Indian tax officials raid Chinese giant Huawei's premises

Today's headlines: India and UAE sign trade and investment agreement; Pandemic now out of control in Hong Kong; Taiwan issues law to protect microchip industry from Chinese espionage; Burmese junta razes more than 4,500 civilian homes; Political tension mounts in Georgia.

INDIA-CHINA

Indian tax officials raided Huawei's Delhi, Gurugram and Bengaluru offices. This was revealed yesterday by the Chinese telephony giant. Since the 2020 border clashes, Narendra Modi's government has stepped up controls on Chinese hi-tech companies. Xiaomi has already been ordered to cough up million in unpaid taxes.

INDIA-UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Delhi and Abu Dhabi will sign a trade and investment agreement tomorrow. It will be signed virtually by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of the Gulf monarchy, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

HONG KONG-CHINA

The Covid-19 outbreak in the former British colony continues to spread, reaching 4,285 yesterday, with nine deaths. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Carrie Lam, the city's chief executive, to manage the crisis. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the city's leaders to contain the emergency.

TAIWAN

The Taiwanese government today proposed passing a law to prevent the theft of technological secrets from China. The measure is mainly aimed at protecting the local microchip industry, of which the island is the world's leading producer.

MYANMAR

Since the coup in February 2021, the military now in power has razed 4,571 civilian homes, according to calculations by Data for Myanmar. More than half of the demolitions took place in the Sagaing region, the scene of repeated clashes between the army and armed opposition groups.

UKRAINE

The draft agreement between Ukraine and the Holy See risks further aggravating relations between Orthodox and Catholics in the country. This was stated by representatives of the "Opposition for Life" party, which represents the positions of the pro-Russian jurisdiction.

GEORGIA

Political tensions have escalated in the Caucasian republic. The parliament in Tbilisi, controlled by the 'Georgian Dream' party, expelled three opposition deputies: Elena Koshtarya, Shalva Natelashvili and Bari Dzharapidze. The former speaker of the assembly, Kakhi Kuchava, resigned in solidarity.