Asia China Hainan province saw a -29.3% y-o-y decrease in duty-free spending in 2024 from CNY43,76 billion in 2023 to CNY30,94 billion (US$4.23 billion), according to Haikou Customs data, confirmed in Q1 2025; This was driven by a -15.9% fall in shoppers in 2024
Asia Turkey Trial began for 189 people, mostly students, of the 819 arrested in rallies that began on 19 March after Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained on corruption charges, which he denies; charges against them include failing to disperse despite warnings
Asia Kuwait New, tougher traffic law will be applied on 22 April: 12 types of offenders will be detained and some of them must go to court, with no compromise or financial settlements accepted for three major offences
Asia Yemen US strikes on Ras Isa fuel terminal on the Red Sea coast killed at least 74 people in the deadliest attack since the US started its bombing campaign against the Ansar Allah last year, according to the Ansar Allah-run health ministry
Asia Oman 3.407 investors from 60 countries obtained long-term residency visa by the end of February 2025; launched in 2021, Investment Residency Programs are offered through real estate, investment and long-term bank deposits on a renewable five and ten-year basis
Asia Oman Ministers of Transport of the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Iraq met in Baghdad to discuss enhancing cooperation in transport and logistics as a driver of economic growth and regional integration
Asia Syria Over 100 chemical weapons sites, many not secure, could have remained after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, according to a leading chemical weapons watchdog, a number higher than any previous estimate; government pledged to destroy any remaining weapons
Asia Nepal Thousands of teachers of the Nepal Teachers’ Federation protested in Kathmandu earlier this month wearing black masks and demanding the long-delayed School Education Act; a nationwide strike closed schools and put more pressure on the government
Asia Bangladesh 33 fishers, including six women, were rescued from a den of pirates from a deep jungle in the Sundarbans: they were allegedly abducted for ransom days ago; the Coast Guard also recovered 16 fishing boats from the den but no pirate could be detained
Asia Yemen Much importance is given to summer camp activities, harnessing the energies talents and creativity of young people; Holy Quran, cultural-educational-social aspects, sports and professional activities foster national belonging and personal awareness
Asia Indonesia Jakarta plans to launch its own film festival; Deputy Governor Rano Karno envisions the event as a platform to celebrate national cinema, strengthen the local film industry and boost Jakarta's cultural identity
Asia Taiwan Taiwan’s youth suicide rate has risen above the OECD average of 6,5, up from 4,5 in 2021, latest comparative report says, and mental health problems are worsening according to a National Taiwan University survey
Asia Bahrain Councillors have unanimously approved an urgent request to preserve a historic natural spring in Samaheej; members of the Muharraq Municipal Council stressed the heritage value of ‘Ayn Aloudah’, one of the island’s archaeological water sources