Vietnam, the fifth worst country in the world

Other news of the day: 152 major cities in China have adopted full lockdowns since March. In Japan, inflation reaches its highest peak in three years. India: Modi promises a million new public jobs. A 19-year-old Palestinian is killed in clashes with the Israeli army. Russian foreigners drive the boom Armenian economy.

VIETNAM

Vietnam is the 5th worst country in the world in terms of internet freedom. This is indicated by a study by Freedom House. China, Myanmar, Iran and Cuba precede it in this special classification.

CHINA

An analysis of the BBC reveals that, since March, the Chinese authorities have subjected 152 large cities – totaling 280 million people – to a full closure by Covid-19. However, in 114 of these urban centers the restrictions were applied from August, on the eve of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which is being held these days.

JAPAN

The Japanese economy is in trouble. Inflation reaches 3%, the highest peak 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 central banks in advanced countries, for the time being the Japanese Central Bank has no intention of raising interest rates to contain rising prices.

INDIA

On the eve of elections in several states of the federation, Narendra Modi promised a million new jobs in the public sector. The Hindu nationalist Prime Minister is heavily criticized by the opposition for the high level of unemployment, which has remained stable at around 7% for months.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

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

RUSSIA

According to 31% of Russians, the Orthodox Church is too active in the nation’s political issues. This is revealed by a survey by the Russian Center for Public Opinion (Vtsiom). 58% consider the public expression of their positions regarding the life of society opportune, but 41% think that these should be confined to the “spiritual” sphere.

ARMENIA

Armenian economists expect an “economic miracle” thanks to the arrival of a large number of Russians fleeing military mobilization. This was stated by the president of the Central Bank of Yerevan, Martin Galstyan, who forecasts GDP growth of 13% by 2022, as opposed to the 5-7% announced at the beginning of the year.