Asia Turkmenistan 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was held on August 5-8, 2025 in Awaza: over 100 countries and 50 international organizations took part in the event organized by the UN once a decade; Awaza declaration can be a game changer for 2030
Asia Singapore Digital banks serving retail customers are trimming deposit interest rates in line with traditional lenders; cuts reflect the ongoing global decline of interest rates and could push customers to look for alternative investments with more attractive yields
Asia Japan Ultra-deep-sea quest to mine rare earths triggers a green backlash as an extreme-depth drilling mission is announced to a site around 100km from remote atoll Minamitorishima, the easternmost point of Japan territory, risking a global ‘race to the bottom’
Asia East Timor Maritime talks with Indonesia will start within this month, as Jakarta accepted Timor-Leste's official request to begin discussions; the plan for the border talks will be presented on 15 August at the IOB campus in Dili
Asia Georgia Batumi Court sentenced journalist, Batumelebi/Netgazeti founder Mzia Amaghlobeli, arrested in January protests, to 2 years in prison on charges of “resistance,threat or violence against public official” instead of initial charge of “assaulting an officer”
Asia Iraq The Baghdad Municipality will launch its largest-ever afforestation campaign in the upcoming autumn season, planting a million trees in a major urban transformation project and the ongoing Green Belt Project has reached over 95% completion
Asia Israel Netanyahu's proposal to take over Gaza City in the next months has been approved by the security cabinet, although Israel Defense Forces warned that the operation risks the lives of the remaining hostages and can potentially spark a humanitarian disaster
Asia Armenia Armenia and Azerbaijan commit to permanently end all wars and establish relations, U.S. President Trump said at the summit with Pashinyan and Aliyev, adding that after fighting for 35 years "will remain friends for a long time”
Asia Azerbaijan Azerbaijan and Armenia commit to permanently end all wars and establish relations, U.S. President Trump said at the summit with Pashinyan and Aliyev, adding that after fighting for 35 years "will remain friends for a long time”
Asia United Arab Emirates UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Moscow on an official visit yesterday; A military aircraft saluted and escorted His plane upon entering Russian airspace, an official ceremony with guard of honour welcomed him at Vnukovo Airport
Asia Vietnam State budget revenue soared to over 1.572 trillion VND (60,4 billion USD) in the first seven months of 2025, hitting 79,9% of the annual target, +27,4% year-on-year, the Ministry of Finance reported; of 34 provinces, 24 exceeded their targets
Asia Iran 'Illegitimate' geopolitical changes in South Caucasus will face Iran’s firm response, reportedly said senior advisor to the Supreme Leader on international affairs speaking of renewed Azeri narrative of extraterritorial project called Zangezur Corridor
Asia Bahrain 500 road surveillance cameras will be installed in the Kingdom to support enforcing of traffic laws, foster drivers' discipline and ultimately improve road safety