From around Asia, here are a few stories you may have missed this week.

Super Typhoon Hinnamnor slammed into South Korea killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more. Several cities across the south of the country, including Busan and Ulsan, bore the brunt of a storm that uprooted trees, tore up roads and trashed the windows of buildings as well as causing power outages. The Korea Times reported: “Local non-life insurers lost tens of billions of won, as more than 6,000 vehicles here were damaged during Typhoon Hinnamnor's rampage across the southern region of the peninsula.”

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake hit China's Sichuan Province on Monday. Eighty-six people were killed and 30 remain missing. The epicenter was Luding County in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Search and rescue efforts continued through the week with over 10,000 personnel in place, including soldiers, engineers and first-aid workers. China's State Council dispatched a work group to assist efforts, saying the top priority is to save lives. Local authorities are also providing psychological counseling service to those affected.

Thailand has started accepting applications to a new 10-year Long-Term Resident Visa (LTR) which aims to attract investors, talents, workers and retirees to the country.

The Bangkok Post reported: “This represents a new approach to attract more long-term residents to Thailand that will help boost the Thai Economy by spending and investing in the country, as well as contributing professional skill transfer to drive new industries such as EVs, smart electronics, and digital, and help move Thailand to the next level.”

Malaysia has dropped its mask mandate for indoors, except for people on public transport and in medical facilities, as well as those who are COVID-19 positive. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Wednesday that the government will leave it to the owners of commercial premises to decide whether to require mask wearing. While the use of masks in many indoor areas is now optional, Khairy still encouraged the public to continue wearing them given their proven efficacy in breaking the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Saturday this year. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Although a traditional Chinese cultural festival, it is celebrated in many Asian countries. Chinese people believe that the full moon represents a family reunion as well as perfection. As a result, admiring the moon has become an essential part of the festive celebration, as well as gifting mooncakes, often shaped like the moon.