Putin and Modi in China. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin attended a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin yesterday; more than twenty heads of state were present. Modi had an almost hourlong car ride with Putin in addition to a bilateral India-Russia meeting, and the two leaders held hands as they walked to greet Xi. The show of unity comes as the United States tries to discourage India from buying Russian oil through 50 percent tariffs.
Afghanistan earthquake. At least 1,400 people have been killed and another 3,000 injured after an earthquake hit near the eastern Afghanistan city of Jalalabad on Sunday. The EU, India, Iran, and Japan pledged aid, though the area is mountainous and hard to reach. The United States provided 45 percent of Afghanistan’s aid last year but has since suspended almost all of it.
Houthi leaders’ funeral. Thousands of people attended a funeral for Houthi leaders yesterday after an Israeli attack last Thursday killed several of the rebel group’s senior officials. The attack fatally struck most members of the Houthi cabinet, including the prime minister. The Houthi defense minister has not appeared publicly since the attack.
Belgium to recognize Palestinian state. Belgium today became the latest country to announce plans to recognize a Palestinian state at this month’s UN General Assembly. The Belgian foreign minister said the move will be formalized when “the last hostage has been released and Hamas no longer has any role in managing Palestine.” Belgium also plans to review public purchases of goods from Israeli companies and ban imports from Israeli settlements.
U.S. restricts Palestinian visitors. The Trump administration has stopped issuing most kinds of visas to Palestinian passport holders. The State Department told the New York Times that the step was in compliance with U.S. national security without giving further details. Last month, Washington paused visa approvals for Palestinians from Gaza and Palestinian officials who hoped to attend the UN General Assembly.
Protests in Indonesia. At least eight people have died in protests across the country in recent days, a senior Indonesian official said yesterday. The demonstrations, which oppose government perks for lawmakers and police violence, prompted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to cancel a planned visit to China. Prabowo ordered “firm” action from security forces in response but also rescinded a controversial new housing allowance for lawmakers in response to protestors’ demands.
Syria’s oil exports. Syria exported crude oil from the Tartus terminal on its western coast yesterday for the first time in fourteen years. Before its civil war started in 2011, oil accounted for around half of Syria’s exports. A Syrian official did not say where the oil came from; much of the country’s oil lies in areas controlled by Kurdish authorities.
UK policy on refugee families. The United Kingdom (UK) is suspending applications for a program to fast-track resettlement for family members of refugees already in the country. The home secretary said the move brings the UK in line with its neighbors. Families of refugees will now be subject to the same rules as family members of all types of migrants, which generally require additional proof of income and accommodation in the country.
