Asia

Kyrgyzstan has officially banned the Islamic niqab, a garment that covers the body and face except for the eyes, effective February 1, Radio Free Europe reported. The new law imposes a fine of 20,000 som (approximately $230) on women wearing…

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called for legislation aimed at minimizing the dangers and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), Anadolu Agency reported. Speaking to lawmakers, Ishiba emphasized the importance of AI in addressing Japan’s low productivity issues. He…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Kazakhstan to act on recommendations made during the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, Jurist News reported. The review, which involved 103 state delegates, resulted in 294 recommendations addressing various human rights…

At least five individuals have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced due to severe floods and landslides in Malaysia, particularly affecting the states of Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo Island, Anadolu Agency reported. Approximately 5,000 people have been…

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday that Kuala Lumpur plans to build a school, hospital, and mosque in Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction due to Israel’s military actions since October 2023, Anadolu Agency reported. This announcement coincides…

According to recent data released by Japan’s Health and Welfare Ministry, a record 527 students from elementary and secondary schools took their own lives in 2024, Anadolu Agency reported. This figure represents an increase of 14 from the previous year…

As Japan’s Muslim population grows, so does the demand for burial plots that align with Islamic practices, which prohibit cremation, Japan Today reported. Local governments are exploring the establishment of new cemeteries, but some community leaders express concerns over sanitary…

Thai authorities have denied any immediate plans to repatriate 48 Uyghur refugees back to China, following warnings from UN experts about the potential for torture upon their return, DW news agency reported. The group has been held in immigration centers…

Dozens of Uyghur men detained in Thailand have entered the second week of a hunger strike, protesting against what they fear is imminent deportation to China, where they could face torture and imprisonment, New York Times reported. The detainees began…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its World Report 2025, noting a year of significant yet uneven progress for democracy and human rights in the Asia-Pacific region. The report highlights encouraging signs, including citizen activism in India, Bangladesh, and South Korea,…