ASIA

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Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most cherished and widely celebrated festivals in India and among the global Indian diaspora. It holds deep cultural, spiritual, and social significance, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Rooted in ancient Hindu traditions, Diwali has evolved to embrace diverse communities and modern-day celebrations while keeping its timeless message alive.

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Bangladesh is adding up payments to Adani Power following a decision by the Indian conglomerate to reduce electricity supplies by 50%, allegedly due to an outstanding $800 million bill.

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For the first time in 130 years, Japan's iconic Mount Fuji has reached late October without a trace of snowfall on its summit. This unprecedented delay has been attributed to unusually warm temperatures throughout Japan, which recently experienced its joint hottest summer on record. While snow typically dusts the mountain by early October, this year's persistent warmth has kept temperatures above freezing, preventing the snowfall that typically marks the beginning of winter on the 3,776-meter (12,460 ft) peak.

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Authorities in Lahore city in Pakistan have been forced to close schools after an unprecedented air pollution record. From Monday, 50% of office workers will also work from home, as part of a "green lockdown" plan. Other measures include bans on engine-powered rickshaws and vendors that barbecue without filters.

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Germany has promised to dramatically boost the number of skilled Indians it permits to work in the country as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi on Friday.

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Under new regulations implemented on Friday, cyclists in Japan who use a mobile phone while riding may face a maximum jail time of six months.

Those who breach the revised road traffic law can be punished with a maximum sentence of six months in prison, or a fine of 100,000 yen ($655; £508).

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In one of India's largest preventive evacuations, authorities are relocating approximately 1.5 million people as Cyclone Dana bears down on the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal. The cyclonic storm, carrying wind speeds of 100-120 kilometers per hour (62-74 mph), is expected to make landfall by early Friday, prompting a massive mobilization of emergency resources.