TOKYO -- A majority of Japanese prefectures started Sunday to implement an increase in minimum wages as the country grapples with surging prices.
Japan's prefectures each set their own minimum wage every year, with the new rates adopted around October in line with the target set by a labor ministry panel. (Japan-Minimum Wages-Increase)
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KUALA LUMPUR -- As China's eight-day Golden Week holiday has started, Malaysia's tourism sector is eyeing increased arrivals to offset years of slow business due to pandemic disruptions.
Golden Week began on Sept. 29 this year, marking the annual weeklong period that includes the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day in China. (Malaysia-China-Tourism)
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RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia announced Saturday its preliminary budget statement for 2024 with an expected 1.9 percent deficit of the GDP.
The Saudi finance ministry projected total expenditures for fiscal 2024, which is identical to a calendar year in the kingdom, at 1,251 billion Saudi Riyals (about 333.5 billion U.S. dollars), and 1,172 billion riyals in revenues. (Saudi Arabia-2024-Deficit)
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TRIPOLI -- A Rome-bound flight took off Saturday here in the Libyan capital, resuming direct scheduled flights between Libya and Italy after a nearly 10-year halt.
Operated by Libya-based Medsky Airways, the flight took off from Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport for Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino International Airport. (Libya-Civil Flight Resumption-Italy)
