Emanuele Scimia

China needs coal to end its energy crisis. Given its stagnant economy, Russia is betting on China’s needs. While Beijing is encouraging the use of "clean" coal, its efforts to break from the polluting material are in danger. Putin’s Russia is now playing second fiddle to Xi’s China.

Today's headlines: Burmese junta arrests former Democratic MP and hip-hop star. Japan launches record 431 billion euro stimulus. Military talks between China and India on border issue resume. Alibaba's stock market plunge. Moscow wants to send prisoners to work at the North Pole. Collapse of the Turkish lira: the opposition calls for early elections.

Today's headlines: Chinese coast guard blocks Philippine ships in the South China Sea. Gang smuggling lumber between Russia and China busted. Taiwan launches upgraded version of F-16 fighter jet. Covid-19 infection spike in South Korea. Explosion with riots in Shiite neighborhood of Kabul. Egypt and Qatar in aid of Gaza.

The pro-democracy activist defends in court the annual march in remembrance of the massacre of 4 June 1989. Police banned it in the past two years because of COVID-19. For Lee, the people of Hong Kong don't need to be encouraged to participate; the real provocateur is the regime, which “fired at its own people”.

Today's headlines: UAE announces purchase of South Korean anti-missile system. US and China agree on visas for journalists. Japan tests first self-driving superfast train. Protests in Kazakhstan over high prices. India reopens export of Covid vaccines. Tensions between Indonesia and Vietnam over fishing rights.

The two leaders held their first direct, albeit virtual meeting since the US president took office. In exchange for cooperation, Beijing does not want US meddling in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet, the South and East China Seas, and especially Taiwan. Wide-ranging negotiations are difficult to open.

Today's headlines: Kuwait "pardons" three political dissidents; China imprisons a blogger for "insulting" dead Chinese soldiers on the border with India; Journalist Danny Fenster freed in Myanmar; Hindu radicals attack the home of former Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid.

North-eastern China is hit by another COVID-19 outbreak; as a result, the border is shut down again, halting trade. North Korea is almost entirely dependent on trade with Beijing and remittances from its workers employed in Chinese factories. However, the UN Security Council wants their repatriation to sanction the country’s nuclear programme.

In the headlines today: A new Covid outbreak in China; expectations ahead of the virtual meeting between Xi and Biden. Japan's economy declines sharply. Two journalists arrested in India for reporting on clashes in Tripura. Kabul mediates truce between Islamabad and Pakistani Taliban. Israel and the US launch partnerships against ransomware. Schism in the Russian Orthodox Church.

The authorities refused to renew the visa of Sue-Lin Wong, correspondent for the British weekly. Other journalists from foreign newspapers have been affected in the recent past. After the approval of the security law, reporters are forced into self-censorship. Beijing rejects all accusations.

The CPC approves a third historical resolution, acknowledging that Xi solved problems left by his predecessors. A third term as president is likely. Reunifying Taiwan will be part of his legacy, but the latter is threatened by a looming economic crisis and US pressure.

Police officers arrested Bishop Shao Zhumin on October 25. Officially, they took him away "on vacation". He is continuously subjected to political "re-education" sessions. Wang finally allowed to meet his wife; UN agency, humanitarian groups and political figures are calling for his immediate release.