Asia Today

Today's headlines: Border clashes between Indian and Chinese troops; Jimmy Lai's trial postponed until September 2023; in Kabul an explosion at a hotel popular with the Chinese; Pakistan seeks a loan from the Saudis; in Russia a Christmas tree decorated with 'enemies of the people'; the Pope asks heads of state for a gesture of clemency in favour of prisoners at Christmas.

Today's headlines: Seoul parliament calls for Interior Minister's resignation after Itaewon massacre; Chinese citizens urged not to mix drugs to fight Covid-19; vegetable and fish prices rise in Malaysia due to climate change; two Islamic State militiamen killed in Syria.

Today's headlines: truck drivers in South Korea have decided to end their strike; Ahmad Massoud says Afghanistan is a safe haven for terrorist groups; US downgraded relations with Myanmar; further crackdowns on freedom of expression in Vietnam; Turkey seeks gas discounts from Russia.

Today's headlines: North Korean hackers exploited the Halloween tragedy to spread malware in the South; the Emirati passport is first in the world for mobility and freedom from restrictions; in Karnataka, a Christian ecumenical group calls for police protection for Christmas fearing attacks; Taiwan bans the installation and use of Tik Tok on communication devices in public; Uzbekistan rejects the Russian proposal for a 'union' on natural gas.

Today's headlines: Jakarta has released Umar Patek, one of the perpetrators of the 2002 Bali massacre, on probation; human rights in Vietnam are deteriorating; South Korea is emerging as Asia's main market for luxury cars; two people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in the streets against the conviction of an activist; Russia's birth rate is plummeting, birth incentives under study.

Today's headlines: Beijing loosens Covid-19 restrictions in bars, gyms and restaurants, asymptomatic and mild cases will be quarantined at home; Petronas gets the go-ahead for unconventional oil exploration in the Emirates; in South Korea, more and more single people will be living in 40% of households by 2050; after lengthy negotiations with the Azeris, Yerevan reopens the only direct link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Today's headlines: Tehran to execute more than 500 prisoners in 2022; new explosion in northern Afghanistan, at least seven dead and six injured; Chinese hackers stole millions from the US; Tokyo wants to increase defence budget by 56% in 2023-27; Moscow studies an 'atomic shelter' plan for the capital.

Today's headlines: State of maximum alert for thousands of Indonesians in East Java after the eruption of Mount Semeru; Tokyo and Beijing create a military 'red line' to avert incidents in the East China Sea; Israeli President Herzog on an official visit to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates; Kim Jong-un has reportedly identified his successor in his (nine-year-old) daughter Ju Ae, the 'most beloved'.

Today's other news: North Korea publicly executes two minors for distributing South Korean films; Indonesia is set to approve a law that punishes extramarital sex with prison for both Indonesians and foreigners; China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia on the US "blacklist" for violations of religious freedom; the number of child brides is up in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power.

Today's headlines: China lashes out at British MPs' visit to Taiwan; USA, South Korea and Japan impose new sanctions on Pyongyang; Unemployment in India rises to 8%; The Iranian president visits the Kurdish province; Possible NATO base in Moldova; Almost 200 shopping centres in Russia are on the brink of bankruptcy.

Today's headlines: new lockdowns in Shanghai; South Korea: truckers' strike is costing $1.2 billion; Gujarat elections start: test for Modi; US opposes Turkish operation against Syrian Kurds; Ukrainian authorities control pro-Moscow Orthodox churches; New Green Party in Georgia.

Today's headlines: Sri Lanka owes Chinese creditors almost 20% of its total foreign debt; In Thailand four Buddhist monks 'fired' for drug use; More than 2.5 million Syrians risk starvation; Taliban attack in Pakistani Belucistan; Russia says its open to Vatican mediation for war in Ukraine; Plan for military union between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.