Today's headlines: border clashes between Iran and Afghanistan over a "misunderstanding"; in Cambodia, Hun Sen is backing his son Hun Manet's candidacy for the 2023 elections; joint military exercises with Russia will be held off Indonesia until Saturday; Japan will restart another nuclear reactor.
CHINA
Following the events related to tennis player Peng Shuai, the Women's Tennis Association announced the suspension of all tournaments in China. Peng had been missing for three weeks after accusing former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The athlete has since appeared in a video, but the international community does not believe she is free from Party pressure.
HONG KONG.
Several Cathay Pacific pilots are resigning over strict Chinese quarantine rules that have isolated the city internationally. Pilots spend up to five weeks bubbling between planes and hotels to avoid quarantine upon return.
JAPAN
Tomorrow, Shikoku Electric Power will restart a nuclear reactor in Ehime Prefecture that had been shut down for safety checks. The reactor was supposed to return to operation in October, but the company chose to postpone the restart because an employee violated safety regulations between 2017 and 2019. Meanwhile, the ban on international flights for the omicron variant has been lifted.
PAKISTAN - INDIA
Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi has issued 136 visas to Hindu pilgrims to allow them to visit religious temples in Sindh over the next few days on certain religious holidays. The decision is part of the protocol on visits to religious sites between Pakistan and India signed in 1974.
IRAN - AFGHANISTAN
There are reports of clashes in the Afghan province of Nimruz, on the border with Iran. Tehran commented on the affair, saying it stemmed from a "misunderstanding," while local ToloNews sources say the Taliban captured five Iranian outposts. Iran's Fas news agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, referred to the Taliban as "armed miscreants."
RUSSIA
The transition from extractive to renewable resources would cost Russia an increase in electricity bills of almost 30%. This is the finding of a study by the Ministry of Economic Development.
INDONESIA
The Indonesian Navy has announced that joint military exercises between Asean members and Russia will be held in the Strait of Malacca until Saturday. Yesterday, Beijing asked Jakarta to stop drilling for oil in an area in the South China Sea that both countries claim as their own.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the country for 36 years, has supported the candidacy of his son, General Hun Manet, in the next elections, which are expected to be held in 2023. In recent years, Cambodian authorities have arrested dozens of former opposition members and human rights activists.