Asia Bhutan The two-day national conference on Women in Politics, leadership and Governance held in Thimphu earlier this week was saluted by general consensus on supporting an environment for women to have more space in governance and curbing gender stereotyping
Asia Vietnam The industry of shoe production generated nearly $12 billion in the first half of 2022, according to government figures, thus positioning the country among the first four producers in the world
Asia South Korea For the fourth consecutive month a trade deficit has been posted driven by decline in exports to China, high energy prices and the spiraling import prices of raw materials; the cumulative deficit for Jan-July 2022 is the highest in 66 years
Asia Singapore A bill to raise the maximum fines and introduce agreed fines for minor offences in the Singapore Armed Forces was passed in Parliament
Asia Oman The city of Muscat was voted one of the 25 best cities in the world by the readers of Travel + Leisure, taking 19th position
Asia United Arab Emirates The Authority for Social Contribution - Ma'an - recently marked the completion of the sixth cohort of the Ma'an Social Incubator and the first in 2022, with 12 participating start-ups developing their business ideas
Asia Maldives The Ministry of Gender Affairs said it received and followed up 248 cases in June, most of which involved violence against children
Asia Qatar The number of visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries increased by 1.213.8% since 2021
Asia Cyprus Hermes airport in Larnaca is hosting an anniversary exhibition to mark 50 years since the establishment of ThOC, Cyprus Theatre Organisation, showcasing material to the thousands of passengers travelling daily
Asia Iran The country said it remains "optimistic" about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal after the European Union tabled a proposal aiming for a compromise in talks stalled since March
Asia India The country is increasingly experiencing alarming levels of childhood obesity that experts say could take the form of an epidemic if not urgently addressed
Asia Japan At least 30 endangered green sea turtles have been found in the past weeks with wounds around their neck near the remote Japanese island of Kumejima in southern Okinawa prefecture; investigation has begun
Asia Indonesia The country has temporarily opened access to online payment company PayPal to allow users to access their money, after the blocking of some online services and games triggered a wave of protests