1. 3 foreigners abducted in Philippines

    Suspected Muslim militants* have posted a video showing for the first time two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino woman who were abducted* last month from a southern Philippine resort and demanded that government forces stop their artillery* attacks.

    Army Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said on October 14 that authorities were trying to verify* the authenticity* of the video, adding that the military would reject any demands from the militants.

    The three foreign hostages, apparently speaking under duress* urged the Canadian and Philippine governments to stop the military assaults.

    2. Japan, Iran reach investment pact

    Japan and Iran have reached an agreement on an investment accord, which may give a boost* to Japanese investments in the Islamic republic.

    Japan is keen to boost ties with Iran and invest in resource projects there, as well as increase crude* imports from the Middle Eastern country.

    Japan’s crude imports from Iran plunged more than 40 percent from 2011 levels before tough Western sanctions* were introduced in 2012 over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

    3. Russia appeals to open new probe

    Russia has appealed to the International Civil Aviation Organization to open a new probe* into last year’s downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine.

    The Boeing 777 crashed on July 17, 2014, in the middle of a military conflict between Russia-backed separatists* and Ukrainian government forces.

    The Dutch Safety Board said in its final report released on October 13 that the jet was destroyed by a Soviet-made Buk surface-to-air missile. Two-thirds of the 298 people who died were Dutch.

    Russia and the rebels insist that if the plane was destroyed by a missile, it must have been fired by the Ukrainian military.

    4. 1st twin panda cubs born in Canada

    The first ever giant panda cubs* born in Canada have been announced by the Toronto Zoo.

    Er Shun, one of two pandas on loan to the zoo from China, gave birth on October 14 to twins weighing just 187.7 and 115 grams.

    Pandas are born blind and are only the size of a stick of butter. The cubs, which are 1/900 the size of their mother, are pink in color with short and sparse white fur.

    5. Myanmar signs ceasefire

    Myanmar on October 15 signed a ceasefire* with eight ethnic minority armies in a step toward ending decades of civil war.

    The truce is the fruit of more than two years of negotiations and was a key goal of reformist President Thein Sein ahead of November elections, which are likely to sweep his army-backed party from power.

    State-backed newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar said the agreement may herald a “fully fledged* peace process that will end more than 60 years of civil conflict.”

    6. Japanese ministers visit war shrine

    Two Cabinet ministers visited Japan’s Yasukuni* war shrine on Sunday, paying their respects at a venue seen by neighboring countries as a symbol of Tokyo’s militarist past.

    Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a ritual offering on Saturday but is thought unlikely to visit in person.

    He is due to hold talks next month with the leaders of China and South Korea.

    Sanae Takaichi, the internal affairs minister and a close associate of Abe, was among those visiting the shrine. (SD-Agencies)