12/02/2021, 10.12
ASIA TODAY
Send to a friend

Women's Tennis Association suspends tournaments in China over doubts about Peng Shuai

Today's headlines: border clashes between Iran and Afghanistan over a "misunderstanding"; in Cambodia, Hun Sen is backing his son Hun Manet's candidacy for the 2023 elections; joint military exercises with Russia will be held off Indonesia until Saturday; Japan will restart another nuclear reactor.

 

CHINA

Following the events related to tennis player Peng Shuai, the Women's Tennis Association announced the suspension of all tournaments in China. Peng had been missing for three weeks after accusing former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. The athlete has since appeared in a video, but the international community does not believe she is free from Party pressure.

HONG KONG.

Several Cathay Pacific pilots are resigning over strict Chinese quarantine rules that have isolated the city internationally. Pilots spend up to five weeks bubbling between planes and hotels to avoid quarantine upon return.

JAPAN

Tomorrow, Shikoku Electric Power will restart a nuclear reactor in Ehime Prefecture that had been shut down for safety checks. The reactor was supposed to return to operation in October, but the company chose to postpone the restart because an employee violated safety regulations between 2017 and 2019. Meanwhile, the ban on international flights for the omicron variant has been lifted.

PAKISTAN - INDIA

Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi has issued 136 visas to Hindu pilgrims to allow them to visit religious temples in Sindh over the next few days on certain religious holidays. The decision is part of the protocol on visits to religious sites between Pakistan and India signed in 1974.  

IRAN - AFGHANISTAN

There are reports of clashes in the Afghan province of Nimruz, on the border with Iran. Tehran commented on the affair, saying it stemmed from a "misunderstanding," while local ToloNews sources say the Taliban captured five Iranian outposts. Iran's Fas news agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, referred to the Taliban as "armed miscreants."

RUSSIA

The transition from extractive to renewable resources would cost Russia an increase in electricity bills of almost 30%. This is the finding of a study by the Ministry of Economic Development.

INDONESIA

The Indonesian Navy has announced that joint military exercises between Asean members and Russia will be held in the Strait of Malacca until Saturday. Yesterday, Beijing asked Jakarta to stop drilling for oil in an area in the South China Sea that both countries claim as their own.

CAMBODIA

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the country for 36 years, has supported the candidacy of his son, General Hun Manet, in the next elections, which are expected to be held in 2023. In recent years, Cambodian authorities have arrested dozens of former opposition members and human rights activists.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29
For Fr Tom, abducted in Yemen, Holy Thursday prayer and adoration for the martyrs
21/03/2016 14:57
Pope talks about the Middle East, the Holy Land and the food crisis with Bush
13/06/2008
Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang rise as Cold War fears cast a shadow over Korea
12/02/2016 15:14
National Commission for Women asks for 'immediate action' in the nun rape case in Kerala
07/02/2019 17:28


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”