World

Tropical cyclone Kong-rey intensified into a super typhoon on October 30, threatening to cause heavy rains and severe winds in many regions in the northern Philippines, according to the country’s state weather bureau.

Four Southeast Asian nations – Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia – are sending assistance to the Philippines to support its ongoing recovery efforts after Typhoon Trami.

The death toll from Typhoon Trami has risen to 65 as of October 25 in the aftermath of severe flooding and landslides in the northwestern Philippines.

Widespread flooding and landslides caused by tropical storm Trami in the northeastern Philippines left at least 24 people dead on October 24.

Flash floods have hit several regions in the Philippines as tropical storm Trami brought heavy rains and plunged many areas without power, affecting over 380,000 people, local authorities reported on October 23.

At least eight people have died, 18 others missing and 11 hospitalised over injury after a passenger ferry capsised in southern Myanmar.

The Philippines is expected to import more rice in 2024 and the next year, remaining as the world’s top importer of this staple food as the El Nino, La Nina and recent typhoons have curbed domestic production.

Vietnam ranks 12th among the 27 countries and territories in the Asia Power Index 2024, recently launched by the Australia-based Lowy Institute, with its overall score gaining 1.2 points compared to last year.

Leaders of ASEAN countries and partners on October 11 attended the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane, and the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim on October 11 received the ASEAN Chairmanship gavel from the Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits.

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has forecast the ASEAN+3 region will grow to 4.2% in 2024 and 4.4% in 2025, in its latest quarterly update.

At least 25 people, including 22 students and three teachers, were killed when a Thai bus caught fire in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok on October 1.