at least 300 North Korean soldiers killed in the war between Russia and Ukraine

News of the day: tensions between Washington and Tokyo over the failed acquisition of US Steel. Pakistan opens a new border crossing with Iran. Tehran receives 1,000 state-of-the-art drones. In India the Kumbh Mela opens today. In Manila, Philippines, rally in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte.

NORTH KOREA – UKRAINE

According to information collected by South Korean intelligence, At least 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and another 2,700 wounded in the war between Russia and Ukraine. South Korean intelligence believes that the “heavy casualties” among North Korean soldiers are due to their “lack of understanding of modern warfare,” including their “unnecessary” act of firing long-range drones.

JAPAN – USA

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed concern to US President Joe Biden, due to the failure of Nippon Steel in its attempt to acquire US Steel for 14.9 billion dollars. The comments came during a three-way call in which the President of the Philippines was also present, who recalled the danger of Chinese actions. The US has 54,000 troops stationed in Japan. Both steel companies said US authorities had extended the deadline for resolution of the acquisition deal to June 18.

PAKISTAN – IRAN

The Pakistani government announced the opening of a new border crossing between Pakistan and Iran in Panjgur, Balochistanto facilitate commercial activities between both countries, discourage the smuggling of goods and offer employment opportunities to residents on both sides of the border, as explained by the authorities. Representatives of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry said they had responded to the demands of businessmen from Balochistan. In December, Iran and Pakistan had also inaugurated the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing.

IRAN

One thousand new drones were delivered today to the Iranian army and were distributed in several places, the Tasnim news agency reported. Earlier this month, as tensions with Israel and the United States increased, Revolutionary Guard military exercises began, which also simulated the defense of the main Natanz nuclear facility against simulated missile and drone attacks.

INDIA

Large crowds of Hindu pilgrims in India began bathing in the sacred waters on the occasion of the inauguration of the religious festival Kumbh Melaconsidered the largest gathering of people in the world and a UNESCO heritage site. This year, 400 million people are expected to attend.

THAILAND

the thai government has approved a bill to legalize gambling and casinos, a measure that, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, will serve to promote tourism, employment and investment. Unlike other Southeast Asian countries, casinos and most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand, but football betting, underground gambling activities and lotteries are widespread.

PHILIPPINES

More than a million people gathered in the capital, Manila, to protest against the Philippine Congress’ attempts to remove Vice President Sara Dutertein what is considered an internal power struggle between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Duterte family. The event was organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo. Midterm elections will be held in May.

RUSSIA – MOLDOVA

The situation is worsening in Transnistria, the separatist republic of Moldova, where a state of energy crisis has been brewing for more than a week due to the cessation of Russian gas transit from Ukraine. In the capital, Tiraspol, electricity is distributed in a fan, with four hours of daily suspension, and according to the government, the reserves are only enough for 20 days, with the risk of a total blockage of the system, which would take months to restore. under way.

GEORGIA – CHINA

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Iraklij Kobakhidze, met with the Chinese ambassador Zhou Qian for the second time since the disputed elections in December, to offer his condolences for the recent earthquake in China, but above all to discuss the issues of the “strategic partnership » between Tbilisi and Beijing and the development of trade relations.