Switzerland Today - SWI swissinfo.ch

• Singapore Minister Grace Fu urged ASEAN nations to prioritize the development of a regional power grid, climate finance, and resilience to combat extreme weather and economic recession. • Singapore has already signed carbon market cooperation agreements with Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam to help fund renewable energy and nature restoration.

• The Bank of Japan released its Statement of Policy, though the document provided few details regarding the central bank's strategy for October. • Japan's September Manufacturing PMI showed the country's ninth consecutive month of expansion and the fastest employment growth since April 2018.

• The global perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) tubing fittings market is expanding through 2035 due to increased semiconductor factory construction and high-purity fluid handling needs. • Market growth is driven by the adoption of PFA fittings in battery manufacturing, electric vehicle production, and hydrogen fuel cell systems.

• The Supreme Court recently revived a federal database used to verify the citizenship of voters. • Aaron Blacksberg of the Institute for Responsive Government stated on September 30 that restarting the system now will likely have little impact on the current election.

• Special Counsel Jack Smith defended his decision to prosecute Donald Trump during a recent congressional hearing. • Smith stated that his investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump engaged in serious crimes against the nation.

• Senator Ron Johnson blocked a Democratic effort to pass a bill that would revive $810 million in funding previously canceled by Donald Trump. • The proposed legislation sought to restore the specific $810 million in funds and prevent the executive branch from making similar unilateral clawbacks in the future.

• Former Special Counsel Jack Smith defended his prosecutions of Donald Trump during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. • Smith stated he developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt of serious crimes, while Senator Chuck Grassley called the prosecutions a partisan weapon that broke the rules.

• Romania's Parliament began deliberations and a vote on the government program proposed by Siegfried Mureșan. • The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the AUR party submitted a motion of no confidence on April 28 to block the government.

• Romania's parliament rejected the government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Siegfried Muresan, extending a political deadlock into its fifth month. • President Dan has ruled out calling an early election despite laws allowing him to dissolve parliament if two prime minister-designates fail to secure backing within 60 days.

• The Spanish government proposed a ban on all evictions and the automatic renewal of rental contracts until 2030 following mass protests over the housing crisis. • The proposal must still be approved by the Spanish parliament, where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s coalition currently lacks a majority.

• Romania's president will nominate a new prime minister next week after a second attempt to form a government failed on Wednesday. • European lawmaker Siegfried Muresan failed to win the necessary confidence vote in parliament to lead the cabinet.