Asia Today

Today's news: regional elections have begun in some Indian states, the first test for Modi and Gandhi's Congress ahead of the 2024 general elections. One of the last English-language, independent newspapers in China, 'The China Project', is closing due to lack of funds. Tokyo, worried by North Korea's military escalation, started security tests for citizens in the capital. After France and the UK, bugs have also invaded major centres in South Korea

Today's news: Opium production in Afghanistan has dropped by 95% in the last year; An attacker - whose motives are still unknown - killed five people in Australia; Another journalist killed in the Philippines, the fourth since the beginning of Marcos' presidential term; Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia have developed a transport corridor that circumvents Kazakhstan's territory and international sanctions

Today's news: In Nepal, the most violent earthquake since 2015 causes hundreds of deaths, but the toll could rise as whole areas are unreachable; In China and Mongolia, the effects of climate change are being felt: from 30 degrees to 0 in a few days; Scam allowing Russian businessmen and officials to circumvent Western sanctions uncovered.

Today's news: Overnight clashes in Gaza, the US Secretary of State in Israel to mediate a humanitarian concerns; Zhou Shuzhuang, one of the founders of the 'Tiananmen Mothers' died yesterday in Beijing without ever getting answers or justice for her son killed in the massacre; Rebel groups wrest a strategic border area in Shan State from the Burmese army; At least 27 dead in a fire at a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in northern Iran; Elections in Pakistan postponed to 8 February; Abu Mazen's visit to Russia is 'on the agenda' but without a specific date; Pro-polygamy propaganda punished in Uzbekistan.

Today's news: Israel renews attacks on the Strip, the UN says it will not rule out Jabalia refugee camp attack being considered a 'war crime'; The Cambodian government establishes an authority for civil cases, separate from the ordinary courts; Beijing tightens regulations on bank capital to contain financial risks; Senior officials of an Indonesian pharmaceutical company convicted over a drug linked to the deaths of 200 children; Bhutan appoints an interim government ahead of parliamentary elections; Entire Russian settlements beyond the polar circle without heating,wood or coal as winter sets in.

Today's headlines: China began polling 1.4 million people to find ways to encourage births. After the repatriation deadline expired, Pakistan began arresting Afghans illegally in the country. North Korea is set to close one quarter of its embassies around the world. A Vietnamese man is sentenced to three and a half years for live-streaming videos critical of the government on social media. The 2034 World Cup goes to Saudi Arabia. Gandhi accuses the Modi government of spying on opponents' phones. In Russia, more incidents of intolerance towards the Jewish community are reported.

Today's news: Ongoing ground battle in Gaza. Bangkok cancels visas for tourists from India and Taiwan; South Korean discount store recalls 53 thousand plastic slippers for toxic chemical substances; Two-year jail terms for four former student leaders at Hong Kong University; Nepal's mountains have lost a third of their glaciers in 30 years; On the Turkish side of Mount Ararat traces of seawater over 5,000 years old, possible evidence of the biblical universal flood; Naval'nyj and political prisoners on hunger strike yesterday on Prisoners of Conscience Day.

Today's news: clashes and arrests at funeral of 17-year-old Iranian girl who died over hijab, another Mahsa Amini; Exports in textiles to Vietnam down, losses $41 billion; Israeli army raids continue in Gaza: in Dagestan a plane from Tel Aviv attacked; At least 13 killed and dozens injured in a train accident in Andhra Pradesh; Discontent among Hong Kong Muslims over the presence of a Chinese flag at official events atop the most important mosque; Tenth meeting between the leaders of Singapore and Malaysia, first since the Covid-19 pandemic; Russian satellite production "no longer competitive."

Today's headlines: Malaysia's prime minister calls for monitoring pro-Palestine solidarity activities in schools. The Maldives’ new president is trying to keep his election promises. A Pakistani court turns down Imran Khan’s bail request. The Iranian teenager arrested in early October for not wearing a headscarf has died. An Afghan journalist held in Russia faces the death sentence if she is sent home. Halloween alcohol ban goes into effect in a Tokyo district.

Today's news: among the struggling hospitals in Gaza is one funded by Indonesia; From 31 January Malaysia will have a new king; Flower rentals for 'Instagrammable' photos are increasingly popular in Vietnam; India will probably not sign a pact to reduce emissions from cooling systems; In Japan two Tepco employees hospitalised after coming into contact with radioactive water from Fukushima.

Today's news: Israeli night raids in Gaza, still no date for start of ground operation; China sends three astronauts to its space station; Indonesia arrests tiktoker for insulting Christianity; For the United Nations, the number of refugees reaches an all-time high this year; Ukraine created a battalion of Russians who want independence for their regions.

Today's news: Malaysian police discover criminal online scam gangshiding out in luxury flats; The United Nations in Gaza may pull out if it does not receive aid; Asia-Pacific cities will grow by leaps and bounds in the coming years; By 2050, India's demand for electricity from fans will equal that of all of Africa today.