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China-Russia drills

Russia and China have held a naval exercise in the Western part of the Pacific Ocean with warships of the two nations patrolling a vast maritime region. During their first joint patrols, Russian and Chinese vessels have covered over 1,700 nautical miles. They have passed through the Tsugaru Strait for the first time in the six-day patrols. The waterway, in northern Japan, is regarded as international waters. It separates Japan’s main island and its northern island of Hokkaido. Japan said earlier this week that a group of 10 vessels from Russia and China sailed through the waterway. The Russian Defense Ministry says the drill aims to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and protect the two countries’ maritime trade activities.

Seeking to silence Palestinians

Angry reactions are pouring in following Israel’s designation of six Palestinian civil society and human rights groups as terrorist organizations. Palestinian human rights organization “Al-Haq” has also joined the chorus of condemnation. Jabarin also urged the countries which support Palestine to adopt a clear position and take serious and strong action on the issue. The Palestinian premier has also called on world bodies to denounce the designation and prevent its implementation. Mohammad Shtayyeh says the Palestinian organizations work with international institutions, SO, their blacklisting is a serious violation of human rights. The Hamas resistance movement has also blasted the move as terrorist behavior, accusing Israel of waging a war on Palestinians’ existence. The UN Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territories has also expressed alarm.

Germany surging COVID pandemic

Germany has recorded its highest coronavirus infection rate since May. According to the Robert Koch institute, Germany’s incidence rate has reached 100 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days. This figure was previously used as benchmark for lockdowns. However, the country’s health minister says they can deal with the rising cases now because of high vaccination rates. Over 15-thousand new cases were recorded in the past day, a sharp rise from the same time last week. Also, 86 daily deaths were recorded, raising the fatalities to over 95,000. The country’s national state of emergency will end on November 25, meaning restrictions will automatically expire then unless extended by parliamentary vote.

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