JORDAN: Yarub Qudah met with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi and Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro during the Make it in the Emirates in Abu Dhabi. The discussions focused on strengthening economic and trade ties, expanding industrial and investment partnerships, and increasing cooperation in sectors [...]
IRAQ: A severe dust storm caused by a “Khamsin” depression led to 1,133 cases of suffocation across Iraq on May 4, 2026. Most cases were mild to moderate, and no fatalities were reported. Al-Muthanna was the hardest hit with 576 cases, followed by Najaf (300) and Baghdad (200). Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and [...]
BHUTAN: Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s commercial hub, continues to face a persistent housing crisis that goes beyond high rent. A shortage of available housing—even for those who can afford it—has pushed many Bhutanese, including low-income families and civil servants, to live across the border in Jaigaon, India, despite poorer living conditions. The issue reflects deeper structural challenges, [...]
IRAN: In Iran, executions have continued quietly amid a backdrop of conflict, economic hardship, and uncertainty. Rights groups report at least 21 executions since late February, some tied to protests and others to alleged opposition links or espionage. Despite the rising pace and lack of transparency in trials, daily life appears outwardly normal, with many [...]
BANGLADESH: Over the past 21 months, at least 23 incidents involving organized criminals have been reported, including public killings driven by rivalry and control over illegal “business” activities. Many of these crimes show a high level of coordination, often orchestrated by fugitives abroad and carried out by local gangs, with vulnerable unemployed youths being recruited. [...]
MALAYSIA: Police in Selangor arrested three individuals after a 135-kilometre high-speed chase that ended in Sungai Petai. The pursuit began near the Serdang R&R area when a suspicious car refused to stop and fled toward Melaka. The vehicle eventually lost control and collided with another car. Authorities detained two men and a woman and discovered [...]
CAMBODIA: Authorities in Phnom Penh raided a suspected online scam operation at the Wyndham Grand Phnom Penh Capital, detaining 311 individuals of multiple nationalities, most of them Chinese. The suspects were linked to transnational cyber fraud schemes, including fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency scams, and impersonation of government officials targeting victims across Asia and beyond. The [...]
JORDAN: Around 500 children and their families participated in an inclusive recreational festival in Aqaba designed to integrate children with disabilities into cultural and entertainment activities. Organized through collaboration between cultural institutions, government bodies, and community organizations, the event featured games, theatre, art activities, and gift distribution. Leaders emphasized that such initiatives help build confidence, [...]
IRAQ: The dominant parliamentary bloc in Iraq, known as the Coordination Framework, has nominated Ali al-Zaidi as the country’s next prime minister. This decision followed weeks of internal negotiations to find a compromise candidate. Nizar Amidi officially tasked al-Zaidi with forming a government, though parliamentary approval is still uncertain as 167 votes are required. The [...]
IRAN: Iran’s foreign trade has sharply declined during the first month of conflict involving the United States and Israel, dealing a major blow to its already fragile economy. Non-oil trade dropped significantly—falling 30% from the previous month and 50% compared to the previous year—due to military escalation that disrupted shipping routes and regional trade ties. [...]