Asia

The Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister managed to maintain the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage cost at approximately $2.227 per first-time pilgrim, despite global rising expenses, through new cost control measures and negotiating with Saudi Arabia government

In response to the Houthi launch of a missile towards Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli defence systems, the Israeli army carried out a series of attacks in Yemen against several Houthi-controlled areas

Israel has announced the closing its embassy in Dublin, Ireland, in protest against Ireland’s decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood and to accuse the Israelis of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip

A Strategy for Improving the Demographic Situation for 2024-2040 was developed under the guidance of consulting firm Ameria, to address Armenia's serious demographic challenge

East Timor signed a visa waiver agreement with Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral ties as East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was on a three-day visit to Dhaka

The US has warned that Russia seems close to accepting North Korea as a nuclear weapon state in a context of increasing military cooperation between the allies

Pakistan will support Saudi Arabia in developing cricket by training players, support a player exchange program; Saudi officials were invited to the Champions Trophy as Saudi Arabia, with around 18.000 cricketers, aims to enhance its cricketing prowess

Novelist Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her poetic prose addressing historical trauma and humanity’s fragility; her works, including famous 'The Vegetarian and Human Acts', explore violence, love, and resilience

The Royal Hashemite Documentation Centre has published a historical document dated 10 April 1938 on the occasion of the World Arabic Language Day, showing H. M. King Abdullah I's, the founding king, devotion to Arabic and his dedication to preserving it

Oman's first ecological park dedicated to baobab trees was established the Wilayat of Mirbat, in cooperation with an initiative undertaken by the Environment Conservation Society; 160 baobab trees have been planted so far

A senior Yemeni official stated that the country has a plan for confrontation with its adversaries, including the United States, vowing that more options for retaliatory attacks will open up as their aggression increases

Uzbek ambassador Ravshan Usmanov met with Vanessa Potter, vice-chancellor for international cooperation at the University of Essex, who may open a university campus in Tashkent

Passengers in Dubai can now 'buspool' to their destination by sharing minibus rides through a newly announced smart app booking system; initially the service will be available in Deira