MANILA -- The death toll in the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province in the central Philippines on Tuesday night climbed to 69, the Philippines' Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday.
Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator for the OCD, told a public briefing that 30 died in Bogo City, the epicenter of the earthquake, 10 in Medellin town, 22 in San Remigio town, five in Tabogon town, and one each in the municipalities of Sogod and Tabuelan. (Philippines-Quake-Death Toll)
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HONG KONG -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Wednesday held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The flag-raising ceremony was held at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Wednesday morning. The national anthem was played, and China's national flag and the flag of the HKSAR were hoisted. (Hong Kong-National Day)
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VIENTIANE -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised Laos' economic growth forecast down to 3.7 percent for 2025 and 3.8 percent for 2026, citing concerns over debt vulnerabilities, weak demand, and tariffs.
In its April 2025 report, the ADB projected moderate economic growth for Laos, estimating a 3.9 percent increase in 2025 and 4 percent in 2026. However, in its updated outlook report released on Tuesday, the ADB revised these forecasts due to ongoing economic pressures. Although inflation has eased, providing some relief, ongoing trade tensions and fiscal constraints may further slow recovery beyond previous expectations. (Laos-ADB-Economic Growth)
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ISLAMABAD -- The Afghan government's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Wednesday said that the country's internet disruption was due to technical reasons, and denied reports about an internet ban in Afghanistan.
"The old internet fiber across Afghanistan has worn out and is being replaced," the official Urdu X account of the Afghan government quoted Mujahid as saying. (Afghan Government-Internet Disruption) ■
