INDONESIA
A massive protest by students is planned today in front of police headquarters in Jakarta, following the death of a motorcycle rideshare driver run over by an armoured police vehicle during violent clashes between protesters and officers. Demonstrators had gathered yesterday in front of Parliament over unresolved issues, including MPs' salaries and education funding. The incident sparked further violence, with other youth groups and unions preparing to take to the streets. President Prabowo Subianto appealed for calm and ordered an investigation.
SOUTH KOREA
Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been indicted on several charges, including corruption. The special investigation team announced the news today, as part of a broader investigation into the former head of state's use of martial law and the scandals surrounding the couple. Both Yoon and Kim are under arrest and in prison, with Yoon already on trial on numerous charges, including insurrection.
ISRAEL – YEMEN
According to the Al-Jumhuriya news channel in Yemen, the prime minister of the Houthi rebel government, Ahmed al-Rahawi, was killed in a flat in the capital, Sana'a, during Israel's massive attacks yesterday. The daily newspaper Aden Al-Ghad adds that Rahawi was killed along with several of his associates. This operation appears to be separate from the one, also yesterday, that targeted 10 senior ministers and officials of the pro-Iranian movement, including the defence minister, the outcome of which is still uncertain.
AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN
The Afghan Taliban accuse Pakistan of carrying out a drone attack in the provinces of Nangarhar and Khost on the evening of 27 August, hitting civilian homes. At least three people (all children) were killed while seven were wounded. In response, the Afghan government yesterday summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to file a formal protest. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense in recent years, with Islamabad accusing militants sheltering across the border in Afghanistan of carrying out attacks on its territory, a charge Kabul denies.
CHINA
A year after her second arrest, Chinese blogger Zhang Zhan, famous for covering the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, remains behind bars without trial. She was ostensibly arrested for speaking out against human rights violations in the country. Reporters without Borders (RSF) is calling for her immediate release, citing her precarious health conditions linked to her prolonged hunger strike to protest mistreatment in prison.
SINGAPORE
Under tougher measures that will take effect on 1 September, foreigners caught smoking e-cigarettes risk having their visas revoked, being deported, and slapped with a ban from entering the country. Vapes will be confiscated, and users will face heavy fines, with even harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Locals risk longer prison sentences and even flogging. For the authorities, the war against (illegal and non) vaping has become a matter of life and death.
RUSSIA
The sharp decline in exports and the increase in imports have led to a trade imbalance, with a surplus of just US$ 7 billion, the lowest since 2020, according to Russia’s central bank. This could lead to a new devaluation of the ruble against the dollar, which is already more expensive than official figures.
TAJIKISTAN – UNITED NATIONS
For the first time in history, the UN International Court has ruled that states are obliged by international law to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions. This decision is particularly important for Tajikistan, one of the countries most at risk, which will now have stronger arguments in negotiations for funding and green technologies.
