Top News Headlines In Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Aug 18, 2025
Laos plans to export 210 tonnes of rosella fruit to South Korea this year, in addition to black and white sesame and large onions. Both countries have signed an agreement to promote exports and expand trade ties.
1. CONSUMER GOODS MADE FROM PLANTS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Yangon-based Green Banana Myanmar has developed a new type of loom to produce consumer goods from greater club-rush (Scirpus grossus), a weed species. The environmentally friendly products will be sold in local and foreign markets.
2. ELECTRICITY THEFT UNDER SCRUTINY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Authorities have warned the public not to relocate or install power meters without permission and to stop illegal electricity connections. The department said it will take action under the law, including demanding compensation and fines.
PHILIPPINES
1. PH WINS 'ISLAND CHARM' AWARD AT BEIJING DIVE EXPO - PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA)
The Philippines has strengthened its standing as a top global diving hub after winning the Island Charm Award, recognizing the country's unique appeal to tourists, at the Diving Resort and Travel (DRT) Expo held in Beijing on Aug. 8 to 10.
2. TD 'HUANING' UNLIKELY TO AFFECT PH - PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA)
The low pressure area (LPA) east northeast of Batanes developed into a tropical depression and named "Huaning", the weather bureau said Monday.
SINGAPORE
1. NDR 2025: PM WONG CALLS ON SINGAPOREANS TO UNITE, WRITE NATION'S NEXT CHAPTER TOGETHER -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called on Singaporeans to band together to write the next chapter of the nation's story, as he set out plans to support them throughout various stages of life.
2. NDR 2025: SINGAPORE TO TREAT VAPING AS A 'DRUG ISSUE' AND STEP UP ENFORCEMENT -- CNA
Singapore will treat vaping as a 'drug issue' and step up enforcement, toughening its stance on the electronic cigarettes that are illegal but increasingly rampant among youths in the country.
THAILAND
1. AOT SAYS FACEBOOK PAGE HACKED BUT OPERATIONS UNAFFECTED -- THE NATION
AOT says its official Facebook page was hacked and renamed, but confirms airport operations and passenger services remain unaffected.
2. 'FAKE' WHITE HOUSE JOURNO BARRED FROM THAI ENTRY -- BANGKOK POST
The government has made a U-turn by cancelling an invitation to American national Michael B Alfaro after confirming he is not an accredited White House correspondent, despite his claims.
VIETNAM
1. HONOURING PUBLIC SECURITY FORCES -- VIETNAM NEWS
A grand celebration was held in Hanoi on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Public Security Forces and the 20th anniversary of the All-People Security Safeguard Festival.
2. BILLION DOLLAR MARITIME EXPANSION PLAN - VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam needs about RM59 billion (US$14 billion) to develop its seaport infrastructure by 2030. Construction of ports, wharves and buoys will be part of the major maritime expansion master plan.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
30 minutes ago
- The Star
Dutch crypto firm Amdax aims to launch Bitcoin treasury company on Euronext
An Euronext sign is displayed outside the Euronext stock exchange in the La Defense business district in Paris, France, March 10, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/ File Photo (Reuters) -Amsterdam-based cryptocurrency service provider Amdax plans to launch a bitcoin treasury company called AMBTS (Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Strategy) on the Dutch stock exchange, Amdax said on Monday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: Amdax's plans highlight the growing appeal of bitcoin, which has hit record highs this month. KEY QUOTE: "With now over 10% of bitcoin supply held by corporations, governments and institutions, we think the time is right to establish a bitcoin treasury company with the aim to obtain a listing on Euronext Amsterdam, as one of the leading exchanges in Europe," said Amdax CEO Lucas Wensing. BY THE NUMBERS: Bitcoin has risen nearly 32% so far in 2025, reaching record highs, on the back of regulatory victories for the sector following President Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump has called himself the "crypto president" and his family has made a series of forays into the sector over the past year. Amdax and AMBTS plan to raise capital from a number of private investors in an initial financing round, and the long-term ambition of AMBTS is to own at minimum 1% of all bitcoin over time. (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul: Malaysia controlling stream of rare earth in bid to keep value, keeping both US and China at bay
