Asia Bangladesh An auto-fine system will be launched today on Dhaka-Chittagong highway: it will automatically detect speeding, illegal parking, driving against traffic with AI-powered cameras; police urged transport owners, workers, stakeholders to support the initiative
Oceania Tonga Ten cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in Tonga and according to the Minister of Health the are likely to increase
Asia Laos Champasack Province plans to elevate the Million-Year-Old Volcano in Paksong District to a national tourist attraction; development includes upgrading the 17 km road and adding restaurants and accommodations to boost eco-tourism and local economic growth
America Panama The Panama Canal Authority has formally hired a legal team for strategic advice regarding congressional investigations, executive decisions and US policies after Donald Trump’s claims on the canal
Oceania Vanuatu The new interest rate has been increased from 2,5% to 2,75%; the initiative of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu aims to control inflation, with the economy expected to grow by 3,6% this year
Asia Uzbekistan More than 400 greenhouses, factories and social facilities were found in violation of emission regulations in the capital and Tashkent province, reported the press service of the Ministry of the Environment
Asia Turkey Istanbul's security forces recorded a 6,5% reduction in crimes against persons and a 27,6% reduction in crimes against property in January 2025 compared to last year, said Istanbul Governor Davut Gül
Asia Philippines Lejun dela Cruz, a human rights activist and midterm election candidate, was arrested in Pasig for a 1998 murder; once part of the armed struggle, he later shifted to peaceful activism and his arrest raises concerns over political repression
Asia Myanmar The abrupt US aid suspension to Myanmar threatens millions amid ongoing conflict; amnesty International warns that cutting humanitarian support worsens civilian suffering, limiting access to food, healthcare, and basic needs in war-affected regions
Asia Syria Turkey is ready to help set up a financial system in Syria; Goksel Asan, Head of Finance Office of Turkish Presidency, said it would enable Syria to achieve in three to five years what it would achieve in 20 years through traditional means
Africa Namibia Exports to the European Union have more than doubled over the past two decades, from around N$9 billion (€467.000) in 2004 to over N$20 billion in 2023, according to the EU-Namibia Trade Statistics Bulletin
America Nicaragua Nicaraguan exiles are denouncing cross-border repression by the government of Daniel Ortega; organizations like Fundación Sin Límites are documenting cases of harassment, threats, statelessness, denial of documentation, and property confiscation
Asia Armenia The Ministry of Economy, that oversees the country's agricultural sector, has proposed to fully subsidise the insurance premium for the 2025 agricultural year at government expense as part of the programme for the introduction of agricultural insurance
Africa Cameroon UNESCO is working with Cameroon's Ministry of Forests and Wildlife to promote sustainable tourism and community-based conservation activities around World Heritage sites in the country