Asia Philippines Sixteen roads remain impassable and nearly 7.000 passengers stranded as typhoons Mirasol, Nando and Opong plus monsoon rains battered the country; Coast Guard is clearing ports and rescuing crews, while churches in Bicol launched fundraisings for Masbate
Asia Singapore The Association of Banks Singapore and major lenders are developing new guidelines to protect elderly clients from financial abuse by family members; Frontline staff will be trained to spot warning signs and offer appropriate support
Asia Thailand 1.520 public buses will be converted into electric vehicles under a 7-year leasing scheme, aimed at reducing emissions and modernizing public transit, Minister of Transport announced
Asia India India's iconic MIG-21 warbird made its final flight from Chandigarh after 60 years of service, officially beginning its decommissioning; defense minister praised their versatility, sayin they contributed to Inda's air power and good relations with Russia
Asia Qatar Abdullah Al-Zaraa, winner of 2025 Doha Marathon, set a national record in Berlin; with a time of 2 hours, 30 minutes, 34 seconds he will qualify for famed marathons in Chicago, Tokyo, Boston, London and New York
Asia Saudi Arabia 18.421 violations of Saudi Arabia’s residency, labor and border laws were recorded between in the week 18-24 September, including 10.552 violations related to residency, 4.017 to labor laws and 3.852 to border security, according to Saudi press
Asia Brunei Long queues formed outside the BIBD Kiulap Branch following the launch of the iPhone 17 Mobi Bundle by DST
Asia Yemen Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis took to the streets to express their support for the people of Gaza and the Palestinian resistance, according to local media. The march is a message to the international community about the urgent need to end oppression
Asia Iran The National Polo Team, ranked among the world’s top six, was barred from competing in the Polo World Cup finals in Virgina, USA after American authorities refused to issue visas
Asia Indonesia Free meals program is under more pressure: after several mass food poisoning incidents affecting over 1.000 students, NGOs and officials are calling for its suspension, citing poor oversight, unsafe kitchens, and rushed expansion
Asia South Korea A nationwide ban on smartphones in elementary, middle, and high schools will start on 1 March 2026 to curb youth addiction and improve focus; it prohibits the use of phones in class, with exceptions for emergencies or approved educational purposes
Asia North Korea Six North Korean and Burmese targets have been sanctioned for facilitating arms trafficking; the US move is seeking to cut off a key network that generates revenue for Pyongyang and has enabled the Myanmar military’s lethal air strikes on civilians
Asia Sri Lanka Telephone numbers are active starting today so that the public can directly inform province police stations on illicit drugs; DIGs will immediately take action based on the information while protecting the secrecy of the information