ASIA TODAY After Iran, Saudi Arabia prepares to resume relations with Syria

Other news of the day: the number of kindergartens in China is reduced. North Korea claims it has tested an unmanned nuclear submarine. The Russians do not deliver promised weapons to India. Laos bans fishing in tourist areas reserved for Chinese visitors. Doctors flee Russia. Clashes in the Georgian Parliament

SAUDI ARABIA-SYRIA

After the recent understanding with Iran -achieved with the mediation of China-, Riyadh is holding talks with Damascus to restore diplomatic relationswhich were interrupted after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. At this time, the discussions are focused on the resumption of consular services.

CHINA

For the first time in 15 years, China recorded a drop in the number of kindergartens during 2022. The Ministry of Education registered 5,000 fewer, compared to the previous year. At the recent annual session of the national parliament, delegates presented more than 20 recommendations to combat the rapid population decline.

NORTH KOREA

Pyongyang would have tested at the beginning of the week a nuclear-capable underwater drone. This was revealed today by the official news agency KCNA. According to Kim Jong-un’s regime, the weapon would be capable of causing a “radioactive tsunami” against an enemy country.

INDIA-RUSSIA

According to statements by the Indian Air Force, Moscow will not be able to hand over to Delhi “vital weapons systems” because of the war with Ukraine. It is worth mentioning that for decades, Russia (and previously the USSR) has been India’s main arms supplier

LAOS

The inhabitants of some villages in the central province of Borikhamxay are prohibited from fishing in the areas reserved for Chinese tourists, on pain of being arrested and prosecuted. However, fishing is the only livelihood for the locals.

RUSSIA

The website System revealed that immediately after the announcement of the military mobilization in September 2022, up to 250 Russian doctors fled to Kazakhstan. The professionals rented a private plane paying 40,000 rubles each (more than 500 euros); most of the spending was covered by an unknown Russian billionaire, who “invests in digital technologies.”

GEORGIA

A heated dispute broke out in the Tbilisi Parliament, with MPs using the microphones in their seats as weapons to beat up their opponents, with mutual accusations of corruption and espionage. The most heated confrontation took place between the opposition deputies and those of the “Popular Force” party, author of the controversial law on “foreign agents.”