Asia Syria Foreign branded consumer products, for decades available only on the black market due to heavy international sanctions and restrictions imposed by the regime, have again become available and accessible in supermarkets
Asia China A gigantic military compound is reportedly being built just outside Beijing; the construction site measures over four kilometres from side to side and will eventually be ten times the size of the Pentagon, becoming the largest command centre in the world
Asia North Korea North Korean soldiers who were fighting alongside the Russian army on the frontline against Ukraine have been withdrawn after numerous losses, according to US and Ukrainian officials heard by the New York Times
Asia Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had received an invitation to meet the US president at the White House on 4 February; he would be the first international leader to visit Trump in his second term
Asia Maldives The government of the Maldives commissioned the Thai company Control Data to redesign the system for managing civil registration, vital statistics and identification
Asia Jordan A €3 billion Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership was signed between Jordan and EU to upscale cooperation, better tackle common challenges, open up further avenues for investments and enhance business opportunities for European companies
Asia Myanmar The UN Secretary-General on Thursday said Myanmar’s military must relinquish power to allow a return to civilian rule through an inclusive democratic transition, as the country marks four years since the junta seized power
Asia Palestine A ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from operating in Israeli territory has come into force, affecting the organisation's work in Gaza and the occupied West Bank
Asia Oman An agreement for the construction of the dual carriageway of the Raysut-Al Mughsail road, a 33 km highway with 6 overpasses, subways, animal crossings and roundabouts, has been signed by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
Asia Sri Lanka The Sri Lanka Export Development Corporation's latest report revealed that the country has reached an all-time high of $16,17 billion in export earnings in 2024
Asia Malaysia High tide brought a massive amount of rubbish to Kampung Jawa beach in Penang, covering the shoreline with waste; Authorities and local volunteers are working to clean up the area
Asia Pakistan A court in Rawalpindi sentenced four men to death for allegedly sharing blasphemous content online; the decision highlights the country’s strict blasphemy laws, which human rights groups have criticized for being misused or harshly enforced
Asia Philippines The Puerto Princesa City Jail, in Palawan, promotes sports for Persons Deprived of Liberty; basketball, volleyball, chess, and more, aim to improve physical and mental well-being, foster discipline, teamwork, and support rehabilitation