Interior Ministry authorities raided 488 online scam operations and detained 20,926 suspects from 38 nationalities in the first six months of this year as part of a nationwide crackdown on cybercrime.

2.PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR 20TH FRANCOPHONIE -- FRESH NEWS

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Cambodia is stepping up preparations to host the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh on November 15-16. The major gathering among French-speaking nations is set to focus on peace and sustainable development.

INDONESIA

1.PRESS COUNCIL HONORS FIVE MISSING JOURNALISTS AS PRESS HEROES -- ANTARA

The Press Council declared five journalists missing in the Sunda Strait as press heroes after their boat vanished near Mount Anak Krakatau, calling the incident a stark reminder of safety needs in dangerous assignments.

2.INDONESIA EYES COAL LIQUEFACTION TO BOOST ENERGY SECURITY -- ANTARA

Indonesia is preparing to turn its vast coal reserves into gasoline to boost national energy self-sufficiency, with Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirming readiness to carry out President Prabowo's directive to start coal-to-fuel production.

LAOS

1.RAMPING UP POVERTY ERADICATION AGENDA -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone outlined the rural development and poverty-reduction agenda through 2030, with the government aiming to lift more than 100,000 families, 1,000 villages, and 25 districts out of poverty.

 2.PUSHING MAJOR PROJECTS TO BOOST GROWTH -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos and Vietnam have pledged to strengthen regional connectivity and deepen economic ties, supported by key projects including the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway, electricity infrastructure, and the construction of an oil pipeline and storage depot.

MYANMAR

1.MODERNISING FARMING TO ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The government wants farmers to shift from traditional farming to integrated, value-added agro-industries to boost rural incomes, cut food costs and drive national productivity.

2.ANCIENT ELEPHANT DANCE FESTIVAL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The annual Shwethalyaung Pagoda Thadingyut elephant dance competition will be held in Mandalay Region on October 16. The ancient festival, featuring traditional elephant dances, has been held annually for about 900 years.

PHILIPPINES

1.OPEN SEA LANES OF COMMUNICATIONS VITAL TO DISASTER RESPONSE  - PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday highlighted the need for all sea lanes of communications (SLOCs) to always remain open to ensure the quickest and fastest avenues for relief missions in times of disasters.

 2.PH ACCELERATES CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, INVITES GLOBAL INVESTORS - PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippines is stepping up efforts to accelerate clean energy development and attract more foreign investment to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen the country’s energy security, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said on Monday.

SINGAPORE

1. AT LEAST S$4.8 MILLION LOST TO SCAMS INVOLVING FAKE HARVEY NORMAN STAFF SINCE JANUARY -- CNA

Police have warned of a surge in scams involving fraudsters posing as Harvey Norman employees, with at least 119 cases reported this year.

2. GIRLS ORGANISE SCIENCE RESEARCH PROGRAMME TO GROW INTEREST IN STEM AMONG SINGAPORE FEMALE STUDENTS -- THE STRAITS TIMES

From finding out about the effects of food-waste antioxidants on repeatedly heated hawker-centre cooking oil, to observing the routine of otters in Singapore, 66 girls put their research skills to the test in a two-month-long science research programme.

THAILAND

1. THAILAND WEIGHS E20 AND B20 EXCISE TAX CUTS AMID LIMITED FISCAL SPACE -- THE NATION

A proposal has been made to use the unused portion of the borrowing allocation for measures to mitigate the impact of the Middle East crisis and manage oil prices through a reduction in the oil excise tax.

 2. PM'S EYES ARE STRONGER THAN EVER, TYING JAPAN -- BANGKOK POST

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday urged Thailand and Japan to move from producing goods for one another to producing them together, saying closer supply-chain ties would help sustain Japanese investment as the automotive industry shifts towards electric vehicles.

VIETNAM

1.VIETNAM, US CONTINUE TO ADDRESS WAR LEGACIES -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam and the United States (US) Department of War reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperation in addressing war legacies, describing the issue as a top priority in bilateral defence cooperation.

2.HANOITEX TO SHOWCASE SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES -- VIETNAMPLUS

HanoiTex and HanoiFabric 2026 will showcase the latest textile and garment technologies from October 21–23. The exhibitions will emphasise innovations that reduce water, chemical, and energy usage, enabling more flexible production and lower inventory costs.

-- BERNAMA