Japan stikes trade deal with the US as Ishiba's fate hangs in the balance

Today's headlines: Trump announces another trade deal, with the Philippines;  In Indonesia's military will produce medicines for the civilian population; 18-year-old larrested in Hong Kong accused of writing “seditious” words in a bathroom; Over 100 NGOs denounce hunger and famine in Gaza.

JAPAN

Japan and the United States have announced that they have reached a trade agreement under which 15% tariffs will be imposed on Japanese cars and other products. In return, among other measures, Japan will increase rice imports from the United States. The agreement does not cover the 50% tariffs imposed by Washington on steel and aluminium imports, according to Tokyo, and no date has been given for when the trade measures will come into force. Meanwhile, the fate of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was defeated in Sunday's elections, remains uncertain: after numerous sources had reported his resignation at the end of August, the prime minister denied the reports, calling them ‘untrue’. However, pressure for his resignation is also growing within his Liberal Democratic Party.

USA – PHILIPPINES

US President Donald Trump has announced that he has also reached an agreement with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on a 19% tariff (one percentage point less than threatened in recent months) on goods imported from the United States, but as in previous cases, few other details have been revealed. Trump also announced that the two countries will cooperate militarily, but again, no details were disclosed.

INDONESIA

The Indonesian army, which has its own agency for the distribution of medicines among the armed forces, will also start producing medicines for the civilian population, Indonesian authorities announced yesterday. This measure is part of a gradual expansion of activities to which the military has gained access since President Prabowo Subianto came to power last year. The decision was made possible after the repeal of a series of regulations introduced after the end of Suharto's dictatorship in 1998.

HONG KONG

An 18-year-old boy was arrested by Hong Kong police for writing the word “sedition” in a public toilet. Law enforcement officials said the messages written by the young man were considered a source of hatred, contempt or discontent towards the constitutional order and the city's executive, legislative and judicial authorities, and citizens were reminded that acts with seditious intent can carry up to seven years in prison. ‘Citizens are urged not to break the law,’ the police statement said.

INDIA

According to a study by the World Bank and India's Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Indian cities could create 70% more new jobs by 2030, but could then lose million a year due to urban flooding. The urban population is expected to reach 951 million by 2050, almost double the current figure, while flood losses could reach between billion and billion by 2070.

GAZA

Over 100 NGOs and humanitarian aid agencies have denounced the widespread famine in Gaza due to the aid blockade imposed by Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry said that in the last 48 hours alone, at least 33 people, including 12 children, have died from malnutrition and starvation. Despite criticism, Israeli authorities said that 950 trucks operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are waiting to distribute essential goods to the population.

RUSSIA

Russia is experiencing a dangerous spike in meningitis infections, with a serious risk to life, as documented by the Duma Health Committee, with 1,266 cases between January and May, 260% more than the previous year. The authorities blame migrants for this, but the Ministry of Health has not included the necessary vaccines in the list of essential vaccines.

MONGOLIA – KYRGYZSTAN

The President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan, signing a series of bilateral documents with his local counterpart Sadyr Žaparov, recognising driving licences, sharing water resources and various commercial and industrial sectors, as well as culture, information and other fields.

• Asia
• Today