CHINA
Researchers from leading Chinese universities and technology firms are exploring a new frontier in artificial intelligence: systems capable of improving themselves autonomously, without human intervention. An article published on 17 September by researchers from ByteDance, Tsinghua University and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory proposes a five-stage roadmap for recursive self-improvement (RSI). Initially, the AI carries out procedures designed by humans; subsequently, in this new system, it would decide for itself how to improve, identify what new information to acquire and adapt after deployment. In the final stage, it could continuously refine the very methods used to improve the AI, thereby also automating part of the research and development process.
SOUTH KOREA
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated in a televised press conference that Seoul must protect its citizens and national interests in the Strait of Hormuz, but ruled out sending troops that might involve the country in a foreign conflict. South Korea is considering a possible contribution to ensure freedom of navigation on this strategic route, partly under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Lee stated that “minimal action” would be required to protect citizens, ships and oil shipments. On the North Korean front, he said that the resumption of dialogue between Kim Jong-un and Trump “cannot be ruled out but remains difficult at present”. He reiterated, however, that he was in favour of this possibility, which could also help to restart dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang.
SAUDI ARABIA
As pressure mounts over the war with the Houthis, the US State Department has announced that it has authorised the sale to Saudi Arabia of 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets, worth 24.3 billion dollars. Riyadh had long been seeking to purchase these aircraft, but Israel – the only Middle Eastern country to which they had been supplied to date – had expressed concerns. Washington maintains that the sale will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s ability to defend itself and to cooperate with US forces, without altering the regional military balance. The deal has yet to be approved by Congress. Among the factors that had so far held up the sale of these state-of-the-art aircraft to Saudi Arabia were fears regarding possible Chinese espionage activities.
MALAYSIA
The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, who is in custody over the 1MDB case, has been granted conditional permission by a commission chaired by the King to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, subject to payment of a fine of 50 million ringgit. Najib had been sentenced in 2022 to 12 years’ imprisonment for embezzling 42 million ringgit; in 2024, the sentence was halved. However, he still faces a second 15-year sentence from another trial.
The decision could heighten political tensions in Malaysia, risking damage to the credibility of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the eyes of voters who demand respect for the law and justice. Conversely, UMNO, the leading party in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, regards the more favourable treatment accorded to its former president as crucial to reviving its political prospects.
AUSTRALIA
Australia has announced new stricter immigration rules, aimed primarily at international students and backpackers. International students will no longer be able to automatically bring family members with them and, to extend their stay, will have to switch to a course of study leading to a higher qualification. Even Working Holiday visas, which are widely used by young travellers and vital for the agricultural sector, will be subject to a lottery system, though the changes will not affect British citizens. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that immigration remains an asset for Australia, but requires stricter control. Certain exemptions are planned for countries in the Pacific and South-East Asia.
PHILIPPINES
In 2025, the Philippines recorded a decline in bullying, but continues to have one of the highest rates among the countries participating in the latest edition of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). According to PISA data, 47.2 per cent of 15-year-old Filipino students reported having experienced at least one form of bullying several times a month or more frequently. This figure is more than double the average of 20 per cent recorded across OECD countries, the organisation that administers PISA. Furthermore, 31 per cent of Filipino students were classified as frequent victims of bullying.
RUSSIA
Voting began today in Moscow for the parliamentary elections. Polling stations will remain open for three days. These are the first parliamentary elections since February 2022, when Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The vote will determine the composition of the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, which comprises 450 seats. It is widely expected that the United Russia party, close to Putin, will retain its dominance in a political system characterised by tight control over electoral activities.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kyrgyzstan’s economy grew by 11 per cent last year, and exports of goods to the EU reached $2.5 billion in 2025. The main driver of this ‘economic boom’ was the re-export of goods to Russia, after sanctions had restricted direct shipments, according to the New York Times, which cites local officials and businesspeople. According to the Asian Development Bank, re-exports have accounted for up to 40 per cent of economic growth over the past four years.
