Asia

Amendments to the law on restricting the circulation of plastic bags and products now make room for the reintroduction of single-use plastic dining implements, PET bottles, plastic food packaging: previously fully banned, now banned only if non-recyclable

An archeological campaign is studying the irrigation systems around Gadara, Yarmouk area; the town was connected to a 170km water network built between AD 90 and AD 210 that supplied Decapolis cities, including Abila and Adraha (now Daraa, in Syria)

Another child who became disabled after taking Doc-1 Max has died, adding to the dozens of officially recognized victims of the Doc-1 Max and Ambronol cold syrups from India's Marion Biotech; mass poisoning occurred from September to December 2022

Art Basel announced it will debut in Qatar with a new format and artist Wael Shawky as Director; the inaugural edition of the fair will run on 5–7 February 2026, with Preview Days on 3 and 4

Cambodia has formally asked the UN General Assembly to intervene in its border dispute with Thailand, after a Thai-triggered firefight in May killed a Cambodian soldier; Phnom Penh also seeks ICJ resolution over several contested temple areas

Beginning the construction of Gelephu International Airport, His Majesty speech recalled Bhutan’s deep-rooted tradition of community service; Hundreds took part in a “Shapto” ceremony, voluntarily contributing labor, a symbol of unity and shared purpose

Over 500 wrestlers, including Mongolia’s top champions, will compete in the National Naadam wrestling tournament on 11-12 July; This ancient contest of strength and honor dates back to the Mongol Empire, with origins as early as 1206

“Shabab Oman II” from Oman Royal Navy docked at Le Havre, France, 10th stop of its international voyage: the vessel's mission is to spread messages of love and peace, highlighting Oman’s maritime heritage and reinforcing the historical ties with France

US envoy Tom Barrack’s visit to Lebanon opened the “window of diplomacy”; a tense atmosphere had preceded his arrival in Beirut, where he received the official Lebanese response to a three-point paper with a path leading to Hezbollah’s disarmament