGY -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam is driving the "Sustainable and People-Centred Green Transition” agenda to promote a sustainable economic model. It is urging developed countries to provide financial support, technology and management expertise to developing and least developed countries to make the green transition.
2.SHRIMP EXPORTERS TO GO DIGITAL TO BE COMPETITIVE -- VIETNAMPLUS
Authorities urge exporters to adopt eco-friendly technologies and digital transformation in shrimp farming to compete in the international seafood market. The industry faces multiple challenges like high production costs, disease outbreaks, climate change and global competition.
-- BERNAMA
