Today's headlines: anti-lockdown protests in China hit the economy; Nationalists win local elections in Taiwan, but are still underdogs in the presidential poll; 36 policemen injured in clashes with protesters in India's Kerala; 'mobilised' Russian troops sent to Ukraine revolt.
TURKEY-SYRIA
Turkish airstrikes against Kurdish positions in northern Syria reportedly killed an unknown number of Syrian soldiers in the Aleppo governorate. The raids targeted a Kurdish militia in the area. The Syrian executive speaks of 'aggression' by Ankara.
CHINA
The widespread protests against the Covid-19 shutdowns is having strong economic effects: the Hong Kong Stock Exchange lost 4%; the value of the Chinese yuan fell to 7.23 against the dollar; oil dropped to an annual low of .36.
TAIWAN
The victory of the (pro-Beijing) Kuomintang nationalists in the municipal elections on 26 November does not increase its chances of winning the 2024 presidential election. This is the opinion of several experts, according to whom the last round of elections focused on local issues and not on national interest, such as relations with Communist China.
THAILAND
According to official figures, 300,000 abortions are performed in Thailand every year, but only 15,000 in legal health facilities. Last year the country changed the law on the termination of pregnancy, extending it up to the twelfth week of gestation.
INDIA
At least 36 policemen were injured in clashes with demonstrators protesting against billionaire Adani's construction of a new port in Kerala. The facility in the southern state is planned to increase business with Dubai, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Protesters fear environmental damage to the coastline.
RUSSIA
Russian 'mobiki', people mobilised for the Ukrainian conflict, are revolting in Makeevka in the frontline region of Donetsk. The rioters come from Serpukhov, Moscow province, and accuse them of being sent to the brink without assistance and adequate equipment, so they refuse to return their weapons and go to fight.
UZBEKISTAN
The first daughter of the Uzbek President, 38-year-old Saida Mirziyoyeva, has been appointed head of communications and information policy in the presidential administration. She will have to restore the image compromised by the scandals of deputy chief Komil Allamžonov. This is not the first time that Saida has been brought in to heal difficult situations at the top of the country.