1.LAOS BIDS FAREWELL TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Government leaders, diplomats and members of the public gathered at Vientiane’s That Luang esplanade on Wednesday to pay their final respects to Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane, who died last Saturday.

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2.XAYABOULY PROJECT BOOSTS CLIMATE RESILIENCE, WATER SECURITY -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and WWF-Laos launched a project in Xayabouly province to strengthen climate resilience, improve water security and support sustainable livelihoods.

INDONESIA 

1.INDONESIA TO GRADUALLY RESTRICT PERTALITE FOR TOP INCOME GROUPS -- ANTARA

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the policy to restrict purchases of subsidised fuel, particularly Pertalite, is aimed at ensuring that fuel subsidies reach their intended beneficiaries.

2.106 PASSENGERS EVACUATED FROM BURNING FERRY PUTRI YASMIN -- ANTARA

Mataram Search and Rescue (SAR) team has rescued 106 passengers aboard Putri Yasmin Ferry, which caught fire in Lombok Strait on Wednesday, and they were safely evacuated to Lembar Port in Lombok and Padangbai Port in Bali.

MYANMAR 

1.TWO 121-YEAR-OLDS NAMED OLDEST LIVING CITIZENS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar has officially recognised a 121-year-old man from Htantabin Township, Yangon, and a 121-year-old woman from Kawthaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, as the country’s oldest living man and woman.

2.RICE SEED COOPERATION WITH VIETNAM -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Myanmar Rice Federation explored cooperation with two Vietnamese seed companies on rice seed production, seeking to strengthen collaboration in agriculture and seed development.

PHILIPPINES

1.  3.1M PERSONS AFFECTED BY ADVERSE WEATHER, 21 DEATHS BEING CHECKED -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY The Office of Civil Defence (OCD) reported on Wednesday that about 3.14 million individuals have been affected by the various weather systems in the past few days and it is verifying reports of 21 fatalities.

2. PNP SHIFTS FOCUS TO POST-DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY The Philippine National Police (PNP) stepped up its post-disaster recovery efforts in the aftermath of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, and the enhanced southwest monsoon or "habagat".  

SINGAPORE

1. MORE THAN 500 FAKE WEBSITES IMPERSONATING MHA, HOME TEAM AGENCIES TAKEN DOWN - CNA

More than 500 fake websites impersonating the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and seven Home Team agencies have been taken down, the ministry said on Wednesday.

2. DRAFTING S’PORE LAWS DEMANDS POLITICAL JUDGMENT, NOT JUST LEGAL EXPERTISE: SM LEE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Creating a Constitution and laws that meet the specific needs and circumstances of a country is never a purely legal process, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

VIETNAM

1.US GIANT TARGET OPENS DOOR TO VIETNAMESE SUPPLIERS -- VIETNAMPLUS

The United States (US) retail giant Target’s first participation in the Vietnam International Sourcing Expo 2026 is expected to create new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to connect directly with the global retailer.

2.DA NANG STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL FISHING -- VIETNAMPLUS

Da Nang is strengthening efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing while building a modern, sustainable fisheries sector through stronger enforcement, patrols and maritime surveillance.

THAILAND 

1. THAILAND DENIES USING US MILITARY TIES AS TRADE BARGAINING CHIP -- THE NATION

A government spokesperson denies foreign media reports that Bangkok plans to leverage defence ties, including Cobra Gold, in US tariff talks.

2. THAI AIRWAYS NET PROFIT PLUNGED IN Q2 -- BANGKOK POST

Thai Airways International has reported recording a net profit of 1.54 billion baht in the second quarter of this year compared with 12.13 billion baht during the same period last year.

-- BERNAMA