Islamabad under lockdown as protesters call for Imran Khan’s release

In in the present day’s e-newsletter:

• Protesters descend on Islamabad

• Huawei’s new homegrown smartphone software program

• An interview with India’s central financial institution chief

Good morning. Pakistan has put its capital below lockdown as hundreds of supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan march in direction of the town to demand his launch.

Protesters from throughout the nation are descending on Islamabad in help of Khan, who stays a extensively standard determine in Pakistan and was imprisoned final yr on corruption prices.

One police officer was killed and dozens of others have been injured in clashes with protesters loyal to Khan, who has been acquitted or acquired bail in 5 circumstances, however faces legal prices in additional than 100 others, starting from graft to terrorism, in response to his social gathering.

Khan has denied all the prices, which his supporters say are politically motivated.

The most recent protests pose a contemporary risk to the legitimacy of the military-backed authorities. They’re additionally the most important demonstrations within the nation since elections in February, when candidates loyal to the previous prime minister’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf social gathering received probably the most seats however have been blocked from energy by the navy and conventional dynastic events.

Humza Jilani reports from Islamabad on the rising political tensions.

Right here’s what else we’re protecting tabs on in the present day:

• Financial information: Singapore publishes the economic manufacturing index for October.

• Conferences: The China Worldwide Provide Chain Expo begins in Beijing and the Apac Wind Power Summit opens in Seoul.

• Outcomes: Vietnamese electrical car maker VinFast reviews earnings.

5 extra high tales

1. Huawei is poised to launch its first flagship telephone that may run its personal apps on a completely homegrown working system, within the newest signal of how expertise is splintering into competing US and Chinese language ecosystems. The Mate 70 smartphone, which launches in the present day, will feature HarmonyOS Next, which the Chinese language firm hopes to determine as a serious rival to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.

2. French oil main TotalEnergies has suspended contemporary investments in joint power tasks with the Adani Group and mentioned the Indian conglomerate had not informed it of a US corruption probe at the same time as the businesses pursued offers collectively. Complete is considered one of Adani’s high-profile international companions on a number of Indian renewable power tasks, although these weren’t particularly focused within the US investigation. 

3. The US Division of Justice is searching for to drop two federal legal circumstances towards Donald Trump, abandoning its historic makes an attempt to prosecute the previous president after voters despatched him again to the White Home for an additional time period. DoJ particular counsel Jack Smith cited a long-standing coverage towards indicting and prosecuting a sitting president. Here are the cases that are set to be dismissed.

4. Israeli officers say a deal to finish the preventing with Hizbollah might be finalised “inside days”, as US diplomats work to dealer a ceasefire settlement that may finish greater than a yr of battle between Israel and the Lebanese militant group. Here’s what we know about the proposed deal.

5. A professional-Russia, far-right politician has received the primary spherical of Romania’s presidential elections, dealing a serious blow to the nation’s political institution. Călin Georgescu, who has praised Romania’s fascist wartime leaders and campaigned on a protectionist platform, will participate in a run-off vote in two weeks. Read more about Romania’s “political earthquake”.

Interview: RBI chief Shaktikanta Das

Reserve Financial institution of India governor Shaktikanta Das has defended the nation’s financial resilience, saying it was “well placed” to handle global shocks because the spectre of protectionism and commerce wars looms throughout Donald Trump’s second time period as US president.

We’re additionally studying . . . 

• Northvolt dilemma: The Swedish battery group’s fall has left Europe struggling over the best way to recraft its electric vehicle strategy to compete with China.

• Nato and Trump: Can Europe defend itself with out American help? Changing US navy heft will not be easy if the president-elect pulls help for the alliance.

• Techno-libertarians: Silicon Valley billionaires are promoting a dream of unfettered markets — however actuality is just not so sure, writes Rana Foroohar.

Chart of the day

The US greenback weakened and Treasuries rallied yesterday because the nomination of Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary eased investor fears over Donald Trump’s commerce tariff plans. Here’s what Bessent has said about the president-elect’s tariff pledges.

Take a break from the information

China’s chess world champion Ding Liren, who had not received a classical recreation since January, shocked India’s Dommaraju Gukesh within the opening spherical of their 14-game, $2.5mn title match. Leonard Barden reports on the championship showdown in Singapore.