ISRAEL - PALESTINE - USA
Hamas has released the first seven Israeli hostages - of the 20 still alive - as part of the multi-stage peace agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump, who is travelling to the Middle East, and signed with the Israeli government. Others - but not the Nepalese man who is not on the list of those still alive - are expected to be released in the coming hours, with their families celebrating “the end of a nightmare” that has lasted more than two years. 1,950 Palestinian prisoners are ready to be released. Hamas confirms its intention to respect the ceasefire. Trump is arriving in Israel, where he will speak to the Knesset before travelling to Sharm el-Sheikh for a summit with representatives from 30 countries, which will also be attended by PNA President Abu Mazen.
PAKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN
Dozens of fighters were killed in overnight border clashes over the weekend between Pakistan and Afghanistan, in the most serious violence between the two neighbouring countries since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul. The Islamabad army reports at least 23 soldiers dead, while the Afghan Taliban say nine fighters were killed. Yesterday, Pakistani officials announced the closure of border crossings along the 2,600 km Durand Line drawn by the British in 1893. The Taliban speak of “retaliation” in response to attacks by Islamabad troops.
JAPAN
Greeted and inaugurated with some trepidation, it ultimately proved to be a success. After six months, Japan is closing the curtain today on the World Expo, with over 27 million visitors and the main attraction, the Grand Ring - the largest wooden structure in the world, surrounding all the country pavilions - the subject of a student petition to preserve it. The event, which involved around 160 countries and regions, generated revenues of $197 million.
INDONESIA
Jakarta has almost doubled a key allowance for MPs, a month after cancelling some benefits for the political class in an attempt to appease public anger and demonstrations against caste privileges. The increase in the “break allowance” - granted to support their work while Parliament is not in session - came into effect on 3 October. Each member will receive approximately £30,000 for each break, for an average of five allowances per year for the 580 MPs.
CHINA - NORTH KOREA
Beijing is ready to develop relations with Pyongyang to strengthen strategic cooperation in international and regional affairs. In a letter sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Chinese President Xi Jinping described the relations as “good neighbours, good friends” who share a common destiny and help each other, and for this reason, a joint “project” is being developed.
BANGLADESH
Dhaka yesterday launched a national vaccination campaign to protect millions of children from typhoid, a deadly and increasingly drug-resistant disease that poses a growing threat to public health. The goal is to immunise about 50 million children between the ages of nine months and 15 years with a single dose of Tcv, which provides protection for five years.
RUSSIA - MONGOLIA
The authorities in Buryatia have banned citizens from eating targabany, or Mongolian marmots, due to the spread of 13 cases of bubonic plague in neighbouring Mongolia, one of which resulted in death. It is also recommended not to come into contact with sick or dead rodents, not to camp near their burrows and “not to walk in these areas wearing shoes that are too light”.
KAZAKHSTAN
The Central Bank has raised interest rates to 18%, from the previous level of 16.5%, in response to a new acceleration in inflation and excess demand compared to the real possibilities of fiscal policy. The aim is to “stabilise price dynamics and avoid the risk of an increasingly serious inflation spiral”, as predicted by many analysts, despite assurances from the authorities that rates would remain unchanged during the year.
