January 5, 2022

*) Kazakhstan government resigns after violent protests over fuel price Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has accepted the government's resignation after mass protests over fuel price increase. Tokayev named Alikhan Smailov as acting prime minister. A state of emergency was declared in Almaty and the oil-producing western Mangistau province. The protests began in Mangistau province on Sunday following the lifting of price caps on liquefied petroleum gas, after which its price more than doubled. *) North Korea launches possible ballistic missile into sea North Korea has fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into the sea, in the first such launch by Pyongyang this year. The latest launch came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to further boost the country's military capability last week. The development signals that Pyongyang isn’t interested in rejoining denuclearisation talks anytime soon. ​​​*) US reports record one million Covid cases in single day Nearly two years into the pandemic, the United States has become the first country to report one million coronavirus cases in a single day. President Joe Biden addressed the nation, telling the public not to be afraid. He instead urged them to be vigilant and get vaccinated Meanwhile, ​​a lockdown has been declared in the Chinese city of Yuzhou after it reported some new coronavirus cases. *) Palestinian prisoner ends 140-day hunger strike after deal with Israel A Palestinian prisoner who was on hunger strike for over 140 days to protest being imprisoned without charge has agreed to end his fast. Hisam Abu Hawash, a 40-year-old father of five, agreed to end his strike after reaching a deal with Israel to be released next month. Abu Hawash is the latest of several Palestinians to go on hunger strike to protest being held under “administrative detention,” a controversial measure Israel says is needed for security. And finally … *) Djokovic criticised for medical exemption to play at Australian Open World tennis number on