Today's headlines: May Day tourism hit in China by lockdowns for Covid; Two people arrested in South Korea for spying for the North; Opposition party leader detained in Cambodia; Iran builds underground nuclear centrifuge facility; Sanctions hit Russian airlines.
Today's headlines: mass testing for Covid also in Guangzhou, southern China. Population fears for a new dam in Laos. Unprecedented heat wave in India. Jordan wants end to Israeli restrictions on the Esplanade of Mosques. Russians launch "online forced labor". Armenian opposition announces large protest rally on May 1.
Imports have risen since 2018, when the US imposed sanctions on Chinese companies. Taiwan announced military exercises based on lessons learnt from the Russian-Ukrainian war. A US warship sails through the Taiwan Strait, the second time this year.
Today's headlines: Three Chinese teachers killed in terror attack in Pakistan; Hong Kong Catholic tycoon Jimmy Lai dismisses allegations of property fraud; Beijing will send soldiers to the Solomons; Australia says Bejing will send soldiers to Solomon Islands; Alleged missile attack by Israel against Syria: Russians want to send their own students to rebuild Ukraine's Donbass.
Sipri: China and India follow the U.S. in military spending. In 2021 the Chinese arrived at 293 billion dollars (+4.7%). Delhi's defense outlay touches 76.6 billion. Upward trend also for Japan and Australia. After four years, Iran's military budget has increased again. In Qatar, growth of 434% compared to 2010.
Today's headlines: Kim Jong-un pledges to strengthen his nuclear arsenal; Chinese Protestants open a theological school in Italy; Malaysia ready to replace Indonesia in palm oil exports; Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala sentenced to life imprisonment; Ukrainian deportees placed in monasteries and hostels of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Today's headlines: Over 1.6 million Burmese lost their jobs last year; Japanese envoy visits Solomon Islands; Sri Lankan university students storm the premier's residence; EU buys UAE oil to replace Russian oil; Dissident intellectual Vladimir Kara-Murza is imprisoned by Moscow's secret services; Tensions rekindled between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Xi was unanimously elected delegate for the Communist Party congress representing Guangxi. However, economic problems and the COVID-19 crisis risk weakening him. The Communist party is asking citizens to send comments on eight issues before the Congress; however, it is almost impossible for anyone to express themselves freely.
Other news of the day: Hong Kong reopens to non-resident foreign visitors. Russo-Japanese deal is reached on fishing rights. New attack occurs in Afghanistan. Palestinians and Israelis continue to clash in Jerusalem. Official Russian death toll in Ukraine tops 13,000.
Japanese government backs Taiwanese request to attend WHO annual assembly. China boycotts Taiwan's presence in international forums. Former Japanese premier: increase military spending to respond to China's threats.
Exports from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam are way down. Western sanctions against Russia weigh heavily. Conversely, imports from Russia are up, mainly because of higher gas, oil and grain prices. The same goes for China.
Beijing wants no surprises in replacement for controversial Carrie Lam. The city's leader is to be chosen by a restricted election committee loyal to the central government. The reopening of the border with mainland China, closed due to Covid-19, is among Lee's priorities. The city leader in pectore invites the democratic camp to submitt suggestions "in writing".
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
