Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

Cyclone Montha kills 2, leaves trail of destruction in India

A severe cyclonic storm, Montha, caused destruction in India's Andhra Pradesh state, resulting in two deaths and flooding crops across 87,000 hectares. The severe cyclonic storm crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday, with wind speeds reaching 90 kmph. Several roads, 14 bridges and numerous culverts were damaged.

Man admits killing former Japanese PM Abe 

A man accused of fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe admitted to murder on Tuesday during his first court hearing, local media reported. This came three years after the assassination of Japan's longest-serving premier. Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, was arrested at the scene of the shooting in July 2022 after allegedly firing at Abe with a homemade gun while the former premier was giving a speech during an election campaign in the western city of Nara.

Thailand to crack down on vaping as users cross 400,000

Thailand's cabinet has ordered an urgent update to the country's tobacco control laws to address the increasing use of e-cigarettes. Deputy government spokeswoman Airin Phanrit confirmed on Tuesday that the cabinet approved recommendations from Thailand's National Human Rights Commission to revise the Tobacco Products Control Act. The Ministry of Public Health is now tasked with drafting the new regulations. The push for stricter controls comes amid a sharp rise in user numbers. Data from the National Statistical Office shows that the number of Thai citizens aged 15 and older using e-cigarettes increased from 78,252 in 2021 to over 400,000 in 2024.

Hong Kong home prices up for sixth straight month

Home prices in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region rose by 1.3 percent in September compared to August, marking the sixth consecutive month of gains, according to government data released on Tuesday, supported by improved sentiment. Private home prices also increased 1.3 percent in September from August, following a revised 0.2 percent rise the previous month, data from the Rating and Valuation Department showed. September's growth was the largest since March 2024 and pushed prices for the year back into positive territory; they have increased 1.1 percent since December.

Campaigning for elections in Myanmar began on Tuesday. Red and green party flags and balloons decorated the street, while soldiers and police patrolled the area. The government has stated that the election will not be held in one out of every seven national parliamentary districts. ASEAN announced it will not send observers to the election.

(Cover: A commuter rides through floodwaters caused by rainfall from Cyclone Montha in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India, October 28, 2025. /CFP)