Asia Georgia Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary of the ruling party Kakha Kaladze accused foreign powers and organizations of tentative interference in internal affairs: pressure, misinformation, political manipulation would destabilize Georgia and undermine its sovereignty
Asia Vietnam Plans have started for the evacuation of over half a million people and all boats are ordered to stay ashore as Vietnam braces for an intensifying Typhoon Kajiki
Asia Uzbekistan The Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR has commenced developing an oil field in Uzbekistan and 'very promising' feedback is expected with one or two years, Uzbekistan announced in a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
Asia China The World Humanoid Robot Games, world's first Olympic-style event, took place in Beijing in a venue built for 2022 Olympics; in the opening ceremony robots danced and played music and 500 androids competed in 26 sports, from 400m sprint to table tennis
Asia Myanmar Ministry of Information signed a $3 million-per-year lobbying contract with Washington-based DCI Group; The deal comes amid the transition to a nominal civilian interim government, though military chief Min Aung Hlaing remains in powe
Asia Afghanistan Youth in remote areas of Zabul area demand access to modern education as a key to their future; some teachers have started a few courses in English, with computers, and students are highly motivated; access to education in general remains a key issue
Asia South Korea A traditional rainmaking ritual called giuje was performed by the Gangneung Danoje Preservation Committee as severe drought is gripping the coastal city of Gangneung; water at Obong Reservoir stood at 18,3% and is projected to last other 22 days
Asia Kyrgyzstan Mandatory tips, a 5-15% ever more often charged separately in restaurant, will be banned in Kyrgyzstan; the practice, authorities affirm, raises concerns in terms of tax regulation, consumer protection, and business transparency
Asia Syria Women in Syria's media face a hostile or unfavorable environment that undermines their presence in the industry; they are expected to maintain far more strict composure and professionalism than men and often face insinuation about their personal life
Asia Maldives Journalists filled the parliament gallery in silent protest earlier this week as lawmakers in the chamber below debated a bill proposing a new regulatory body with sweeping powers to punish and shut down media outlets
Asia Israel Haredi leaders called for an international day of prayer and fasting in response to recent government efforts to conscript ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students and arrest those who disobey enlisting; national Rabbi said it's 'shocking' they escape social duty
Asia Bahrain Bahrain Post’s online services will be available exclusively in app MyGov from 28 August; the move will unify access to government e-services, enhancing digital transformation process, in line with users’ expectations for seamless, integrated experience
Asia Japan Remote-controlled robots have been deployed to one of the reactors at Fukushima nuclear plant to prepare the removal of around 880 tonnes of radioactive debris, the most daunting challenge in the decommissioning operation following 2011 earthquake damages