Asia Taiwan Data Image, a unit of Taiwanese electronics maker Qisda, starts phase two of its Vietnam plant expansion; the move aims to cut reliance on China, avoid tariffs, and improve supply chains, reflecting a broader regional shift in tech manufacturing
Asia Cyprus An extra Easter allowance for low-income pensioners was approved by the council of ministers, amounting to €3,3 million; the allowance has increased by 30% from 2024, amounts to €250, and will reach over 11.000 beneficiaries
Asia Syria Royal Jordanian Airlines announced a test flight by a Jordanian technical team to Aleppo International Airport as part of a comprehensive evaluation on the operational safety and security before deciding on the resumption of flights from and to Amman
Asia Jordan Starting today, any non-Jordanian student found working illegally will face deportation regardless of circumstances; all public and private universities and colleges are informed that non-Jordanian students aren't allowed to work under current labour laws
Asia Azerbaijan Construction industry in Azerbaijan registered an upward trend, with latest data showing a +19% increase in production of construction plaster in the first two months of 2025 compared to last year
Asia East Timor East Timor's economic performance showed substantial progress in 2024, with a 4% increase in Gross Domestic Product compared to 2,4% in 2023
Asia Palestine Al Jazeera fact-checking agency SANAD, based on UN data, satellite images and maps, claims tank raids and air strikes by Israeli forces in the West Bank in recent months are part of a systematic strategy to change geography, leading to full annexation
Asia Jordan 9.591 overnight tourists from African countries were recorded in January and February, totaling 11.895 with 2.304 day visitors, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism; compared to same period in 2024, visitors from African countries grew by 98,3%
Asia Philippines Thousands of Davao residents gathered with candles at former President Duterte residence on his 80th birthday, to express their well-wishes; Duterte is currently detained by the ICC in the Netherlands, facing charges related to his anti-drug campaign
Asia Vietnam Vietnamese investors launched 10 new overseas projects as of Q1 2025, with total outbound investment reaching over $83 million, more than 5 times higher than the same period in 2024
Asia Lebanon Beirut was hit by an airstrike carried out by Israel for the first time since a truce between the Israeli army and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah halted the war between the two in November
Asia Saudi Arabia The market for sweets and chocolate is growing, and increased consumer demand for non-traditional options, chocolate and special promotions for Eid Al-Fitr is boosting sales
Asia Pakistan The Supreme Court ruled that women’s legal rights are not tied to marriage; Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said assuming married women depend financially on husbands is discriminatory and the court reinstated a woman denied a job due to her marital status