JAPAN
Japan has eased its strict rules on the export of defense equipment to allow the sale of next-generation fighter jets to be developed jointly with Britain and Italy by 2035. The new rules establish that Japan will be able to export the fighters to a third nation, but they cannot be transferred to a country where fighting is taking place. The new regulation also provides that the destination of fighter jets will be limited to nations that have signed agreements with Japan and each individual case will have to be approved by the government.
ISRAEL-GAZA-UNITED STATES
The United Nations Security Council yesterday approved the resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate release of the hostages. The text presented by Algeria obtained 14 votes in favor and the abstention of the United States, which for the first time did not use its right of veto. This move was harshly attacked by Israel, which spoke of a "step backwards" in Washington's support. In retaliation, Netanyahu canceled a mission to the White House by two of his close collaborators. Meanwhile, during the night, another 15 people died in Israeli bombings near Rafah.
PAKISTAN
In Pakistan, a Pakistani border guard soldier was killed in an attack by the Balochistan Liberation Army on a naval base in Turbat last night. And another suicide bombing this morning killed five Chinese engineers travelling in a convoy. These new attacks comes a few days after the one against the Gwadar Port Authority complex. Balochistan independence activists claimed responsibility for the action, citing opposition to Chinese investment in the region.
CHINA-UNITED STATES
Seven Chinese citizens have been accused of carrying out a sweeping cyberattack campaign that allegedly targeted US and foreign critics of China, businesses and politicians. The seven men allegedly sent over 10,000 "malicious emails, affecting thousands of victims, across multiple continents," in what the US Department of Justice called a "prolific global hacking operation" supported by the Chinese government.
MALAYSIA
A Malaysian court has formalized charges against five managers of a convenience store chain over the affair of socks with the writing "Allah" on sale in one of its stores. Chai Kee Kan, 57, CEO of local chain KK Super Mart, and his wife, who serves as the company's director, were accused of "deliberately intending to hurt religious sentiments" in the Muslim-majority nation. Three officials from the supplier Xin Jian Chang were charged with aiding and abetting. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges and face a maximum prison sentence of one year or a fine.
AFGHANISTAN-RUSSIA
The Afghan Taliban also condemned and distanced themselves from the terrorist act at the Krokus Hall in Moscow, with a note from the representative of the Foreign Ministry in Kabul, Abdul Kahar Balhi, which "expresses the government's strongest condemnation for an action for which ISIS has assumed responsibility, which represents a sensational violation of all human values".
ARMENIA-GEORGIA
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pašinyan met his Georgian counterpart Iraklij Kobakhidze in Yerevan, with whom he signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation in which "the territorial integrity of our two states is recognized without discussion", and also declaring to "support the process of integration of Georgia into the European Union”.
