Bullet train services back to normal

Tropical storm Krosa has disrupted transport services during the peak summer holiday period in Japan.
China's new envoy to Russia expects more fruitful cooperation 
China's new ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui on Wednesday called on both countries to make joint efforts for more fruitful cooperation.
From reformer to hardliner: Putin's 20 years on the global stage

Chinese military personnel parade near Hong Kong border: AFP

15 Aug

Krosa very close to landfall 
A severe tropical storm is expected to make landfall in western Japan on Thursday, bringing torrential rains, violent winds and rough seas.
Elderly skeletal elephant spared Sri Lanka parade
A skeletal 70-year-old elephant has been withdrawn from a high-profile annual Buddhist pageant in Sri Lanka following a social media firestorm against parading the feeble animal.
Kashmir curfew to be eased after Thursday: governor
Restrictions on freedom of movement in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir will be eased after Independence Day on Thursday, the state governor has said, although phone lines and the internet will remain cut off.