Asia Brunei Muslims in Brunei can now pay zakat harta - a form of almsgiving and a religious obligation, next after prayer in importance - on their account through eZakat Harta Wang Simpanan platform, promoted in alignment with the Digital Economy Master Plan 2025
Asia Turkmenistan Authorities have begun confiscating passports of those who have outstanding bank loans: documents are seized upon leaving the country and given back once the loan is repaid; many of them are migrant workers heading abroad to earn money to send home
Asia Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's Cinnamon Development Department has unveiled a plan to boost its annual cinnamon export revenues, with the aim of doubling the current earnings of US$250 million to 500 million
Asia India The removal of 337 tonnes of toxic waste left in a factory in Bhopal, where the worst industrial disaster ever occurred in 1984, has been completed; the disaster had killed several thousand people and caused serious health problems for many more
Asia Jordan As Jordan braces for its winter peak, authorities have implemented precautionary measures to help farmers safeguard their livelihoods against the challenges posed by frost and heavy rainfall, as this year’s unpredictable conditions have amplified concerns
Asia Armenia Armenia border guards will now carry out controls at Agarak checkpoint on the border with Iran; PM thanked the Border Guard Troops of the Russian Federation that carried out border control at Agarak checkpoint since Armenia's independence in 1991
Asia Israel Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant resigned from the Knesset, the country's parliament, over his opposition to the law on exemption from military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, which has existed since the founding of the state of Israel
Asia Saudi Arabia At the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran, a professional training programme in generative artificial intelligence was launched for 4.000 Saudi citizens, offered by the Gen AI Academy
Asia Tajikistan Further funding will be attracted for the completion of the Rogun hydroelectric power plant, featuring a 335-metre-high clay core and rockfill dam on the Vakhsh River that will be the tallest in the world; around US$ 3 billion are needed to be completed
Asia Turkey 1.149 cultural artefacts have been repatriated to the country in 2024 and added to the over 13.000 objects returned to the country since 2002
Asia Uzbekistan All pharmacies and hospitals in Uzbekistan will have to pay VAT as of 1 April 2025, regardless of income
Asia North Korea Leader Kim Yo Jong's sister appeared for the first time with children in state media