Asia

The Aphrodite Rally motor race will go ahead on routes that avoid the Paphos forest and Natura 2000 protected areas, the Cyprus automobile association confirmed following consultations with the agriculture ministry after complaints were voiced

Students of the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University gathered in front of the institute building, announcing their intention to intensify their protest with a demonstration urging the administration to change its decision to revoke student statuses

Iran increasingly relies on electronic surveillance to inform on women refusing to wear the mandatory headscarf in public; according to latest UN report, state-sponsored vigilantism aims at enlisting businesses and private individuals in hijab compliance

Indian Railways has completed the detailed project report for a new track that will connect Kokrajhar, Assam, to Gelephu

A project to develop affordable housing solutions in high-density areas facing service challenges has been passed by Cabinet; state-owned land will be provided with fully developed infrastructure with Housing and Urban Development Corporation oversight

An integrated approach to improve the well-being of senior citizens was presented, aligned with the three objectives of the Special Commission on Older Persons: Development, Welfare and Support Systems

The Timor-Leste Housing Market Development Forum was organised by the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment and the Central Bank to promote reflection on the development of the housing sector and identify solutions to the existing challenges

The Arab plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza includes removal and recycling of 50 million tons of rubble in 6 months in phase 1, while phases 2 and 3 are fully dedicated to reconstruction; comprehensive and detailed, it covers five years

Ambassador for a Day initiative was launched: a national essay competition for girls 15-18 years of age where winners will shadow an Ambassador or senior UN Official in Lebanon for one day to see first-hand they can become leaders and advocates for change

The Bangladesh police have launched a hotline at police headquarters to promptly address incidents of violence against women; the numbers are 01320002001, 01320002002 and 0132000222

Startup Bahrain, a Tamkeen-supported platform for Bahraini start-ups, has kicked off a new season of its StartUp Bahrain Pitch entrepreneurship series highlighting Bahrain's most promising founders