The day's news: Pakistan's government tries to strike a deal with the Taliban, Iran says it will resume nuclear talks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatens health workers.
CHINA
China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than expected, according to a Pentagon report. China could have 700 nuclear warheads by 2027 and more than 1,000 by 2030 - an endowment that exceeds the U.S. forecast of a year ago by two and a half times.
NORTH KOREA
According to a U.S. study, North Korea may be able to produce all the uranium it needs to develop a nuclear weapon in its Pyongsan plant, which was restarted in July. Meanwhile, the food crisis rages on, with the government listing the benefits of black swan meat and asking people to eat it to counter the country's food shortage.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong's Supreme Court has ruled that people accused of riots and illegal assemblies who are not present during the events cannot be prosecuted. The court's ruling goes against the city government's proposals to extend sentences under the Beijing-imposed security law.
PAKISTAN
After holding secret negotiations with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (Tlp), a radical Islamist party, Imran Khan's government is also in talks with Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (Ttp), the Pakistani Taliban. Representatives from both sides have met in Afghanistan to negotiate a ceasefire. Mediating the agreements is Afghan Interior Minister and head of the Haqqani network, Sirajuddin Haqqani.
IRAN
Tehran said it will return to nuclear negotiations on Nov. 29 in Vienna. The European Union also confirmed the news about the resumption of talks.
BELARUS
The general strike in Belarus, which began on October 30 and initially seemed to have garnered the support of a large number of workers, has ended in disappointment. The initiative had been proposed by the Coordination of Oppositions, but fear of state repression prevailed. The oppositions appeared to be increasingly in crisis, internally divided and dependent on support from Western sponsors.
PHILIPPINES
President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to punish health workers and officials who fail to meet the government's vaccination targets. In order to revive the country economically, military planes and helicopters will be used to deliver the doses directly to the provinces.
MYANMAR
Denny Fenster, editor-in-chief of Frontier Myanmar, has been charged with the third count. The U.S. journalist has been detained by Burma's military junta since May and faces up to six years in prison. The new charge involves an alleged "violation of immigration law."