Cebu, 6.9 magnitude earthquake: dozens dead, state of emergency declared

Today's headlines: South Korean president announces 8.2% increase in defence spending for 2026; Kurdish militias forcibly close Christian schools in north-eastern Syria; Taliban internet blockade paralyses Afghanistan's main airport; North Korean painters in the Russian capital to celebrate the (military) alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang; First cross-border railways between India and Bhutan.

PHILIPPINES

At least 69 people have died, according to the still provisional toll, in a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the centre of the central Philippines at 10 p.m. local time yesterday evening. The authorities in Cebu have declared a state of emergency after the earthquake, with its epicentre in the northern tip of the province at a depth of 10 km, damaged numerous buildings, roads, bridges and even places of worship, including churches. Rescuers are digging tirelessly through the rubble in search of survivors. Over 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the main earthquake.

SOUTH KOREA

On Armed Forces Day, celebrated today, President Lee Jae Myung announced that the defence budget for 2026 will increase by 8.2% to .1 billion. Emphasising the importance of self-defence capabilities, the head of state warned that peace is only possible if there is a solid foundation in terms of security.

SYRIA

Militants from the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) raided Chaldean Christian private schools in the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli on 29 September, forcing them to close. Among the institutions affected were Mar Quriakos, Al-Salam, Maysalun, Faris al-Khoury and Al-Ittihad in Qamishli, as well as the Al-Amal school in Hassaké. Teachers and administrators were removed amid shouting and abuse. The self-proclaimed ‘autonomous administration’ had previously issued an order imposing its own programmes on all schools. Christians oppose this because of the ideological indoctrination and pro-Kurdish ‘historical revisionism’.

AFGHANISTAN

The main airport is paralysed as the country grapples with the consequences of the national internet blockade imposed by the government in Kabul. The Taliban have yet to provide an official explanation for the decision, which came into effect on 29 September and will remain in force until further notice. The UN believes the decision risks causing further damage to a nation already in critical condition, with internal and external communications severely compromised, as well as essential services including banking, payments and access to online education.

NORTH KOREA - RUSSIA

An exhibition of North Korean painters, currently being held in the Russian capital, celebrates the increasingly close military and non-military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. One work shows smiling Kremlin and Kim regime troops waving the flags of the two countries to celebrate their victory over Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Another shows North Korean troops engaged in a firefight with Ukrainian forces. Hailed as the largest exhibition of North Korean art outside the country, it is just the latest sign of the strengthening ties.

INDIA - BHUTAN

India and Bhutan will build the first cross-border railway lines to connect the two countries, with a 4 million project to be completed in four years. A first 69 km section will connect the north-eastern Indian city of Kokrajhar to Gelephu, Bhutan, a town of 10,000 inhabitants near the border. A second 20 km line will connect the industrial centre of Samtse, Bhutan, to Banarhat in India.

GEORGIA

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that a request will be submitted to the Constitutional Court in October to declare all parties belonging to the opposition National Movement coalition unconstitutional. At the top of the list is the party founded by former President Mikhail Saakashvili, describing the initiative as a “democratic process” based on the conclusions of the parliamentary commission of inquiry.

KYRGYZSTAN

According to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute, Kyrgyzstan significantly increased its gold exports in the summer, selling over two tonnes in July alone, which is more than in the previous six months, when 1.7 tonnes were sold. The main buyers were Switzerland, Great Britain, Malaysia and Turkey, probably to balance the state budget and settle foreign debts.