ASIA TODAY Delhi sees sky-high smog levels; parents call for schools to close

Other news of the day: TikTok can access the information of European users, say those responsible for the platform. New protests against the high cost of living in Sri Lanka. A new sea route opens between China and Myanmar. Japan wants to deploy hypersonic missiles before 2030. Turkey surpasses Germany in volume of exports to Russia.

INDIA

Air quality index in New Delhi exceeded “serious” and “dangerous” levels, which has led the inhabitants of the capital to ask for the closure of schools. An index greater than 400 affects healthy people and compromises the health of those who suffer from diseases. Today, in some areas of the city, the value was 800.

SRI LANKA

Hundreds of people took to the streets of the capital Colombo yesterday to protest against rising taxes, inflation and state repression. The demonstration, organized by opposition political parties, trade unions and civil society groups, was blocked by the police. On November 14, President Ranil Wickremesinghe will present his first budget, which is likely to include unpopular reforms to win approval for a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.

CHINA-EU

TikTok in China has access to the data of users in the United Kingdom and the European Union. The statements come from the platform itself, according to which the “privacy policy” is based “on the need to do your job.” Earlier this week, a US lawmaker called for the app to be banned, fearing the data would be passed on to the Chinese government.

JAPAN

The Japanese Ministry of Defense is considering the deployment of hypersonic missiles before 2030 to increase its deterrence capacity. According to a ministry report published in the newspaper Nikki, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the global security landscape, while military moves by China and North Korea threaten Japan.

USA – NORTH KOREA – RUSSIA

According to White House National Security spokesman John Kirby, Russia is receiving arms and ammunition from North Korea through various countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The US State Department spokesman, Ned Price, suggested the imposition of new sanctions as occurred in the case of Iran. Meanwhile, Russia has also resumed rail connections with North Korea after two years of suspension due to the pandemic.

CHINA-MYANMAR

Chinese opened a direct sea route linking the international port of Beibu on the South China Sea with Myanmar’s economic hub, Rangoon. The announcement took place last week through the Chinese embassy in Myanmar. The route is part of the free trade agreement Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership signed in November 2020.

TURKEY – RUSSIA

Turkey, the only NATO country not to adhere to the sanctions, has surpassed Germany in terms of the volume of exports to Russia. Last month, it exceeded the figure of 1,150 million dollars, which represents an increase of 21% over the previous year, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute. The country thus becomes the third largest export market for Russia, after China and Belarus.

UZBEKISTAN

In Uzbekistan the “Pilgrimage Tourism Week” has officially started, which is celebrated mainly from November 1 to 3 to gather Muslim believers from all over the world in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (capital of Khorasmia, founded by Shem son of Noah) , Tashkent and other cities, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage.