The Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) confirmed that three officers who were killed on duty with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will get posthumous promotions, and their families will receive of more than Rp1.8 billion in compensation.

2.PRABOWO HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGIC RESULTS FROM MEETING WITH S KOREA'S LEE -- ANTARA

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that his Wednesday meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, has yielded productive and strategic results for both nations.

LAOS

1.GLOBAL-STANDARD SKILLS TRAINING -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The government will upgrade workers’ skills through the International Labour Organisation-China Programme. The programme will target garment-making, food processing, e-commerce, marketing and electric vehicles.

2.VIETNAM-LAOS MAINTAIN STEADY BILATERAL TIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Vientiane on Tuesday to further cement bilateral ties between the two nations. Both governments will deepen ties in politics, defence, security and economic affairs.

MYANMAR

1.PROMOTING RAILWAY TO REDUCE DIESEL CONSUMPTION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

The government is promoting the use of railways as an alternative mode of transport for the public and the movement of freight. This measure comes as the prices of diesel have continued to surge over the last month.

2.HEAT SHELTERS BEING SET UP IN MAGWAY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Authorities in Magway Region are establishing heat relief shelters after the temperature hit 43 degrees Celsius. Preparations to treat heat exhaustion and heat stroke are being carried out in Magway, ranked among the world’s hottest locations.

PHILIPPINES 

1.PH SEEKS ‘NON-HOSTILE’ TAG FROM IRAN FOR SAFE VESSEL PASSAGE -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippine government is seeking a “non-hostile” designation from Iran to ensure safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels and oil shipments, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

2.ASEAN MEETS IN MANILA ON DISASTER RESPONSE, SECURITY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Senior defence officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partner countries convened in Manila to strengthen cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) while addressing emerging regional security challenges.

SINGAPORE

1. SAF TO DISPOSE OF 250KG WORLD WAR II BOMB FOUND ALONG TANAH MERAH COAST ROAD -- CNA

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will dispose of a 250kg World War II aerial bomb on Thursday, after it was found at a construction site along Tanah Merah Coast Road.

2. FIVE OF SEVEN PRIVATE HEALTH INSURERS HIKE PREMIUMS FOR EXISTING PLANS --  THE STRAITS TIMES

Five private health insurers offering Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) and IP riders increased the premiums of their existing products from April 1, citing rising medical costs and higher amounts of claims made.

THAILAND

1. BANK OF THAILAND LAUNCHES CRACKDOWN ON HIGH-VALUE CASH TRANSACTIONS -- THE NATION

The Bank of Thailand has implemented new rules requiring customers to justify cash withdrawals of 5 million baht (US$115,000) or more to help tackle financial crime.

2. POLLUTED CHIANG MAI TO SUFFER AT SONGKRAN -- BANGKOK POST

Northern tourism operators expect a poor showing during the Songkran holiday as the region remains choked by smog, amid weak spending attributed to the war in the Middle East and the subsequent oil shock.

VIETNAM

1.MANUFACTURING SUFFERS DUE TO IRAN WAR -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam’s manufacturing slowed down in March due to swelling input costs. The softening of the sector was caused by rising fuel and logistics costs, while employment and business confidence also declined. 

2.STRONG PUSH FOR GREEN TRANSPORT -- VIETNAMPLUS

Hanoi has deployed 10 electric bus routes, featuring a total of 288 vehicles, since April 1. The number of buses using electricity and other green energy is expected to reach 822 in the city by the end of April. 

-- BERNAMA