Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia received an award on Thursday evening for his initiatives to promote entrepreneurship in the mining sector by involving local communities, cooperatives, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

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2.CIVIL GROUPS TO CHALLENGE NEW CRIMINAL PROCEDURES LAW AT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT -- THE JAKARTA POST

Civil groups and students plan to challenge the new Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP) Law at the Constitutional Court, citing alleged “manipulation” of public input during the deliberation by lawmakers.  

LAOS 

1.BETTER FACILITIES DRIVING TOURISM -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Over three million foreign tourists visited Laos from January to September this year. The rise was due to improvement in tourism facilities and services, including the high-speed railway, which passes through Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces.

 2.OVER 600 SUB-DISTRICTS CREATED -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

The National Assembly has approved the creation of 640 sub-districts nationwide as part of the restructuring of local administration. The new sub-districts will become the lowest tier of government, replacing villages as the primary administrative unit.

PHILIPPINES

1. 4 WEATHER SYSTEMS TO DAMPEN PH ON FRIDAY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Most parts of the country will experience rains caused by several weather systems, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

1. PBBM: FLOOD CONTROL EVIDENCE TO BE REFERRED TO OMBUDSMAN FOR PROBE -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Friday that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will turn over to the Office of the Ombudsman all evidence on alleged flood control anomalies.

SINGAPORE

1.GROWTH IN SINGAPORE KEY EXPORTS SEEN SLOWING TO 0-2 PCT IN 2026 ON US TARIFF IMPACT  -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The growth in Singapore’s key exports is expected to moderate in 2026 to 0 per cent to 2 per cent as tariff impact materialises and frontloading eases, Enterprise Singapore said on Nov 21. 

2.SINGAPORE UPGRADES 2025 GDP GROWTH FORECAST TO ABOUT 4 PCT AFTER THIRD QUARTER BEATS ESTIMATE  -- CNA

Singapore on Friday (Nov 21) upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2025 to around 4 per cent after a better-than-expected performance in the third quarter of the year.

THAILAND

1. 97 PASSENGGERS RESCUED AFTER KOH KOOD FERRY SUFFERS HULL BREACH -- THE NATION

Thai authorities rescue all 97 people from a Koh Kood ferry after a hull breach near Kradat Island, with passengers safely brought ashore despite strong winds and high waves.  

2. MINISTER VOWS VAT INCREASES -- BANGKOK POST

The Finance Ministry plans to gradually raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate by an additional 1.5 percentage points to 8.5% by 2028, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday.

VIETNAM

1.AIR BUSAN LINKS BUSAN-HANOI ROUTE -- VIETNAMPLUS

Air Busan, South Korea's airline, will restart services on the Busan–Hanoi route after a six-year suspension. It will operate non-regular flights four times a week starting from December 31 to March 1 next year.

2.MOSCOW SUPPORTS INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH -- VIETNAM NEWS

Vietnam and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Hanoi on Thursday to promote cooperation in scientific research and industrial innovation. The move will further foster bilateral ties and promote research in advanced technology. 

-- BERNAMA