US miner Freeport McMoran has agreed to divest 12 per cent of its stake in a local arm to Indonesia at no cost, according to the sovereign wealth fund Danantara. Indonesia has been pursuing a divestment deal as the country wishes to have greater control of one of the world’s largest copper and gold mines.

2.TAPERA IN LIMBO AFTER COURT STRIKES DOWN LAW -- THE JAKARTA POST

The Public Housing Savings (Tapera) programme is in limbo after the Constitutional Court struck down its legal basis, with judges declaring compulsory contributions from all workers and employers an unfair burden on both. On Monday, the court annulled the 2016 Tapera Law in its entirety and gave the government two years to draft a revision.

LAOS 

1.ADB SAYS LAO ECONOMY TO GROW BY 3.7 PER CENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecast Laos’ economy to grow by 3.7 per cent in 2025 despite economic pressures and high living costs. The growth will be driven by the services and tourism sectors, which are showing positive results.

 2.LAO TAPS INTO DATA-DRIVEN DIGITAL ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The government plans to establish a National Data Centre and integrated data systems to accelerate the digital transformation. Lao will focus on big data to push its national socioeconomic agenda. 

MYANMAR

1.OCEAN LINERS MAKING PORT CALLS AT YANGON -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Authorities are expecting 68 container vessels to arrive at Yangon Port in October. So far, 481 vessels have arrived at the port this year. More vessels are calling at Yangon after the port’s draft was extended to accommodate large ocean liners.

2.GROWERS TARGET FROZEN MANGO PULP EXPORTS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Local growers are eyeing exporting more mango pulp rather than the fresh fruits in the next season. Frozen pulps of mango varieties such as Seintalone, Machitsu and Padamyar Ngamauk are gaining popularity in local and foreign markets. 

PHILIPPINES

1. MAGNITUDE 6.9 EARTHQUAKE JOLTS CEBU --  PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked Cebu province at 9:59 p.m. Tuesday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) revised the earthquake's magnitude from the previous 6.7.

2.PHIVOLCS LOGS 379 AFTERSHOCKS FROM OFFSHORE CEBU QUAKE -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 379 aftershocks from the magnitude 6.9 offshore Cebu earthquake as of 4 a.m. Wednesday.

SINGAPORE

1.MICRON SEES DEMAND RISING FOR ITS MADE-IN-SINGAPORE FLASH MEMORY CHIPS AMID AI BOOM -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The explosive growth of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has started to spread out from data centres to consumer devices such as smartphones and laptops that use portable flash memory chips.

2. IN FOCUS: NO NEW PETROL-ONLY CARS IN SINGAPORE FROM 2030 – WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO CHANGE? -- CNA

Car enthusiast Leong Yi Chong bought an internal combustion engine (ICE) car in February and hopes to extend its Certificate of Entitlement beyond the 10 years, and past 2040.

THAILAND  

1. TROPICAL LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM AND MONSOON TRIGGER HEAVY RAIN AND FLASH FLOODS IN NORTHERN THAILAND -- THE NATION

Tropical depression Bualoi downgraded as northern Thailand faces heavy rain, flash floods and landslides; rivers rise in Mae Hong Son.

2. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WINDING UP HUN SEN AUDIO CASE -- BANGKOK POST

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is finalising the case of the leaked audio clip between Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

VIETNAM

1.VIETNAM-EU WORKING TO REMOVE TRADE BARRIERS -- VIETNAMPLUS 

Vietnam and the European Union (EU) will establish a special task force to address barriers to promote balanced trade. Both governments are studying to tap the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

2.KOREAN INVESTMENT IN FRUIT PROCESSING PLANT -- VIETNAMPLUS 

Two South Korean companies are planning to invest in a fruit juice processing plant and a biofuel extraction factory in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho. The plant will process 600–1,200 tonnes of fruit daily.

-- BERNAMA