Voting in Uttar Pradesh kicks off, a litmus test of Indian politics

Today's headlines: Hong Kong reports its first Covid-19-related fatality in five months; Pakistan hunts for a healer who drove a nail into a pregnant woman's head to give her a son; Baghdad completes payment of 46 billion euros in compensation for the invasion of Kuwait; Beijing suspends the award ceremony for Russian skaters due to suspected use of banned substances (traces of marijuana). 

INDIA
The first phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections begins today. 58 constituencies and 11 districts are going to the polls which opened at 7 am and will close at 6 pm. Voting is spread over seven rounds and the results will be announced on March 10. There are 623 candidates in contention and there is expectation for the outcome, considered a crossroads for national politics. 

IRAQ
Baghdad has paid some €46 billion in compensation to individuals, private companies and governments affected by the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing war. The UN commission received payment from the sale of oil, with rates varying over the past 30 years up to the most recent 3 per cent. At least 2.7 million claims have been made. 

HONG KONG
Hong Kong yesterday recorded its first Covid-19-related fatality in five months. A 73-year-old man with chronic diseases tested positive when he entered hospital for tests. The former governorate set a new record in daily infections driven by the Omicron variant, with more than 1160 cases. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 16,000 infections and 213 deaths. 

MYANMAR
At least 40 civilians were killed by the Myanmar army in the last 10 days of violence in Sagaing Division. Local sources report the military intentionally committed "war crimes" in the area, including killing women and children. In some cases, the victims were "tortured" until they died, and then the bodies were "burnt". 

PAKISTAN
In Pakistan there is a hunt for an alleged healer, who drove a nail into the head of a pregnant woman to make her have a son. The woman arrived alone at a hospital in Peshawar "conscious and in great pain". The doctors extracted the 5 cm metal and the X-ray went viral. The woman already has three girls, and her husband has threatened to leave her in case of a girl. 

PHILIPPINES - SAUDI ARABIA
Philippine Labour Minister Silvestre Bello confirmed a ban on domestic servants (Hsw) and construction workers travelling to Saudi Arabia for work. Manila is demanding fair treatment for its citizens and payment of outstanding compensation for past violations and abuses. The resumption of transfers, he added, is linked to the payment of more than 75 million euros. 

RUSSIA - CHINA
The medal ceremony for the Russian ice-skaters at the Beijing Winter Olympics was postponed after they won the team competition. According to rumours, the problem is linked to the doping control, where prohibited substances were found, not performance-enhancing preparations, but traces of marijuana.

TURKMENISTAN
In Turkmenistan's main provinces of Ašgabat, Lebapa and Balkan, the authorities have expressly forbidden the use of coloured masks as a means of protection against the new coronavirus, imposing white ones. However, according to government propaganda, Covid-19 is not present in the country. 

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