Tokyo releases third batch of treated water from Fukushima plant

Today's news: Israel renews attacks on the Strip, the UN says it will not rule out Jabalia refugee camp attack being considered a 'war crime';  The Cambodian government establishes an authority for civil cases, separate from the ordinary courts; Beijing tightens regulations on bank capital to contain financial risks; Senior officials of an Indonesian pharmaceutical company convicted over a drug linked to the deaths of 200 children; Bhutan appoints an interim government ahead of parliamentary elections; Entire Russian settlements beyond the polar circle without heating,wood or coal as winter sets in.

JAPAN
This morning Japan began operations to release a third batch of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the scene of the atomic accident in March 2011. An operation that has raised tensions with China and Russia, which have banned the fruits of sea from the Rising Sun in retaliation. At least 7,800 tons of water will end up in the ocean, a process that will last at least 17 days. The equivalent of 540 Olympic-sized swimming pools has been released since August.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE
This morning dawned with new Israeli attacks on the Strip where, according to Doctors Without Borders sources, there are 20 thousandcivilians wounded and trapped. The UN has not ruled out the possibility of declaring the targeting of the Jabalia refugee camp a "war crime" given the numerous civilian victims which are said to be "disproportionate" compared to the objective. Sources in Gaza speak of at least 195 civilians killed and over 700 injured. Clashes continue in the north with Lebanon, where a 16-year-old was killed by Israeli fire.

CAMBODIA
The Cambodian government has established a National Authority for Civil Cases, separate from and integrated with the ordinary judicial system. For Prime Minister Hun Manet it offers a quicker way to resolve disputes, using mediation. Decisions will be final and equivalent to those of the courts. Critics say it will make decisions without transparency, for the benefit of the rich and powerful.

CHINA
The regulator is tightening rules on bank capital to combat financial risks. The measure, which will come into force on January 1, aims to help lenders improve risk management and better serve the economy. Banks are under government pressure to support a faltering economy and weather the housing crisis.

INDONESIA
A court yesterday sentenced to prison the CEO and three officials of Afi Farma, whose cough syrup has been linked to the deaths of more than 200 children. The company has been charged with violations of drug safety laws. Excessive quantities of "toxic" material would have emerged in the products. The four did not "intentionally" test the drugs.

BHUTAN
Bhutan's king yesterday appointed a nine-member interim government led by the Chief Justice, which will be tasked with overseeing the Himalayan nation's parliamentary elections, which will be held within three months. This is the fourth vote since the establishment of democracy in 2008, in a state made up of less than 800 thousand inhabitants and nestled between China and India.

RUSSIA
In the countries of the Nenetskij autonomous district, above the Arctic Circle, the heating does not work because there is a lack of fuel which has not arrived in the inhabited centers of Nes, Čižu, Šojnu, Kiju, Nižnuju Pešu, Vyučenskij, Omu, Bugrino and Volongu. Hundreds were excluded from the central heating system and, due to war cuts, did not receive coal or wood in the summer.

TURKMENISTAN - PALESTINE
Turkmenistan's ministries of national security and interior have banned any demonstrations in support of the Palestinians, as religious groups intended to do. The movements had asked to be able to demonstrate against Israel's actions, joining similar initiatives underway in Tashkent and in other countries in the region where there is a large Muslim component.

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