Asia Saudi Arabia The Farasan Islands Reserve joined Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), making it the first Saudi marine reserve to be officially registered under the Convention, a milestone in the Kingdom’s efforts to protect ecosystems
Asia Jordan The number of companies registered in the first 11 months of 2025 has grown at an "unprecedented" rate since 2014, rising by about 46 per cent, while total registered capital reached its highest level ever, according to Companies Controller Wael Armouti
Asia Maldives The ban on packaging, producing, and importing single-use plastic water bottles sized between 500ml and 1 litre, set to begin on 1 December 1 has been set to 1 December 2027 by President Muizzu who amended previous presidential decree
Asia Japan Portable power banks catching fire in Japan have more than doubled between 2020 and 2024; public and private sectors have begun strengthening safety measures and efforts to raise public awareness amid a series of incidents in public spaces this year
Asia Cyprus Police has called to make football violence ‘a thing of the past’, implementing security inside and outside the stadium and neighbouring areas and inviting teams to tone down the rhetoric; measures are taken after recent episodes of inconsiderate behavior
Asia Kyrgyzstan 36,90% turnout was registered in snap elections in 30 districts nationwide, each electing three members to the Jogorku Kenesh, at least one woman, for a total of 90 deputies entering parliament; 26.066 citizens voted at polling stations abroad
Asia Indonesia 150 new battalions TNI, Indonesia's land army, will be added each year starting in 2026 to guard assets like oil refineries and expand nationwide presence; Critics say the move strengthens military power and influence into civilian and strategic areas
Asia Malaysia Sabah, a resource-rich Malaysian state on northern Borneo, is heading to elections; Its strategic location, diverse population and vital natural assets make it crucial for national stability, drawing the country's attention
Asia Myanmar Thailand’s foreign minister sayd Myanmar’s planned election cannot be credible under junta rule, citing repression, no inclusive participation, and ongoing conflict. He urges ASEAN and global partners to push for political dialogue and humanitarian access
Asia Nepal Karki's government is mired in controversy for disputed political appointments, alleged misuse of authority, and infighting within the ruling coalition; These issues have stalled key reforms and eroded public trust
Asia Mongolia Despite long-standing bans on smoking and sales near schools, smoking rates remain high: excise taxes will be raised through 2030 to curb youth use and fund school health programs, rules on e-cigarettes expanded as Mongolia tightens Tobacco Control Law
Asia Israel A software error in a widely used genetic screening test led to incorrect results for a rare mutation linked to a serious neurological disease in fetuses; the flaw affected analysis of the MECR gene, which is tested in both parents to assess fetal risk.
Asia India AI Futures Fund will focus on founders in India and diaspora building AI products for billions of Indians or global AI products built in India; new Accel and Google partnership will invest up to $2 million in each startup through Accel’s Atoms program