Asia Turkmenistan The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform was launched in Ashgabat to improve regional connectivity, strengthen economic ties and promote investment in vital infrastructure with officials from the various countries
Asia Turkey First lady Emine Erdoğan urged mothers to embrace natural childbirth in the wake of the rising caesarean rate in the country
Asia Azerbaijan A special network of universities on climate change will be established by November 2024, said Azerbaijani Member of Parliament
Asia Iraq A large-scale reforestation campaign in all governorates has been launched by the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture to reduce desertification, mitigate rising temperatures and expand green belts in the country
Asia Kazakhstan The production of a carbon-silicon nanocomposite derived from rice husks was started; the first production phase aims to produce 1.500 tonnes of this multifunctional material per year
Asia China In an effort to regulate Internet news services and improve the credibility of China's mainstream media, Office of the Central Commission for Cyberspace Affairs launched a three-month campaign to 'correct' online news services
Asia Bhutan The country will need $26 billion to build hydropower plants to meet domestic demand by 2040; it is estimated that domestic energy demand will increase to 4.000 megawatts by 2040 from the current requirement of 1.000 megawatts
Asia Laos The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare announced a new minimum wage policy to support workers facing the economic challenges brought by the rising cost of living and the depreciation of the Laotian kip
Asia Syria The European Union announced immediate emergency funding of €500.000 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR to assist refugees crossing the border from Lebanon into Syria
Asia Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Huang Jie has been included in Time magazine's annual '100 Next' list, which honours 100 emerging leaders from around the world
Asia Tajikistan Over 85% of radicalized Tajik youth allegedly joined extremist groups through recruitment videos and social media while travelling to Russia in search of better job opportunities, say teachers from Tajik Ministry of Interior Academy
Asia Thailand The 20 students and three teachers killed in Tuesday's bus fire tragedy at their school in the Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani will have a funeral sponsored by Their Majesties the King and Queen; families have decided to hold the rites at the school
Asia Singapore Male Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes will be released at five additional sites to suppress the aedes mosquito population and mitigate the risk of dengue epidemics, the National Environment Agency announced