Asia

The country is witnessing a steady increase in patent registrations, a sign of growing scientific and research activity, according to Fadhil al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Centre for Human Rights

Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, asked the Court to issue arrest warrants for the leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and for Abdul Hakim Haqqani, head of the Afghan Supreme Court

Yak farming in Bhutan faces threats from declining populations, wildlife conflicts and rural depopulation; new Ministry’s Five-Year Plan provides for improved rangelands, breeding programs and support for highlanders to sustain this traditional livelihood

The 50-year-old Tilawe River bridge in Parsa district collapsed four months ago due to a broken pillar, and repairs have yet to begin; a temporary diversion is in poor condition, raising concerns about possible disruptions during the upcoming rainy season

The Reko Diq mine, located in Chagai, Balochistan, will begin gold and copper production by 2028 under Barrick Gold’s leadership; with major investments planned, the project aims to boost exports, though local refining capacity remains a challenge

North Korean state media first covered US President Donald Trump's election victory and inauguration on Wednesday morning, after Trump broke precedent by calling the DPRK a nuclear power a few hours after his inauguration

The 4th edition of Katara Oud Festival kicked off, featuring a series of professional composers from around the world, an initiative to pay homage to musical heritage and promote the Oud as integral part of Arab identity

Libraries will undergo a major overhaul that will include the construction of public theatres and other cultural facilities following the launch of the Library Commission's national growth strategy in 2021

After large numbers of sea turtles have been stranded on Dubai's beaches in recent days due to high winds and low temperatures, Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project in Jumeirah launched an appeal for help on social media

Yemen discussed with neighboring Sultanate of Oman ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and water resources

Citizens over the age of 18 will be able to apply for a new national electronic identity card as of 27 January; the issuance of the first 100.000 eIDs will be subsidised by the government: 30.000 of them given out for free and 70.000 available for €15

Israel's military chief Lt Gen Herzi Halevi has resigned, admitting in a letter that the Israel Defense Forces had "failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel" on 7 October 2023, when Hamas carried out the attack that triggered the Gaza war

An arrest warrant against ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad on suspicion of complicity in war crimes has been issued by two French examining magistrates; it's the second such move ever by French judicial authorities