Asia Kyrgyzstan MEP Vinera Raimbachaeva was elected president of the Parliamentary Commission for Social Policy, with 66 MEPs voting for her and 10 against
Asia Saudi Arabia The Saudi aid agency signed an agreement for a medical campaign in eight countries, in which some 9.600 phaco-emulsification surgeries will be carried out and 24.000 pairs of glasses and medical drops will be distributed, helping 120.000 people
Asia Lebanon Authorities have begun removing concrete barriers around the parliament building after the elections; placed with the outbreak of massive anti-government protests in 2019, they will be now eased with the election of a dozen new reformists
Asia Turkey The price increase - starting in June - for foreigners who want to obtain citizenship through real estate investments is the Turkish government's latest attempt to alleviate the country's financial difficulties
Asia Iran Thousands of supporters of Iran's clerical establishment, including 50.000 members of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia, rallied on Friday after protests against rising food prices became political
Asia Indonesia The Investment Minister said Tesla has agreed to a deal to build a battery and EV factory in the country; the location of the new factories is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year
Asia Georgia Amnesty International says it is deeply concerned about the political motivations behind the conviction of Nikolos Gvaramia, director and co-owner of Mtavari Arkhi TV, the main opposition channel, whose arrest discourages freedom of expression
Asia Cyprus Glamping and hostels as tourist accommodation options are expected to be regulated before summer by a bill forwarding it to the plenary for a vote; they should help attract a niche market, especially young visitors
Asia Bahrain Benches carved out from local limestone draw visitors to oft-forgotten areas around the kingdom while preserving natural heritage: four seats and a table have been unveiled along the beach at Bu Maher Fort in Muharraq, where Unesco site Pearling Path ends
Asia Thailand More than 100.000 students did not show up for class with the reopening of schools; students living in rural areas will be able to take advantage of free classes and lessons in almost 90 schools across the country to reduce school drop-outs
Asia Vietnam A senior National Assembly deputy has called on the four localities hosting Ring Road No. 3 to speed up site clearance to ensure its completion by 2025
Asia Pakistan To save energy and meet the country's demand in the scorching summer, the federal government reinstated two days of weekly holidays in public offices, which were abolished on 12 April by the PM
Asia United Arab Emirates The 31 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2022, starting today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, will host more than 1.100 publishers from over 80 countries and 450 cultural events, seminars and interactive activities