VIETNAM
Vietnamese President Tô Lâm has been appointed secretary general of the Communist Party, the highest national office, replacing Nguyễn Phú Trọng, who died two weeks ago. Tô Lâm, 67, had temporarily assumed the duties of party chief on 18 July, a day before his predecessor’s death. Party delegates unanimously supported his election. Addressing the assembly, Tô Lâm promised to maintain and promote Nguyễn’s legacy, adding that “the work on anti-corruption will be continued fiercely.”
GAZA – ISRAEL
About 63 per cent of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on 7 October. “UNOSAT’s latest damage building assessment, based on satellite imagery … reveals that 151,265 structures have been affected in the Gaza Strip,” the UN satellite centre said. “Of these, 30 per cent were destroyed and 12 per cent severely damaged".
NEPAL
On 30 July, authorities in Dhangadhi, in the western province of Sudurpashchim, partially demolished a building used by the Nepal Life Word Mission, a South Korea-based Protestant group, declaring it an "illegal structure" and not compliant with the regulations. Three people, including a Nepali clergyman associated with the South Korean congregation, were arrested on 24 July and are still in police custody for disturbing "public order, decency and morality".
RUSSIA-INDONESIA
Vladimir Putin received a visit from Indonesia's president-elect and current defence minister, Prabowo Subianto, at the Kremlin, hailing him a “great friend” of Russia, citing the friendly relations between the two countries over many decades. Next year will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, established with the Soviet Union at the time of Stalin.
INDIA – OLYMPICS
Returning to Delhi from Paris, Samaresh Jung, the coach of Manu Bhaker, the Indian sport shooter celebrated in her homeland for winning two medals at the Games, received a demolition notice from the Land and Development Office, and was asked to vacate his house within two days. The Khyber Pass colony in Civil Lines, Delhi, has been the subject of a legal dispute between residents and the Ministry of Defence. Jung protested, saying “There has been no proper information or notice. How can families living here since 75 years vacate in 2 days?”
CHINA
China has launched a five-year action plan to strengthen care services for children with autism. The plan was jointly published by the China Disabled People’s Federation, the Ministry of Education, and top public health bodies, with a commitment to improve rehabilitation services. According to data from the World Health Organisation, about one in 100 children in China is affected by one or more of various conditions that make up the autism spectrum disorder.
TURKMENISTAN
An exceptional heat wave has hit Turkmenistan, with temperatures over 50 Celsius, causing the asphalt to melt. Roads have become impassable or dangerous with deep holes in various places, causing serious accidents, especially on the Mary-Tejen road, with vehicles suffering serious damage to their steering systems.
