Asia Philippines The first natural gas discovery in over a decade in the Philippines has been announced, an offshore field with an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of gas; Officials say it could boost energy security and support a transition away from coal
Asia Nepal Nepali Congress has declared Gagan Thapa as its Prime Minister candidate, signalling a generational shift within the party; The decision aims to project reformist leadership ahead of upcoming political contests and strengthen the party’s national appeal
Asia Mongolia Mongolia has become a founding member of the Peace Council initiated by US President Trump; Prime Minister Zandanshatar signed the charter at Davos, stressing voluntary cooperation, respect for sovereignty and no financial or military obligations
Asia South Korea Travel bans have been imposed on three civilians accused of flying drones toward North Korea from Ganghwa, allegedly photographing a Marine base; case widened as links emerged to former presidential staff and military intelligence–related online outlets
Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency urged Meta to remove "a fabricated statement that does not reflect reality, created using deepfake technology and falsely attributed to the President"
Asia Japan A reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant was shut down as an alarm was triggered during control rod withdrawal operations five hours and 25 minutes after it was restarted - first one to resume operation since the 2011 Fukushima disaster
Asia Kyrgyzstan First ever Kyrgyzstan's solar power plant has been inaugurated in in Kemin district of Chui region; President Sadyr Japarov presided over the ceremony
Asia Kuwait Temperatures plunged below zero degrees Celsius in Salmi near the Saudi border and Boubyan Island, with the real feel at Salmi was -8°C Celsius as Kuwait experiences an especially cold spell in desert areas caused by northwesterly winds
Asia Tajikistan Security conditions along the border with Afghanistan remain volatile; Tajik border troops reportedly killed four suspected Islamic militants as they refused to surrender and opened fire first when confronted by Tajik personnel in Khatlon Province
Asia Kazakhstan A controversial set of amendments into law banning “LGBT propaganda” has been signed; Kazakh and international rights activists say it will institutionalize discrimination against LGBT people and give authorities an additional tool to curb free speech
Asia China China’s drug and medical device industry is projected to grow by 50% by 2023, with revenue forecast to exceed US$2,1 trillion; a new engine of economic growth, it would be driven by an aging population and global expansion
Asia Qatar Qatar condemned the initiation of demolitions in the complex of the UNRWA in occupied Jerusalem, operated by the Israeli occupation authorities; the official note reads it is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law
Asia Turkmenistan Elderly citizens and benefit recipients at the beginning of the year endure hours in line at social security offices to prove they are still alive; this biennial formality is felt as an ordeal, adding discontent to government’s refusal to adjust payments