Dhaka Airport Fire Destroys Imports Hub, Losses May Top $1 Billion
A massive fire broke out in the cargo terminal of Dhaka’s main international airport, destroying the entire imports area and causing losses estimated to exceed $1 billion. The blaze, which affected around 200–250 exporting companies in Bangladesh’s crucial textile sector, left the area in ruins, with smoke still rising from the site the next day. [...]
MOE to Issue Guidelines on Smartphone Ban for Students Under 16
Malaysia’s Education Ministry (MOE) announced that it will soon issue guidelines for banning smartphone use among students below 16 years old in schools. The decision follows the government’s plan to improve safety in educational institutions, including increased police monitoring and efforts to protect children from cyber threats. The ministry also supports setting 16 as [...]
Israel Confirms Death of Nepali Hostage in Gaza
NEPAL: Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, was captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023. After the fighting and bombings in Gaza ended, he was not included in the list of people who were set free. It took his family a long time—seven hundred thirty-eight days—to find out what happened to him. Sadly, they did not [...]
Afghan Officials Report 15 Civilian Deaths in Clashes Along Pakistan Border
PAKISTAN: Fifteen civilians lost their lives, and many others were injured in new fighting along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tensions have increased between the two countries since last week’s explosions in Afghanistan, including two that happened in Kabul, which were blamed on Pakistan. In response, the Taliban government started an offensive in areas [...]
Heavy Rains Devastate Bhutan: Floods and Landslides Wreak Havoc
Heavy rain in Bhutan on October 4–5 caused flash floods, landslides, and bridge damage across many areas, including Haa, Chhukha, Samtse, Paro, Wangdue Phodrang, and Thimphu. The floods destroyed roads, bridges, homes, and cut off several communities from help. In Haa, bridges and roads were washed away. In Chhukha, the Wangchhu River overflowed and [...]
Survey Finds Alarming Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Youth in Maldives
MALDIVES: The phrase "iPad kids" has become a common, though concerning, way to describe a generation that has been glued to screens since they were little. We've all noticed them: the quiet child in a restaurant, eating while fixated on a YouTube video; the toddler in a stroller, who suddenly wakes up when the 'Cocomelon' [...]
Bangladesh Faces Rising Crisis of Violence Against Girls
Although Bangladesh has made strong progress in human development, a deep social and judicial crisis is threatening these gains the growing violence against girls. Police data from the first eight months of 2025 shows 3,589 rape cases, with 1,172 involving minors. Civil society reports reveal an 83% rise in child rapes and a 163% [...]
Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Clashes Escalate
Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions have worsened following deadly clashes along their common border. Both accuse the other. Afghanistan's Taliban claim to have killed 58 Pakistani troops and seized some border outposts. Pakistan reports that 23 of its troops were killed, but also claims to have killed more than 200 Afghan combatants and blown up several Taliban camps. [...]
651 Inmates Missing from Nakkhu Prison Following Gen Z Protests
NEPAL: The Department of Prison Management reports that out of the 1,280 inmates who escaped from Nakkhu Prison during the Gen Z protests on September 8–9, 651 are still on the run. On September 10, 2025, the army enforced a curfew for the third day in Kathmandu, Nepal, and some prisoners were brought back [...]
