Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: June 25, 2025
1.INDONESIA PLANS FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BY 2034, EYES PARTNERSHIPS WITH RUSSIA AND CANADA -- JAKARTA GLOBE
2.RI STILL ON ALERT DESPITE ISRAEL-IRAN CEASEFIRE -- THE JAKARTA POST
Indonesia aims to commission its first nuclear power plant by 2034 as part of a broader push to diversify its energy mix and strengthen long-term energy security, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced Tuesday.
Fears of an escalation in the conflict between Iran and Israel persist despite claims of a ceasefire between the two countries, with the government expediting contingency planning as it finishes its first round of the evacuation of Indonesian nationals from the affected region.
LAOS
1.FUNDING TO CLEAR UXO IN KHAMMUAN PROVINCE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The British-based Mines Advisory Group has received about RM6 million (US$1.4 million) funding to conduct three unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations in Khammuan province. The funds are to clear UXO, conduct surveys and provide risk education.
2.FIVE PER CENT TAX FOR SMALL BUSINESS -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government has proposed a five per cent profit tax for micro-enterprises under the new scheme and those not making any profits will be exempted from tax. This new policy aims to support micro-enterprises in reducing their financial burden.
MYANMAR
1.NEW MYANMAR-THAILAND BORDER CROSSING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
A new border crossing at the Kawthoung International Land Border Checkpoint, located between Myanmar and Thailand, is now operational. The crossing will facilitate border trade and tourism, enhance the socio-economy of the local communities and ensure systematic border crossing.
2.TRADE FAIR TO PROMOTE AGRI SECTOR -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The ninth Agri Tech Myanmar to be held at the Yangon Convention Centre from June 27 to 29 provides a platform to traders and farmers to exhibit their products. It will showcase farm machinery and food processing technology.
SINGAPORE
1.SINGAPORE-CHINA TIES MORE VITAL THAN EVER AMID GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY, SAYS PM WONG -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Amid a turbulent and uncertain world, the relationship between Singapore and China is more important than before, visiting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told Chinese President Xi Jinping.
2.IRAN-ISRAEL CEASEFIRE APPEARS TO HOLD UNDER PRESSURE FROM TRUMP -- CNA/REUTERS
A shaky ceasefire began to take hold between Israel and Iran on Tuesday (Jun 24) under pressure from US President Donald Trump, raising hopes for an end to the biggest ever military confrontation between the Middle East arch-foes.
THAILAND
1. THAI STOCK MARKET FACES VOLATILITY AS SEVEN STOCKS HIT FLOOR; FORCED SELLING SUSPECTED -- THE NATION
SET Index drops 4.85 points as seven stocks plunge to floor levels, driven by high-margin accounts and forced selling, analysts say.
2. PREMIER URGES RELIEF FOR PUBLIC IN LIGHT OF THE THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER TENSIONS -- BANGKOK POST
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that all ministers should find relief measures to aid the public in light of the Thai-Cambodian border tensions, and that government stability and national unity is paramount.
VIETNAM
1.HANOI TO HOST GLOBAL LOGISTICS CONGRESS -- VIETNAMPLUS
The 2025 International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations World Congress will be held in Hanoi from October 6-10. About 1,200 delegates from nearly 150 countries are expected to attend the conference themed 'green logistics and rapid adaptation'.
2. ROSY OUTLOOK FOR AVIATION SECTOR -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam's aviation sector recorded a robust performance in the first half of 2025 — driven by strong passenger and cargo segments in the international markets. Passenger volume reached 41.3 million during the six months and cargo transportation was 695,700 metric tonnes.
