Vietnam is the 5th worst country in the world for Internet freedom

Today's headlines: 152 major cities in China have adopted full lockdowns since March; Inflation in Japan at three-year high; India: Modi promises one million new government jobs; 19-year-old Palestinian killed in clashes with Israeli army; Russian outsiders fuel economic boom in Armenia.

VIETNAM

Vietnam is the 5th worst country in the world for internet freedom. This is according to a study by Freedom House. In this special ranking it is preceded by China, Myanmar, Iran and Cuba.

CHINA

An analysis by the BBC reveals that since March, Chinese authorities have placed 152 major cities, covering a total of 280 million people, under full Covid-19 lockdown. Restrictions in 114 of these centres, however, have been imposed since August, in the run-up to the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress, which is taking place these days.

JAPAN

The Japanese economy is in trouble. Inflation is at 3%, its highest in eight years, while the yen is at its lowest level in 32 years (it takes more than 150 to buy a dollar). Unlike all the central banks of advanced countries, the Japanese central bank does not intend to raise interest rates for the time being in order to contain the soaring prices.

INDIA

On the eve of elections in several states of the federation, Narendra Modi promised one million new jobs in government structures. The Hindu nationalist premier is strongly criticised by the opposition for the high level of unemployment, which has been stable at around 7% for months.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Israeli soldiers shot dead a 19-year-old Palestinian man during a raid in Jenin, West Bank. This was stated by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. With 120 Palestinians dead, this year is the bloodiest since 2015 in clashes with the Israeli Security Forces.

RUSSIA

According to 31% of Russians, the Orthodox Church is too active in national political issues. This was revealed in a survey by the Russian Centre for Public Opinion (Vtsiom). Fifty-eight per cent believe it is appropriate for the Church to express its views publicly on the life of society. However, 41% believe this should only concern "the spiritual sphere".

ARMENIA

Armenian economists expect an 'economic miracle' thanks to the arrival of large numbers of Russians fleeing military mobilisation. This was said by the President of the Central Bank of Yerevan, Martin Galstyan, who predicts a 13% GDP growth for 2022, compared to the 5-7% predicted at the beginning of the year.

• AsiaToday