North Korea launches first missile in 2022

Today's headlines: China plans 40 space missions this year. Covid canels Philippine "Black Nazzareno" parade. US coalition attacks in Syria. Fake app selling Muslim women uncovered in India.  Kazakhstan declares a state of emergency. The water crisis in Crimea continues.

NORTH KOREA

Kim Jong-un's regime has launched an unidentified missile into the Sea of Japan, report South Korean and Japanese authorities. It is believed to be a ballistic missile. UN resolutions prohibit the North Koreans from conducting missile and nuclear tests. This morning's is the first launch in 2022.

CHINA

In an apparent challenge to the United States, Beijing plans 40 space missions this year. The first goal of the program is to complete the Tiangong orbital station. The Chinese also aim to conclude a five-year cooperation agreement with Russia.

PHILIPPINES

Due to an increase in Covid-19 infections, the Philippine government has canceled the "Black Nazzareno" procession for the second year in a row. The religious festival that attracts millions of Catholic worshippers, is held on Jan. 9. In the past two weeks, cases of infection in the country have risen from 200 to 5,400 a day.

SYRIA

The U.S.-led coalition struck a series of missile positions in eastern Syria. Washington did not specify whether these were missile launchers of the Syrian government or its allied Iranian militias. The U.S. explained that the operation was intended to prevent an attack on its units east of the Euphrates River.

INDIA

Indian police arrested an 18-year-old woman responsible for a web app by which she offered fake sales of Muslim women. The app, called Bulli Bai, featured photos of 100 people who were actually well-known activists and journalists of the Islamic faith. This is the second arrest made so far in this case.

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev this morning declared a two-week state of emergency to contain protests that have broken out in various parts of the country. The population has revolted over the increase in fuel prices decided by the government. As a result of the riots, the executive resigned en bloc.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE

A geologist has revealed the dramatic situation of the Suuk-Su River, the longest in Crimea, which despite December rains is almost completely dry. The peninsula has suffered from water shortages since Russian annexation in 2014, and its other rivers are also no longer able to feed themselves due to the closure of Ukrainian water sources.