Myanmar: 103 political prisoners dead in jail since the coup

Today's news: Pyongyang wants to ‘permanently’ cut off roads to South Korea; Trump will invest in a chain of resorts in northern Vietnam; Putin in Turkmenistan will meet for the first time with the new Iranian premier Pezeshkyan; An 18-year-old Nepalese Sherpa becomes the youngest person to have climbed all 14 eight-thousanders.

MYANMAR

In the three and a half years since the military coup, 103 political prisoners have died in prison. This was reported by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) - a Burmese human rights group that carries out its activities in exile - according to which at least 63 people have been denied medical treatment. The most recent case is that of Zaw Myint Maung, former head of the Mandalay region administration and deputy chairman of the NLD, who died on 7 October. He had been diagnosed with leukaemia before being sentenced to 29 years in prison. The news comes just as the crisis in Myamar is again the focus of the ongoing Asean summit in Laos.

NORTH KOREA-SOUTH KOREA

Starting today, North Korea will ‘permanently close and block the southern border’ and fortify the areas on its side by cutting off road and rail access to South Korea (already de facto blocked), in an attempt to ‘completely separate’ the two countries. The Korean People's Army (KPA) described the move as ‘a self-defence measure to inhibit war’, saying it was a response to war exercises in South Korea.

VIETNAM

Vietnamese real estate developer Kinhbac City announced a collaboration with the Trump Organisation to develop a golf course and resort project in northern Vietnam. A memorandum of understanding between the two companies was signed in late September during Vietnamese President To Lam's visit to the US. The project in Hung Yen Province will consist of two 54-hole golf courses, along with a network of hotels and a modern residential complex,

NEPAL

An 18-year-old Nepalese has written mountaineering history, becoming the youngest climber in the world to enter the coveted eight-thousand-mile club. Nima Rinji Sherpa, originally from Makalu, climbed to the top of Mount Shishapangma in Tibet this morning, becoming the youngest person to summit all 14 of the highest mountains above 8,000 metres.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The UAE government approved the budget for the 2025 fiscal year with a record spending volume estimated at 71.5 billion Dirham (.5 billion), the highest in the country's history. The Emirates, which is the Arab world's second largest economy, maintained strong momentum after the slowdown caused by the pandemic: the country's gross domestic product, which grew by 3.4% in the first quarter of this year, is expected to expand by 4% in 2024 thanks to a boost from the non-oil sector.

RUSSIA-IRAN

On 11 October, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a visit to Turkmenistan to take part in the international forum in Ašgabat, where he will meet for the first time the new President of Iran, Masud Pezeshkyan, who in turn plans to attend the Brics summit in Kazan at the end of the month, and discuss the new partnership agreement.

KAZAKHSTAN

In the steppes of Kazakhstan, a gigantic fire has broken out in two regions, Karaganda and Pavlodar, over an area of 45 thousand hectares, with a very strong wind pouring down on the mountainous regions in the absence of paths to stop it from spreading, and several countries are at risk, despite the efforts of the Civil Defence and 400 volunteers with 64 vehicles.

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