The Central Asian country of Turkmenistan is immensely proud of its horses. The ancient and endangered Akhal-Teke species has become a symbol of great national pride in a deeply isolated state where power is firmly concentrated, and are considered so beautiful that beauty pageants are held for them annually. The species and the culture surrounding them has even been listed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. 

South Korea on Friday sentenced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol to 30 years in prison for sending military drones into North Korea in 2024 in a bid to "heighten inter-Korean military tensions and manufacture a national crisis" enabling him to declare martial law. Yeol was in February given a life imprisonment sentence – which he is appealing – for leading an insurrection with his martial law declaration.

North Korea said on Wednesday it had tested a new lightweight multi-purpose missile launch system and a multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system a day earlier, under the supervision of leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea's military said the North fired several projectiles, including a ballistic missile that flew about 80 km (50 miles).

After almost three months of being cut off from the world, internet access was partially restored in Iran starting on Tuesday. While some rejoice at finally being reconnected and able to check in on their loved ones, many complain about the persistent slowness in connectivity and doubt a complete restoration will happen any time soon.

China said Tuesday that it “firmly opposed” the US decision to blacklist major Chinese companies including Alibaba and Baidu, after Washington accused them of aiding the Chinese military. Beijing warned against what it called the “unreasonable suppression” of Chinese firms and called on Washington to correct its decision.

Hundreds of mostly young Indians gathered in New Dehli on Saturday for the first street protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party – a movement which began as an online joke but has quickly gained momentum among Indian youth disillusioned with their education, employment and economic prospects. 

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 19 people, toppling buildings and prompting tsunami warnings across parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, as authorities ordered coastal residents to evacuate and rescuers searched for victims amid strong aftershocks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said that China world not swerve from its commitment ​to safeguarding common interests with North Korea or waver in its support for Kim Jong Un during a rare summit between the two leaders in Pyongyang. The summit comes at a time when China's economy, strengthened by growing trade and military ties to Russia, could boost ⁠North Korea's confidence in talks.

Taiwan said that Chinese vessels "openly intruded" on disputed waters around Itu Aba island in the South China Sea on Thursday, staying for 15 minutes before the Taiwanese coast guard expelled them. The island is claimed by Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Pakistan on Wednesday launched deadly air strikes on Afghanistan after a period of relative calm following months of fighting at the beginning of the year. Pakistan's government said 26 "militants" were killed while Afghan authorities said at least 12 people, including children, died in provinces near the border.

Samsung union members on Wednesday signed a deal securing massive annual bonuses – averting a major strike in South Korea where Samsung Electronics alone accounts for around 12.5 percent of gross domestic product. Global demand for the memory chips that power AI data centres has turbocharged Samsung's earnings in recent months.

A 700-kilo albino buffalo in Bangladesh dubbed "Donald Trump" for its sweeping cowlick of strawberry-blond hair has been saved from sacrifice after achieving viral fame. The bull was slated to be slaughtered as part of the Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha on Thursday.