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On October 28, the U.S. military launched three consecutive waves of airstrikes in the Eastern Pacific, sinking four suspected drug-smuggling vessels and killing 14 people, with only one survivor. This marks the first time multiple attack waves were carried out on the same day, underscoring the Trump administration’s determination in its “war on drugs.”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on social media that the four targeted vessels had previously been tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies. These ships were known to be transporting narcotics along established smuggling routes. Across the three airstrikes, 14 drug traffickers were killed. The operations took place entirely in international waters, and there were no U.S. casualties.

Since September, the United States has been conducting operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. So far, at least 14 ships have been destroyed, resulting in 57 deaths, with only three survivors.

U.S. President Donald Trump held his first leaders’ summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on October 28, during which the two sides signed two major agreements covering U.S.–Japan tariffs and rare earth supply chain cooperation, underscoring their determination to deepen the alliance and economic ties.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, drew significant international attention for this meeting. She stated her hope to work hand in hand with Trump to usher in a “new golden era” for the U.S.–Japan alliance. Trump praised Takaichi’s leadership, calling her appointment as prime minister “a major event,” emphasizing that the United States would remain Japan’s steadfast ally and pledging continued support in defense and economic cooperation.

Following the talks, the two leaders signed two key agreements.
The first agreement confirms that the U.S. will maintain a 15% tariff on Japanese imports while establishing a $550 billion investment fund to encourage Japanese companies to invest in the United States and create jobs.
The second agreement focuses on ensuring a stable supply of rare earths and critical minerals, with both sides agreeing to jointly develop these resources to reduce dependence on China.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Takaichi plans to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to regional peace. The two leaders also met with families of North Korean abduction victims, reaffirming the importance of human rights issues.

In addition, Takaichi announced that Japan will gift 250 cherry trees and fireworks made in Akita Prefecture to Washington, D.C., in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary next July—symbolizing the friendship between the two nations. She also mentioned her political mentor, the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, noting that Abe admired Trump’s “energetic diplomatic style” and expressing her intent to continue his diplomatic legacy.

Trump, who has long criticized Japan’s car market for being unfair to American automakers, attended an outdoor display featuring a U.S.-made Ford F-150 and a white Toyota vehicle, symbolizing mutual benefit in the auto trade. Reports suggest that Takaichi is considering purchasing F-150s for government use, as a gesture of goodwill.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday on three American morning talk shows that the fifth round of U.S.–China trade negotiations has reached a preliminary consensus on issues including tariffs, rare earths, soybeans, and TikTok, establishing a “framework” for the upcoming Trump–Xi summit on the 30th.

He noted that China agreed to delay its full export controls on rare earths by one year and to resume purchases of U.S. soybeans this year and next. Both sides also reached an understanding on TikTok’s ownership restructuring. In return, the U.S. will refrain from imposing an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods and will maintain its existing export restrictions. President Trump is expected to personally announce the details of the agreement and present a global peace initiative.

Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the fifth round of trade talks. Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Bessent said the two sides reached key agreements, including a plan to review existing tariffs after one quarter, China’s resumption of U.S. agricultural imports, and cooperation in addressing fentanyl precursor chemicals. He emphasized that while China had threatened to restrict global rare earth supplies, it has now reviewed its policy and agreed to delay implementation for a year.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Bessent added that the framework is set for the Trump–Xi meeting in South Korea on Thursday. As a soybean farmer himself, he acknowledged the challenges faced by American farmers after China halted soybean imports, a move that affected many Trump supporters. However, he noted that this year’s harvest was one of the largest in decades and that farmers will benefit in the coming years if the deal proceeds smoothly. He also revealed that President Trump plans to unveil a comprehensive global peace plan covering Asia, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia during the summit.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump held their first summit meeting on October 28, during which the two countries agreed to cooperate in seven advanced fields, including artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G communications, and to expand exports to emerging nations as a countermeasure against China.

In coordination with Trump’s visit to Japan, the two governments plan to sign a “Japan-U.S. Memorandum of Cooperation on the Technology Prosperity Agreement”, which will state that both nations aim to build “a new golden age of innovation.” The initiative seeks to develop and promote internationally trusted AI infrastructure and communication networks in emerging countries, setting global standards to offset China’s growing influence in advanced technologies.

