New Minsk bishop appointed, while Belarusian Catholics defend themselves

The construction of the largest battery manufacturing plant in Southeast Asia is underway in cooperation with South Korea. With the largest nickel deposits in the world, domestic processing will enable Indonesia to double the value of its nickel exports, says a geologist.

Cambodia extends vaccination campaign to children under six. The aim is to immunize 91 per cent of the population and reopen the tourism sector. China and the UAE plan to vaccinate three-year-old. Hong Kong lawmakers turn to Pfizer for a third jab after no antibodies detected from Chinese vaccine.

Conceived in anti-Chinese terms, Trump had rejected it in 2017. Japan is skeptical. The Chinese would have to meet the pact's high standards, especially on the environment, labor rights and state-owned enterprises. Taiwan also wants to join the CPTPP. Consumption languishes in China, Xi still relies on exports for recovery from pandemic.

Aleksej Naval'nyj's supporters are betting on candidates from other parties to defeat Putin's United Russia. The main collaborators of the first opponent to the regime are in prison or banned by the authorities. "Chinese" tactics are used to control the internet.

Two men and two women candidates for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats. In recent days they have outlined their economic policies to lift the country after the pandemic: the most enterprising is Takaichi; the favorite in the polls is Kono. General elections in November.

A convoy of dozens of tanker trucks crossed the Syrian border at Hermel yesterday morning. The pro-Iranian Shiite movement celebrated the entry as a victory. The crude oil will be distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, water plants and the Red Cross. Experts speak of "state conquest" by Hezbollah. 

Juan Macababbad, vice president of the Union of Peoples' Lawyers in Mindanao, defended the victims of the 2018 Lake Sebu massacre. According to Global Witness, the Philippines ranked third in the world in 2020 for this type of murder with 29 activists killed defending their land.

WHO director general is in Lebanon today and tomorrow to vet the country’s “unprecedented complex crisis”. In August, dozens of cancer patients protested in front of the UN offices. For Caritas director Fr Abboud, the basic problem is “corruption” in a nation “plundered” by politicians. Yet, hope lives on, as does solidarity.

Australians will be able to build nuclear submarines with US technology. The agreement includes cooperation on artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum technology. Beijing slams move as "irresponsible". Protests from France, which loses a contract for the sale of submarines to Canberra. New Zealand also distances itself.

Declining cases, more than 20% of the adult population vaccinated with two doses. An app has been set up to check the vaccination certificates of foreign visitors. Operators in Bali hope for recovery after a year and a half of paralysis.

South Korea tested its first submarine-launched missile, but denies it was a response to the North's provocations. Japan reports that North Korean rockets landed inside its exclusive economic zone. China's foreign minister was visiting Seoul.

Economic aid and commercial opening in exchange for the fight against the network of Fethullah Gülen, Erdogan's arch-enemy. The "Gulenists" have a strong presence in Central Asia. The goal is to bring trade to the billion dollar mark. Expert: the Turks act like masters in Kyrgyzstan.

The measure affects some 30 prisoners for crimes of opinion or thought. A recent amendment by the monarch provides for alternative sentences to prison at any time of sentencing. Some detainees had ended up in cells while still underage. Of 3,800 total detainees, at least 1,400 are political prisoners. 

Telecom company Telenor pulls out of the country refusing to spy on its customers for the ruling military junta. For now, the military regime will not get a seat at the UN General Assembly.