Asia

Lebanon

Lebanese president vows to 'do the impossible' to end war with Israel

On Monday, the Lebanese health ministry said the death toll from Israeli strikes since the start of the war had reached 3,020, with 211 people 18 and under and 116 healthcare workers among those killed.

18/05/2026

United Arab Emirates

UAE still investigating mystery nuclear plant drone attack

The enigma surrounding Sunday’s unprecedented drone attack on the Barakah nuclear plant deepened on Monday as the UAE said the drone came from its western border, but it did not accuse Iran.

18/05/2026

Iran

Iran sets up Hormuz transit authority to charge ships for passage

Tehran has launched a formal body to manage and charge ships for transit through the Strait of Hormuz in a highly-contested move as tankers pile up in the waterway and peace talks remain deadlocked.

18/05/2026

Residences

‘Long snooze’: Is this the world’s best hotel bed?

The ‘Curator Suite 1503’ at RYSE, Autograph Collection in Seoul is home to an enormous extra-long bed, which stretches the near length of the room.

18/05/2026

Health news

How sport is changing the lives of people with autism in Central Asia

Can sport help improve the lives of children with autism? From adaptive cycling to inclusive running events, structured physical activity helps children develop communication, focus and emotional regulation.

18/05/2026

Markets

UzNIF debuts on London market in first international Uzbek IPO

The IPO generated more than $2.8 billion (€2.6bn) in investor demand and raised around $603 million (€540m). Officials at the London Stock Exchange described the listing as a landmark moment for Uzbekistan’s access to international capital markets.

18/05/2026

Azerbaijan

Iran calls for reconstruction support at World Urban Forum in Baku

Iran's deputy housing minister used the World Urban Forum in Baku to call for international support to rebuild 150,000 homes damaged in the war.

18/05/2026

Europe News

Bodies of four divers in Maldives accident found, Italy says

Five Italian divers are believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, according to Italy’s Foreign Ministry.

18/05/2026

No Comment

Cats in costumes and beauty contests draw crowds at expo

Thousands of cat lovers gathered at Cat Expo India in Mumbai, where visitors explored cat beauty contests, pet care products, grooming services, accessories and premium food brands alongside dozens of felines.

18/05/2026

No Comment

Bodybuilders show off muscles at Southeast Asian championships

Myanmar hosts the Southeast Asian Bodybuilding Championships in Yangon, with athletes from eight countries competing from May 14 to 18.

18/05/2026

Japan

Japan arrests Americans over stunt at baby monkey Punch's zoo

The baby monkey became an internet star this year after the zoo posted photos of Punch clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort after being rejected by his mother.

18/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea tells military to bolster defences against 'arch enemy'

The plans come at a low point in relations with South Korea and Pyongyang unresponsive to Seoul's repeated offers for dialogue.

18/05/2026

Taiwan

Taiwan defends US arms purchases that Trump called 'bargaining chip'

Trump’s calling of arms sales to Taiwan a “bargaining chip” has raised concerns on the self-governing island of a potential change in US foreign policy towards the territory after the US president’s latest visit to China.

18/05/2026

Iran

Iran has responded to latest US peace proposal, Tehran official says

On Sunday, Iran's Fars news agency said Washington had presented a five-point list, which included a demand for Iran to keep only one nuclear site in operation and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US.

18/05/2026

Azerbaijan

World Urban Forum opens in Baku with warning on global housing divide

Ministers and experts opened the World Urban Forum in Baku on Sunday with stark warnings about the global housing divide, calling for international cooperation to tackle a growing crisis.

17/05/2026

Kazakhstan

Turkic leaders unite towards 'influential geopolitical power centre'

Turkic states' leaders have joined forces to advance digital and AI expansion projects in conjunction with their regional push for trade, energy, transportation, infrastructure, and regional connectivity developments to address the world's urgent "critical issues".

17/05/2026

United Arab Emirates

Drone strike hits UAE nuclear plant perimeter, fire reported

A drone strike sparked a fire near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, officials say, with no injuries or radiation leak reported as regional tensions around the Iran ceasefire escalate.

17/05/2026

Travel News

Japan’s Pokémon travel trend flies high with new themed airport

A regional airport in Japan is getting a Pokémon-inspired makeover as part of post-earthquake recovery efforts.

17/05/2026

Culture news

International jazz festival draws thousands with free open-air concert

The Tashkent International Jazz Festival brought together artists from Europe, the Americas and Central Asia through a series of free open-air performances. Organisers say audience numbers and international interest are increasingly growing.

17/05/2026

No Comment

South Korea: Thousands watch robot monks march through Seoul’s historic streets

Four robot monks in traditional robes joined Seoul’s lantern parade ahead of Buddha’s birthday, symbolising Buddhism’s tech-savvy modernisation.

16/05/2026

Culture news

Rare traditional sounds are being digitised for a new generation

Mountain melodies, centuries-old instruments and traditional rhythms are being digitally preserved through a new open-access music platform. The archive aims to reconnect contemporary creators with sounds that had remained outside global audio libraries for decades.

16/05/2026

Azerbaijan

Stop the global housing crisis: World Urban Forum, why it matters?

More than 40,000 participants are set to gather in Baku for the UN's World Urban Forum as UN-Habitat warns that 3 billion people lack adequate housing and slum populations could triple by 2050.

16/05/2026

Israel

Lebanon–Israel ceasefire extended by 45 days, says US

The US State Department will hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on the 2 and 3 June. Beforehand, the Pentagon is to bring together military delegations from the countries concerned on 29 May.

15/05/2026

China

What is the ancient war theory Xi invoked in his meeting with Trump?

Xi Jinping opened his Beijing summit with Trump by asking whether the two powers could avoid the "Thucydides Trap" — then warned that mishandling Taiwan could lead to war.

15/05/2026

Earth News

The Caspian Sea is shrinking, and ecosystems are paying the price

Scientists warn that climate change and habitat degradation are accelerating water loss in the Caspian Sea.

15/05/2026

Culture news

Sphere vision: The world's most futuristic venue set for Abu Dhabi

A large, shiny orb, prominent on Abu Dhabi’s desert skyline, is soon to become its next defining feature. Following the success of the original Sphere in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi has revealed plans to build a similar entity, which will be the first of its kind in a venue outside of the United States.

15/05/2026