Other news of the day: In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s party announced nationwide protests; some Chinese workers recounted the disorganization that was experienced in the framework of the “Zero Covid” policy; in the Philippines, a well-known group of influencers in favor of Marcos was dissolved; they fired 29 Burmese workers who demanded the minimum wage; Russia circumvented oil sanctions through a refinery in Sicily.
KOREA
Provocations continue on the Korean peninsula: according to a statement from Seoul this morning, North Korea fired a series of missiles into a maritime “buffer zone” between the two countries last night.. Seoul and Washington, which believe Pyongyang’s recent launches could culminate in a nuclear test, have extended their joint air exercises until tomorrow in response to the rocket fire.
CHINA
Several Chinese workers at a Foxconn factory – the Taiwanese company that assembles iPhones and other technological products – recounted their experience with the “Zero Covid” policy. Many workers in quarantine managed to survive thanks to their supplies of instant noodles and others fled the compound. The disorganization was widespread: at one point, Zhengzhou city authorities had to organize special buses to take employees back to their hometowns.
PAKISTAN
Following the assassination attempt on Imran Khan yesterday, the situation remains extremely tense. Pakistan Tahreek-e Insaf, the former cricket star’s party, has announced that it will host demonstrations throughout the country until the demand for early elections is addressed. But the PTI is now also demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who came to power in April after the no-confidence motion against Khan.
INDIA
In February this year, India banned the import of drones as the Narendra Modi government wants to develop a local industry capable of designing and assembling drones. “India has the potential to become a world hub by 2030,” he told the BBC Amber Dubey, former secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. In reality, many questions remain about its safety and its use in certain contexts.
PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, there is a group of vloggers (people who make and post videos on the Internet) supporters of Marcos, who was formed with the sole objective of accessing the Malacañang Palace, the presidential residence. However, in recent days, the organization United Vloggers and Influencers of the Philippines (UVIP) disbanded: The head of the group abandoned his role along with the former press secretary of President Marcos, the person who was most likely to open the doors of the presidential palace.
MYANMAR
At the Pou Chen factory in Rangoon, where Adidas garments are produced, they fired 29 workers who had been on strike for several weeks and demanded an increase in the daily minimum wage, from 4,800 kyat ($2.27) to 8,000 kyat ($3.78). The heads of the company informed the military authorities of the protest on the afternoon of the same day it began, October 25. This prompted the arrival of 10 soldiers and police in four army vehicles.
RUSSIA
The Russian company Lukoil has allegedly found a way to evade Western sanctions and is exporting oil – such as gasoline and other derivatives – to the United States through its Priolo refinery in Sicily. In said establishment, up to 93% of Russian oil is used in production, transforming it into “Italian”, according to revelations of the newspaper The Moscow Times.
RUSSIAN CHURCH
A few days ago, the traditional Benedictine Council of the Russian Church of Old Believers concluded on Rogožskaya Hill. The delegates complained that they had no space to express their opinions, due to the imposition of the president, Metropolitan Kornily, who urged everyone to support the military mobilization without hesitation.
