Asia

The Exchange

Smart cities powered by renewable energy

In partnership with Media City

Smart cities use technology and sustainability to improve city life. Data collection enhances services, lowers environmental impact and boosts economic growth. As urban populations grow, the priority is on better transportation links and community involvement to meet residents' needs.

15/01/2025

East-West Connect

Kazakhstan’s digital economy: Fintech growth, cashless payments, and cybercrime prevention

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of East-West Connect, we look at Kazakhstan’s fintech growth, its shift toward cashless payments, and efforts to combat cybercrime through international collaboration.

15/01/2025

Iran

Why Italy's release of wanted Iranian is a win for Tehran

The linked cases of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini and Italian reporter Cecilia Sala are the latest flashpoint between Tehran and Washington.

15/01/2025

No Comment

The haunting legacy of Sednaya prison

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited the notorious Sednaya prison near Damascus, describing it as "haunted by the memories of utmost cruelty."

15/01/2025

South Korea

South Korea's anti-corruption agency arrests President Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol becomes the first sitting president to be arrested in the country’s history after weeks-long standoff.

15/01/2025

No Comment

Syrians are beginning to rebuild their homes

Activity is picking up in Homs, the war-torn city of Syria. Returning residents have started repairing their homes and businesses.

14/01/2025

Travel News

Thailand gambles on casinos to bring in more visitors

Thailand's Cabinet has approved a draft bill that seeks to legalise casinos in a bid to boost tourism and the economy.

14/01/2025

No Comment

Demonstration in front of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem to demand agreement on Gaza hostages

The demonstrators chanted the names of the hostages and “come back” in Hebrew, while holding 98 photographs of the hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks, 466 days ago, by Hamas militants.

14/01/2025

Vietnam

Vietnam and Russia sign agreement to boost nuclear energy cooperation

Hanoi is seeking to revive its nuclear programme in order to achieve energy self-sufficiency and meet its 2050 greenhouse gas emissions goals.

14/01/2025

Gaza

Israel to approve ceasefire deal despite pushback, minister says

Hamas have approved a draft deal for a ceasefire in Gaza, with Israel's cabinet debating the conditions, officials suggest. A truce, if agreed, would put an end to over a year of war in the Gaza Strip.

14/01/2025

Lebanon

Head of ICJ Nawaf Salam named as Lebanon's new prime minister

Lebanon’s new president names head of the International Court of Justice as the country’s new prime minister.

14/01/2025

No Comment

Huge waves, strong winds batter Thailand`s southern coastal province

Severe storms and high tides have hit Thailand's southern coastal provinces, causing widespread damage to homes, resorts, and disrupting travel.

13/01/2025

No Comment

Estonia's Jaan Roose completes stunning Dubai skyscrapers walk at over 200 metres height

Three-time world champion slackliner, Jaan Roose, has delivered yet another world-first highline walk, this time with an inspirational feat between the iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

13/01/2025

Gaza

Progress made in talks over Israel-Hamas ceasefire, officials say

US and regional mediators made significant progress overnight toward brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of scores of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but a deal hasn't been reached yet, officials said Monday.

13/01/2025

Japan

Magnitude 6.9 earthquake hits Japan

Tsunami warnings were issued after the earthquake rattled the southwest of the country on Monday.

13/01/2025

No Comment

India kicks off a massive Hindu festival touted as the world's largest religious gathering

Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics, and holy figures gathered in Prayagraj to begin the Maha Kumbh festival, the world's largest religious gathering.

13/01/2025

Gaza

At least one dead in Gaza City after Israeli strike hits house

According to a report by Gaza's Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Israel-Hamas war has left hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed or partially damaged, while some 82,000 are deemed entirely uninhabitable.

13/01/2025

Culture news

The world's largest religious gathering begins in India

The Maha Kumbh Mela has officially started in India, drawing millions of devotees to the holy city of Prayagraj for a 45-day festival of spiritual significance and extraordinary scale.

13/01/2025

Business

China sees a boom in EV sales while petrol-filled cars tank

Plug-in hybrids saw the most rapid growth in 2024, attracting a second generation of electric vehicle buyers who are nervous about buying pure EVs or looking for the more extended range that hybrids can provide.

13/01/2025

Iran

Tehran adds 1,000 drones to arsenal amid tensions with US and Israel

The drones are said to have stealth and anti-fortification capabilities.

13/01/2025

Economy

China's December exports beat estimates as higher US tariffs loom

President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to raise tariffs on Chinese goods and close some loopholes that exporters now use to sell their products more cheaply in the US.

13/01/2025

Israel

Ambassadors join Tel Aviv rally to demand Gaza hostage release deal

The protest comes on the same day that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire talks in Doha.

12/01/2025

Israel

Israel's Netanyahu sends Mossad chief to Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.

11/01/2025

South Korea

'Black box' from South Korean plane crash is missing crucial data

South Korea's transport ministry said on Saturday that the black box on the Jeju plane that crashed landed failed to record the last four minutes of the flight.

11/01/2025

Syria

Italy's Tajani meets with head of Syria's new government in Damascus

The Italian minister spoke of cooperation between Syria and Italy in crucial sectors, but EU sanctions imposed over the last decade of conflict remain an obstacle to progress.

10/01/2025

Syria

Syria's road ahead: Is transport the key to acheiving stability?

Turkey has a major role in Syria's reconstruction, and transport investments like railway links are on the agenda although Gulf money may prove vital.

10/01/2025