Asia

Ten children from Tajikistan were sent to China for surgery to treat congenital heart defects and five of them have already been operated on, has an official source from the Chinese Embassy in Dushanbe

The National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Turkmenistan was approved for the period 2025-2029; the bodies responsible for the activities of this plan have been instructed to regularly monitor its implementation

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security urged citizens and residents to take advantage of the benefits offered by the Friend or Relative Visa service, which allows lengths of stay of up to 90 days

The United Nations has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen where 19,5 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year, expressing concern especially for children facing malnutrition

Phuket faces a growing garbage crisis, with over 1.000 tonnes of daily waste overwhelming its landfill; authorities plan to cut waste by 15%, expand the landfill, and build an incinerator, stressing the need for better waste separation

Three pairs of bar-headed geese, one of the few bird species capable of flying over the altitude of 9.000 meters, were spotted in Jagadishpur Bird Sanctuary in Kapilvastu, showing Nepal’s role in bird conservation and is ecotourism potential

Local authorities opened criminal proceedings against British Treasury Minister Siddiq, allegedly abusing her position as an MP to gain influence and illegally acquire land together with her aunt Hasina, the ousted prime minister; Ms. Siddiq resigned

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani and UK Prime Ministers Keir Starmer unveiled a £12.3 billion ($15 billion) UK-Iraq investment and trade package aimed at strengthening prosperity and bilateral economic ties

Although families continue to cherish marriage traditions, a recent survey from Kazakh Institute for Public Development show that expensive marriages and outdated practices, such as the abduction of brides, have decreased significantly

App stores must implement age verification by March 31 to block under-18 users from adult content, like dating platform; the decision comes amid growing global concerns over online safety, pushing stricter measures to protect minors from harmful content

Kedah state will mandate the inclusion of Jawi script on all billboards, effective immediately, to preserve the traditional Malay-Arabic script, reflecting the state’s cultural heritage; businesses must incorporate Jawi alongside existing scripts

Sa Đéc’s Flower Festival in Đồng Tháp province celebrates its heritage with displays of flowers, ornamental plants, and local goods; open until January 21, the festival strengthens its identity as the “City of Flowers"