2. INDONESIA COVERS VAT ON ECONOMY FLIGHTS TO CUT AIRFARES -- ANTARA

The Indonesian government has issued a regulation to cover value added tax (VAT) on economy-class domestic flight tickets, aiming to reduce airfares amid rising aviation fuel costs.

LAOS

1. LAOS-CHINA TRADE REACH RM40 BILLION -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos and China trade rose to nearly US$10 billion (RM40 billion) last year, up almost 20 per cent year-on-year. China remained Laos’ largest foreign investor with cumulative investment exceeding US$18 billion (RM71 billion).

2. ELECTRICITY EXPORT TO VIETNAM SOARS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos transmitted a record amount of electricity to Vietnam in the first quarter of 2026, largely driven by new renewable energy projects and stronger cross-border transmission lines. Exports increased to 2.92 billion kilowatt-hours during the period.

MYANMAR

1. ANCIENT TEMPLES IN INDIAN OCEAN EYE UNESCO LISTING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar, India and Thailand will jointly submit a list of the ancient Maha Bodhi  Buddhist temples, in their respective countries, nominations to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

2. SQUID PRICES SURGE DUE TO SHORTAGE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Salon ethnic fishermen living in Kawthaung, Tanintharyi Region, are enjoying lucrative income from squid due to favourable prices in Thailand. Squid prices have almost doubled due to a supply shortage this season.

PHILIPPINES

1. DA PUSHES FOR MEASURES PROTECTING LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA) 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing the right button to implement the necessary measures and protect local food producers and consumers from the economic impacts of the current Middle East conflict, including the surging cost of fuel.

2. MARCOS ASSURES UNINTERRUPTED GOV’T SERVICES AMID ENERGY EMERGENCY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA) 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public that government services will continue uninterrupted despite the ongoing national energy emergency.

SINGAPORE

1. DEFENCE EXPERTS WARN OF FITNESS TRACKER RISKS IN SINGAPORE MILITARY BASES AMID GLOBAL STRAVA BREACHES -- CNA

Fitness tracking apps like Strava could pose security risks in Singapore's military bases – not by revealing their locations, but by exposing the daily routines and movement patterns of personnel inside, defence observers have warned.

2. SIX-YEAR STUDY TO PROTECT SINGAPORE’S SOUTH-WEST COAST FROM RISING SEAS TO START IN 2026 --  THE STRAITS TIMES

A study to protect the industry-heavy south-west of Singapore from sea-level rise is expected to start later in 2026, with consultants set to recommend if coastal barriers can be built between the mainland and Jurong Island.

THAILAND

1. THAI AIRASIA CUTS MORE SUMMER ROUTES AS JET FUEL PRICES SURGE -- THE NATION

Thai AirAsia has adjusted its summer 2026 flight schedule, suspending several routes and reducing services as airlines face sharply higher fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict and the wider oil crisis.

2. RISING OIL, POWER COSTS WEIGH ON STEEL -- BANGKOK POST

Thailand's steel and iron industry is reeling from the impact of soaring oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict, as higher shipping costs for imported iron ore -- the key raw material for steelmaking -- push production expenses to new heights.

VIETNAM

1. HANOI AIMS TO DOMINATE LOW ALTITUDE ECONOMY -- VIETNAMPLUS

Hanoi is positioning itself to become a low-altitude economy by developing unmanned aerial vehicles. The city defines low-altitude economy as economic activities conducted below 1,000 metres.

2. DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT STONE AXES -- VIETNAMPLUS

Five ancient stone axes, believed to be around 6,000 – 8,000 years old, have been discovered in En Cave in central Vietnam. According to experts, they were made from siliceous stone.

-- BERNAMA