Asia Israel The Bank of Israel kept interest rates unchanged for the sixth consecutive meeting, but raised the prospect of future rate hikes if armed conflicts on two fronts push inflation higher than expected
Asia Palestine Since October 2023, 659.000 children have been unable to attend school in Gaza because of damaged or completely destroyed facilities, UNICEF reported
Asia Bahrain Two proposed amendments were submitted by MP Kazim seeking to enhance legal protection for doctors and medical professionals in the course of their work in human medicine and dentistry; the goal would make them less vulnerable to arbitrary legal actions
Asia Sri Lanka The second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround development policy operation has been signed with the World Bank for $200 million, the second operation in a two-part series that began in 2022
Asia United Arab Emirates Dubai's limousine transport sector recorded an increase of over 12 million passengers in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, representing a growth of 50%, announced the Roads and Transport Authority
Asia Yemen The Higher Committee for Celebrations in Yemen declared 7 October a public holiday in the country to commemorate the events of ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ operation
Asia Pakistan Pakistan's startup ecosystem is showing strong signs of recovery, raising $15m in four key deals in Q3 2024, a 650% increase over the previous quarter
Asia Malaysia The country is set to assume the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2025, with the aim of promoting a more inclusive and sustainable regional economy
Asia Kuwait 322 centenarians, 240 women and 82 men, live in the country, according to recent data from the country's Public Information Authority
Asia Myanmar Dr Zaw Myint Maung, leader of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and close ally of imprisoned leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, died of leukaemia; he was in the junta's custody
Asia India Criminalising marital rape would be 'excessively harsh', the government has told the Supreme Court, thus opposing petitions to the court of India to change a British colonial-era law
Asia Jordan A campaign with a focus on raising awareness about the working conditions of female labourers in agriculture, and on the gaps between legislation and its implementation on the ground, was launched by Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights Organisation