Foreign Minister Sugiono on Monday reaffirmed Jakarta’s solidarity with Qatar and Palestine, arriving in Doha to represent Indonesia at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit called amid surging regional tensions sparked by Israel’s recent attack on Qatar.

2.INDONESIA SEEKS TO BOOST FREEPORT STAKE BEYOND 61 PCT IN ONGOING TALKS -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia plans to raise its ownership in PT Freeport Indonesia by more than 10 per cent, potentially lifting the government’s stake to over 61 per cent, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Monday.

LAOS

1.GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR KUANG XI WATERFALL -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The majestic Kuang Xi waterfall in Luang Prabang province has been ranked among the 21 most beautiful waterfalls in the world by “Travel + Leisure” magazine. The recognition reflects Lao's rising reputation as a major tourist destination.

2.LAOS-CHINA CROP CENTRE A BOOST TO FARMING -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Laos-China Joint Better Crop Variety Demonstration Centre in Vientiane that develops high-yield crops is contributing to Lao’s modern farming and food security. The centre also provides training for farmers and students.

MYANMAR

1.CHINA REACHES OUT TO RURAL COMMUNITIES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The China Foundation for Rural Development has implemented poverty reduction programmes in Myanmar in line with the Belt and Road Initiative. It has donated nutritious food to children and provided solar lamps to students and families in areas without electricity.

2.OVER 9,000 ONLINE SCAM WORKERS DEPORTED -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Authorities continue to deport foreigners who entered illegally to work in online scam centres. A total of 9,387 foreign nationals have been sent back to their respective countries from January to September this year.

THE PHILIPPINES

 1. HOUSE BALANCES FLOOD CONTROL PROBE WITH LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday ordered House committees to confront allegations involving anomalous flood control projects with fairness and transparency, while ensuring that the legislative work continues to address the needs of the people.

2. PHREATIC ERUPTION POSSIBLE AS QUAKES INTENSIFY IN MT. KANLAON -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday warned of a high possibility of a steam-driven phreatic eruption at Kanlaon Volcano following a spike in volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes.

SINGAPORE

1.S’POREAN WHO LEFT NTU TO RUN NOODLES STALL ALLEGEDLY LED GANG PUSHING COCAINE VAPES IN S. KOREA -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Singaporean arrested in Malaysia for allegedly trying to move vapes laced with etomidate and cocaine to South Korea was an engineering student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

2.SINGAPORE FOOD SUPPLIERS FACE LATE PAYMENTS, FALLING REVENUES AS MORE RESTAURANTS CLOSE -- CNA

When clients become friends, chasing them to pay for their orders can be awkward. But with more delayed payments as food and beverage businesses struggle to stay afloat, suppliers say they have little choice.

VIETNAM

1.RAILWAY LINE TO LINK DA NANG AND HOI AN -- VIETNAMPLUS

Plans are underway to connect Da Nang and Hoi An through a new city railway system. The project is implemented on a public-private partnership model.

2.EMBRACING GLOBAL NORMS IN FISHING -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam ratified the World Trade Organisation’s agreement on fisheries subsidies on September 15. The agreement prohibits subsidies to vessels and operators engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

-- BERNAMA