Seoul, Yoon grants pardon to former president Lee

Today's headlines: despite rampant Covid, China reopens borders to entry from Jan. 8; at least 20 Rohingya die at sea; Isis attack on Kurdish militias in Raqqa; Levada Institute says more than 50% of Russians want peace talks with Ukraine.

SOUTH KOREA

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has pardoned former President Lee Myung-bak and a number of other high-profile politicians and former officials convicted of corruption and other wrongdoing during previous administrations. The personalities include former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyoung-soo, a close ally of former President Moon Jae-in. This is the second such measure decreed by Yoon since he took office in May: the first had benefited Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other business tycoons.

CHINA

As of Jan. 8, travelers from abroad will be able to enter China by showing a simple negative result of a PCR test carried out in the previous 48 hours, with no more quarantine requirement. The measure-dictated for economic reasons and linked to the abandonment of the "Zero Covid" policy-comes just as China struggles with the fierce spread of the virus after restrictions were lifted.

TAIWAN-CHINA

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has convened a press conference today-the first in two years-at which she will announce a plan to strengthen national defense in the face of lingering tensions with Beijing. She is also expected to announce the extension of compulsory conscription from four months to one year.

INDONESIA-BANGLADESH

At least 20 Rohingya have died at sea in recent weeks, according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. The news was released after a boat carrying 174 Rohingya, most of them dehydrated, fatigued and in need of urgent medical attention after weeks at sea, landed in Indonesia's Aceh province yesterday. Others are believed to be adrift in the Indian Ocean.

SYRIA

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - the Kurdish militia operating in northern Syria - said six people were killed in an Isis attack on one of its bases. The assault took place in the city of Raqqa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, from London, said it had documented 16 ISIS attacks against the SDF since the beginning of the month.

RUSSIA

According to the Levada Center, Russia's leading sociological observatory, only 27 percent of the population supports the continuation of the special military operation in Ukraine, while more than 50 percent support the launch of peace talks.

CENTRAL ASIA

Barbie dolls are completely sold out in Caucasian stores, and in their place is offered the Amina doll in traditional Islamic fashions. Dressed in pink with a veil, Amina is able to repeat 10 Suras of the Quran to be taught to little girls so they can recite the namaz, the five traditional prayers of the Muslim religion.

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