Asia Oman Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov visited Oman, a member of the OPEC+ oil producers' alliance, where he met with the sultan who emphasised how Muscat was committed to production agreements and supported international efforts for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal
Asia Iraq Iraqi artist Wijdan al-Majed is transforming Baghdad's concrete walls into a city full of colour with murals depicting well-known figures
Asia Jordan Pillars of the ancient city of Jerash were vandalized last weekend with black spray paint; one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world, it's the 2nd most visited destination in Jordan after Petra
Asia Qatar The last two FIFA World Cup 2022 spots will be decided at Qatar’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium next month; the announcement comes a little less than 200 days to the first whistle, as the trophy began its tour of the country
Asia Uzbekistan As of 1 April, the country counted 35,4 million people, an increase of 738.300 individuals, +2,1%, from the previous year; figures are reported by the State Statistics Committee
Asia China From Starbucks to Apple, several international companies have warned that China's Covid-19 restrictions are affecting, if not compromising, business and markets worldwide
Asia Sri Lanka Over 150 people hospitalized in the Colombo National Hospital following the violence that broke out in the city
Asia Taiwan Facing a shortage of Covid-19 rapid tests, a Ministry of Health and Welfare official said more than 100 million rapid tests on order should be delivered to Taiwan by the end of the month
Asia Tajikistan EBRD is providing new funds and creating new growth opportunities for businesses by offering a $7 million finance package to one of the country's largest lenders, Bank Arvand for women-led SMEs and green innovation
Asia Thailand With 2 weeks to go before the election of Bangkok's new governor, the Election Commission has launched a campaign to urge the public to vote and trucks with loudspeakers are travelling all 50 districts; it is the first governor's election in 9 years
Asia Yemen A ship carrying cooking gas was allowed to enter the Red Sea-locked port of Hodeidah yesterday as part of the ongoing truce between the country's warring parties
Asia Kuwait The country generates 51 kg of rubbish per person/month, an average of 1,7 kg per person/day, double the global average, according to government statistics, which is planning a system of smart containers for rubbish collection in new residential areas
Asia Mongolia The country will increase the monthly minimum wage by 31% to 550.000 Mongolian tugriks (about $178) from the beginning of 2023; currently, the minimum wage in the Asian country is 420.000 tugriks (about $136)