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
Asia East Timor A military hospital, fully funded by China under newly signed agreement in military cooperation, will be built in Timor Leste; the signing has been part of celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the National Liberation of Armed Forces held in Tasi Tolu
Asia Lebanon Pope Leo XIVcould be visiting Lebanon on his first foreign visit, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said, a trip that would give a chance to speak in broad terms about peace in the Middle East and the plight of Christians there
Asia Tajikistan Alif, a fintech operator, in partnership with Visa, launched a fee-free remittances system directly transferring money to Alipay and WeChat wallets in China, thus avoiding losses from double currency conversion from Somoni to US Dollars to Chinese yuan