Asia Cambodia Cambodian fighter Thoeung Theara made history with a stunning first-round knockout at the Mongolian Kun Khmer Showdown, defeating local champion Mungunbat Ariunbold in the Kun Khmer martial art style
Asia Indonesia Plans to build the country’s first nuclear power plant in Bangka Belitung, set to begin operations by 2031, have been officially announced by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
Asia Philippines San Rafael, a town in Bulacan, set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as angels; over 2.000 participants convened at Victory Coliseum, surpassing the previous record held by Winnipeg, Canada, since 2015
Asia Thailand A recent meeting of Thailand’s tripartite wage committee failed to reach a quorum, delaying discussions on raising the daily minimum wage to 400 baht, or $12.15; the meeting has been rescheduled amid concerns about the impact on small and medium companies
Asia Qatar During Charity Week 2024 the University of Doha for Science and Technology raised QAR 114.753,25 (around €30.000), the highest total among participating universities and schools in Qatar for the second consecutive year
Asia Sri Lanka The Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission has decided to seek public opinion on the Ceylon Electricity Board's proposal to maintain the current electricity tariffs for the first six months of 2025
Asia Japan The price to climb Mount Fuji could soar and trail gates will close earlier in 2025 if a newly proposed plan is approved; the trails, that now ask hikers a 1.000 yen voluntary donation, will be accessible with a compulsory fee of 3.000 to 5.000 yen
Asia Maldives The country recorded 1,9 million tourist arrivals to date this year, an increase over the previous two years; the largest number of tourist arrivals came from China, 13,4% of the total
Asia Syria Following the fall of Bashar Assad, the Israeli government 'unanimously approved' the plan to double the population of the occupied and annexed Golan Heights - the 1981 annexation was only recognised by the US
Asia Iraq Iraqi lawmakers are proposing amendments to the country's personal status law that could allow marriage to 9-year-old girls; many associations are calling for these moves to be reviewed
Asia Saudi Arabia FIFA announced Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup, prompting backlash from rights groups due to the country's human rights record
Asia Cyprus The Cipromed project was presented: with a total budget of €4,7 million, it closes the gap between science and practical application, enables consumers to source protein from microalgae and insects and helps producers cut costs and enhance competitiveness
Asia Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili, anti-Western former footballer, has been elected president, but current head of state Zourabicvili called the appointment 'unconstitutional'; protests outside parliament have continued uninterrupted for 17 days