NewsPolitical turmoil in Asia: Murder, elections, and conflict. This is what happened in the news overnight
Political turmoil in Asia: Murder, elections, and conflict. This is what happened in the news overnight
While you were sleeping, here's what global agencies reported overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
- The case of the politician's murder in Mumbai has shaken the entire country. On Saturday night, 66-year-old Baba Ziauddin Siddique was shot near his car as he was leaving his son's office. He later died in hospital. The motives for the murder are not yet known. Police have so far arrested three people, ensuring the investigation is ongoing. According to investigators, the suspects fired six to seven shots, hitting the politician in the abdomen and chest. Two pistols and 28 rounds of live ammunition were found with the men. Local media reports indicate that those arrested are part of the notorious Bishnoi gang, whose leader is currently in prison. One of the men claiming to be a gang member posted on Facebook that they were behind Siddique's murder. The police have not yet confirmed the authenticity of the post. Siddique was a member of the coalition governing the state of Maharashtra, whose capital is Mumbai. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called the murder "a complete failure of law and order in Maharashtra because in broad daylight it happened," and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that this incident frightened not only the residents of Maharashtra, but the entire country.
- Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced sharp criticism after purchasing a multi-million-dollar house atop a cliff. Australia is currently experiencing a nationwide housing crisis. The Prime Minister made the purchase a few months before the elections, during which time the cost of living and housing played a crucial role. His decision elicited many negative comments, even from members of his party. Albanese defended himself by stating that he knows "what it's like to struggle" but explained that he bought this luxury property to be closer to his fiancée's family. Documents show that the house in Copacabana, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and three parking spaces offering panoramic views, was sold for approximately 3.7 million Canadian dollars.
- Russia is taking active measures to interfere in Moldova's electoral process. The main motivation for Moscow is the attempt to derail Chisinau's efforts to join the European Union. To support its chosen candidate, Russia is spending significant financial resources. John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, conveyed this information on Tuesday. During a briefing, Kirby confirmed that Moscow is spending large sums to influence the outcome of the elections in Moldova. - Russia is interfering in the electoral process in Moldova to derail its EU accession efforts, spending millions of dollars to help the candidate it supports – the National Security Council spokesperson stated.
- Fierce battles continue in Sudan between government forces and rebels. Near Khartoum, the military destroyed a rare Russian armoured vehicle, Federal-M, used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as confirmed by local media. One of the materials published on the X service shows a damaged rover painted in desert colours, standing on flat tires, scorched and riddled with bullets. Fights between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF began on April 15, 2023. The UN has accused several countries, including Russia, of fueling and prolonging the war in Sudan. Russia is supplying both sides of the conflict – the Sudanese government received fighter planes from it in August, while the rebels are being armed by mercenaries linked to the former Wagner group. The government troops are also supported by Iran, supplying them with their own Mohajer-6 drones, and additionally, cooperation with the Sudanese army is backed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
- According to North Korean state media, nearly 1.4 million young Koreans enlisted in the army last week. This is supposedly a reaction to growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "Young people are determined to fight in a 'holy war to destroy the enemy with the weapons of revolution,'" – the statement reads. Meanwhile, Reuters notes that this is the latest report on the increasing number of recruits joining the Korean People's Army. On Tuesday, North Korea reportedly blew up parts of roads at its border with South Korea. On the same day, the South Korean military reportedly fired warning shots – as reported by the Yonhap agency. According to reports, this is in response to a military operation by Pyongyang that was officially announced a few days earlier.
