Asia Today

Today's news: for the first time in the United States, a senator of Korean descent is elected; In Taliban-held Afghanistan, opium poppy production rises (slightly) again; In Delhi, ritual bathing in the Yamuna river is banned for pollution; 1500 soothsayers and sorcerers arrested in Tajikistan,.

Today's news: Prayers are said for Kamala Harris at the Hindu temple in the family's native village; Armenia's religious leaders on the eve of Cop29 in Baku: ‘Justice for Artshak refugees abandoned by the world’; 400 refugees a day flow into Iraq from Lebanon; After 70 years, the Tokyo Stock Exchange extends trading by half an hour to attract foreign investors.

Today's news: pro-European Maia Sandu wins in Moldovan elections; Burmese General Min Aung Hlaing will travel to China for the first time since the coup; Netanyahu staff member detained for leaking documents to compliant media to break hostage negotiations; In a Japanese city, online vote to let citizens choose the mayor's end-of-term allowance.

Today's news: Pyongyang sides with Russia "until victory in Ukraine." New terrorist attack in Pakistan against polio vaccinations, 9 dead. In polls among Muslim Americans, it's neck-and-neck between Green candidate Jill Stein and Kamala Harris. Taiwan wants to raise fines against illegal abortions. Death of Baselios Thomas I, leader of India's Syrian Orthodox.

Today's headlines: Hezbollah fires rockets into northern Israel, killing seven, including four Thais; Israeli bulldozers demolish UNRWA office. In Japan, cyclists who use a mobile phone or are intoxicated while riding risk jail time. India and China have completed the withdrawal of soldiers from sensitive points along their disputed Himalayan border. In Iran, the amputations of fingers of people convicted of theft are back.

Today's news: Kdp first party in parliamentary elections in Kurdistan with 39 seats and the task of forming the regional government; Millions of Indians celebrate Diwali festival today; Hanoi sentences blogger Duong Van Thai to 12 years in prison; A well-known Russian cyclo-tourist and video blogger, 39-year-old Igor Babko, was reportedly kidnapped in Pakistan by a group of Taliban terrorists.

Today's news: Seoul, during US elections Pyongyang regime would like to launch a ballistic missile (Icbm); Britain, EU and Canada imposed more sanctions against the Burmese regime; In southwest Pakistan five people killed in an attack by gunmen at the construction site of a small dam; Crisis also hits super-rich in China, assets drop.

Today's news: United Arab Emirates and Vietnam have signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement; In Pakistan extremist group attacks district for anti-polio vaccinations, three dead; Beijing promotes measures to foster the family and support the birth rate; At least four South-East Asian countries want to join the Brics (while safeguarding relations with the West).

Today's news: New protests in Bangladesh, demonstrators demand President Shahabuddin's resignation; Activists raise the alarm on environment and rights over hydroelectric dam projects on the Mekong between Thailand and Laos; Hundreds of thousands of South Korean Protestants promote prayer service against recognition of rights for same-sex couples.

Today's headlines: Japan and South Korea (and the US) express "grave concern" over the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. By 2050 Nepal’s snow leopard might be extinct. For Taiwan, no "external force" can change the island’s democratic future. Vietnam is building an airstrip on an artificially expanded reef in the Spratlys, claimed by China.

Today's news: more buildings bombed at Gaza's Jabalia camp, numerous casualties. Cambodian journalist Mech Dara released on bail, accused of ‘inciting social unrest’. Chinese residents move billions of dollars abroad due to economic instability. Seoul may send its soldiers to Kiev as observers after the deployment of North Korean troops in the Russian camp.

Today's news: Storm Trami in the Philippines leaves at least 26 people dead, displacing over 150,000; Bangladesh's interim government bans student wing of the Awami League; China accuses foreign spy agencies of attempting to steal space programme secrets; In first ever, Pyongyang sends propaganda leaflets to Seoul .