PUEAA

New technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), human capital and prospects for innovative cooperation between Asian states was discussed by experts at a July 14 panel session at the Central Asian Security and Cooperation Forum in Astana.

Moscow Rejects S.Africa’s Request Not to Send Putin to BRICS Summit

THE MOSCOW TIMES

Russia turned down a request by South Africa not to send President Vladimir Putin to next month’s BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa’s deputy president told local media Friday.

ASEAN Summit: US says region must be free to choose partners

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday highlighted the importance of Washington's relations with Southeast Asian countries at a biannual high-level meeting in Jakarta. Blinken met counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who have gathered in Indonesia along with top diplomats from China, Russia, Japan, India and Australia.

Gabon's Ali Bongo seeks third term as president in upcoming elections

FRANCE 24

Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba said on Sunday that he would seek a third term as the oil-rich African nation's head of state.

Iran signs agreements with Zimbabwe as Raisi wraps up Africa tour

ALJAZEERA

Iran and Zimbabwe have signed 12 agreements to boost bilateral relations as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up a three-country African tour.

Egypt president announces steps to end conflict in Sudan

AFRICA NEWS

Leaders from Sudan’s six neighbouring countries met in Egypt's capital, Cairo, on Thursday for the most high-profile peace talks since conflict erupted across the north-eastern African country in mid-April.

Nigeria’s recovery might be a better bet than South Africa’s

FINANCIAL TIMES

Nigeria and South Africa think of themselves as the giants of Africa. As the two largest economies south of the Sahara with nearly 300mn people between them, relative giants they are. But both have spent at least a decade flat on their back. The question is which of them is likely to stand up first?

The new Asian family

THE ECONOMIST

The concept of “Asian values”, once championed by leaders across the region, went out of vogue after the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The idea that East and South-East Asia’s disciplined governments had a unique economic edge over the decadent West suddenly seemed less compelling. Today in prosperous East Asia a different facet of those ballyhooed values is looking even more parlous. In China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, Asians’ supposed commitment to conservative family life is collapsing. As we report in our Asia and China sections this week, millions of young people are opting for looser, often lonelier and—in the East Asian context—less male-dominated arrangements. In a region that is home to over a fifth of humanity, the socioeconomic and demographic consequences will be vast, potentially destabilising and will shape millions of lives.