Asia

In Jakarta teenagers are being trained in urban farming practices, including vertical planting, hydroponics and organic composting, to foster local food production and reduce dependency on global supply chains

In Thimphu, five new schools will become 'inclusive', ensuring access to support, resources and tailored education for children with disabilities; the initiative is part of a broader national plan to enhance inclusive education

Halloween celebrations by cosplayers were subdued at Tokyo's Shibuya this weekend, after local authorities strengthened measures to prevent overcrowding and extend the period of alcohol consumption ban on certain streets from seasonal to year-round

The Integrated Rural Development Project/TRIGGER recognised the invaluable contribution of rural women to agriculture, food security and community development in workshops with 300 people including women, entrepreneurs, government officials and partners

Stricter technical requirements have been issued for street advertising; the decree aims at ensuring safety standards and guarantee compliance with engineering regulations

A draft decree to conduct a population census of Uzbekistan from 15 July to 21 August 2026 has been published by the Statistics Agency; the draft proposes the creation of republican and territorial commissions to facilitate it

A study entitled 'The Cost of the Most Common Diseases in the UAE' will provide information on the financial impact of the most common diseases to a joint effort of the Ministry of Health and Prevention and World Bank that aims to improve health services

Construction started on a rehabilitation centre for disabled children in the Toguz-Toro district of the Jalal-Abad region

Exports increased significantly in Sunbula month (solar Hijri calendar), with over $173 million worth of goods shipped, according to the National Statistics and Information Authority; imports remained significantly higher, exceeding $950 million

Fewer than half of working-age women in Armenia participate in the labour force, due to care responsibilities for children and other family members; working women earn on average 25 to 30% less than men in the same work, according to the World Bank

The 16th Irbid Pomegranate Festival, a marketing event for pomegranate farmers, cooperatives, and family businesses, closes today; the 2024 edition celebrated the role of women in traditional agriculture and saw outstanding female participation

Israeli citizens visiting Sri Lanka, whether for tourism or other reasons, can now directly request assistance to ensure personal protection, according to a new telephone number provided by the Sri Lankan police

Yemen's Houthis claimed that the US and UK conducted joint airstrikes on Al Hudaydah airport, which served domestic and international traffic but has been inactive since 2014