CHINA
Beijing has closed highways and city playgrounds due to too dangerous levels of smog, while teh global community discusses emission reduction targets. China in recent weeks has increased coal production due to the energy crisis generated by shortages in supply chains. Even in New Delhi, air quality has worsened after the Diwali celebrations.
JAPAN
Japan's defense minister has inspected the German Navy frigate Bayern, the first naval vessel from the European country to call on Japan in nearly 20 years, demonstrating the strong ties between the two countries. After Japan, the frigate is expected to visit South Korea and sail through the South China Sea, where China is building military outposts.
INDONESIA
Indonesia has criticized the global agreement signed at COP26 in Glasgow to end deforestation by 2030, hinting that it may not abide by it. The government can't "promise what we can't do", said the Indonesian Minister of Environment (in this article we reported on the deforestation situation in Southeast Asia).
THAILAND - MYANMAR
Last night 23 Burmese migrants, including 7 children, were arrested in northern Thailand for entering the country illegally. The migrants reported that they had fled Myanmar in search of work. Since Thailand reopened its borders to tourists on Monday, border patrols have increased.
KASHMIR
Some cricket fans who celebrated Pakistan's victory over India on social media during the World Cup have been arrested. In Kashmir, the Muslim-majority region disputed by Islamabad and New Delhi, Indian police made the arrests based on a strict anti-terrorism law after videos of some students' celebrations circulated on social media.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan unveiled a $709 million (€613 million) subsidy package for low-income families struggling with rising food prices. Khan called it the "largest welfare program ever implemented in Pakistan."
RUSSIA
Despite record numbers of infections and deaths, protests over restrictions are growing in Russia. In the city of Obluch, in the Hebrew Autonomous Region in Siberia, 15 ambulance operators have resigned, not accepting compulsory vaccination. Protests also against "non-working days", in fact quarantine. In the Khabarovsk region, the authorities have organized a contest for those who will vaccinate in November: the first prize is three tons of coal for heating. In Moscow, an apartment can be won.
SAUDI ARABIA - YEMEN
The United States has approved the sale of missiles to Saudi Arabia for 650 million dollars (562 million euros), with the aim of "improving the security of a friendly country", the Pentagon has announced. It is the first arms sale deal to Saudi Arabia under President Biden. The Riyadh-led coalition in Yemen reported killing at least 115 Houthi rebels during raids in Ma'rib province.
