Indonesia, Afghanistan, Nepal

Today's three stories you should know.

Indonesia

Rescuers have run oxygen and water into the wreckage of a school that collapsed in Indonesia, with dozens of people believed to be trapped under the rubble. At least three pupils were killed and more than 100 injured when the building - one of the oldest Islamic boarding schools in the Sidoarjo district - gave way during illegal extension work. Hundreds of people are involved in the rescue effort, which has been hampered by the instability of the remaining building. They said they saw bodies under the rubble but were focused on reaching anyone who may still be alive. The students are mostly boys aged 12 to 17.

More from the Guardian here.

Afghanistan

The UN has urged Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban to restore internet access, saying the lack of connection is isolating the country, hurting the economy and exacerbating a growing humanitarian crisis. The Taliban shut the internet down in some areas on September 16 and escalated it to a nationwide blackout on September 29. Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued the decree to prevent “immorality.” South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman told the Associated Press that the move was one of the “most extreme and draconian steps” the Taliban had taken since returning to power in 2021.

More from AP here.

Nepal

A two-year-old girl has been chosen as Nepal’s new living goddess, or Kumari, to be worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. Aryatara Shakya was paraded through the streets to a palace that will be her home until puberty, when Kumaris are considered to have reached mortal status and are replaced. The girls are chosen between the ages of two and four, must have unblemished skin, hair, eyes and teeth, and be unafraid of the dark. “She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess,” her father, Ananta Shakya, said.

More from AP here.