Asia Syria The energy industry, once the backbone of the Syrian economy, is now the strategic bottleneck as the country starts its post-sanctions recovery; experts warn the sector would need $20 billion
Asia Iran Iran's National Virtual Space Center will take legal action against Google and other international platforms over the distortion of the historical name of the Persian Gulf, considering the use of other names a violation of national identity and of ICCPR
Asia Tajikistan Tajik labor migrants residing in Russia and seeking to legalize their status within the new deadline of 10 September report unfair treatment and discrimination at Kazakh-Russian border
Asia Japan With rice at record-high prices, Japan authorities warn of scams in fraudulent websites claiming to sell rice at low prices, while new farm minister plans to abandon auctioning stockpiled rice and set prices through negotiation to better control them
Asia Uzbekistan Teen friends from Jizzakh won 'World of 8 Billion International Student Video Contest' with their fresh ideas on nurturing child well-being; their 60'' video, Brighter Future for Every Child, emerged among thousands of entries from teens in 67 countries
Asia Laos A sustainable tourism initiative has been launched in partnership with Thailand’s Packon Company; it aims to integrate smart technologies, enhance infrastructure, and develop eco-friendly attractions like electric tour buses and riverside walking streets
Asia Afghanistan Hazara Culture Day was celebrated in Kabul; featuring women and girls it honored the rich heritage of the Hazara people, with handmade clothing and traditional Hazara foods, aiming to introduce Hazara culture to other ethnic groups in Afghanistan
Asia Bahrain Water meter boxes on the ground level across Bahrain are being moved to more accessible locations, like nearby walls, to improve safety on streets and sidewalks and modernise the country’s utility infrastructure
Asia Vietnam Vietnam signed with Russia a roadmap for nuclear cooperation until 2030: plans include a nuclear tech center in Dong Nai, fuel supply for Da Lat reactor and training programs; Talks also began on Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant using VVER-1200 tech
Asia Mongolia Ariunzul Chuluunbaatar has become the fifth Mongolian woman to summit Mount Everest, reaching the 8.848-meter peak; She is the 17th Mongolian climber to achieve this feat since 2005
Asia Cambodia The Khmer Rouge genocide was commemorated on 20 May with ceremonies at Choeung Ek, honoring 1,7 million victims; PM Hun Manet urged unity to prevent such regimes from returning, stressing remembrance as key to preserving peace and democracy
Asia Pakistan The daily Wagah-Attari border ceremony with India will be resumed, previously halted after an April 22 attack in Kashmir; The ceremony reopens to media and the public, though diplomatic tensions persist
Asia Maldives Mariyam Zeeniya, the secretary-general of Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom), has been penalized with a three-day suspension for failure to cooperate in implementing the commission’s decisions