Japanese against state funeral for Abe

Today's headlines: Suffocating heat wave hits China; The Philippines to step up patrols of the South China Sea; Israel will strip citizenship from those who commit acts of 'disloyalty'; Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian Congress, questioned on money laundering charges; Raging brawls in Russian supermarkets amid produce shortage.

JAPAN

The government has decided that a state funeral will be held on 27 September for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on 8 July. It is only the second time in the country's history that a funeral ceremony for a political leader will be organised by the authorities. The move has provoked protests from the opposition and part of the population.

CHINA

A heat wave with record temperatures has hit the whole country. Between today and tomorrow, the temperature in many areas will reach over 40 degrees Celsius. Concern for the national power grid, which has been put under pressure.

PHILIPPINES

Manila will strengthen its naval patrols in the South China Sea, accordiing to the new Defence Minister Jose Faustino, who said the country must defend its territorial integrity from Chinese incursions.

ISRAEL

The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that the government can revoke the citizenship of people who commit acts of 'disloyalty' to the state, including terrorism, espionage and treason.

INDIA

Investigators today questioned Sonia Gandhi, president of the (opposition) Congress, on a money laundering charge filed nine years ago by an MP from the BJP, the Hindu nationalist party of PM Narendra Modi. The Congress speaks of a 'political vendetta' by the prime minister.

RUSSIA

Because of the conflict in Ukraine, there are daily furious brawls in Russian supermarkets to obtain expiring products, which are sold at reduced prices. There is also talk of re-circulating ration cards for scarce foodstuffs.

CENTRAL ASIA

The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed a joint declaration at the end of the 4th Consultative Meeting of Central Asian States in the Kazakh city of Cholpon-Ate. The three leaders pledged to maintain relations of 'friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation' to help the development of the entire region, especially in the face of 'new challenges and threats'. Tajikistan and Turkmenistan abstained from signing the document.

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