Asia Kazakhstan Dispute with the foreign investors behind the Kashagan oil field has escalated; Kazakhstan warned the consortium’s managing director he could face administrative and criminal liability over its failure to pay an environmental fine of nearly $5 billion
Asia Taiwan Daan–Dajia River interconnection pipeline, Taiwan's new backup route for shifting water between two major supply systems, entered service; the 16,38-km pipeline links Shigang Dam in Taichung with Liyutan Reservoir in Miaoli adding 255.000 m3 tons daily
Asia Iraq Preliminary designs for its flagship Development Road Project and railway corridor have been completed, marking a major milestone as the government prepares to advance one of its largest infrastructure initiatives into the implementation phase
Asia Palestine The ancient West Bank town of Sebastia is now on both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger; despite strong objections from Israel, UNESCO approved emergency procedures in its 48th WHC session in Busan, South Korea
Asia Philippines A persistent infestation of soft scale insects continues to threaten Philippines’s sugar industry, damaging crops and reducing yields in key producing provinces; Authorities are expanding monitoring and pest-control measures to contain the outbreak
Asia Malaysia MediSAS national health insurance scheme will be launched at the end of July, offering affordable coverage for critical illnesses and major medical treatments; The program is designed to expand financial protection for lower- and middle-income households
Asia Armenia Two Armenian military institutions became associate network partners of the European Security and Defence College: the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy and the National Defence Research University of Armenia's Ministry of Defence
Asia Afghanistan Authorities responded to travel warnings issued by a number of countries across saying that Afghanistan priority is to protect foreigners, who wouldn't be exposed to terrorist attacks, arbitrary detention, kidnapping, armed conflicts
Asia Singapore Singapore retained its position as the world's most powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations according to the latest Henley Passport Index, underscoring Singapore's strong international mobility
Asia China The landslide in Pengshui County, outskirts of Chongqing, that killed 9 people, left over 30 missing and 1.100 relocated underscores the danger of rain-induced landslides in the mountainous karst regions of southwest China during the summer rainy season
Asia Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing announced plans to amend 43 provisions of the 2008 Constitution; Critics argue the amendments leave intact the military's constitutional powers and are unlikely to alter the armed forces' dominant role in politics
Asia Cyprus The Paphos municipality and the town’s police are to boost their efforts to rid the town of the illegal use of electric scooters and other electric personal mobility devices, following a meeting of police officials and acting mayor
Asia United Arab Emirates Under Roads and Transport Authority's People Happiness programme Dubai will equip 30 pedestrian bridges across the emirate with moving sensors that action light when people walk by, aiming to improve safety and comfort for residents crossing major roads