Myanmar enters final phase of general election

Myanmar on the morning of January 25 officially entered the third and final phase of its general election, with polling stations opening simultaneously in around 60 townships across the country.

Hanoi (VNA) – Myanmar on the morning of January 25 officially entered the third and final phase of its general election, with polling stations opening simultaneously in around 60 townships across the country.

The general election is conducted in three phases. The first took place on December 28 last year in 102 townships, followed by the second on January 11 in 100 townships.

Following the conclusion of the first two phases of voting, the lists of elected representatives for the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house), the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house), and the Region and State Hluttaws (region and state parliaments) have been released in succession.

About 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties were contesting seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw, and the Region and State Hluttaws.

The election will decide the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.

Myanmar's last general election was held in November 2020./.

VNA

See more

Illustrative photo (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia strengthens palm oil industry through sustainability certification

Indonesia’s palm oil industry is a major pillar of the national economy, with more than 16 million hectares under cultivation and crude palm oil (CPO) output reaching 51.66 million tonnes in 2025. This scale has helped the country maintain its position as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil.

Mount Semeru in East Java erupts on April 14, 2026. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia maintains high alert as Mount Semeru continues erupting

According to the Semeru Volcano Observation Agency, the first eruption occurred at 5:22 am, registering a maximum seismic amplitude of 20 mm and lasting 3 minutes and 23 seconds. The eruption produced an ash column rising about 1,500 m above the crater, reaching approximately 5,176 m above sea level.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (centre) and his spouse are welcomed at Beijing Capital International Airport on April 14. (Photo: VNA)

Chinese newspaper expects new chapter in building Vietnam-China community with shared future

From the traditional friendship of "both comrades and brothers" to the contemporary positioning of "the community with a shared future that carries strategic significance," Vietnam-China relations are standing at a new historical starting point, with expectations of opening a new chapter that delivers tangible benefits to both peoples and contributes positively to regional and global development.

 Malaysia strengthens national energy supply mix

Malaysia strengthens national energy supply mix

The Malaysian government will intensify efforts to strengthen the national energy mix to ensure electricity supply security amid extreme weather changes, which are beginning to affect existing resources, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Illustrative image (Photo: Thai PBS)

Thai capital introduces recycling initiative

Thailand's Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is introducing a sustainable twist to this year’s Songkran festivities by inviting revellers to donate their used or unwanted plastic squirt guns for recycling.

Thailand warns public of online scams during Songkran festival

Thailand warns public of online scams during Songkran festival

It identified four major scam tactics now spreading widely, which involve fake accommodation and travel ticket bookings, hacked social media accounts being used to ask for money, fake links offering cash giveaways or discounts, and fake pages selling festival-related products.

A Petronas filling station in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia tightens controls on border-town fuel stations

Deputy KPDN Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said the government is currently reviewing existing policies to further restrict fuel purchases in high-risk zones, acknowledging that current limits have not completely stopped the leakages.

Thailand's Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas (Photo: Royal Thai Government)

Thailand implements emergency relief package to protect economy

The Thai Government has allocated more than 7.74 billion THB (about 241 million USD) from the central budget to support citizens in coping with rising energy prices, subsidise transport costs, and implement measures to reduce the cost of living nationwide.

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) welcomes Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in Hanoi in April 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader’s visit highlights strategic importance of bilateral ties: Chinese newspaper

The newspaper noted that To Lam announced his visit to China just two days after being elected State President of Vietnam. Earlier, in August 2024, shortly after assuming the position of Party General Secretary, he also chose China as the destination for his first overseas trip. That both of his first state visits in his new roles have been to China is a clear indication of the strategic nature and elevated importance of China–Vietnam relations.

Thailand eyes major investment law reform

Thailand eyes major investment law reform

The Thai economy remains imbalanced, relying heavily on exports and services such as tourism, which together account for roughly 70% of GDP. Meanwhile, domestic investment aimed at strengthening the country’s production structure and keeping pace with global changes remains insufficient, said Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

Indonesia tightens management of forest resources

Indonesia tightens management of forest resources

The total value of recovered assets is equivalent to nearly 10% of Indonesia’s 2026 state budget, estimated at about 240 billion USD, highlighting the large scale of past violations in the forestry sector.