Asia

Umm Qais has been selected as one of the world's “Best Tourism Villages” in 2022 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation; 32 villages were selected from 18 countries across the world

The Royal Oman Police celebrates its Annual Day today 5 January with a parade in the wilayat of Nizwa; it a way for the country to pay tribute to the ROP personnel for keeping citizens and residents safe, with a special effort in tech security

Emperor Naruhito offered prayers for people’s happiness and world peace as him and his family waved to crowds of New Year’s well-wishers from the balcony at the Imperial Palace in the celebration halted for the past two years

Flamingos in migration are dotting Kuwait Bay beaches amid the moderate weather; Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences is involved as part of “Kuwait Month of Sciences,” educating the public about biodiversity and birds conservation

Sports club Saar74 has contracted reigning African number one table tennis star Aruna Quadri ahead of next Arab Championship season

Souq Al-Zal, a seasonal traditional market in Riyadh, will close today; a symbol of the Kingdom, it brings together its past and present giving the younger generation a chance to experience the life of decades ago

Turkish Cypriot medias report the police seized several packets containing a total of 75 kilograms of cannabis that washed up on the beach between Dec 18 and Jan 1; authorities ask the public not to handle any such packets they may spot on the beach

Compulsory military service, mandatory for male citizens over 18, will be extended from four months to a year starting in 2024

Dubai's iconic One Za'abeel completes full cladding and is scheduled to open in 2023; the project, consisting of two towers connected by a bridge, is poised to break the Guinness World record for the 'Longest Cantilevered Building'

Rescue teams recovered and brought to local Buddhist temple more bodies from the charred casino-hotel where a fire killed at least 27 people last week and injured over 60; around 20 people are still missing

There are just five women in the 30-member cabinet (compared to nine women in the previous 27-minister government) introduced by Mr. Netanyahu at the Knesset on 29 December 2022, the 37th of the country

SIA will no longer allow passengers to fly with emotional support dogs from April 2023; Singapore Airlines' policy on assistance dogs, such as guide dogs or hearing dogs, remains unchanged

Tajikistan has adopted a grassland development programme for the period 2023-2027; approximately 3,8 million hectares of Tajikistan's 4,7 million hectares of agricultural land are grassland