Xi Jinping in Tibet to boost Beijing's control
Today's news: Palestinians flee the outskirts of Gaza City, as the Israeli army begins operations, but ceasefire negotiations continue; meanwhile, Israel inks final approval for the E-1 settlement, which would make a Palestinian state impossible. India has tested a ballistic missile with a 5,000-km range. Deer reach record numbers in Nara Park in the city of Nara, but accidents are also on the rise. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan spoke to his people defending the peace agreement with Azerbaijan.
CHINA
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is visiting Tibet to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet (Xizang) Autonomous Region, set up to consolidate Beijing's control over this Himalayan territory, which is seeking its independence. This is Xi's second visit to Tibet as president after the one in 2021. According to government media, Xi called for building a “modern socialist” Tibet that is “united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious, and beautiful.”
INDIA
Yesterday, India successfully tested the Agni-5, an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of hitting targets up to 5,000 kilometres away. The Ministry of Defence said the test launch was conducted from the Chandipur integrated range in the state of Odisha (Orissa), and confirmed all operational and technical parameters. The Agni-5 is capable of covering almost the entire Asian continent, including northern China, as well as parts of Europe. The test comes approximately three and a half months after military clashes with Pakistan.
GAZA – ISRAEL
Hundreds of Palestinians are fleeing parts of Gaza City after the Israeli army began the preliminary stages of its planned offensive. After days of bombardment, Israeli troops have established a strategic position on the outskirts of the city, home to over a million Palestinians. This is happening while diplomatic talks continue for a ceasefire, which Hamas has accepted. Yesterday, Israeli envoy Ron Dermer met with a Qatari delegation in Paris, while Bezalel Smotrich announced he would leave the Netanyahu government if an agreement is reached. Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet yesterday gave its final approval to the controversial E1 plan, a massive block of new settlements located in an area that would make territorial continuity between the West Bank and East Jerusalem impossible.
THAILAND
Thailand will ease restrictions on foreign visitors who wish to convert their cryptocurrencies into baht to pay for their expenses during their stay in the country. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira made the announcement at a press conference on 18 August. Called TouristDigipay, the programme will begin an 18-month trial period in the fourth quarter of the year. According to Thai authorities, digital assets cannot be used directly as a means of payment for goods and services – only for conversion into baht – and merchants will receive payments exclusively in the local currency.
JAPAN
The deer population in Nara Park has reached a record high. The latest census counted 1,465 individuals, 140 more than last year. This is the highest number since records began in 1953, according to the Nara Deer Conservation Foundation. The growth reflects efforts to protect these animals, deemed sacred in Shinto tradition and a key tourist attraction in the city of Nara. However, with a large herd come problems: injuries with tourists bitten and road accidents with deer struck by cars, as well as more animals venturing into the city proper in search of food.
RUSSIA
The Russian website "We Can Explain" has released information on the bank deposits of Vladimir Putin's closest relatives and friends, which were accessible online, totalling more than 300 billion rubles (US.7 billion), comparable to the budgets of many large Russian regions and a third of that of Moscow Oblast (province).
ARMENIA
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed his countrymen in response to criticism of the peace agreement to be finalised after the Washington meeting, which fully settles the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh. He expressed confidence that "everyone understands that without this, peace is impossible," and urged them to keep the issues of Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan separate from those of assistance to refugees from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
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14/10/2023 13:54
01/03/2011
