Asia

5 foreign tourists died from methanol poisoning

Today’s news: The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and a senior Hamas leader. Police forces kill 10 Maoists in Chhattisgarh. For Putin, the war with Ukraine is turning into a global conflict. Singapore records highest number of identity frauds in East Asia in 2024.

LAOS

British lawyer Simone White has become the fifth tourist to die in an alleged mass poisoning in Laos, Southeast Asia. Suspected methanol poisoning, caused by contaminated drinks, has caused the death of five tourists in Laos in the last fortnight. In addition to White, an Australian woman, an American man and two Danish citizens. Methanol poisoning is a long-known problem throughout Southeast Asiaespecially in the poorest countries along the Mekong River. The victims are usually foreign travelers, the so-called backpackers.

ISRAEL – GAZA

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant. World leaders were divided over this decision. Arrest warrants were also issued for a senior Hamas leader, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif)accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is the first time Netanyahu or any other Israeli official has been indicted by an international court by the ongoing war in Gaza.

INDIA

At least 10 Maoists – from a clandestine political group that seeks to overthrow the Indian government – died in a clash with security forces in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The clash took place in Korajuguda, Dantewada, Nagaram and Bhandarpadar jungles. The police teams recovered several weapons, including INSAS, AK-47 and SLR rifles. Search operations are still ongoing.

RUSSIA – USA – UNITED KINGDOM

Vladimir Putin declared that the war in Ukraine is turning into a global conflict after the United States and Britain allowed Ukraine to attack Russia with its weapons and warned the West that Moscow could retaliate. Russia responded to the US and British missiles by firing a new type of medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile at a Ukrainian military facility. Putin warned that there could be more. He said civilians would be warned before new attacks with such weapons.

SINGAPORE

According to a study conducted by Sumsub, Singapore recorded the largest annual increase in identity fraud among countries in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024. The number of such cases increased by 207% compared to 2023. This figure is significantly higher than the 121% increase recorded in the region as a whole. Thailand and Indonesia follow closely with increases of 206% and 201% respectively. Among the top types of identity fraud globally are the use of false documents and “chargebacks,” in which customers dispute legitimate transactions to obtain refunds.

AZERBAIJAN – COP29

During Cop29 in Baku, a new UN special program for the Central Asian economy was presented, which involves the signatory states in the “dialogue on climate and innovation” to open “a new phase of regional collaboration on climate », with the participation of the five Central Asian countries, along with Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.

ARMENIA

The President of Armenia, at the request of Prime Minister Nikol Pašinyan, appointed Arlina Sarkasyan, 30, former deputy minister of Vage Kazaryan, who resigned on November 18, as the new Minister of the Interior. This is a very symbolic change, which Pašinyan demanded from many senior officials in law enforcement and the Interior.



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