Relations between Moscow’s eastern neighbours remain largely in limbo, as they seek to reduce their dependence without severing ties with Russia for good. Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Xi Jinping has, yet again, rejected Putin’s call to unblock the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline project.
Today's news: China’s economic losses from natural disasters in July reach US$ 7.74 billion. Since the February 2021 coup, the ruling junta has destroyed more than 16,500 homes in major cities. South Koreans are increasingly dissatisfied with their lives. The Saudi Embassy in Lebanon urges Saudis to leave the country. India's Supreme Court suspends the conviction of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Kyrgyzstan wants to build hydropower plants on the Naryn River.
Today's news: Three Christians seized by soldiers in Myanmar’s Chin State are dead; a pastor taken with them escaped. In Seongnam, South Korea, a young man drives a car into people and stabs passers-by, injuring 14 people. Mongolia wants greater cooperation with the US in rare earth mining. Afghanistan and Pakistan accuse each other of poor border controls. Politically motivated executions increase in Iran. Russia’s Baltic fleet began Ocean Shield 2023 naval drill.
Today's news: China is set to restrict Internet access for children and minors. India is on high alert following violence between Muslims and Hindus in Haryana that left at least six dead. Japan and Taiwan brace for Typhoon Khanun. Vietnam plans to export two million doses of African swine fever vaccine by October. Russian lawmakers want toys to be “ideologically” certified. The Kazakh-Afghan forum opens in Astana, but the Taliban remain an issue.
Today's news: Hong Kong’s new cardinal says a liaison office is a matter “between the two governments," but stresses his diocese’s role as a potential "bridge" between China and the Vatican. India and Bhutan report a significant rise in the number of wild tigers. The United Arab Emirates will allow protesters to “assemble peacefully” during COP28. A “delicacy" in many countries, frog legs shortages are reported in Indonesia and Vietnam. Russia speeds up building its own "sovereign internet".
Today's news: After weeks of speculation, Xi Jinping changes the leadership of China’s rocket forces. Vietnamese police arrests ethnic Khmer advocates. Iranian authorities suspend the license of an online insurance broker over female employees failing to comply with headscarf rules. Russia imported large quantities of sanctioned military-use microchips. Some Central Asian countries seek dialogue with the Taliban despite the Pashtun question.
Today's news: Lao police arrest Chinese human rights lawyer who defended Hong Kong pro-democracy advocates. Suicide bombing in Pakistan kills at least 44 people and wounds another 200. Seven satellites made in Singapore were successfully launched from India. In Herat the Taliban torch musical instruments that “cause the youth to go astray.” At the Russia-Africa summit, Putin rewards the Zimbabwean president for his "loyalty".
Members of the Upz Church, still formally linked to Kirill, have written an appeal to their metropolitan: "What do we respond to this tragedy?". Onufryj's silence while the metropolitan of Odessa, known as a champion of loyalty to Moscow, now says: "The special military operation cannot justify murder and violence".
President Žaparov signed constitutional law obliging state officials to be able to use the Kyrgyz language, eliminating an ambiguity in the post-Soviet constitution that equated it with Russian. To access public places you will need to pass a language test and even advertising messages will be only in Kyrgyz. Moscow protests in support of Russian speakers.
Today's headlines: as expected, the Cambodian premier Hun Sen will leave the leadership of the government to his son; In Bangladesh, Western ambassadors criticize the repressive pre-election climate; US officials will meet with Taliban representatives; The Red Cross will use Japanese mine detection technology; In China, the number of gamers is increasing; Only 16 out of 54 African heads of state at the summit with Putin.
In the pro-Russian breakaway republic of Georgia proclaimed in 2008, there is a big debate about the need to write new textbooks on the contemporary history of the region. Former parliament speaker Kociev: "How can you rewrite it in the midst of a fist and knife fight?".
Tourists have been slow to arrive on the Crimean sea this year, intimidated by the trenches and bombings. The Russian government has tried hard to encourage and "precept" different categories of them, from groups of children and young people to employees of state-owned companies and oligarchies. And there is no doubt that one of the purposes of the Ukrainian attacks is directed at putting the season, the region's main economic activity, out of business.
Today's headlines: in Siberia, permafrost melts causing the methane-releasing Batagaika depression to sink further; Israeli army kills two teenagers in the West Bank; U.S. semiconductors in Russia despite sanctions through Maldives; Chinese youth stop at Propaganda Fide in Rome on their way to WYD.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
