Asia

Health news

Thailand bans sales of cannabis without a prescription

The shift comes amid a rift between former coalition partners in the Thai government.

26/06/2025

North Korea

North Korea to open beach resort as Kim Jong-un eyes tourism

The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone can accommodate roughly 20,000 guests a year, according to state-run media.

26/06/2025

Iran

Strikes on Iran's Fordow facility rendered it inoperable, Israel says

The Israeli assessment contradicts a leaked intelligence report from the US, which suggests that Iran’s nuclear programme has only been set back by a few months.

25/06/2025

Iran

Iran moves to suspend cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog

The development came as Tehran accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of failing to condemn recent strikes on its nuclear facilities.

25/06/2025

Europe in Motion

How crucial is the strait of Hormuz to the global energy market?

Although Israel and Iran's ceasefire which came into force on Tuesday removed the pending threat of the Strait of Hormuz's closure, this is not the first time that Iran has said it would block it.

25/06/2025

Qatar 365

New climate-resistant initiatives underway in Qatar to conserve water in the desert

In partnership with Media City

With Qatar’s arid and dry climate in mind, two Qatar-based eco-friendly tech companies are using innovative climate-resistant solutions to capture moisture from the sky to produce water – one quenches the thirst of humans and the other produces water for crops.

25/06/2025

Modern Nomads

Kazakh archaeological wonders draw crowds

In partnership with MDQ

In this episode of Modern Nomads, we travel across Kazakhstan in search of its most captivating archaeological treasures — from the royal Saka tombs of Berel in the east to the iconic Golden Man exhibit in the capital Astana.

25/06/2025

Gaza

Explosive on armoured vehicle kills seven Israeli soldiers in Gaza

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023 after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, more than 860 Israeli soldiers have died, over 400 of those while fighting in Gaza.

25/06/2025

Economy

Which countries will lose the most if tensions reignite around Iran?

Russia could benefit from an escalating situation in the Middle East, while China and Europe would see their economies suffer if the ceasefire between Iran and Israel fails to hold.

25/06/2025

Iran

US strikes on Iran only set back nuclear plans by months, report says

The report contradicts earlier statements by Trump in which he claimed that the US’ targeted operation on Iranian nuclear sites “obliterated” their programme, setting it back many years.

25/06/2025

Cambodia

Cambodia says Thailand raising tensions with new border crossing rules

On Monday, the Thai army imposed heightened restrictions at border checkpoints with Cambodia following an order from the prime minister to allow only students, medical patients and others with essential needs to enter or leave Thailand.

24/06/2025

Partner content

AIIB at 10: A decade of development and the road ahead

Partner content presented by AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is holding its 10th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors from June 24 to 26 in Beijing.

24/06/2025

Energy Frontiers

Baku Energy Forum: Can global cooperation deliver climate goals?

In partnership with Azpromo

At the Baku Energy Forum, top energy officials and CEOs addressed the urgent need for multilateral action, investment, and innovation to meet climate goals and triple global renewable energy by 2030.

24/06/2025

Europe in Motion

The EU-Israel trade relationship in numbers

As an EU review finds "indications" that Israel breached its human rights obligations in Gaza, the EU-Israel Association Agreement is now under scrutiny. However, concrete action is not expected to be taken until foreign ministers meet in July.

24/06/2025

Travel News

Tourists in Thailand blocked from crossing border into Cambodia

Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia and told citizens there to leave, while Cambodia has downgraded diplomatic ties with Bangkok

24/06/2025

Business

AIIB elects former anti-corruption official as new president

Zou Jiayi has been elected as the next president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) by the group’s board of governors.

24/06/2025

Business Line

Uzbekistan expands pharma production with €1.2bn investment

In partnership with Agency of Information and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is rapidly scaling up its pharmaceutical sector with the launch of Tashkent Pharma Park — a €1.2 billion project uniting research, logistics, manufacturing and training.

24/06/2025

Qatar

Life back to normal in Doha after Iran fires missiles at Al Udeid base

It later emerged that Iran had informed both the US and Qatar of the imminent strike, meaning Qatari air defences were able to shoot down the missiles.

24/06/2025

Japan

Japan conducts first missile test on its own territory

Around 300 soldiers took part in the exercise by the Ground Self-Defence Force's 1st Artillery Brigade with a missile fired at an unmanned boat around 40 kilometres off of the coast.

24/06/2025

Gaza

At least 25 killed after Israeli army opens fire near Gaza aid trucks

The Israeli military fired near Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza, killing 25 and wounding 146.

24/06/2025

No Comment

Fleeing airstrikes, Iranians seek relief in neighboring countries

Fearing further conflict, many Iranians are fleeing toward neighboring countries, seeking temporary refuge.

24/06/2025

Tech News

Digital inclusion, not illusion: How govts transform public sector

UN Public Service Forum 2025 in Samarkand is about reshaping the relationship between citizens and institutions, as digital transformation is no longer a side project, for reshaping of public sector all over the world.

24/06/2025

EuroVerify

Have US strikes ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear sites, as Trump claims?

Post-strike satellite images from the three targets of Operation Midnight Hammer provide a first glimpse into the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

23/06/2025

Economy

What would happen if the Strait of Hormuz were closed?

This narrow shipping route in the Gulf region sees one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passing through, fuelling a big part of the global economy. And Iran controls its northern side.

23/06/2025

Green News

The solutions shaping Central Asia’s unexpected green revolution

As climate pressures mount, Eco Expo Central Asia highlighted a shift from pledges to partnerships, with countries across the region aligning on green action.

23/06/2025

Focus

Expo 2025: bold themes tackle global challenges ahead

In partnership with Cabinet Secretariat

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is using a thematic format to address global issues such as climate change, mobility, and digital transformation. Eight Theme Weeks will structure the six-month event, aiming to move beyond exhibitions and foster debate on long-term challenges.

23/06/2025