Asia Thailand The Cannabis Future Network of Thailand concluded a hunger strike and peaceful demonstration to protest against the reclassification of cannabis as an illegal narcotic
Asia Yemen The Yemeni port of Hodeidah has been struck by Israeli planes in what has been the first direct attack on Yemen by Israel; the action killed at least six people and injured dozens more, according to Yemeni officials
Asia Bangladesh Bangladesh's Supreme Court has scaled back the criticised quota-based system of public appointments that led to the violent anti-government protests in recent weeks, during which more than 100 people died
Asia Vietnam Since the beginning of 2024, more than 42.400 pigs have been killed to prevent the spread of African swine fever, five times more than in the same period last year
Asia Turkey Turkey's main opposition party, which controls most of the country's big cities, says its municipalities will not "stain their hands with blood" by implementing a bill to euthanise stray dogs, even if it passes in parliament
Asia Philippines The only country in the world, along with the Vatican, where divorce is still banned, the Philippines is preparing to change this after Congress recently passed a pro-divorce bill
Asia Sri Lanka To apply for a Sri Lankan passport, prior online registration is required and is not possible without first setting a date and an appointment - the new rule has been announced by the Department of Immigration and Emigration
Asia Syria The regime of Bashar al-Assad would confiscated the property of over 800 civilians in the Zakya district of Damascus since the beginning of 2024 reports the Syrian Network for Human Rights
Asia Turkey June recorded the lowest rainfall in 23 years, 80% less than last June and 65% less than the long-term average
Asia Turkmenistan The Law on Combating Doping in Sport has been amended, changing the requirements and rights of athletes who are found to be doping-positive on testing
Asia United Arab Emirates The validity period of Emirati passports has been extended from 5 to 10 years for citizens aged 21 years and older, the UAE Passport Authority officially announced
Asia Uzbekistan The Tax Commission has announced the launch of the artificial intelligence-based virtual assistant DavrOn, which provides essential information and personalised advice on tax and tax issues in Uzbek language, Russian and English 24 hours a day
Asia Lebanon Ali Jaafar Maatouk, also known as Habib Maatouk, a senior commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force, has been targeted and killed by Israeli Defence Forces