42nd ASEAN Summit

2. TOURISTS IN BALI MUST BE READY TO OBSERVE NYEPI DAY -- THE BALI SUN

Tourists in Bali will be acutely aware that something big is happening. The island is buzzing with preparations for the most sacred day of the year, Nyepi. The Balinese holy day of silence will be observed on Saturday 29th March, and the ceremonies conducted as part of the festival have already started.

LAOS

1. EXTENDING PRIMARY EDUCATION TO SIX YEARS -- LAOTIAN TIMES

The Lao government is planning to restructure the education system by extending primary schooling from the current five years to six years. The aim is to improve education quality and prepare students for the challenges of higher education. 

2. MARCH INFLATION DIPS TO 11.2 PER CENT -- LAOTIAN TIMES

The Lao Statistics Bureau announced that the inflation rate declined to 11.2 per cent in March from January’s 15.5 per cent. The drop was due to a stable exchange rate and global fuel prices, and better local agricultural production.

MYANMAR

1. MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE JOLTS MYANMAR -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Myanmar leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced a state of emergency in areas impacted by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake yesterday. The regions of Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay, and Sagaing were the hardest hit.

2. RESERVOIRS SAFE AFTER MAJOR NATURAL DISASTER-- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Government experts said there is no major damage to reservoirs in Nay Pyi Taw following a major earthquake yesterday. An inspection of 12 reservoirs confirmed that all remain structurally sound and minor surface damage was recorded due to the impact. 

SINGAPORE

1. SMALLER STATES CAN’T TELL BIG POWERS WHAT TO DO, BUT THEY DO HAVE AGENCY, SAYS SM TEO -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Smaller countries cannot dictate what big powers choose to do, but they do have agency, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, noting that China and the United States seem to have opted to show strength through confrontation rather than cooperation for now.

2. FROM MILLION-DOLLAR FLATS TO 99-YEAR LEASES: PM LAWRENCE WONG ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON SINGAPORE HOUSING -- CNA

Is Singapore's public housing model fair? Are flats still affordable? Such questions have arisen in recent years as the property market evolves, with resale prices jumping nearly 10 per cent in 2024 and million-dollar flats making headlines.

THAILAND 

1. THAILAND ON ALERT AS PRIME MINISTER WARNS OF POTENTIAL AFTERSHOCKS FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE -- THE NATION 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has issued an urgent nationwide alert, warning the public to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks following today's earthquake, with the possibility of a recurrence within 24 hours.

2. DOZEN OF WORKERS TRAPPED IN COLLAPSED BANGKOK HIGH-RISE -- BANGKOK POST

A mushroom cloud of dust and debris swept through the streets of northern Bangkok on Friday as panicked residents ran for their lives after an under-construction skyscraper came crashing down following a powerful earthquake.

VIETNAM

1. VIETNAM PLANS ROBUST AIR LOGISTICS WITH SOUTH AFRICA -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam and South Africa are mulling to bolster air logistics to support the rising trade and transportation demands, especially air freight. Vietnam held talks with major South African airlines — Airlink and South African Airways, and aviation and logistics industry players. 

2. DEN HUNG MARATHON TO MARK VIETNAM’S HISTORY -- VIETNAMPLUS

The Den Hung Marathon 2025 will cover the historic home of the Hung Kings, the founders of Vietnam. The second edition of the marathon, from April 19 to 20, stretches from the Hung Kings Temple historical site to Viet Tri City. 

-- BERNAMA