Asia

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), located in the southern Philippines, has seen a rapid decline in poverty levels in recent years, according to a recent World Bank report. After decades of sluggish growth, the region expanded rapidly…

The Kanlaon Volcano in the Philippines erupted on Monday, sending a massive plume of ash 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) into the air, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday. The eruption, which lasted six minutes, was preceded by a volcano-tectonic earthquake, according to…

The Philippines is enhancing its tourism offerings in Boracay by developing halal-friendly options to attract more Muslim tourists, the Arab News reported. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced that the Department of Tourism is collaborating with local government units to expand…

China has launched the country’s first AI-driven hospital town, where virtual patients are treated by AI-generated doctors, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday. The innovative “Agent Hospital” project, led by researchers at Tsinghua University, utilizes large language models to create autonomous AI…

A powerful cyclone packing speeds of up to 135 kph struck the coastlines of India and Bangladesh on Monday, leaving at least 16 people dead and millions without power, Reuters reported yesterday. Cyclone Remal, the first major storm of the…

The Chinese government is aggressively working to remold Uyghur culture in Xinjiang, including efforts to transform traditional Uyghur cuisine, Foreign Policy website reported yesterday. Through “household school” programs, authorities dispatch Han Chinese workers to Uyghur homes to provide culinary training,…

In a move seen as the culmination of the government’s campaign to “sinicize” Islamic architecture across the country, the last major mosque in China with distinctly Arabic features has undergone a dramatic transformation, the Guardian reported today. The Grand Mosque…

A massive landslide has devastated a remote village in northern Papua New Guinea, burying over 300 people and more than 1,100 houses, Reuters reported today. The landslide occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday in the Enga Province, approximately 600 km…

Armenia has returned four border villages to Azerbaijan, a crucial step in the efforts to normalize relations between the long-time rivals, Al Jazeera reported yesterday. The villages of Baghanis, Voskepar, Kirants, and Berkaber have been handed back to Azerbaijan, which…

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of ancient human habitation in East Timor dating back 44,000 years, shedding new light on the region’s rich cultural heritage, Al Jazeera reported today. A team of researchers from Australian and UK universities excavated a deep…