Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

Myanmar to hold first phase of election in December

Myanmar will hold the first phase of its general election on December 28, according to state television. The dates for the subsequent phases will be announced later, Myanmar's Union Election Commission said in a TV announcement. 

A newly formed interim administration has announced plans to hold voting in more than 300 constituencies nationwide. Last year, authorities conducted a nationwide census to create voter rolls, but were only able to carry out on-ground surveys in 145 of Myanmar's 330 townships.

China launches seven satellites with Lijian-1 rocket

China on Tuesday launched the Lijian-1 Y10 carrier rocket with seven satellites onboard. The rocket lifted off at 3:33 p.m. from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China and successfully placed the satellites into their planned orbit. The mission, marking the eighth flight of the Lijian-1 rocket, successfully sent all seven satellites into their designated orbit, including Mexico's ThumbSat-1 and ThumbSat-2.

At least 21 killed as flooding hits Western India

Heavy rains drenched Mumbai, India's financial hub, on Monday and Tuesday, causing chaos and prompting the city's civic authorities to declare a day off for all schools and colleges. Following the downpour, many roads across different parts of the city became waterlogged and flooded, leading to traffic jams. Locals were seen wading through flooded streets, while motorcyclists navigated through the inundated roads. The bad weather also disrupted air traffic. 

The rains and flooding resulted in at least 21 deaths in Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a review meeting after the heavy rainfall and ordered the administration to provide relief, conduct rescue operations and assess the damage.

Japanese city aims to limit children's smartphone use

The Japanese city of Toyoake plans to encourage children to limit their smartphone use to two hours a day through an ordinance, the local government said on Thursday. The ordinance will suggest that primary school students avoid using smartphones after 9 p.m., and that older students put their devices away by 10 p.m. to promote better sleep. 

Kyodo News reported, "The ordinance drafted by the city of Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture is likely to be the first such municipal regulation in Japan that targets a limit on the use of smartphones and other electronic devices. The move by the city in Aichi prefecture to set guidelines for smartphone and other electronic device use outside of school hours is probably the first of its kind in Japan." If enacted, the ordinance will take effect on October 1.

Thailand proposes free domestic flights for foreign tourists

Thailand plans to offer free domestic flight tickets to 200,000 international arrivals to boost tourism nationwide. Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong intends to request 700 million baht ($21.4 million) from the cabinet for a domestic flight giveaway program designed to attract international tourists to various destinations throughout Thailand. 

The initiative, "Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights," seeks to encourage foreign tourists to explore destinations beyond Thailand's major tourist cities. The Bangkok Post reported that, "Foreigners holding an international flight ticket would be able to claim one round-trip domestic flight ticket with 20 kilograms of baggage for free on six Thai carriers.”

(Cover: An official demonstrates using a voting machine for future elections in Yangon, Myanmar, September 5, 2023. /CFP)