-- BERNAMA
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The Star
26 minutes ago
- The Star
M&S' food sales growth slows after cyberattack, says NielsenIQ
Pedestrians walk past the Marble Arch branch of British retailer Marks & Spencer Plc in central London, Britain, May 18, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -British retailer Marks & Spencer's food business saw sales growth slow to 9.1% over the 12 weeks to June 14 year-on-year, reflecting the disruption that followed a cyberattack in April, industry data showed on Wednesday. Researcher NielsenIQ said M&S' food sales growth slowed from 10.8% in last month's report and 14.7% in the one before that. Though M&S' market share ticked up 10 basis points on the year to 3.7%, it was down from the 3.8% reading in last month's report. As part of its management of the cyberattack, M&S stopped taking online clothing orders and also took other systems offline. That reduced food availability and also resulted in higher waste and logistics costs. Last month, M&S said the attack would cost it about 300 million pounds ($409 million) in lost operating profit. The group resumed taking online orders for clothing lines on June 10 after a 46-day suspension following the attack. Most of NielsenIQ's data broadly echoed the findings of rival researcher Kantar's report on Tuesday, with robust performances from market leader Tesco, number two player Sainsbury's and online supermarket Ocado. However, M&S is not fully included in Kantar's market share data set. ($1 = 0.7341 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; editing by Barbara Lewis)
The Star
26 minutes ago
- The Star
UK to buy fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons
FILE PHOTO: A Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jet performs during an exhibition flight at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Britain said it would buy a dozen F-35A fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons in what it described as the biggest expansion of its nuclear deterrent in a generation. The purchase of the Lockheed Martin jets would allow Britain's air force to carry nuclear weapons for the first time since the end of the Cold War, Downing Street said. "In an era of radical uncertainty we can no longer take peace for granted," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. Britain's nuclear deterrent is currently limited to the continuous deployment of at least one nuclear-armed submarine patrolling at sea. Starmer's government is increasing defence spending and upgrading its military forces, including its submarine fleet, as it faces increasing hostility from Russia and as the United States retrenches from its traditional role as a defender of Europe. The announcement by Britain on expanding its nuclear deterrence was made at a NATO summit in The Hague where European members are set to agree an ambitious new target to spend 5% of national income on defence and security. The U.S. will supply B61 tactical nuclear weapons for use on the planes as part of a plan for Britain to take on more responsibility for European security, said a British official who declined to be named. Britain said the purchase of the jets would allow it to contribute so-called dual-capable aircraft to NATO to carry nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said "this is yet another robust British contribution to NATO". NEW CAPABILITY The cost of each F-35A jet is about 80 million pounds ($109 million), putting the total bill for the 12 planes at just under 1 billion pounds, according to another British official, who asked not to be named. Britain's nuclear deterrent currently rests solely on the Trident submarine-based system, which misfired during a test last year, the second successive test failure after one veered off course in 2016. The last time Britain possessed an independent air-launched nuclear capability was in 1998 when the WE-177 free fall bomb was withdrawn from service, according to Britain's parliament. Tactical nuclear weapons are intended for battlefield use, as opposed to strategic weapons designed to be fired across vast distances. By purchasing the F-35A fighter jets, Britain would be able to diversify its military options and align more closely with NATO allies such as France, and the United States, which maintains land, sea, and air-based nuclear capabilities. The United States withdrew its last nuclear weapons from Britain in 2008, in a sign at that time that the threat of conflict following the end of the Cold War was receding. Downing Street said buying the new jets would support about 20,000 jobs in Britain and underline its commitment to NATO. The government has pledged to boost overall defence and security spending to 5% of economic output by 2035 to meet a NATO target and said on Tuesday it must "actively prepare" for war at home for the first time in years. ($1 = 0.7342 pounds) (Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Andrew Heavens)
The Star
35 minutes ago
- The Star
Indonesia to make e-commerce firms collect tax on sellers' sales, sources say
JAKARTA: Indonesia plans to implement new regulations requiring e-commerce platforms to withhold tax on their sellers' sales income in a bid to boost revenues, according to two industry sources informed of the move and a document seen by Reuters. The planned directive, which also aims to level the playing field with brick-and-mortar shops, could be announced as soon as next month, one of the sources said, as South-East Asia's largest economy grapples with weak revenue collection. The changes would affect the country's main e-commerce operators, including ByteDance's TikTok Shop and Tokopedia, Sea Limited's Shopee, Alibaba-backed Lazada, Blibli and Bukalapak, one of the sources said. E-commerce platforms are opposing the regulation, arguing it could increase administrative costs and push sellers away from online marketplaces, said the sources, who were briefed on the plan by tax authorities. Indonesia introduced a similar regulation in late 2018, requiring all marketplace operators to share sellers' data and make them pay taxes on sales income, but withdrew it three months later due to a backlash from the industry. The sources asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. Indonesia's finance ministry, which will be responsible for issuing the order, declined to comment. Indonesia's e-commerce industry association idEA would not confirm or deny details of the plan. However, it said the policy will affect millions of sellers if implemented. Finance ministry data showed revenues fell 11.4 per cent year on year in the January to May period to 995.3 trillion rupiah (US$61 billion) due to low commodity prices, weak economic growth and disruptions to tax collection caused by a system upgrade. Indonesia's e-commerce industry, meanwhile is booming, with last year's estimated gross merchandise value of US$65 billion expected to grow to US$150 billion by 2030, according to a report by Google, Singapore state investor Temasek and consultancy Bain & Co. The sources said that under the new rule e-commerce platforms will be required to withhold and pass onto the authorities tax amounting to 0.5 per cent of sales income from sellers with annual turnover of between 500 million rupiah and 4.8 billion rupiah. Those sellers are considered small and medium-sized enterprises and are already required to pay that tax directly. One of the sources added that there was also a penalty proposed for late reporting by e-commerce platforms. The sources' comments were corroborated by the contents of an official presentation the tax office made to operators that was seen by Reuters. In addition to the expected additional administration costs, e-commerce platforms are expressing concern the current tax system, which has been facing technical problems after an upgrade at the start of the year, will struggle to handle the amount of data the tax office is asking marketplaces to share. - Reuters
