Asia Saudi Arabia The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology has blocked terrorist organizations from using over 1,2 million links to evade digital monitoring; Riyadh-based Etidal was founded in 2017 as a NGO with the purpose of combating extremism
Asia Taiwan Foreign caregivers, organised in a union, protested outside the Ministry of Labor in Taipei calling on the government to remove the 12 years limit a migrant worker can remain in Taiwan and to abolish the compulsory use of intermediaries, or brokers
Asia Oman As online trading sector is thriving, with revenue expected to reach $297,6 million in 2025, awareness campaign with slogan 'For Safe Shopping' has been launched to raise both the public's awareness and the suppliers' knowledge of the legal frame
Asia Palestine The “Baghdad Declaration" issued at the end of the 34th Arab League Summit calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the deployment of UN protection and peacekeeping forces in the Palestinian territories until a two-state solution is implemented
Asia Iraq Arab leaders concluded 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad with the “Baghdad Declaration" calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and presence of UN protection and peacekeeping forces in the Palestinian territories until a two-state solution is implemented
Asia Indonesia Indonesia’s top court is now reviewing 14 petitions against the new law letting more military officers hold civilian roles, as critics warn it undermines democracy and reform, fearing a return to military dominance seen during Suharto’s authoritarian era
Asia Singapore Ancient Asians who migrated 20.000 km to South America have been traced by a study by Nanyang Technological University; using ancient DNA, researchers showed how this journey reshaped the genetic makeup of indigenous populations across the Americas
Asia Qatar Free admission to Qatar Museums venues and exhibitions today 18 May and educational activities will celebrate International Museum Day; museum should evolve to remain an essential connection amid ongoing changes, actively shaping resilient communities
Asia Kuwait 3rd Gulf Housing Week, 18-22 May, will be hosted in Kuwait under the theme “Real Estate Development for Sustainable Housing”; the event is part of ongoing efforts by Gulf Cooperation Council states to strengthen regional cooperation in the housing sector
Asia United Arab Emirates OpenAI is reportedly considering building data centers in the United Arab Emirates to greatly expand its Middle East footprint. A deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to Bloomberg
Asia South Korea Over 8.300 South Korean medical students will repeat a year due to a prolonged class boycott against increased enrollment quotas; despite government offers to reverse the policy if they returned by March, most persisted; 46 students were expelled
Asia Myanmar A military airstrike hit a school in Ohe Htein Twin village, Sagaing Region, killing at least 22 people, including 20 students and two teachers, during morning classes
Asia Japan Japan came 14th among 36 developed countries in new child well-being survey, up from 20th in the previous survey released in 2020; the UNICEF Innocenti report comprehensively evaluates children's mental well-being, physical health and skills