Asia

A major corruption case in Attapeu revealed billions of kip in stolen public funds and exposed widespread financial mismanagement in local government; 38 officials and business figures are implicated in embezzlement and abuse of public investment projects

New nationwide digital immunisation tracking system across health facilities will monitor vaccinations in real time, helping health workers record doses, track coverage and ensure children receive complete vaccine schedules across the country

A record 83% increase in private jet arrivals to the Maldives has been reported, with 128 jets landing in the country between February 28 and mid-March as regional conflict disrupts major transit hubs in the Middle East

Petrol reserves in Pakistan are sufficient for about 27 days, diesel stocks for 21 days, as the petroleum secretary reportedly informed a Senate committee; authorities are monitoring supply levels and imports to guarantee fuel availability

New members of Nepal’s National Assembly were sworn in following upper-house elections, where the Balendra Shah’s reformist Rastriya Swatantra Party won by a landslide, reshaping Nepal’s political landscape

Water inflows into Cyprus’ reservoirs are improving compared to 2025; more rain forecast later this week is expected to further boost reserves and the latest outlook suggests water supply conditions may be less severe than initially feared

The Bhutan National Identity has been launched; the secure digital wallet grants greater control to users over their personal data allowing the storage of sensitive information in a trusted digital environment

Russia will train Myanmar’s first cosmonaut under a new cooperation agreement that strengthens space ties between the two countries; The initiative forms part of their broader collaboration on satellite technology and space research

192 attacks in two weeks were reported by the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, as Israeli colonists exploit the current regional instability to escalate attacks on Palestinian villages and communities

Outcry has sparked after reports came of a beating at a police station, reminding of past abuses amid growing tension between the public and authorities for shortage of trained security personnel and failure to enforce accountability for misconduct

A European higher education accreditation agency will review İstanbul University’s business faculty over the controversial annulment of diplomas of 28 graduates, including jailed İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu, President Erdogan's main political rival

Mass production of the domestically developed T1200-grade fibre, an ultra-strength ultra-thin carbon with applications in aerospace and defense, reached a projected output capacity of 100 tonnes a year, putting China ahead of market leaders, such as Japan

13th Parliament was inaugurated and day 1 brought a number of notable episodes: noise before President Shahabuddin's speech and opposition MPs walking out during his address amid quiet exchanges and subtle smiles