Taiwan: Two US ships cross the Straits

Today's headlines: India demolishes two skyscrapers after a long legal dispute; the Taliban accuses Pakistan of allowing US drones to invade their airspace; Japan promises investments in Africa; Uzbekistan grants subsidies to the Karakalpakstan region to quell protests. 

TAIWAN

Yesterday, two US Navy warships crossed the international waters of the Taiwan Strait under the watchful eye of Beijing. This was the first such operation since the visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the ships' passage was "very consistent" with the "one China" policy for "a free and open Indo-Pacific".

INDIA

India demolished two 100-metre high skyscrapers on the outskirts of the capital New Delhi. The legal dispute over the towers had gone all the way to the Indian Supreme Court, which ruled last year that the buildings violated safety regulations. There has been a construction boom in India over the past two decades, but many projects that violate laws remain incomplete.

AFGHANISTAN - PAKISTAN

The Taliban defence minister accused Pakistan of allowing American drones to violate Afghanistan's airspace. The Pakistani foreign minister denied the accusations, while the American intelligence refused to comment. In July, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in Kabul.

INDONESIA

Umar Patek, an extremist sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings, expressed regret and admitted his mistakes shortly before being granted release on bail. The exact date of his release will be set in the coming days by the Ministry of Justice. More than 200 people had died in the bombing.

MYANMAR

Kim Aris, son of Aung San Suu Kyi - the leader imprisoned after the Burmese military coup last year - has auctioned a wooden sculpture he made. The funds will be entirely donated to the pro-democracy forces in Myanmar who have been fighting against army troops for over a year.

JAPAN - AFRICA

Japan has decided to donate USD 30 billion in development aid to several African countries. This was announced two days ago by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a summit in Tunisia. The Japanese premier said he wanted to guarantee the continent grain shipments after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

RUSSIA

Russia's federal budget has cut funds for scientific research, to which 569 billion roubles will be allocated, almost 60 less than the previous year, a negative record for ten years, which is unlikely to help achieve the 'technological sovereignty' promised after the sanctions to free itself from foreign dependence.

UZBEKISTAN

Uzbek President Mirziyoyev granted a series of reliefs and subsidies to the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan, the scene of recent protests, after replacing Governor Murat Kamalov 'due to illness' with the more reliable Amanbay Ordynbaev. Income taxes were raised from 15% to 7.5%, and USD 60 million was allocated to family businesses, in addition to various other concessions.

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