Asia Japan Commenting international concern about current spread of streptococcal infections, Hitoshi Honda, professor and infectious disease expert at Fujita Health University said pandemic-level infections are not expected and travel restrictions not required
Asia Taiwan The entire Alishan Forest Railway will be opened and operational on July 1, after 15 years of track work and tunnel repairs, announced Taiwan's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
Asia Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended a ceremony to launch new industrial and energy projects; according to the presidential press service, 4.600 industrial enterprises were launched in the country in 2023 alone, with industrial output growth of 6%
Asia Qatar The country has achieved a steady, strong increase in its natural gas extraction, exceeding growth fivefold in the past two decades, and has now a projected increase of 70% by 2050
Asia North Korea Ethnic Chinese residents in North Korea have returned to the country for the first time in four years after a long exile during the pandemic, the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang recently made known
Asia Turkey The Turkish government announced that it will restrict exports of 54 categories of products - including jet fuel, construction equipment, cement, chemicals, pesticides, and bricks - to Israel until the Netanyahu government proclaims a cease-fire
Asia Oman With over 350 animals from around the world and a plethora of activities, Oman's largest zoo in Ibra, named "Safari World," will open its doors to the public today
Asia Cyprus Tests for people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs would also be carried out with blood samples under specific circumstances, should a new bill proposed by the transport ministry pass into law
Asia Sri Lanka The country and a group of its creditors are in final negotiations to suspend debt repayments until 2028, while creditor countries, including Japan, try to prevent China's influence from expanding in the debt-stricken island
Asia Iran "The only way to fight the Zionists is to form a coalition of Islamic armies," reportedly said the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy, Alireza Tangsiri
Asia India Coal's share of power generation increased to 77% in the first week of April, +2% from the same period in 2023; increased coal use is offsetting lower power generation from hydropower resources
Asia Bangladesh The country will not provide electricity and gas to new factories to be built outside designated economic zones and industrial enclaves; central bank required banks to secure mandatory certificates of approval from utility providers before lending
Asia Bahrain Bahrain's monarch granted clemency to 1.584 people charged with felonies and "rioting," marking the largest mass release in the Gulf nation in years, according to state media reports