Asia Bahrain As of 1 September 2024, all licensed financial and banking institutions will have to comply with the Central Bank of Bahrain's new Open Banking Regulations
Asia Azerbaijan The country, host of the UN climate summit COP29, announced that it will launch a new climate fund that will aim to mobilise US$ 1 billion to support new national climate goals of developing countries
Asia Armenia The proposal on the start of visa liberalization for Armenian citizens has been approved by the ambassadors of EU Member States to Armenia
Asia Iran Cement sales in Iran decreased in June compared to the previous month, but still registered a remarkable 24% year-on-year increase
Asia Israel The charity Oxfam International accused Israel of 'systematically weaponizing water against Palestinians in Gaza'; Israeli forces have damaged or destroyed 'five water and sanitation sites every three days since the beginning of this war'
Asia Nepal The wetlands in Morang district have seen exponential growth over the past two decades; from 2000 to 2020, the total area of wetlands increased by 171%, from 10,8 to 29,4 hectares, thanks to conservation initiatives and increased budget allocations
Asia Palestine "What is happening in Gaza is the most documented genocide in history," Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said at a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East
Asia Singapore All active combat and combat support units will be equipped and trained on a new light machine gun by the end of July; the Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940E-SG is manufactured by US-based Colt's Manufacturing
Asia East Timor About to join the regional powerhouse of South-East Asia in 2025, the country wants its Portuguese-speaking allies to benefit as well
Asia Indonesia The central government intends to implement the direct assistance programme for farmers in 2026, part of the transformation to increase national food security; the will mechanism will be tested next year
Asia Kyrgyzstan The ban on increasing fees for fee-based services in higher education institutions has been lifted by the President
Asia Myanmar The first group of refugees from Myanmar living in Thailand and eligible for a new resettlement programme left Bangkok for the US last week; some 90.000 refugees now live in nine closed camps inside Thailand
Asia Mongolia After Mongolia's Olympic uniforms, designed by up-and-coming Mongolian fashion brand Michel&Amazonka, were revealed online, netizens praised the country for releasing such beautiful outfits for its athletes, considering them a mix of beauty and tradition