The Maronite patriarch highlights how refugees now top more than half the Lebanese population, and have become “a demographic, economic, political, cultural and security threat”. Hence, “their return to safe places in Syria has become a necessity”.
The recommendations of an official commission have been made public. Unexpectedly, a majority favours nuclear energy. Moon had pledged to scrap nuclear power. The country relies on nuclear power for a third of its electricity, which will be phased out gradually over a 60-year period.
The Chinese manufacturer, Crrc, is expanding its presence in the European market. The new locomotive meets all the standards and technical requirements of the old continent.
A Tencent game for those who applaud most at video of Xi's speech at the Party Congress. The public praise of cadres. Greetings from countries around the world interested in the "Belt and Road Initiative".
The image of the religion has been affected by sexual and financial scandals. Closer checks have been imposed on the finances of thousands of temples. Senior monks now exert tough discipline. Donations and sales of sacred objects in temples have been prohibited. The “inappropriate use of social media" has also been banned. Some 35 monasteries and 29 individuals are under investigations. Relations between monks and the state have become rocky.
Some 1,600 schools have been destroyed or damaged, whilst another 170 have been used for military purposes or shelters for displaced people. One school in ten has been closed. About three quarters of teachers have not been paid in a year. Without education, children could become child soldiers or child brides.
