Asia Kuwait The justice minister is holding talks with relevant agencies to seek the best mechanism to address the disputed ban on renewing work permits for expatriates over 60 without a university degree
Asia Qatar The Ministry of Municipality organised an orientation field day for farmers and farm owners on raising the productivity of leafy and fruit crops with minimal water consumption to achieve food security
Asia Philippines The Department of Public Works and Highways has announced the completion of a mega-hospital facility in Mandaluyong City that can accommodate 130 Covid-19 patients
Asia Lebanon The Lebanese pound trades at 30000 for US$1 on the black market, dropping to a new low; the World Bank has described Lebanon's economic meltdown as one of the worst in the world since 1850
Asia Nepal Villages for the disabled will be constructed and managed by the government together with the provinces, with the 'Disability Village Construction and Operation Procedure' providing for rehabilitation, education, health, employment and entertainment
Asia South Korea President Moon Jae-in has promised to use his final months in office to press for a diplomatic breakthrough with North Korea, despite Pyongyang's public silence on its attempts for a peace declaration between the two sides
Asia Vietnam A team of six bobsleigh athletes will be the first Vietnamese to compete in the Winter Olympics, taking part in the February Olympics in Beijing
Asia Uzbekistan Primary school pupils in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm provinces could receive free meals as this target is part of the draft roadmap of the 2022-2026 development strategy to be implemented in 2022
Asia Laos The slight decrease in the number of road accidents compared to previous years, including a reduced number of deaths, reflects the effects of the strict Covid-19 measures in place during 2021, according to the head of the traffic police department
Asia Tajikistan The government has allowed Saudi citizens to enter the country without a visa as of this January, given the Tajik government's desire to increase and develop cooperation with the Kingdom in all areas of common interest
Asia Indonesia 24.000 people have been evacuated on the island of Sumatra scourged by floods, with torrential rains causing rivers to overflow and flooding villages; environmental NGOs are pointing the finger at uncontrolled deforestation to make room for palm oil crops
Asia Maldives HSBC Maldives announced their decision to grant Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) MVR 154 million (USD 10 million) to fund developmental projects in 20 islands
Asia Jordan The short movie “Tala’ Vision”, written and directed by Jordanian filmmaker Murad Abu Eisheh, has been shortlisted to the Live Action Short Film category for the 94th Academy Awards, the only Arab movie in all categories to be shortlisted