Philippines launches naval drills with allies as regional tensions simmer. The Philippines, along with the United States and four other nations, began joint naval exercises near northern Luzon, focusing on anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air warfare. The nine-day "Sama Sama" drills, involving nearly 1,000 personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the U.S., aim to boost military interoperability amid rising tensions with China over the South China Sea. The exercises include U.S. and Canadian warships, as well as aircraft from Japan and the Philippines. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, October 7
Myanmar democracy leader Dr. Zaw Myint Maung dies in junta custody. Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, a prominent democracy leader and former National League for Democracy (NLD) official, died at age 72 while in junta custody. He had been imprisoned since the 2021 military coup despite his struggle with leukemia, which worsened due to inadequate medical care in prison. Dr. Zaw Myint Maung was a key figure in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement and served as the Chief Minister of Mandalay Region. The Irrawaddy, October 7
Former transport minister S Iswaran begins 12-month jail term after surrendering. Former Transport Minister S Iswaran began his 12-month prison sentence on October 7 after surrendering to Singapore’s State Courts. Iswaran was convicted for accepting valuable gifts and obstructing justice, making him the first cabinet member to be imprisoned in nearly 50 years. He chose not to appeal the ruling, expressing remorse for his actions and apologizing to the public. Lydia Lam and Koh Wan Ting, Channel News Asia, October 7
N. Korea set to hold key parliamentary meeting to revise constitution. North Korea is expected to convene the 11th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) to revise its constitution, removing unification-related clauses and clarifying its territorial boundaries, including the maritime border. The move follows Kim Jong-un's call to define South Korea as the "invariable principal enemy." The session could eliminate references to unification and shared ethnicity, aligning with Kim’s stance on inter-Korean relations as hostile. Experts speculate that North Korea may also use the session to ratify its new defense partnership with Russia. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, October 7
Pope Francis receives Kyrgyzstan President Japarov. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov met Pope Francis at the Vatican on October 4 during his official visit to Italy. Discussions focused on strengthening ties between Kyrgyzstan and the Holy See, covering healthcare, education, and culture. Japarov highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to religious freedom and diversity, extending an invitation for the Pope to visit. Pope Francis presented gifts symbolizing peace, while Japarov gifted handcrafted Kyrgyz items. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, October 7
New air force chief calls for India to ‘catch up’ with China on defence tech. Newly appointed Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh urged India to address its technological gap with China in defense capabilities, citing production delays in supersonic fighter jets like the Tejas Mark-1A. Singh highlighted China’s rapid modernization, including its J-20 stealth fighters, and expressed concern over India's lagging production rates. Tensions between the two countries have heightened since their 2020 Himalayan border clash, driving India to focus more on China than Pakistan. Enoch Wong, South China Morning Post, October 7
North Korea and China mark their 75th anniversary of ties as outsiders question their relationship. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged messages on Sunday to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, with both expressing hopes for stronger cooperation. This comes as North Korea strengthens ties with Russia, raising questions about China’s stance. While China remains North Korea's key trading partner, experts suggest Beijing is wary of fully aligning with North Korea and Russia amid concerns over regional stability. Hyung-jin Kim, AP News, October 5
Vietnam makes wholehearted contributions to ASEAN: Ambassador. Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam emphasized Vietnam's vital contributions to ASEAN, particularly through support for Laos' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. These efforts include a $1 million aid package and the donation of VinFast automobiles for the upcoming ASEAN Summits. Vietnam's partnership with Laos underscores their strong diplomatic ties and shared efforts to advance ASEAN’s strategic goals, focusing on resilience, connectivity, and regional challenges. Vietnam News, October 7
Uzbekistan emphasizing FDI diversity. Uzbekistan is increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from Saudi Arabia and South Korea to reduce dependence on China and Russia. Recent agreements include Saudi-backed wastewater treatment projects and a $10 billion wind power initiative. Meanwhile, South Korea is involved in developing trade hubs to enhance Uzbekistan's logistics infrastructure. These efforts come as Uzbekistan seeks to strengthen its position as a key Central Asian transport hub while diversifying FDI sources. Eurasianet, October 7
