Manila and Tokyo strengthen defence alliance

Today's headlines: Tehran reopens its airspace after closing it overnight due to fears of a US attack; The Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh warns its citizens of the risk of crime and fraud; Nepal is also on alert for cases of Nipah virus that have emerged in West Bengal, India; Turkish prisons are housing 130% more inmates than their actual capacity; Iran, Russia, Afghanistan and Thailand are among the 75 countries for which the Trump administration has suspended the issuance of visas.

PHILIPPINES - JAPAN

Manila and Tokyo today signed two agreements on defence, including one that allows their forces to exchange supplies and services to strengthen regional security cooperation in response to growing regional tensions. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi signed the agreements in Manila during a nine-day tour of the Middle East and Asia with stops in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Qatar and India.

IRAN

US President Donald Trump said overnight that ‘the killings in Iran have stopped’, putting military action on hold, at least for the time being, while expressing concerns about Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah, whom many point to as a possible leader in the (as yet remote) event of the collapse of the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Tehran has reopened its airspace after a closure of at least five hours due to fears of a joint US (and Israeli) attack. On the subject of repression, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said yesterday that “there is no plan” to hang the arrested demonstrators, as reported by several international NGOs.

CHINA - CAMBODIA

The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia has warned of crimes and scams at work targeting Chinese citizens, following cases of kidnapping and illegal detention in the Southeast Asian country. Recently, the police uncovered two cases of kidnapping and illegal detention of Chinese nationals in Phnom Penh and in the province of Tboung Khmum, rescuing a dozen people.

NEPAL - INDIA

In West Bengal, two new cases of Nipah virus infection have been reported in the last few hours, with the patients hospitalised in critical condition in a hospital in Kolkata. The health department has identified more than 120 people in close contact with the two nurses, a male and a female, who contracted the disease. Meanwhile, the authorities in neighbouring Nepal have also raised the alert, following the cases recorded across the border in India, with cross-border movement likely to increase the spread of the disease, which has a mortality rate of 40-75% according to the WHO.

TURKEY

In Turkey, prisons are bursting at the seams, with occupancy exceeding current capacity by 130%. According to data from the Civil Society in the Penal System Association (CISST), there are approximately 100,000 more people than the actual capacity. However, the total prison population has decreased by 7.27% compared to the previous month and by 2.84% over the last six months, with 402,012 inmates.

ASIA - UNITED STATES

The administration of US President Donald Trump has indefinitely suspended the issuance of visas for visitors from 75 countries around the world starting on 21 January, some of which are in Asia. The measure affects Iran, Russia, Afghanistan and Thailand, among others. In November, the White House promised to “permanently” stop migration “from Third World countries” after a shooting carried out by an Afghan citizen.

RUSSIA - VIETNAM

During the New Year holidays, Russian tourists travelled mainly to Vietnam, one of the top five destinations, with Vietnamese tour operators leading sales, according to the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST). There were numerous charter flights organised from all cities in Russia, with Hanoi on a par with other destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as well as Cuba, Turkey, Thailand, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka. The wealthiest travellers went to the Maldives, Seychelles or Mauritius.

KYRGYZSTAN

It will be possible to make Mudaraba financial deposits online, which, according to Islamic Sharia law, share responsibility between the depositor and the banking institution to ensure that all money is used correctly and in accordance with Koranic rules. Islamic mobile banking will also become accessible, combining the most advanced technologies with religious principles to allow investments only in projects permitted by Sharia law.