Zhang Zhan, Chinese blogger who chronicled Covid-19, arrested again

Today's news: About 8,000 Rohingya have left Myanmar in recent months and taken refuge in Bangladesh; Thai king approved new government presented by PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra; Former governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon Riad Salameh arrested; Fumio Kishida in Seoul Nov. 6-7 to revive alliance with South Korea.

CHINA
Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, previously imprisoned for four years for her independent stories on the Covid 19 outbreak, has disappeared again. According to Reporters Without Borders (Rsf) activists, relaying local sources, the reporter was reportedly recently taken to a detention facility in Shanghai for unclear reasons. The NGO calls for immediate international mobilization for her safety and release. 

BANGLADESH - MYANMAR
About 8,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in recent months due to escalating violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine State. This is revealed by Bangladeshi officials, who confirm intensifying fighting between Burmese coup junta and Arakan Army militiamen. The majority of arrivals have occurred in the past 60 days.

THAILAND
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has approved Premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra's new cabinet. The Royal Gazette announced this today, introducing 12 new faces in the 36-member total lineup. The Pheu Thai party dominates the new executive and retains key roles: Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Foreign Affairs with Maris Sangiampongsa.

LEBANON
Former Central Bank governor, 73-year-old Riad Salameh, was arrested yesterday in Beirut for financial crimes related to a brokerage firm, the first detention after years of suspicion and accusations. Leading the central institution for 30 years, he has spent the past few months amid suspicions and charges from Lebanese and international authorities for financial crimes and misappropriation of public funds. 

JAPAN - SOUTH KOREA
Fumio Kishida will visit Seoul on Sept. 6 and 7 for a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The leaders will review progress on cooperation between the two countries and discuss ways to deepen their partnership, in spite of the imminent resignation of the Japanese prime minister expected by the end of the month. North Korea's military threats are also on the table.

RUSSIA
Days of mourning and silence were held throughout North Ossetia in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attack between Sept. 1 and Sept. 3 at Beslan School No. 1 20 years ago, with processions to the site of the massacre with pictures of slain adults and children. President Vladimir Putin sent an icon but did not travel to the site, possibly for fear of renewed protests.

TAJIKISTAN
Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon, known for taking measures in recent years of major restrictions on freedom of religious confession, expressed his “concern over hatred of Muslims in so many parts of the world.” Speaking at a ceremony to mark the start of the school year in Dushanbe, he referred in particular to “the massacres in Gaza.”