Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile capable of attacking the US

Today’s news: a devastating fire in the northern Gaza Strip left 21 dead, including seven children; Beijing, new censorship system on the web: the approval of comments will be mandatory prior to their publication; Thai police arrest a wildlife dealer carrying tiger cubs from Laos; fear of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan: there could be mass arrests; Russian ports are on the brink of collapse.

NORTH KOREA – JAPAN

The Kim regime conducted a new missile experiment. According to the Japanese government, Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the territory of the United States. The rocket sank in the Sea of ​​Japan, 210 km west of Hokkaido. Washington condemned the test – a retaliation for the growing US presence – and Seoul called for tougher responses against North Korea.

LOOP

At least 21 dead, including seven children, is the balance of a fire that broke out yesterday in a residential building in the Jabalia camp, north of the Gaza Strip. Sources at the al-Andounisi hospital report that several of the injured are in serious condition. In the next few hours the number of victims could increase. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it was extinguished by firefighters after a few hours.

PAKISTAN – AFGHANISTAN

A video showing Afghan refugees tied up with a rope and being led away by police has reignited fears of such attacks. mass arrests in Pakistan. In the images, which have gone viral, the migrants – detained in the southern province of Sindh – appear as part of a group of 1,500 that includes women and children. In case of irregular or absent visas, Islamabad threatens penalties of up to three years in prison.

CHINA

Beijing imposes new restrictions Online: Now requires websites, apps, and platforms to request “political” approval of comments or emoticons prior to posting. As of December 15, it will be mandatory to request the revision of the text before its online publication, and censorship will apply to any platform open to public opinion or used for “social mobilization.”

THAILAND – LAOS

Thai police arrested a trafficker of wild animals in danger of extinction. Thanad Wongsarm, 63, was arrested while selling four two-month-old tiger cubs for more than 42,000 euros. The man could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. The animals supposedly come from Laos, where there are no longer wild cats in the forests, instead the specimens are bred in mini zoos or tiger farms.

RUSSIA

Russian ports are on the brink of collapse, particularly Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea, where commercial cargoes arrive from India and ships are forced to wait two to three weeks before being able to unload. The infrastructure is proving insufficient for the new needs and there is a drastic shortage of personnel, which also affects the transit ports of Iran.

ARMENIA – AZERBAIJAN

The interventions and tweets of the Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, who accuses the Azerbaijanis of procuring the genocide of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh, are multiplying. Residents are reportedly terrified by threatening public proclamations by President Aliev, dressed in military uniform, and by the widespread construction of military trenches and bunkers, with provocations that could soon lead to further violent clashes.