Asia

At the ASEAN-GCC-China Forum in Kuala Lumpur, President Marcos urged ASEAN and China to expedite a binding Code of Conduct for the South China Sea; he stressed its importance for maritime security, stability, and preventing conflict in disputed waters

Newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the regime entered into an agreement with Russia for “mutual protection” against what it called the “misuse of international legal processes” at an international legal forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia

The ASEAN-GCC-China Forum, held in Kuala Lumpur, called on the business sector to seize new opportunities; With solid political groundwork established, leaders stressed that it’s now up to industry players to advance regional economic cooperation

Thimphu municipality opened two new waste drop-off centres in Kelki and Hejo; Set up via a public-private partnership, the centres aim to improve waste segregation and recycling, making it easier for residents to manage waste sustainably

Jordanians are now allowed to travel to Syria by land, exclusively via public transportation, through the Jaber border crossing, closed since 6 December 2024 due to escalating security issues in southern Syria; private vehicle crossing is still prohibited

Mumbai was flooded by the earliest monsoon ever recorded, breaking over 100 years of data on rainfall for the month of May; rainfall hit an unprepared city, resulting in disrupted train service, structural damage, water logging in areas never flooded yet

Timor-Leste will achieve full membership among the ASEAN countries organization at the 46th ASEAN summit in October

A two-day international conference titled "Islamophobia in Focus: Unveiling Bias, Shattering Stigmas" is taking place in Baku, organized by Azerbaijan and supranational organizations, honoring 3rd anniversary of International Day to Combat Islamophobia

Tbilisi City Hall will dismantle the twin glass-and-steel structures in Rike Park known a the “Rike Jars,” as they do not align with the city’s urban development guidelines; a new development would occupy the same footprint as the current structures

Five major initiatives with a total investment of around $19.5 billion in the metallurgical and petrochemical sectors are being implemented, expected to create over 8.000 permanent jobs; the news was reported during a May 21 government meeting

The native bee population in Cyprus is estimated around 25% of the original number; bees imported from other countries - Italy, Turkey and Israel - is increasing at the expense of the Cypriot bee, which doesn't produce as much honey as the imported ones