Laos: 5 foreign tourists die from methanol poisoning

Today's news: The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and a senior Hamas leader; Police kill 10 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh; Putin says Ukraine war is becoming a global conflict; Singapore has the highest number of identity frauds in East Asia in 2024.

LAOS

British lawyer Simone White has become the fifth tourist to die in a suspected mass poisoning in Laos, south-east Asia. Suspected methanol poisoning, caused by contaminated drinks, reportedly killed five tourists in Laos in the past fortnight. In addition to White, an Australian woman, a US man and two Danish citizens. Methanol poisoning has long been a known problem throughout South East Asia, particularly in poorer countries along the Mekong River. Foreign travellers, so-called backpackers, are often the victims.

ISRAEL - GAZA

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. World leaders were divided over this decision. Arrest warrants were also issued for a senior Hamas leader, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif), on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. This is the first time Netanyahu or any other Israeli official has been indicted by an international court for the ongoing war in Gaza.

INDIA

At least 10 Maoists - of an underground political group aiming to overthrow the Indian government - were killed in a clash with security forces in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The clash took place in the jungles of Korajuguda, Dantewada, Nagaram and Bhandarpadar. Police teams recovered several weapons, including INSAS, AK-47 and SLR rifles. Search operations are still ongoing.

RUSSIA - USA - UK

Vladimir Putin declared that the war in Ukraine is escalating into a global conflict after the US and Britain allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with their weapons and warned the West that Moscow might retaliate. Russia responded to the US and British missiles by firing a new type of medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile at a Ukrainian military facility. Putin warned that more could follow. He said civilians would be warned before further attacks with such weapons.

SINGAPORE

According to a study conducted by Sumsub, Singapore recorded the highest annual increase in identity fraud among countries in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024. The number of such cases increased by 207% compared to 2023. This is significantly higher than the 121% increase recorded in the region as a whole. Thailand and Indonesia follow closely behind with increases of 206% and 201% respectively. Among the top types of identity fraud globally are the use of false documents and ‘chargebacks’, in which customers dispute legitimate transactions to obtain refunds.

AZERBAIJAN - COP29

During Cop29 in Baku, a new UN special programme for the Central Asian economy was presented, involving the signatory states in ‘climate and innovation dialogue’ to open ‘a new phase of regional climate cooperation’, with the participation of the five Central Asian countries, together with Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.

ARMENIA

The President of Armenia, at the request of Prime Minister Nikol Pašinyan, appointed 30-year-old Arlina Sarkasyan, former deputy minister to Vage Kazaryan, who resigned on 18 November, as the new Minister of the Interior. This is a very symbolic change, which Pašinyan demanded from many senior law enforcement and interior officials.

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