Asia

Macau prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland; streets have been adorned with celebratory banners, featuring the Five-Star Red Flag - China's national flag and the regional flag of the Macau Special Administrative Region

Palestinians have sued the State Department over US assistance to the Israeli military, accusing the Biden administration of violating US law prohibiting aid to military units involved in rights abuses

Turkmenistan Football Federation President and FFT Secretary General Serdar Geldiyev held a video conference with football club "Villarreal" to discuss cooperation in youth soccer development

Da Nang’s People’s Committee plans to reclaim 300 hectares of sea to create Vietnam’s first integrated free trade zone; the project, a booster for economic development, is expected to contribute up to 25% of the city’s economic output by 2050

In 2024, Chinggis Khaan International Airport welcomed over 2 million passengers for the first time since its founding in 2021, reflecting a 6.5% increase in air travel, thus achieving a historic milestone for Mongolia

The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations concluded his official visit to Azerbaijan -13 to 16 December- where his blessed the site and lay the foundation stone of a church dedicated to Saint John Paul II in Baku

Bhutan won two prestigious tourism awards in 2024: International Wellness Destination for Travel+Leisure India and Runner-Up for Favourite Overseas Destination by Condé Nast Traveller, highlighting its appeal for wellness, culture and sustainable travel

Cambodian fighter Thoeung Theara made history with a stunning first-round knockout at the Mongolian Kun Khmer Showdown, defeating local champion Mungunbat Ariunbold in the Kun Khmer martial art style

Plans to build the country’s first nuclear power plant in Bangka Belitung, set to begin operations by 2031, have been officially announced by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

San Rafael, a town in Bulacan, set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as angels; over 2.000 participants convened at Victory Coliseum, surpassing the previous record held by Winnipeg, Canada, since 2015

A recent meeting of Thailand’s tripartite wage committee failed to reach a quorum, delaying discussions on raising the daily minimum wage to 400 baht, or $12.15; the meeting has been rescheduled amid concerns about the impact on small and medium companies

During Charity Week 2024 the University of Doha for Science and Technology raised QAR 114.753,25 (around €30.000), the highest total among participating universities and schools in Qatar for the second consecutive year

The Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission has decided to seek public opinion on the Ceylon Electricity Board's proposal to maintain the current electricity tariffs for the first six months of 2025