INDIA
Three students died of drowning after being trapped in the basement of an exam preparation centre in New Delhi over the weekend when heavy rains occurred. The institute, Rau's IAS Study Circle, is one of many in the capital where thousands of students enrol to pass national tests. But these facilities often have inadequate security measures. The Ministry of the Interior has announced the creation of an investigation commission.
VIETNAM
Five people were killed when a mine collapsed in Quang Ninh province, a well-known mining area in northern Vietnam. The victims were all 23 to 47 year old men employed by the state-owned company Vinacomin. Vietnam continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy production, with around 60 per cent of its electricity still generated by coal-fired power plants.
THAILAND
In an attempt to attract expatriates, the Thai government has announced a 17% cap on income tax for those returning home to work. This measure will last for a maximum of five years and will also include a tax deduction for employers.
SOUTH KOREA
The difficulties of the Korean healthcare system continue due to the doctors‘ strike: according to the Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery only 12 of the 107 cardiology residents throughout the country are still on duty. In South Korea, it is the Ministry of Health that sets annual quotas for trainees in each region, but cardiology has become unpopular due to gruelling working hours: according to estimates, cardiologists work an average of 102.1 hours per week, 30 per cent compared to other specialisations.
CHINA
China wants to intensify macroeconomic policies and stabilise market confidence to ensure that its annual economic growth target of 5 per cent is met, even as the economy faces ‘increasing negative influence’ from the outside world and insufficient domestic demand. This was the outcome of a meeting today of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, the highest decision-making body led by President Xi Jinping. The party leadership promised more support for emerging sectors and to increase domestic demand.
TURKMENISTAN
Although Turkmenistan is increasing its export volumes of petroleum products, especially to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, there is a shortage of automobile fuels in many regions, with endless queues in front of petrol stations, which can last for days to buy low grade products, only suitable for very old cars.
RUSSIA
The Moscow court sentenced 72-year-old Aleksej Soldatov, terminally ill, nuclear physicist, Russian internet pioneer and founder of the first ISP, to two years' imprisonment for “abuse of his prerogatives” for manipulating IP addresses with which he has no formal relationship, in reality for his positions in favour of freedom on the internet.
