VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

photo : reuters

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Saturday (Jul 25) designated the interior minister as the new prime minister to succeed Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned over allegations of a conflict of interest. New premier Hichem Mechichi, 46, an independent, now has a month to form a government capable of winning a confidence vote in parliament by a simple majority, or the president will dissolve parliament and call for another election with urgent economic decisions hanging over Tunisia. Western countries have hailed Tunisia for its comparatively successful transition to democracy since the 2011 revolution that ended decades of autocratic rule despite periodic crises.  Many Tunisians are frustrated with economic stagnation, a decline in living standards and decay in public services while political parties often seem more focused on staying in office instead of tackling problems//CNA

photo : thenewyorktimes

Washington has dispatched a special envoy for Afghanistan to press for peace talks between the government and Taliban fighters, with the diplomat scheduled to visit Kabul on a trip with stops in five nations. The US State Department said on Saturday (Jul 25) that US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad departed on Friday to travel to Kabul, Islamabad, Oslo and Sofia. The United States is drawing down its troops in Afghanistan under an agreement struck in February with the Taliban. The agreement aimed to pave the way for formal peace talks between the insurgents and the Afghan government, and Khalilzad's task is to try and bring both sides to the table. Khalilzad plans to press for a deal on prisoner exchanges and a reduction in violence, two issues that have hampered progress toward starting peace talks//CNA

photo : perpusnas

The National Library and the South Kalimantan’s library and archives agency held a webinar with the theme "The Joy of Reading Books" on Friday (July 24), presenting Najwa Shihab who is also known as a journalist and Indonesian Reading Ambassador.  Deputy of Resources Development at the National Library, Woro Titi Haryanti in her remarks said that in the current pandemic, digital space such as webinars is one of the tools to gaining the knowledge even though it must follow health protocols. Head of South Kalimantan Library and Archives Agency, Nurliani Dardie in her speech said that this activity is routinely held every year to introduce the culture of literacy to the community, especially children. On the same occasion, Najwa Shihab revealed that the support from all stakeholders could push the millennial generation to enjoy reading books physically was very much needed. Nowadays, digital space is a way to get any information. The library enlivens digital space with various themes to increase reading habits. The public may access many references including e-books on iPusnas, Khastara, and Indonesia OneSearch (IOS)//NK/release translated PTR

photo : theweek

The US and UK have accused Russia of testing a weapon-like projectile in space that could be used to target satellites in orbit. The US State Department described the recent use of "what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry" as concerning. Russia's defence ministry earlier said it was using new technology to perform checks on Russian space equipment. The US has previously raised concerns about new Russian satellite activity. But it is the first time the UK has made accusations about Russian test-firing in space. In a statement on Thursday, US Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-proliferation, Christopher Ford, accused Moscow of hypocrisy after it said it wanted arms control to be extended to space. The head of the UK's space directorate, Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth, said he was also concerned about the latest Russian satellite test, which he said had the "characteristics of a weapon"//BBC