Asia Yemen Yemen's al Masirah TV broadcast drone footage of a large demonstration called in the capital Sanaa by the ruling Houthis to protest against air and missile attacks by the US, UK and other allies
Asia Georgia The National Library of the Parliament of Georgia has a new director, Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, son of the first president of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia
Asia Cyprus Junior Achievement Cyprus is launching its 5th JA StartUp, fostering business ideas and innovation among university students and providing the practical experience to develop and run their own business; JA StartUp engaged over 20.000 students in Europe
Asia Syria A former Syrian army general, Mohammed Hamo, 65, resident in Sweden, will appear before a Stockholm court for his alleged role in war crimes committed in Syria in 2012
Asia Iran New drone Shahed-107 has been developed in Iran and could be used by Russia to target western air defence systems in Ukraine, reported Sky News, whose security source said that the device can operate as an explosive and a reconnaissance aircraft
Asia Indonesia 241.000 Indonesian pilgrims will perform the Hajj this year, sending the largest contingent ever to Saudi Arabia after the Kingdom approved the quota for Indonesia for 2024, up from 221.000 in 2023
Asia Bhutan Bhutanese voters overwhelmingly chose Tshering Tobgay as Prime Minister for a second term, in a significant political development, with the People's Democratic Party winning almost two-thirds of the seats
Asia Azerbaijan A conference on 'Politicisation of Religion: Harmful Effects' was held, organised by the State Committee for Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Asia Indonesia The total use of Renewable Energy Certificates in 2023 reached 3,08 Terawatt/hour, +75% on 1,76 TWh in 2022; RECs allow to claim consumption of one megawatt/hour of electricity generated and delivered to the grid from renewable energy resources
Asia Saudi Arabia The number of death sentences carried out in the country in 2023 was 170, compared to 147 in 2022
Asia Turkey The monthly minimum wage will be 17.002 Turkish lira ($578,31) in 2024, marking a 49% increase from the level set in July and a 100% increase from January
Asia Bhutan Gross Domestic Happiness has been used for over 15 years to measure the citizens' well-being instead of the GDP; some critics believe it is more of an image-enhancing gimmick and not very effective in improving the living conditions of the population
Asia India Prime Minister Modi's government is considering doubling the annual compensation for female landowners to 12.000 rupees ($144), a move ahead of the national elections that will be presented as empowering women in rural areas