President Trump attended the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 before traveling to Japan on the 27th to meet Takaichi. The two leaders later boarded Marine One together en route to the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, where they inspected the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Allowing a foreign leader aboard Marine One is considered highly unusual and is seen as a symbolic gesture of strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and personal rapport between the two leaders.

During the meeting, Takaichi sought to enhance Japan’s oversight of its $550 billion investment in the United States, an amount equivalent to more than one-tenth of Japan’s GDP. The agreement grants the U.S. substantial operational control over the investment, raising concerns in Tokyo that funds could be diverted to projects not strategically beneficial to Japan. Japanese officials also fear potential tariff retaliation if they oppose Washington’s allocation decisions.

Amid Trump’s recent cooling of ties with traditional Euro-Asian allies and rising security threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, Japan has grown increasingly uneasy. Takaichi is expected to voice concerns about China’s continued militarization of the South China Sea, while urging Trump to recommit to the long-standing Japan-U.S. security alliance to help deter Beijing’s expanding regional influence.

A known supporter of Taiwan, Takaichi is also expected to use the summit to confirm whether Trump remains committed to Taiwan’s security and to clarify U.S. strategic intentions in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts note that Takaichi aims to build a stable, long-term relationship with Trump, similar to the close ties former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once maintained with him.

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit passed away on the evening of October 24 at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok, aged 93. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has declared a one-year mourning period, with her body transferred to the Grand Palace for royal funeral rites conducted with the highest honors.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul canceled his scheduled attendance at the ASEAN leaders’ summit and convened an emergency cabinet meeting. Following the meeting, the government announced that all government offices, state enterprises, and schools will fly flags at half-mast for 30 days. Public officials are to wear mourning attire for one year, while the general public is advised to wear black or plain-colored clothing for 90 days as a sign of respect. Entertainment events and concerts have been suspended nationwide, and television networks and media outlets have turned their displays to black and white in tribute.

Coincidentally, the K-pop group BLACKPINK is holding three concerts in Bangkok this week. The organizers confirmed that the shows will proceed as scheduled but encouraged fans to dress in black to express condolences.

Queen Mother Sirikit’s health had declined since suffering a stroke in 2012, and she had gradually withdrawn from public life. Since 2019, she had been hospitalized long-term, with occasional updates on her condition from the royal household.

Sirikit was the wife of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). During the 1960s, the royal couple made numerous international visits, meeting figures such as U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, and even Elvis Presley. Renowned for her elegant style and refined fashion sense, she was frequently listed among the world’s best-dressed women, serving as a symbol of Thai grace on the global stage.

Throughout her life, Queen Mother Sirikit was deeply devoted to social welfare and rural development, significantly contributing to Thailand’s local economies. Her birthday, August 12, was officially designated as Mother’s Day in Thailand, reflecting the profound affection and respect the Thai people hold for her.

Ontario, Canada spent US$75 million airing an anti-tariff campaign on major U.S. television networks, featuring clips from a speech by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. The ad drew Donald Trump’s anger, and on the evening of the 23rd, he announced on social media that he was immediately terminating all trade negotiations with Canada.

In response, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation issued a statement on the 23rd, saying that Ontario’s advertisement had used edited footage of Reagan’s remarks, and that the foundation was considering legal action.

On the 24th, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that, in order to allow U.S.-Canada trade talks to resume, the province would suspend the ad campaign — which quoted the late President Reagan’s criticism of tariffs — starting October 27, after the World Series ends this weekend.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded on the 25th, saying that Canada is ready to restart negotiations at any time once the U.S. side is prepared.

Earlier this year, Trump imposed new tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobile products, prompting Canada’s retaliatory measures. Both sides have been engaged in weeks of negotiations over a potential steel and aluminum industry agreement.

The U.S. federal government shutdown has entered its third week, with the political deadlock continuing to intensify. On the evening of the 22nd, the Senate voted on a temporary funding bill, but the proposal to reopen the government was rejected for the twelfth time, with 48 votes in favor and 50 against. As a result, about 800,000 federal employees nationwide remain furloughed without pay.

The bill would have temporarily kept the federal government running until mid-November, giving Congress more time to negotiate the annual budget. However, the current impasse stems from differing party demands: Republicans are pushing for a “clean” short-term bill that extends funding until November 21, while Democrats are insisting on simultaneously extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, leading to a stalemate.

The shutdown’s effects have now spread across multiple federal departments. Several national parks and museums have been temporarily closed, tax services and visa processing have been significantly delayed, and although some employees at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are required to continue working, morale is low due to the lack of pay. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has warned that if the shutdown lasts more than a month, it will deal a substantial blow to tourism, aviation, and small businesses.

