Thursday, August 25, 2022

*) Taiwan unveils record defence budget Taiwan has proposed a record 19 billion dollars in defence spending for next year. This comes weeks after China conducted large-scale military exercises around the island. China sees Taiwan as its sovereign territory. The proposed defence budget is an increase of almost 14 percent compared to last year. The double-digit increase includes an additional three and a half billion dollars in spending for new fighter jets. *) Türkiye: Grain deal could restart Russia-Ukraine negotiations Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said that the landmark Türkiye-brokered grain deal could work as a platform to restart negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Kalin said Türkiye believes that the trust built between the two sides could in fact work as a platform to restart the negotiations. Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed a deal last month to resume grain exports from the Ukrainian Black Sea ports. *) Ethiopia's government, rebels trade blame over renewed clashes in Tigray Ethiopia’s government and rebels in the restive Tigray region have traded blame after fighting erupted, ending a months-long truce and severely denting hopes of lasting peace. The government accused Tigray rebels of carrying out attacks on Ethiopian forces near Kobo district and effectively breaking the cease-fire. However, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front said Ethiopian forces have launched a “large-scale offensive” on rebel positions. *) Drought hits half of China in the worst heatwave on record Half of China is now experiencing drought as the country goes through its hottest summer on record. A chart from the National Climate Centre shows swathes of southern China, including the Tibetan Plateau, experiencing "severe" to "extraordinary" drought. Scientists say the extreme weather phenomena are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. *) Pakistan to send troops for FIFA World Cup security in Qatar Pakistan is set to provide its troops for the security of the FIFA