Asia Kazakhstan As mountain tourism grows, rescuers, tourism officials and mountaineers are raising concerns about increasing number of unprepared hikers venturing into dangerous terrain influenced by social media; mandatory registration for tourists is being considered
Asia India 49 organisations and collectives, 553 environmentalists and academics, citizens wrote a letter to Chief Justice demanding that the Supreme Court withdraw oral remarks that cast doubt on the right of communities to seek enforcement of environmental law
Asia Jordan On the Kingdom’s 80th Independence Day, the Dead Sea "Corniche" was inaugurated; with several promenade and entertainment areas, it will enhance the offer for domestic tourism, serving citizens along Dead Sea coast with highest standards
Asia Iran A senior Iranian cleric said women without proper hijab should not be excluded from wartime gatherings, while Nour News, affiliated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, called for reason and moderation over ideological confrontation
Asia China Worst coal mine accident in over 15 years leaves at leas 90 dead; President Xi Jinping called for authorities to “spare no effort” in treating the injured and conducting search and rescue operations in Liushenyu, Qinyuan County, Shanxi Province
Asia Iraq Foreign Minister and Turkish Ambassador to Iraq discussed the activation of an oil pipeline from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan stressing that enhancing cooperation on oil exports serves the interests of both countries
Asia Bangladesh Garment workers face heat stress risks as fuel shortages impact use of cooling equipment in factories amid rising temperatures
Asia Qatar Over 60% of Qatar's revenue come from natural gas and related exports, now blocked for more than two months; the cut of sea routes hit imports, from vehicles to fresh produce; fears of regional instability affected tourism and eroded business sentiment
Asia Armenia The 2026 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, an international wine competition, will bring to Yerevan 400 wine experts and professional judges from 65 countries to taste 10.000 wines on 21-23 May; Armenian wines will also be presented
Asia Azerbaijan Shusha, in the southwest, is undergoing large-scale reconstruction and cultural revitalization, with authorities now preparing to launch the construction of a new Victory Museum as part of ongoing infrastructure and heritage projects in the city
Asia Bahrain Breast cancer screening divisions are planned for public hospitals in an effort to improve women's healthcare services and increase early detection rates across Bahrain; tender was assigned to Yusuf Mahmood Hussain Company for around €1,1 million
Asia Armenia Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance said it had reached an agreement to conduct inspections at Armenian farms and enterprises following talks with the head of Armenia’s Food Safety Inspection Body
Asia Turkey Torrential rains have caused rivers in the Havza district, Samsun, Black Sea coast, to overflow, with waters rushing down streets carrying vehicles and debris, inundating buildings, with at least 12 people hospitalized