Analysts note that neither side appears willing to compromise, making a short-term breakthrough unlikely. If the congressional recess extends to November 5, the shutdown will surpass the 35-day record set during the 2018–2019 impasse, becoming the longest in the past decade.

The Washington-based think tank Brookings Institution forecasts that if the shutdown continues into November, it could reduce U.S. GDP growth by about 0.2 percentage points for the quarter and weaken market confidence. Most polls show public trust in Congress’s handling of the budget has fallen to a new low, with nearly 60% of respondents saying that *both parties* should be held responsible for the government shutdown.

Due to climate change, global warming has led to a surge of American cockroaches in Fukuoka, Japan, in recent years. In the past, these cockroaches—about 3 to 4 centimeters long, originally from Africa, and unable to tolerate cold—arrived via cargo ships and could barely survive in warm boiler rooms or on street corners where heating leaked out. Now, however, they have almost completely settled across northern Kyushu.

According to data from the Fukuoka Meteorological Observatory, the city’s average minimum temperature in February has risen from **1.24°C (1921–1925)** to **4.92°C (2021–2025)**. Although American cockroaches still cannot survive entirely outdoors, their habitats—such as commercial buildings and restaurants—have expanded, allowing them to endure the winter more easily. Persistently high temperatures have also extended their outdoor activity and breeding periods. Associate Professor **Munetoshi Maruyama** of Kyushu University’s Museum of Natural History noted that “the number of American cockroaches has been increasing rapidly in northern Kyushu over the past two or three years.”

Now, in this comfortable new habitat, the population of American cockroaches is approaching that of Japan’s common smoky-brown cockroach and the smaller German cockroach. Particularly in sewers—where food is abundant and the environment is warm and humid—they thrive as if in paradise. Like German cockroaches, American cockroaches are sensitive to cold, meaning that in the future, they will likely be seen even more frequently in restaurants and commercial buildings.

On the afternoon of the 21st, Japan’s House of Representatives held a vote to nominate the next prime minister. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sanae Takaichi received majority support and was officially nominated as Japan’s 104th prime minister. Although the House of Councillors produced a different result, under the Japanese Constitution, the decision of the House of Representatives takes precedence. Takaichi is thus confirmed as the first female prime minister in Japan’s history.

The prime ministerial nomination vote is conducted separately in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors through recorded ballots. A candidate must receive more than half of the votes to be elected. If no candidate secures a majority, a runoff is held between the top two candidates, with the one receiving more votes elected. If the two houses produce different results and a joint committee fails to reach a consensus, the decision of the House of Representatives prevails, as stipulated by the Constitution.

Takaichi secured a majority in the lower house, confirming her appointment as prime minister and making history as the first woman to lead the Japanese government. The new cabinet is expected to be formed within the week and will face multiple policy challenges, including economic revitalization and diplomatic and security issues.

Takaichi is scheduled to deliver her policy speech on the 24th, outlining the key priorities and future direction of the new administration.

On October 20, local time, the holy city of Ayodhya, India, celebrated the annual Diwali festival by lighting a record-breaking 2,617,215 oil lamps along the banks of the Sarayu River, setting a new Guinness World Record. The spectacular sea of lights was jointly organized by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and the Ayodhya Municipal Government. The event also featured cultural performances, laser light shows, eco-friendly fireworks, and drone displays, adding vibrant colors to the festive atmosphere.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on Diwali, expressing hope that the festival’s light would illuminate people’s lives with harmony, happiness, and prosperity, and bring positive energy to everyone. He urged citizens to purchase locally made products during the festival to support domestic industries and encouraged them to share their experiences on social media to promote Indian goods—showcasing the creativity and diligence of India’s 1.4 billion people.

Diwali, observed on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, originates from the epic Ramayana and symbolizes light triumphing over darkness, good conquering evil, and knowledge defeating ignorance. Traditionally, families decorate their homes with earthen oil lamps (diyas) at their doorsteps, though in recent years, many communities have switched to electric lights for safety and environmental reasons. Fireworks and firecrackers have also been reduced due to air pollution concerns. During the Diwali season, people often receive festival bonuses similar to Taiwan’s year-end bonuses, boosting consumer spending as merchants launch holiday promotions to capitalize on the festive shopping surge.