Asia

Health news

Scientists transplant pig lung into brain-dead patient in world-first

Experts say cross-species transplants could one day help alleviate the shortage of human organ donations.

25/08/2025

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Students clash with riot police in Jakarta over MPs’ housing benefits

Riot police clashed with thousands of students in Jakarta on Monday as protests erupted against lawmakers’ allowances, with demonstrators attempting to march on Indonesia’s Parliament building.

25/08/2025

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Sri Lanka’s International Kite Festival returns after six-year break

Colourful kites in the shapes of animals, flowers and comic characters filled the skies above Colombo on Sunday as Sri Lanka’s International Kite Festival made its return.

25/08/2025

Business

What will be the benefits of Uzbekistan's new labour strategy?

The country is now focusing on equipping workers with the right skills, rather than simply creating jobs. New training centres, digital tools, and vocational vouchers aim to boost employment, cut poverty, and close the skills gap in a changing economy.

25/08/2025

Gaza

Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills five journalists, media confirm

At least 20 people were killed by an Israeli strike on a hospital in Khan Younis on Monday, according to reports from the scene, including journalists and camera operators working for Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera.

25/08/2025

Yemen

Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthis rock Yemen's capital

At least six people were killed and 86 injured after multiple areas across the Yemeni capital of Sanaa were hit by Israeli airstrikes, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.

25/08/2025

Gaza

At least 64 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza

The attacks come as Israel finalises plans for an imminent assault aimed at occupying Gaza City, after Israel’s security cabinet approved Netanyahu’s plans to capture the northern city.

24/08/2025

Gaza

At least 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza

Close to three dozen Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday across Gaza as Israel intensifies its assault on the enclave and prepares for a major offensive to take control of the northern Gaza City.

23/08/2025

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Kim Jong Un leads Pyongyang ceremony for troops who fought in Ukraine

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un led a ceremony in Pyongyang on Friday to honour troops who fought in Ukraine and to commemorate those killed, according to state media.

22/08/2025

Travel News

Thailand plans to give away thousands of free flights to tourists

Thailand cut its forecast to 33 million international visitors, down from 39 million at the start of 2025.

22/08/2025

Earth News

China’s emissions may have peaked as solar energy surges

New data shows china's carbon emissions fell in early 2025, raising hopes the country may have peaked ahead of its 2030 target.

22/08/2025

Gaza

Famine confirmed in part of Gaza for first time, UN-backed body says

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) raised its classification to Phase 5, worst level on its food insecurity scale.

22/08/2025

Iran

Iran’s FM to hold call with Europeans to discuss nuclear programme

The call comes as the three parties to Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal threaten to reimpose sanctions under a mechanism known as "snapback".

22/08/2025

Tech News

Why is China turning its back on AI chip giant Nvidia?

China reportedly told local tech companies to stop buying Nvidia's chips due to alleged security concerns, as the global AI race intensifies.

22/08/2025

Gaza

Israel says Gaza City will be destroyed if Hamas rejects ceasefire

Israel’s defense minister says Gaza City could be destroyed unless Hamas accepts Israel’s terms. Earlier this week, Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal by Arab mediators, almost identical to the one Israel accepted before talks stalled last month.

22/08/2025

North Korea

Kim Jong-un welcomes soldiers back home from fighting for Russia

State-controlled Korean Central News Agency said Kim awarded state "hero" titles to commanders and soldiers who returned after fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk border region.

22/08/2025

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Airstrike destroys Gaza tents as Israel readies new operation

Israeli airstrikes hit central Gaza early Thursday, destroying a camp for displaced families near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah as preparations for a wider offensive continued.

21/08/2025

Culture Series

Meet Mir Teymur, the ceramicist shaping Azerbaijan’s creative legacy in clay

In partnership with Azpromo

Azerbaijani ceramicist Mir Teymur opens his doors to share l clay’s role as “first gold” and its creative legacy philosophy.

21/08/2025

South Korea

95-year-old North Korean soldier campaigns to be returned home

Ahn Hak-sop volunteered to fight for the North Korean army in 1952 but was captured by South Korean soldiers in April 1953, months before the fighting stopped with the armistice.

21/08/2025

Money

Why China is expanding into digital currencies

China launched its own digital yuan, the e-CNY issued by its central bank, on a trial basis in 2019.

21/08/2025

Partner content

Why Turkmenistan is one of Central Asia’s best-kept secrets

Partner content presented by Turkmenaragatnashyk

Discover Turkmenistan’s enduring appeal – from cultural revival to enduring natural wonders – and why it is high on the list of Central Asia’s most fascinating destinations.

21/08/2025

West Bank

West Bank settlement project approved as IDF begins Gaza City assault

Israel gave final approval Wednesday for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two. Meanwhile, the IDF said it had begun the first stages of its planned assault to seize Gaza City.

21/08/2025

Taiwan

Taiwan court sentences man for illegal fuel transfers to North Korea

Illegal transfers at sea are one of the few ways North Korea, largely isolated from the international community, can obtain fuel because of strict United Nations sanctions against its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

20/08/2025

Cult

Gabala Music Festival: Six days of opera and jazz in the Caucasus

In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Every summer, the Gabala International Music Festival turns this Azerbaijani mountain resort into an open-air stage, hosting world-class jazz, opera and orchestras against the backdrop of the Caucasus.

20/08/2025

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Aid agencies criticise Gaza airdrops as unsafe and ineffective

International donors carried out new airdrops of humanitarian aid over the Gaza Strip, where residents continue to face acute food shortages under Israel’s blockade and ongoing military operations.

20/08/2025

Syria

US-led coalition in Syria captures senior IS group commander

The IS jihadist group broke away from al-Qaeda more than a decade ago and attracted supporters from around the world after it declared a so-called caliphate in 2014 in large parts of Syria and Iraq.

20/08/2025