ASIA

UAE AND JORDAN BEGIN FOOD AID DROPS INTO STARVING GAZANS

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Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have parachuted aid into the Gaza Strip as the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory deepens.

CHINA CONFIRMS WELLS FARGO EXECUTIVE IS UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

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Chenyue Mao, a U.S. citizen and longtime employee of the bank, is not allowed to leave the country while she faces an unspecified criminal probe. China's foreign ministry confirmed the case this week, saying Mao must "cooperate with the investigation." But so far, they haven't said what she's being accused of. Mao lives in Atlanta and runs international factoring at Wells Fargo. She's also the chair of FCI, a global trade finance group. That makes her a key figure in international business, especially deals involving Chinese markets.

UK AND INDIA SIGN RECENTLY ANNOUNCED TRADE DEAL

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally signed the recently announced UK-India trade deal during talks held on Thursday. Hosting the Indian leader at his Chequers country estate, northwest of London, Starmer hailed the agreement as a "landmark moment" for both countries, praising Britain's "unique bonds" with India.

FIVE PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD AFTER INDONESIAN FERRY BURSTS INTO FLAMES MID-SEA

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At least five people, including a pregnant woman, died after a passenger ferry caught fire at sea off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Sunday July 20. The vessel, identified as KM Barcelona 5, was en route from Talaud Islands to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, when the fire broke out near Talise Island.

THAILAND AND CAMBODIA CLASH AT BORDER: 12 DEAD

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A historic border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has erupted into the deadliest military confrontation in years, killing at least 12 people,11 of them civilians, according to Thai authorities.

CHINA IMPOSES EXPORT CURBS ON EV BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

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China has introduced new export controls on critical electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies, a move that is likely to intensify the ongoing global competition over clean energy resources and innovation. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has mandated government approval for the overseas transfer of specific technologies related to lithium processing and the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries—key components in the global EV supply chain.

INDIA VICE PRESIDENT RESIGNS FUELING SPECULATION

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Citing health concerns, India's Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar unexpectedly resigned on Monday night, the first day of the monsoon session of parliament, a move that has prompted widespread speculation. Dhankhar, who also served as chairman of the upper house, had been in office since August 2022, with his term due to expire in 2027. Many opposition leaders have expressed their surprise at the sudden announcement, with one MP saying there was more to the story "than meets the eye".

NORTH KOREA BARS FOREIGNERS FROM NEW SEASIDE RESORT

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Despite previous promotion as a destination for both locals and foreigners, North Korea has announced that its newly opened Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone will not be receiving foreign tourists. The resort, which opened on July 1st, was touted as a key part of Kim Jong Un's efforts to boost tourism, but a notice on North Korea's tourism website says that foreign visits are "temporarily" prohibited.