Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein urged the United States to reconsider its travel advisory for Iraq, saying the country’s security situation has improved. His comments came during a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, who visited Iraq to strengthen bilateral relations. Both sides discussed ways to enhance political, economic, and security cooperation. [...]
The RCDC’s Third Quarterly Bulletin 2025 shows serious contamination in Bhutan’s urban drinking water systems. Out of 531 urban water samples tested, almost 75 percent were unsafe due to E. coli, reflecting ongoing microbial pollution despite regular chlorination and monitoring. Urban water safety has remained low for ten consecutive quarters, consistently failing to meet [...]
More than 150 Iranian lawmakers have accused the judiciary of failing to enforce hijab regulations, claiming this has encouraged growing public defiance and contributed to what they describe as “lawlessness” and “moral decline.” In a letter to Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, 155 MPs said the judiciary has become passive and urged it to [...]
The government has approved a new ordinance to prevent human trafficking and migrant smuggling. This change comes after years of failed justice, where the vast majority of trafficking cases ended in acquittal due to weak investigations, unclear legal definitions, and misuse of the existing law. From 2020 to mid-2025, almost all disposed cases hundreds [...]
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the case of two Jordanian citizens who were killed after being illegally recruited to fight with the Russian army. The ministry warned that foreign groups are trying to recruit Jordanians online and said such actions violate Jordanian and international law. Officials urged citizens to report any recruitment attempts and [...]
The United Nations in Iraq, together with the National Directorate for Women in Iraq and the High Council for Women and Development in the Kurdistan Region, launched the 2025 “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign through events in Baghdad and Erbil. UN Deputy Special Representative Ghulam Mohammad Ishaqzai said that while Iraq has [...]
Bhutan has banned tobacco sales, yet it still has the highest number of teenage tobacco users in South-East Asia. A WHO report shows that nearly one-fourth of Bhutanese teens smoke, and many also use other tobacco products. Among 5,809 surveyed students, around 1,700 reported using tobacco, making teen users about 9.4% of the population. [...]
Behind normal storefronts in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, a covert trade in fast-acting sedatives commonly used as rape drugs is thriving. These substances leave victims conscious but defenseless and often unable to remember what happened. Research by Iran International shows these drugs are easily purchased in markets with almost no enforcement or public awareness. A contact [...]
A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh, killing at least five people, including one child. More than 450 people were injured across the country. The epicentre was near Narsingdi district, about 30 km from Dhaka. Buildings shook violently, causing panic as people rushed outdoors for safety. Makeshift structures collapsed, and several students were injured in a [...]
The Eastern Military Region intercepted a drug-smuggling attempt at dawn on Thursday. Smugglers used balloons equipped with primitive guidance devices to transport narcotics. The attempt took place along the region’s front and within its area of responsibility. Border Guard forces detected the suspicious airborne objects early. The operation was carried out in coordination with security [...]