INDONESIA
1. INDONESIA EXTINGUISHES 454 HECTARES OF LAND FIRES IN KEY REGIONS -- ANTARA
Emergency response teams in Indonesia have extinguished over 454 hectares of burned land across six priority provinces on Sumatra and Kalimantan islands, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said Tuesday.
2. ALL 152 MOUNT SUMBING HIKERS SAFE AS WILDFIRE CONTINUES: POLICE -- ANTARA
All 152 hikers registered at a Mount Sumbing base camp in Indonesia's Central Java Province have safely descended as a forest and land fire continues to burn, Wonosobo police said.
LAOS
1. LAOS JOINS REGIONAL SECURITY FRAMEWORK -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos has become the 29th member of The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), following unanimous approval at the regional security forum’s summit in Azerbaijan.
2. DEMOGRAPHIC BOOST TO WORKFORCE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The 2025 Population and Housing Census shows Laos’ working-age population has risen to 65 per cent, creating a potential demographic boost for economic growth.
MYANMAR
1. CHINA DATANG PLANS HYDROPOWER EXPANSION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
China Datang Corporation plans to expand the Dapein I hydropower project in Kachin State, following feasibility studies on wind, solar and hydropower potential in the Dapein River basin.
2. VIETNAMESE EYE COFFEE INVESTMENT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Vietnamese investors are keen on coffee investments in Myanmar to meet rising export demand. Myanmar produces only about 10,000 metric tonnes of coffee annually and has ample land for cultivation.
PHILIPPINES
1. DROUGHT-HIT ILOCOS TOWN FARMERS FILE INSURANCE CLAIMS FOR CROP LOSSES- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Farmers in this town on Tuesday took turns filling out forms for insurance claims at the Municipal Agriculture Office as they sought financial assistance for crop losses caused by the prolonged dry spell.
2. TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS IN NEGROS, SIQUIJOR PROVINCES TOLD TO PREPARE FOR EL NIÑO-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Department of Tourism-Negros Island Region (DOT-NIR) has urged tourism stakeholders to take proactive measures in preparation for the impacts of very strong El Niño, which could bring warmer temperatures and below-normal rainfall across most parts of the country.
SINGAPORE
1. MOM ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYERS TO ADJUST OUTDOOR WORK BASED ON HOURLY PM2.5 READINGS -- CNA
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Tuesday released new guidelines for employers to adjust outdoor work based on hourly PM2.5 readings as hazy conditions persisted in parts of Singapore.
2. SINGAPORE, SWEDEN TO BOOST COOPERATION IN CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION, PUBLIC POLICY -- THE STRAITS TIME
Singapore and Sweden reaffirmed on Oct 20 their commitment to closer energy cooperation, particularly in the area of clean energy transition.
THAILAND
1. THAILAND APPROVES DRAFT FEE RULES FOR RIDE-HAILING AND DELIVERY APPS -- THE NATION
Thailand’s Trade Competition Commission (TCC) has approved a draft notification governing service fee structures in digital platform ecosystems for public transport ride-hailing and on-demand delivery services, commissioner Warawan Chitaroon said.
2. OUTBOUND TAX FACES AXE IF ECONOMIC WOES LINGER -- BANGKOK POST
The introduction of a tax on outbound travel could be postponed if economic conditions are inappropriate, says the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO).
VIETNAM
1.GLOBAL FORUM TO REFLECT NATION’S SUCCESS -- VIETNAMPLUS
The 2027 World Trade Centres Association Global Business Forum will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, from April 4 to 7, 2027, reinforcing Vietnam’s rising economic strength in Asia.
2.PHU QUOC POPULAR AMONG INDIAN TOURISTS -- VIETNAMPLUS
Phu Quoc island ranks among the top 10 trending destinations for Indian travellers, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report. The destination offers a nature-focused escape for those seeking a digital detox.
-- BERNAMA