Yoon arrives in Singapore for state visit. President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Singapore on Monday to strengthen economic and security cooperation. After visiting the Philippines, Yoon will hold a summit with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, defense, and supply chains. He is also set to meet with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and attend a business forum with key industry leaders such as Samsung's Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai's Euisun Chung. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, October 7
Maldives's Muizzu, India's Modi promise to strengthen cooperation. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss boosting strategic cooperation and economic recovery efforts. India pledged $400 million and a currency swap agreement worth 30 billion rupees to aid the Maldives. Both nations will begin talks on a free trade agreement. Amid concerns about the Maldives’ financial stability, India and China have extended support to the island nation. Sudipto Ganguly, Reuters, October 7
Japan PM grilled over flip-flop in 1st Diet debate with opposition. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba defended his decision to dissolve the lower house just eight days after taking office, citing the need to restore public trust following his party's political fund scandal. In his first parliamentary debate ahead of the Oct. 27 general election, Ishiba faced criticism from opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda for his abrupt change of heart on key issues like military alliances and tax policy. Ishiba also pledged economic support for households affected by inflation. Kyodo News, October 7
Former Taiwan president Tsai to make sensitive Prague visit. Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will visit the Czech Republic in October to speak at the Forum 2000 conference, a significant move amid ongoing tensions with China, which views her as a "separatist." Tsai is expected to meet senior European politicians during her visit, signaling closer Taiwan-Czech relations. The trip is sensitive due to concerns about Chinese espionage. Tsai is also planning visits to other European countries, including France and Belgium. Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, October 7
Kyrgyzstan begins construction of another small hydropower plant. Kyrgyzstan has started building a 25 MW small hydroelectric power plant on the Ak-Buura River at the Papan reservoir in Osh. The plant will generate 103 million kWh annually, costing $27 million. Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov said this project is part of Kyrgyzstan’s strategy to achieve energy independence. The country is addressing electricity shortages by building more small and large hydropower plants, despite still importing a portion of its energy needs. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, October 7
Ruling party to file corruption complaint against opposition leader, others. South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) announced plans to file a corruption complaint against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and two others, accusing them of bribery and illegal political funding. The complaint stems from an audio recording of former Gyeonggi Vice Gov. Lee Hwa-young, allegedly fearing exposure of his assistance in covering Lee's legal fees during his 2018 trial. Both Lee Hwa-young and former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae are already serving prison sentences for their roles in illegally sending $8 million to North Korea in 2019. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, October 7
Laos prepares for ASEAN Summits with heightened security measures. In preparation for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits from October 8-11, Laos has ramped up security in Vientiane. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone inspected key venues like Wattay International Airport and the National Convention Center. The military has deployed 135 soldiers and armored vehicles across nine locations, and entertainment venues have been temporarily closed. Medical services are on high alert with over 100 staff and emergency units positioned at key sites. Phontham Visapra, The Laotian Times, October 7
Indonesia to host discussions on Myanmar conflict: diplomat. Indonesia will hold diplomatic talks on Myanmar's civil war ahead of the upcoming ASEAN summit. Representatives from ASEAN, the European Union, the United Nations, and anti-junta groups will participate in the discussions. Myanmar's military is not expected to attend. The meeting comes as the junta faces military setbacks and a humanitarian crisis, with over 3 million displaced. ASEAN members, including Indonesia, have pushed for stronger actions against the junta. The Irrawaddy, October 5
Philippines, South Korea boost defense cooperation, upgrade ties to strategic partnership. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have agreed to strengthen defense cooperation as both nations elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership. They signed agreements on coastguard cooperation and nuclear energy, with South Korea pledging to support the Philippines' military modernization. The leaders also discussed tensions in the South China Sea and North Korea's provocations. Karen Lema, Hyonhee Shin, and Jack Kim, Reuters, October 7
