Asia Thailand Alcohol sales are allowed on five major Buddhist holidays since 10 May, but only in selected places like airports, hotels, nightlife venues and event sites; the change aims to support tourism while maintaining respect for religious traditions
Asia Mongolia Year-round children's camps will be launched with tutoring, mental health support, traditional crafts, music, sports, life skills training; camps will be tailored to local conditions, with heated yurts and outdoor-focused activities where possible
Asia Afghanistan The 30-years conflict between the Sadaat and Serkhabi tribes in Qala-i-Naw was reconciled; both sides fully consented to foster lasting peace and mutual understanding; since re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, hundreds of local feuds have been ended
Asia Cambodia First Khmer-language AI model, enhancing digital access for farmers, students and public services was launched; developed by the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, it aims to promote language and digital inclusion
Asia North Korea A sanctioned NK company, deeply tied to the military, is expanding into Russia’s diamond-rich Yakutia region, local media reported; the operation appears to be a try to send labor abroad and deepen economic cooperation with Moscow, defeating UN sanctions
Asia East Timor World Portuguese Language Day was celebrated with a ceremony at the Government Palace with around 2.000 students and teachers from the Centros de Aprendizagem e Formação Escolar, underlining the cultural and communication importance of the language for ET
Asia South Korea 54,9% of South Koreans are in a state of prolonged resentment, 12,8% severe, with nearly 70% of respondents answering that they believe the world is unfair, according to latest survey by Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Health
Asia Uzbekistan Doctors and nurses in primary healthcare will only work full-time, obstetricians and gynecologists will be doubled according to new system presented following Ishtikhon polyclinic model; family doctors would earn $1.500/month, nurses up to 800
Asia India Two weeks after armed militants killed over 20 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir, India hit nine sites in Pakistan and on Pakistan’s side of the disputed Kashmir region saying the strikes were “focused, measured, and nonescalatory in nature”
Asia Israel Netanyahu declared Israel “on the eve of a forceful entry to Gaza" as security cabinet voted to approve a plan for tens of thousands of additional soldiers to seize and hold Gaza territory, relocating Palestinians south, raising international bewilderment
Asia Kyrgyzstan Roads leading to Three Peaks ski resort in eastern Issyk-Kul will be expanded, demolition works are underway; a central street in the village of Jyrgalan, the most remote village in the Ak-Suu district of the region, will also be enlarged
Asia Bahrain BAPCO Refining confirmed that the safety valve incident on the Bahrain plant has been contained and all measures have been take to protect workers and environment; the leak had resulted in the death of two employees while performing an inspection
Asia Taiwan Growing popularity of Matsu pilgrimages has brought a 50% increase in bookings this year across Taiwan; Dajia Matsu pilgrimage and Baishatun Matsu procession, symbolizing the sea goddess spiritual journey in the human world, draw thousands of devotees