Asia Armenia 15.000 out of 35.000 Armenians who submitted income declarations claimed their right to reimbursement for social expenses and have received around AMD1,4 billion (€3,2 million) in reimbursements; a proposed law aims at extending the declaration deadline
Asia Tajikistan Illegal use of electricity for cryptocurrency mining has been discovered at three enterprises in Tajikistan, as well as in private homes, with an estimated damage amounting to over 130 million somonis (€10,7 million)
Asia Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Airlines will resume passenger flights on the Ashgabat-Moscow-Ashgabat and Ashgabat-Kazan-Ashgabat routes today 1 May 2025; periods of disruption of these services began in August 2023 due to security reasons
Asia China Tension escalated in the South China Sea as Chinese and Philippine personnel both raised their national flags on Sandy Cay, a contested outcropping, underscoring the persistent territorial disputes and the strategic importance of the area for both nations
Asia Qatar Qatari Diar has signed an agreement with Dar Global to develop Trump International Golf Club, a luxury 18-hole golf course, and Trump-branded luxury villas, part of the Simaisma coastal project located 40 kilometres north of Doha; Eric Trump was present
Asia Oman Royal Decree No. 44/2025 or Law on the Regulation of Human Organ and Tissue Transfer and Transplantation in Oman has been issued, prohibiting the sale or purchase as well as financial compensation for donations of human organs, parts, or tissues
Asia Israel Ronen Bar, chief of Shin Bet, whom cabinet voted last month to fire, will step down from his role on 15 June; opposition lawmakers urge Netanyahu to follow an Bar himself said ‘all’ who failed on October 7 must go
Asia Saudi Arabia A survey based on WHO's World Health Survey Plus indications and methodology will target a representative sample of residents across Saudi Arabia through individual and household questionnaires to monitor trends and behaviors and improve public services
Asia Maldives 5.634 Maldivians have sought help from the mental health helpline as of 22 April, just over a year since it was established; The helpline 1677 was part of President Muizzu’s 100-day pledges, aiming to enhance quality service via sustainable arrangements
Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Railways will purchase seven new locomotives and spare parts from the Chinese company CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd.; according to local media, all technical and commercial terms have been finalized for a total value of $26 million
Asia Laos COPE, a Lao non-profit providing prosthetics and rehabilitation to bomb victims, faces a 40% USAID funding cut; Two-thirds of staff may be laid off, risking major setbacks in efforts to help those injured by unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War
Asia Bhutan Bhutan debuts its wine industry with the auction of its first vintage, “Ser Kem,” by the Bhutan Wine Company; The highlight is “The Himalaya,” a 7,57L bottle honoring Gangkhar Puensum, estimated between $40.000–$80.000
Asia Kyrgyzstan A ceremony of handover of English language textbooks for 4th grade was held at the School of Innovative Technologies No. 5 in Bishkek, as part of transition to 12-year school education; these are the first ever world-level textbooks printed in Kyrgyzstan