Afghanistan: Taliban ban women from amusement parks

Today's headlines: Tokyo and Washington launch large military exercise in southern Japan; Lockdown extended in Guangzhou, southern China; 18 cooperation agreements signed between Chinese and Cambodians; India will export green hydrogen; Peace talks between Azeris and Armenians under US auspices.

AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban have banned women from entering amusement parks and other recreational areas. According to the ruling fundamentalist group from August 2021, after the US withdrawal, the city's leisure areas are to be segregated by gender: women will only be allowed to enter on certain days.

JAPAN-UNITED STATES

The US and Japanese Armed Forces started the 'Keen Sword' military exercises today in southern Japan. Until 19 November, 26,000 Japanese and 10,000 US soldiers, 30 warships and 370 aircraft will be involved. Australian, British and Canadian units are also participating.

CHINA

The lockdown against Covid-19 expands in Guangzhou (Guangdong), a manufacturing hub of 13 million inhabitants. Contagions rising to 2,500 a day have prompted the authorities to close quarters inhabited by 5 million people, who are forced to stay indoors until at least 13 November. The health restrictions have a strong negative impact on the national economy.

CHINA-CHAMBOGY

On a visit to Phnom Penh, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang promised a new development aid package to the South East Asian country. He signed 10 cooperation agreements with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in areas such as infrastructure, agricultural trade, education and health. Li will attend a series of Asean summits hosted by Cambodia starting today.

INDIA

India is ready to export green hydrogen produced by its own operators. This was stated by Prabhat Kumar, secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Delhi, emphasising that hydrogen can become the country's primary energy source in the future.

MOLDOVA-RUSSIA

Protests continue in Moldova against the pro-Western government, which have been going on for more than two months, demanding the resignation of the leadership and the conclusion of a pact with Moscow for gas supplies. According to the authorities in Chisinau, the demonstrations are fomented by the Russians, and those responsible are in the sights of the security forces.

AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA

A meeting was held in Washington between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bayramov and Mirzoyan, mediated by Antony Blinken. The US Secretary of State noted the "courageous steps" of the two sides in the negotiations to reach a peace agreement, agreeing to a new meeting soon with US assistance.

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