Asia Oman The winners of the home environmental hygiene campaign organised by the Al Batinah Governor's Office with the aim of combating disease vectors, especially the Aedes mosquito, were honoured in an official celebration
Asia Qatar Qatar Airways launched the world's first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft, which took off with passengers on board, from London to Doha, complete with free high-speed Internet access
Asia Singapore In July-September 2024 there was a 52% increase in the number of people using vapes according to statistics from the Ministry of Health and the Health Sciences Authority
Asia India An initial agreement to ease tensions along the 'Line of Actual Control', introduced after China invaded formally Indian territories it considered its own in 1962, was reached between India and China according to Indian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs
Asia South Korea South Korea demanded the immediate pullout of North Korean troops allegedly deployed in Russia as it summoned the Russian ambassador to protest deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow
Asia Myanmar During the Thadingyut Festival, thousands gathered at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon to pray for an end to the civil war and recurrent floods in Myanmar; many came from crisis-hit areas, seeking solace amidst the worsening conflict and natural disasters
Asia Palestine 1000 women and children in need of medical care will soon be evacuated from Gaza to Europe, according to the head of the European section of the World Health Organisation
Asia Turkey Turkish preacher and Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who was once very influential in politics, until a decade ago a political ally of President Erdoğan and later one of his greatest opponents, has died at the age of 83
Asia North Korea South Korean intelligence claims it has evidence that North Korea is about to send thousands of soldiers to fight against Ukraine alongside Russia; between 8 and 13 October, around 1.500 North Korean soldiers were sent to north-eastern Russia for training
Asia Kazakhstan Russian health authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on the import of certain food products from Kazakhstan; officially linked to alleged irregularities, it could also be a response to Kazakhstan's recent decision not to join the BRICS
Asia Nepal Nima Rinji, an 18-year-old Nepalese climber, has written mountaineering history by becoming the youngest climber in the world to join the coveted eight-thousand-meter club, summiting all 14 of the highest mountains above 8.000 metres
Asia Mongolia The Maidar Buddhist ceremony, held annually at Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Mongolia, celebrates the future arrival of Maitreya; a symbol of love and compassion; this tradition blends Buddhism with Mongolia’s nomadic and Shamanistic roots
Asia Malaysia Sarawak, Borneo, will launch a digital residency program with special advantages to attract digital nomads; this initiative aims to enhance the digital ecosystem and make local basic economy less dependent on tourism flows