Iran Iran executes man accused of Israel espionage and another for IS links Rouzbeh Vadi shared classified information about an Iranian nuclear scientist to Israel’s intelligence service, the Mossad, state media reported. 06/08/2025
Lebanon Lebanon tells army to prepare plan to disarm Hezbollah by year's end Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is under growing pressure from the US to ensure that the Iran-aligned militant group lays down its weapons. 06/08/2025
No Comment Hundreds protest nuclear weapons at Hiroshima ceremony Demonstrators gathered near the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima on Wednesday, despite authorities’ requests to leave, as the city marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. 06/08/2025
No Comment Hiroshima remembers victims on 80th anniversary of atomic bombing Hiroshima commemorated the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing that devastated the city and killed 140,000 people. 06/08/2025
Health news China comes down hard on chikungunya virus outbreak More than 7,000 cases of the mosquito-borne disease have been reported in China. 06/08/2025
Culture news Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 80 years later: Lessons from the living Eighty years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ageing survivors are urging the world to remember what was lost – and to imagine a future without nuclear weapons. 06/08/2025
Economy India attacks US and Europe's 'double standards' in trade with Russia India criticised countries trading with Russia while targeting India. EU trade with Russia hit €67.5bn in 2024. Trump threatened tariffs on Indian goods, escalating tensions. 06/08/2025
Japan Hiroshima marks 80th anniversary since US atomic bombing of the city Japan held a memorial service and ceremony for victims and the remaining survivors of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, marking its 80th anniversary and renewing pledges of working towards a world without nuclear weapons. 06/08/2025
Bangladesh Bangladesh's interim PM says elections will take place next February In a televised address, Muhammad Yunus said he would request the Election Commission to organise the vote before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 05/08/2025
India At least four killed in flash floods in northern India, officials say Sudden, intense downpours over small areas known as cloudbursts are increasingly common in Uttarakhand, a Himalayan region prone to flash floods and landslides during the monsoon season. 05/08/2025
Changemakers of Uzbekistan Behzod Abduraimov: a childhood dream hits the world’s stage In partnership with Agency of Information and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov describes his musical journey, from humble beginnings in Tashkent to performing in storied venues around the world. 05/08/2025
World News China and Russia conduct joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan The Chinese and Russian governments have deepened ties in recent years, with Beijing refusing to place sanctions on Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 05/08/2025
No Comment Crowds gather around aid trucks in Gaza as food shortages persist Large crowds gathered around aid trucks entering Gaza through the Morag corridor on Monday, as food shortages continue to affect the population across the enclave. 05/08/2025
No Comment Crowds surge toward falling aid in Gaza during chaotic rush Airdropped humanitarian aid continued to fall across the central Gaza Strip on Monday, as Palestinians scrambled to collect parcels landing in remote or militarised zones. 05/08/2025
East-West Connect Kazakhstan aims to turn tourism into a €10 billion business by 2029 In partnership with MDQ Kazakhstan wants to grow tourism’s output to €10 billion by 2029 and attract 15 million annual visitors. In this episode of East-West Connect we look at the government’s plan to achieve these goals. 05/08/2025
Business Tariff showdown threatens populist alliance between Trump and Modi Once allies during the populist wave launched in Trump's first term, the US president and Indian PM Narendra Modi are now on a collision course over tariffs and Washington’s warming ties with Pakistan. 05/08/2025
Health news China reports thousands of cases of mosquito-borne chikungunya virus In the hardest-hit city of Foshan, patients have been hospitalised and residents are encouraged to take steps to prevent the virus from spreading. 05/08/2025
Gaza Israel's security cabinet to meet amid further civilian deaths in Gaza Aid shortages and rising famine in Gaza escalate as Netanyahu plans complete occupation of the Strip, as further civilian deaths while seeking food were reported. 05/08/2025
No Comment Two fireworks boats catch fire during Yokohama festival Two boats launching fireworks caught fire on Monday, during a summer festival in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, cancelling the event halfway. 05/08/2025
Kazakhstan UN launches regional sustainable development centre in Kazakhstan The UN secretary-general and the president of Kazakhstan held talks in Almaty and signed an agreement on the UN regional hub, which is meant to strengthen cooperation in Central Asia and support Afghanistan’s sustainable development. 05/08/2025
Health news Why the world still hasn’t defeated polio Fake immunisation records, an imperfect vaccine, and leadership missteps have enabled polio’s comeback, an investigation found. 05/08/2025
Pakistan Pakistan resumes expulsions of Afghan refugees despite UN concerns Repatriations on such a massive scale have the potential to destabilise the fragile situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban government came into power in 2021. 04/08/2025
Israel Netanyahu holds talks with officials over Gaza occupation plans Netanyahu reportedly told ministers this week that he would seek security cabinet backing for a plan to fully occupy Gaza, despite objections from within the IDF. 04/08/2025
No Comment AI-powered robots prepare for first World Humanoid Robot Games Robot teams from China and abroad are training at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics speed skating venue ahead of the first World Humanoid Robot Games, set for 14–17 August. 04/08/2025
No Comment Gaza boy searches rubble for grandparents after deadly Israeli attack A video posted by journalist Saeed Hasaballah on Sunday shows a young boy searching through the rubble of a collapsed building in Gaza after an Israeli strike. 04/08/2025
Culture news In Pictures: Eagles and horseback stunts at Kyrgyzstan's Salbuurun The Salbuurun Festival on Lake Issyk-Kul brings together Kyrgyzstan’s finest hunters, performers and craftspeople in a vivid celebration of nomadic culture. 04/08/2025