SOUTH KOREA
The South Korean government has announced a plan to formally allow the use of abortion pills up to the ninth week of pregnancy. The decision comes after the Constitutional Court repealed the ban on abortion in 2019, whilst leaving a regulatory vacuum on the matter. For the first two years, prescriptions and dispensing will take place directly in hospitals; subsequently, provided the necessary conditions are met, doctors will be able to prescribe the medication and pharmacies will be able to dispense it. The government aims to introduce abortion pills by the first quarter of 2027. In recent weeks, the Korean Catholic Church had already expressly criticised the measure, arguing that the way forward lies in supporting and caring for the mother and the unborn child.
YEMEN–SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi air defences claimed to have intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace. The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, Turki al-Malki, described the security of Islam’s holiest city as a “red line”. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca. Hazem al-Assad, a member of their political bureau, dismissed the allegations as an “old lie” that has been used before. Meanwhile, Houthi forces have claimed to have shot down a Saudi fighter jet, as clashes with Saudi-backed forces intensify.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, today presented the city’s long-awaited first five-year plan, aimed at improving living standards and strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a global financial centre. The programme, drawn up following two months of consultations in line with Beijing’s long-standing approach, covers the economy, investment, land use, housing, employment, education and healthcare. Among the priorities is the accelerated development of the Northern Metropolis, an area of around 30,000 hectares on the border with mainland China, which is set to become a new economic driver. The plan also provides for greater technological links with mainland China to promote job creation and the provision of new housing.
CHINA
The Pinglu Canal was inaugurated today in China: 134.2 km long and situated in Guangxi, in the south of the country, it connects the Xijiang river network to the Beibu Gulf and will enable ships of up to 5,000 tonnes to reach the sea and the ports of ASEAN countries more directly. The new link will reduce traditional sea distances by over 560 km, lowering logistics costs and generating estimated annual savings of 5.2 billion yuan (670 million euros – Ed.). The canal will be particularly important for minerals, coal, cereals and building materials.
INDIA-PAKISTAN
The CDSCO, India’s drug regulatory authority, has issued a warning regarding the use of unauthorised cosmetics sold in India. The skin-lightening creams in question are said to contain levels of metallic substances exceeding the permitted limits, posing potential health risks.
RUSSIA
Russian opposition figures living abroad, Yulia Naval’naya and Maksim Katz, have published a joint video on YouTube and launched a website offering voting recommendations for the Russian elections. The site provides information on all candidates for the State Duma, with profiles detailing their professional backgrounds and their positions on the war and mobilisation. Voters are urged to vote for any party likely to exceed the 5 per cent threshold, except United Russia, with the ‘New People’ party cited as the best option.
SOUTH KOREA–CENTRAL ASIA
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung welcomed the leaders of the five Central Asian countries to Seoul as part of a strategy to deepen South Korea’s economic and strategic ties with the resource-rich region, stating that “through this summit, relations between South Korea and Central Asia will be strengthened through multilateral cooperation at leader level, and we expect our New Northern Policy to gain fresh momentum”, with bilateral and 5+1 format meetings taking place until 16 September.
