Asia

Hong Kong Tower Fire Leaves 44 Dead and Hundreds Missing as Investigation Begins …………. A massive fire that swept through several high-rise residential blocks in Hong Kong has left at least 44 people dead and 45 in critical condition, with…

Protests in Guizhou Over Funeral Policy Highlight Rising Rural Unrest in China ………….. Protests have erupted in Shidong town, Guizhou province, after local authorities encouraged cremation over traditional burial, The Guardian reported. The demonstrations, which began over the weekend, reflect…

Malaysia Rejects Proposal to Create Non-Muslim Equivalent of Zakat Fund ………….. Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance has rejected parliamentary calls to establish a zakat-like fund for non-Muslim communities, stressing that zakat is a religious obligation defined strictly by Islamic law and…

Flooding in Vietnam Kills 90, Dozens Missing Amid Heavy Rain …………… Flooding and landslides in south-central Vietnam have claimed at least 90 lives, with 12 people still missing, The Guardian reported. Torrential rains since late October have battered popular tourist…

SCO Official Warns of Expanding Terror Threat to Central Asia ………… International terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan and Syria are increasing efforts to target Central Asia, the head of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) warned, according to…

Seoul Museum Unveils New Gallery Highlighting Islamic Art ………… The National Museum of Korea has opened a new wing dedicated to Islamic art, a move that reflects growing public interest in Islamic civilization and its cultural heritage, according to IQNA…

Vietnam Floods Leave 41 Dead as Heavy Rains Trigger Widespread Destruction ……….. The death toll from days of torrential rain, severe flooding and landslides in central Vietnam has climbed to 41, state media reported on Thursday, Reuters reported. Water levels…

China Confirms Largest Gold Discovery Since 1949 in Liaoning Province …………. China has confirmed the discovery of its largest gold reserve since 1949 in the northeastern province of Liaoning, estimated at around 1,444 tons, according to the Ministry of Natural…

UAE Identified as Major Destination for Smuggled Gold from Sudan and Africa, New Report Finds ————————————– A new report by the Swiss independent organization SWISSAID says the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the primary destination for smuggled gold originating from…

Kazakhstan Joins Abraham Accords — Signals U.S. Push to Normalize Ties in Central Asia ————————————————– Kazakhstan has officially joined the Abraham Accords, marking a symbolic but strategically significant expansion of this Middle East normalization framework into Central Asia, according to…