Asia Lebanon Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticised the 'expansion' of Israel's attacks on his country, saying they indicate a rejection of efforts to broker a truce after more than a month of war
Asia Sri Lanka The annual nature and wildlife photography exhibition 2024, organised by the Young Zoologists' Association of Sri Lanka, opened at the JDA Perera Gallery in Colombo and will continue until Sunday
Asia Qatar The polling station locations for the 2024 referendum on the constitutional amendment project have been announced by the General Referendum Committee; the referendum will also be held in electronic form
Asia United Arab Emirates The UAE will welcome dozens of women entrepreneurs from the Indian Women Network of the Confederation of Indian Industry to study AI governance in education and medical innovation
Asia Georgia Georgia's Election Commission said a partial recount of votes confirmed the victory of the ruling, populist, pro-Russian Georgian Dream party
Asia India "The 'caste' column and any references to caste in undertrial and/or convicts’ prisoners’ registers inside the prisons shall be deleted.” - with these 21 words, India’s Supreme Court ended a centuries-old system of caste-based work in prisons
Asia Iran The ban on importing Apple's latest products has been lifted; the ban on importing iPhones had been in place since 2023 and now the models 14, 15 and 16 will be also registered in Iran
Asia Kuwait According to recent government estimates, traffic congestion in Kuwait has decreased by 30% since flexible working hours were implemented in 24 government agencies last year
Asia Lebanon An evacuation order issued by the Israeli army has affected Baalbek, one of Lebanon's largest cities, known for its ancient temples and other ruins dating back to Roman times, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984
Asia Maldives Import duty on cigarettes and vape will double after the parliamentary committee approved the amendments tabled by the government
Asia Myanmar Insecurity Insight identified 1500 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Myanmar from the military coup on 1 Feb 2021 to 1 Oct 2024 in which 930 health workers have been arrested and 126 killed, health facilities damaged 327 times
Asia Iraq Weekly oil exports to the US increased last week to 237.000 barrels, announced the Iraqi Energy Information Administration
Asia Pakistan The 4th Karachi Biennale opened at Bagh Ibne Qasim: works by 40 artists from 10 countries highlight food security in Pakistan's climate challenges; the biennale explored historical influences on food systems and awarded emerging Pakistani talents