The largest inland body of water will be neither sea nor lake but will benefit from "special" status. The leaders of Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed the deal. Some 50 billion barrels of oil and 300 trillion cubic metres of natural gas are at stake. The sea is famous for its caviar, the roe of wild sturgeons.
The area is a popular destination with tourists. The settlement was created in the 1950s. Most residents are Buddhists involved in inland fishing and farming. Residents have proposed different solutions to the authorities, without getting an answer.
The Brethren Church is located in the village of Depura. Its members have been threatened with "dire consequences". Today a young man was abducted from his home, dragged to a Hindu temple, had his head shaved, and was subjected against his will to a ceremony of reconversion to Hinduism.
The Japanese Minister of Education will also be present. The initiative involves a thousand students. Tokyo wants to confirm a summit with Xi in October. China and Japan mark 40 years since the signing of their peace and friendship treaty. Both want to counter US protectionism as the trade war escalates.
Two new priests were ordained in the parish of the Holy Cross in Beduai. Msgr. Mencuccini: "To become priests means to consecrate all of your life to God and to the Church so that you may 'die' for the good of your flock". Local Catholics perform traditional dances and ceremonies before the consecration.
“If true, this has disturbing national security implications”, MP wrote on twitter. Many want the government to clarify the matter, worried that financial sovereignty is shared with China, with which India almost clashed over the Doklam plateau.
