ASIA TODAY Floods in Afghanistan: at least 60 dead

Today’s news: Arvind Kejriwal, one of the leaders of the Indian opposition, free. North Korea continues to test new weapons, which experts say will be transferred to Russia. In Thailand, record heat has already killed more than 60 people. In Japan, trains become a new place of entertainment.

AFGHANISTAN

At least 60 people have died and 100 have been injured after the floods in the northern province of Baghlan, but the number of victims could increase, according to Taliban authorities. Images and videos circulating on social networks show torrents of water passing through the houses of several towns. More than 200 people are trapped in their homes, the interior minister’s spokesman said.

INDIA

The Indian Supreme Court Arvind Kejriwal granted bail, Chief Minister of Delhi, allowing him to campaign until June 1, the day the elections end. Starting the next day, he will have to return to preventive detention to be tried for a corruption case. Kejriwal is a fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is running for a third term.

JAPAN

Among the post-pandemic trends that have exploded in Japan is that of wrestling matches on shinkansen trains. In September, tickets for the carriage hosting the event, which cost 25,000 yen (US$161), sold out in 30 minutes. Even exclusive restaurants have started renting carriages to host star-studded dinner parties. “It seems that enjoying the trip itself fills the void left by the decline in travel enthusiasm experienced during the pandemic,” commented one expert.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea will provide its armed forces with a new rocket launcher 240 mm multiple, as announced today by the regime’s press agency. According to experts, different types of weapons are being tested to be sent to Russia, which will use them in the war against Ukraine. Apparently, the new missile system was tested yesterday.

THAILAND

According to reports from the Thai Ministry of Health, this year 61 people have already died due to record heat, compared to a total of 37 in 2023. The highest number of deaths occurred in areas of the northeast, the agricultural heart of the country. Authorities have urged sick people not to leave home.

ARMENIA – AZERBAIJAN

A demonstration of several thousand people takes place in the center of Yerevan, to protest against the border demarcation procedures with Azerbaijan and to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pašinyan, bringing together people who have marched from various places in Armenia and, in in particular, from the Tavowš region, the most affected by the negotiations.

RUSSIA

In the Russian republic of Tatarstan, manuals for wives of soldiers at the front, developed by the “Popular Front” movement, were published with instructions on how to support their husbands in combat by not asking them to recount events on the battlefield, “staying silently by his side” and not uttering irritating phrases like “but how you’ve changed.”