Asia India Nearly 30% of private cars taking the Delhi-Chandigarh highway have chosen the FASTag annual pass, though much more expensive than the average toll, a higher percentage compared to other areas; 1 million users are expected this year
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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