VIETNAM
Typhoon Kajiki has killed at least three people and injured 10 more in Vietnam; meanwhile, heavy rains continue to fall, potentially causing further flooding and landslides. So far, approximately 7,000 homes have been damaged and 28,000 hectares of rice fields flooded. Some 18,000 trees and 331 electricity poles have been downed, causing widespread blackouts in the provinces of Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Thái Nguyên and Phú Thọ. Streets in the capital Hanoi have been severely flooded, bringing traffic to a standstill.
INDIA
The Supreme Court of India has ordered an investigation into a wildlife rehabilitation park in Gujarat managed by the Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani's group and led by his son Anant. Although no conclusive evidence has emerged so far, allegations include the unlawful purchase and mistreatment of animals. The Foundation claims to have treated thousands of animals and built the world's largest elephant hospital.
INDONESIA
Police yesterday fired tear gas and used water cannons to drive back hundreds of protesters attempting to enter the Indonesian Parliament building in Jakarta to protest over MPs' perceived excessive salaries and benefits. A group in dark clothing threw stones and fireworks at agents in riot gear. There are currently no confirmed reports of damages, or arrests among the protesters, who are demanding MPs cut their pay.
JAPAN
Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is up by nearly 20 percentage points, despite his ruling coalition losing its majority in July's parliamentary elections, this according to an opinion poll published yesterday by the Yomiuri newspaper. Approval stands at around 39 per cent, up 17 percentage points from the previous survey. Disapproval has dropped to 50 per cent from 67 per cent in July.
ISRAEL – SYRIA
Israel sent 60 soldiers to take control of an area inside the Syrian border around Mount Hermon. Sources at the Syrian Foreign Ministry have slammed the move, calling it a violation of Syrian sovereignty and a further threat to regional security. This comes amid US-mediated talks between the two countries, aimed at de-escalation in southern Syria. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
RUSSIA – SWITZERLAND
The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has declared the activities of the International Baccalaureate Foundation, which is based in Switzerland and promotes social education, "unwelcome" in the country. According to Russia, it "aims to shape Russian youth according to Western models" with “Russophobic projects passed off as education” and “non-traditional values.”
TAJIKISTAN – CHINA
Tajikistan's Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrokhim, discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in international transport with Chinese Ambassador Go Xi-Ziun. The goal is to build and modernise roads to Dushanbe and other regions of the country, particularly a double-decker viaduct in the capital, which is still pending approval.
