Beijing reintroduces ban on imports of Japanese seafood

Today's headlines: The first trial on sectarian violence against Alawites has begun in Aleppo; New wave of floods in central Vietnam: 8 dead and coffee plantations submerged; Protesters in Delhi demand government action against severe air pollution; Burmese army raid results in 350 arrests at scam centre on Thai border.

CHINA - JAPAN

China has informed Japan that it will ban all imports of Japanese seafood products, a decision taken amid growing diplomatic dispute caused by Takaichi's statements on Taiwan. China has asked her to retract her statements, urging its citizens not to travel to Japan, causing mass cancellations. Just a few months ago, Beijing had eased restrictions on Japanese seafood imposed following the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima plant in 2023. China has said that the reintroduction of the ban is due to the need for further monitoring.

SYRIA

The first trial has begun against hundreds of suspects involved in deadly clashes earlier this year in Syria's coastal provinces, which escalated into sectarian attacks against the Alawite minority, leaving at least 1,400 people dead. Fourteen people were taken to the Aleppo Courthouse at the end of a months-long government investigation into violence by government forces and supporters of former President al-Assad. The investigative commission referred 563 suspects to the judiciary. Seven of the defendants in court were loyal to Assad, while the other seven were members of the new government's security forces.

VIETNAM

A new wave of floods and landslides caused by torrential rains that have hit central Vietnam since the weekend has killed at least eight people. Traders warn that this is hampering the ongoing coffee harvest. Since Saturday, rainfall has exceeded 1,100 millimetres in several areas of central Vietnam. The region is home to an important coffee-producing area, with plantations now submerged by water.

INDIA

Hundreds of Delhi residents staged a protest rally to demand immediate government action to address the worsening air quality in the region, where pollution levels have reached extreme and dangerous levels. Where some 30 million people live, it has been classified as “very poor” for weeks, with some areas reaching “severe” with an air quality index (AQI) of at least 402.

MYANMAR - THAILAND

The Burmese army has claimed to have raided a scam centre on the Thai border in Shwe Kokko. Nearly 350 people were arrested as part of a highly publicised crackdown. Scam centres have proliferated on the border with war-torn Myanmar, with scams worth tens of billions of dollars a year. The Burmese military junta has long turned a blind eye, but, following pressure from China, it launched a crackdown in February.

UZBEKISTAN - CENTRAL ASIA

The 7th Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State was held in Tashkent, chaired by Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In addition to the other four presidents, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, was also welcomed as a full member, and Kakha Imnadze, head of the UN Regional Centre for Central Asia, was also present. The final settlement of territorial issues throughout the region was confirmed, with the opening of border posts and transport links.

RUSSIA

Russia's energy systems are in serious crisis, and in 2025 there were over 4,000 cases of failure resulting in power and electricity outages, 10% of which (467 cases) were due to Ukrainian drone attacks, while the rest were due to infrastructure wear and tear, for which there are no means of maintenance and repair, making it easier for Ukrainians to identify targets in southern and central Russia.