2. WORLD BANK FUNDS ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE -- FRESH NEWS

The World Bank will provide US$115 million (RM470 million) to help Cambodia accelerate its transition to sustainable energy by financing battery storage systems, power transmission lines, substations, electric vehicle charging stations and expand electricity networks.

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INDONESIA 

1. INDONESIA EXEMPTS FOUR COUNTRIES FROM EXPORT EARNINGS RULE: AIRLANGGA -- ANTARA

Indonesia has granted exemptions to four trading partners—the United States, China, Canada, and Australia - from regulations governing Foreign Exchange Proceeds from Natural Resource Exports (DHE SDA).

2. INDONESIA TO MANDATE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL USE STARTING IN 2027 -- ANTARA

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono declared sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as the future of global aviation and a critical component of national decarbonization efforts.

LAOS

1. SOLAR POWER PROJECT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The government has instructed developers to ensure a 100MW solar power project in Savannakhet province benefits communities, protects farmland and supports Lao-made products. The electricity generated will supply households, businesses and feed into the national grid.

2. ELECTRIC VEHICLE FREIGHT HUB IN THE WORKS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Northern Laos could become a hub for electric freight transport under a new study supporting greener logistics along the Thailand-Laos-China economic corridor. The initiative will support the growing use of electric trucks in the region’s busiest trade routes.

MYANMAR

1. AYERYARWADY-YANGTZE CULTURAL FESTIVAL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Ayeyarwady-Yangtze Traditional Culture Festival will be held at the Mandalay Convention Centre in early November to strengthen Myanmar-China relations and preserve the traditional cultures of both countries.

2. AYEYARWADY EXPANDS PADDY CULTIVATION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Farmers in the Ayeyarwady Region have planted 767,786 hectares of monsoon paddy this season, as authorities step up efforts to boost rice exports through a newly established rice export zone.

PHILIPPINES

1. ASEAN, CHINA MAKING 'GOOD PROGRESS' ON COC TALKS - PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China are making “good progress” on the negotiations of a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on Thursday.

2. MYANMAR RETURNING TO ASEAN OFFICIAL MEETINGS ‘STILL FAR OFF’ - LAZARO -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The re-engagement of Myanmar leaders into Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings is “still far off” and is unlikely to happen within 2026 or Singapore’s chairship next year.

SINGAPORE

1. SINGAPORE MADE CASE AGAINST POTENTIAL US TARIFFS TO US SECRETARY OF STATE RUBIO: VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN - CNA

Singapore has told the United States that it has "no technical or economic basis" for imposing tariffs on Singapore, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Thursday.

2. SINGAPORE NAVY LAUNCHES SECOND MULTI-ROLE COMBAT VESSEL NINE MONTHS AFTER FIRST --  THE STRAITS TIMES

The navy’s second multi-role combat vessel (MRCV), Valour, was launched on July 23, nine months after the first one was launched in October 2025.

THAILAND

1. HOUSE PANEL SEEKS 15-YEAR NATIONWIDE REVIEW OF SUSPECTED BIRTH-REGISTRATION FRAUD -- THE NATION

A House panel has called for 15 years of birth records to be checked nationwide after Bangkok identified 32 alleged sham-father cases and flagged 601 more.

2. 17.3M WORKERS 'UNABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR RETIREMENT' -- BANGKOK POST

Thailand's ageing population is raising concerns over retirement security, with 17.3 million "near-retirement" workers facing a high risk of insufficient savings to support them in old age, according to the National Savings Fund (NSF).

VIETNAM

1. SPECIAL ZONES TO PROMOTE NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY -- VIETNAMPLUS

Hanoi is considering regulated entertainment zones operating around the clock to turn the night-time economy into a robust growth engine. Authorities plan to develop specialised night-time hubs in the capital.

2. EXCAVATION REVEALS ANCIENT PRODUCTION HUB -- VIETNAMPLUS

Experts have confirmed that a recent archaeological excavation at the ancient Chau Sa Citadel in Quang Ngai province has uncovered evidence of a large-scale production centre dating to the 2nd-3rd centuries AD.

-- BERNAMA