Ishiba confirms unreported funds, blames accounting error. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba acknowledged on October 7 that the faction he previously led in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) failed to report 800,000 yen ($5,392) in income from fund-raising parties held between 2019 and 2021, citing an "administrative error." This incident is part of a broader political funding scandal that contributed to Fumio Kishida's resignation as LDP president and prime minister. Ishiba pledged to prevent similar errors, and those involved, including himself, will not be on the LDP's proportional representation list for the upcoming election. Ryohei Miyawaki, The Asahi Shimbun, October 7
Why young people in Asia are disengaging from democracy. A growing trend of disengagement with democracy among Asia's youth is driven by rising economic concerns, perceived ineffectiveness of democratic institutions, and frustration with systemic corruption. Many young people view democracy as failing to address their immediate needs, such as job security and housing, leading to a loss of faith in democratic processes. Additionally, the move towards more authoritarian governance in some parts of Asia creates a sense of political futility, as governments suppress dissent and limit public participation. Social media also plays a dual role by fostering both activism and disillusionment, with young people often feeling their voices are marginalized in traditional political structures. Intifar Chowdhury, East Asia Forum, October 8
It’s time for the United States to drop the debt-trap narrative. The U.S. continues to push the narrative of China’s “debt-trap diplomacy,” despite research disproving its existence. This narrative portrays countries engaged with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as victims lacking agency, ignoring the role local governments play in requesting and shaping these projects. By relying on this misleading framework, the U.S. harms its efforts to engage the Global South and offers inadequate alternatives. A more cooperative approach is suggested to improve global economic development. Zenel Garcia, East Asia Forum, October 7
Xi knows what it takes to sustain China’s rally. China's recent stock rally, its largest since 2015, is testing President Xi Jinping's economic strategy. While short-term liquidity measures have boosted markets, economists argue that China needs deeper structural reforms, especially to address its ongoing property crisis and local government debt. Xi’s focus on market forces and high-quality development is critical, but sustained growth will depend on fixing underlying economic imbalances. The challenge is balancing stimulus with long-term reforms to avoid another boom-and-bust cycle. William Pesek, Asia Times, October 7
Uiju Military Airfield Welcomes Back Bombers. North Korea’s Uiju Airfield has resumed its military operations with the return of 31 Ilyushin IL-28 bombers, after being used as a quarantine center for goods from China during the pandemic. This rebalancing of North Korea’s air forces between east and west coast bases signals a return to pre-pandemic military conditions. Satellite imagery confirms the bombers’ presence, marking a step in North Korea’s restoration efforts post-COVID. Peter Makowsky and Martyn Williams, 38 North, October 7
To empower Japan, new PM has to get hot on renewables. Japan's new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, faces an urgent need to prioritize renewable energy, especially after an LDP leadership race that largely ignored climate issues. With Japan experiencing extreme weather tied to global warming, the country must accelerate its transition to clean energy. Despite the potential, Japan's renewable sector remains underdeveloped. Ishiba's leadership will be crucial in advancing policies that focus on sustainability to meet future energy and climate goals. Walter James, The Japan Times, October 7
Calls to tighten mining safety regulations in Laos. Following a chemical leak at a rare earth mining site in northern Laos, local villagers are expressing fears about contaminated rivers and demanding better safety regulations. The leak, which occurred in Houaphanh province, polluted rivers and sickened residents, showing the dangers of premature mining operations. Despite cleanup efforts, locals remain concerned about the long-term effects on their environment and livelihoods. The Lao government, seeking to increase rare earth extraction to boost its economy, is now facing pressure to improve safety measures as it plans to develop more mining projects. Lamxay Duangchan, Mekong Eye, October 7
Beyond Fleeting Fascination: How Moo Deng and Butterbear Offer Escapism in Hard Times. The viral popularity of Moo Deng, a baby hippo, and Butterbear, a bear mascot, reflects a deeper societal need for escapism during times of economic and political stress in Thailand. As people face rising unemployment, high household debt, and political instability, these endearing figures provide emotional comfort and community connection. This trend shows the role of anthropomorphism and digital culture as coping mechanisms in challenging times. Surachanee Sriyai, Fulcrum, October 8