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Malaysia is banning exports of unprocessed rare earths while at the same time attempting to court downstream investment to retain their value added at home, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz said. Speaking in an interview with US-based CNBC's 'Squawk Box Asia', Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia has discussed its rare-earth strategy with both Washington and Beijing during broader negotiations. 'Today, we engage both sides. And to be fair, both China and US have never said that you can't supply to the other, right? You can't not do business with the other,' he said. He also said that both countries have reminded Malaysia that it cannot have two different standards on rare earth exports. 'So we have to be consistent, to be neutral. You have to consider, we can't have policies which differentiates our relationship with one party to the other, to one country to another. 'So that's, I think, key. Once you do that, then it's very hard to defend that neutrality position,' he added. Tengku Zafrul pointed to the moratorium on rare earth elements exports, highlighting Australian miners Lynas as among firms operating under rules that permit exports after processing. 'So what we are doing now is we're saying that, look, we invite all companies to come to Malaysia and to be part of the supply chain to invest in the downstream activities of rare earth, and then we can then export the value-add of those right now,' he said. Tengku Zafrul argued the approach maximises economic spillovers and strengthens the case for keeping processing domestic. He also framed the policy as a way to anchor higher-value activity in Malaysia while staying open to all buyers under equal rules. Earlier this month, Tengku Zafrul announced that Malaysia will no longer allow the export of raw rare earth minerals, in a move to promote local downstream development. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia remains open to foreign investment, but it must involve local processing, job creation, and technology transfer.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul concedes Malaysia hit with 19pc US tariffs after refusing to cross ‘red lines', but insists won't retaliate
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Malaysia faces a 19 per cent tariffs from the United States since it refuses to cross the 'red lines' in its negotiations with Washington, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abd Aziz has said. Speaking in an interview with US-based CNBC's 'Squawk Box Asia', Tengku Zafrul said that Malaysia will however not retaliate since the US is too important as an investor and export destination for Malaysia and Asean. 'We've seen that there were some red lines that we discussed during our tariff negotiation, and they understood,' he said. 'And I mean, that's, I guess, one of the reasons why we got 19 per cent is because we don't meet up with all the requests. We didn't agree with all the requests.' The transcript of the interview was made available to Malay Mail. On August 1, the US announced it has imposed a reduced tariff of 19 per cent on Malaysian imports — revised from the initially scheduled 25 per cent. Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that Malaysia will not bow to pressure that could undermine national policies, including negotiations with the US related to tariffs. He said that although investment and trade with the US are significant, Malaysia has a 'red line' in negotiations — namely the Bumiputera policy — which must not be compromised, even if it is perceived as 'discriminatory' by external parties. In addition, Tengku Zafrul also acknowledged market concern over possible sectoral tariffs, noting former US president Donald Trump has floated duties as high as 300 per cent on semiconductor products. He said semiconductor tariffs remain at 0 per cent, but warned that sharp hikes would hit Malaysia and its regional peers. 'If you look at the supply chain of semiconductor, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, I mean all the Asean countries are quite involved in that supply chain into the US, into China, into Europe. And this will have an impact to not just for Malaysia or for Asean, but globally as well,' he said. On diversification, he said Malaysia is pressing ahead with multiple trade tracks to reduce over-reliance on not only US, but also China. Tengku Zafrul also disclosed Malaysia has concluded a trade deal with South Korea that is slated to be signed at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) or a leaders' summit. Talks with the European Union have resumed after stalling in 2012, and engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council has begun, he added. He said Malaysia is also pushing to upgrade the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement and has concluded a third-version upgrade of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement with green and digital chapters. Tengku Zafrul added that with intra-Asean trade still below 25 per cent, an Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement — set for discussion in Malaysia on the 28th — will be critical to pull more small and medium enterprises into regional trade.
