Dario Salvi

After scaling NEOM and other infrastructure, Saudi authorities plan to develop Islam's holy city. The King Salman Gate project was unveiled this week, covering 12 million square metres and provide 300,000 jobs over 10 years. Commercial, cultural, and residential spaces are also planned. But there are also critics.

Today's headlines: After a two-hour phone call, Trump ready to meet Putin in Hungary “for peace in Ukraine”; Israel and Hamas exchange accusations over “violations” of the truce and the return of deceased hostages; Gold smuggling is on the rise on the eve of two key festivals in India ; Seoul develops first organ donation plan based on cessation of heartbeat; Ankara rejects accusations of deporting Christian foreigners.

Today's headlines: Indian refineries are reportedly ready to cut imports of Russian oil. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian province of Papua, with no tsunami warning. Foreign visitors to Japan on the rise, with a target of 40 million tourists in 2025. Meeting with Putin, Syrian leader al-Sharaa says he is ready to honour all agreements with Moscow. Beijing raises the maximum age for public sector employment.

According to the US-based Gaza-born scholar, Hamas is seeking to "restore complete monopoly" over the territory and in weapons. To this end, it is “killing and torturing other Palestinians” on the pretext that they collaborated with Israel. A mission is needed "to enforce law and order” to “protect Palestinians”. Among the people he talks to in Gaza, “there's a sense of fear that we are going back to October 6th”.

Today's headlines: Syrian interim president al-Sharaa in Moscow to meet with Russian leader Putin. Hanoi aims for 10% economic growth over the next five years. Up to 80 South Koreans are missing in Cambodia, victims of scams or fake jobs. At least 16 people have died in a factory fire in Bangladesh. Christians in Mosul celebrate the inauguration of two churches.

The Chaldean Patriarch launches an appeal less than a month before the general election, inviting people to choose candidates ‘suitable to serve the people without discrimination’. The issue of the fight against corruption and the power struggle between groups. The choice of Christian candidates and the risk of infiltration. The unresolved issue of the political participation of Iraqi minorities after 2003.

Today's headlines: Death of Nepalese hostage confirmed, his remains among the four returned yesterday by Hamas; Sex tourism from Japan and China fuels child prostitution in Laos; From Malaysia to the Philippines, schools closed due to tens of thousands of cases of flu and respiratory viruses among students and school staff; By 2028, South Korean authorities intend to build the first civilian anti-nuclear bunker.

Israel’s prime minister pulls out from the signing of the agreement, ostensibly because of a Jewish holiday, but the most likely reason is the presence of Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli media announced a historic visit by Indonesian President Prabowo to Israel tomorrow, which Indonesia’s foreign ministry quickly denied. Modi snubs the summit, sending his Minister of State for External Affairs.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Yonatan Zeigen calls for breaking the mould of a country at war where time has stood still since the tragedy of 7 October. The time has come to think about the present and the future, beyond Trump's peace deal, and imagine a "different vision" based on "equality" between the two peoples. Now a new leadership, a new government, a new mindset are needed for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Today's headlines: dozens of fighters and soldiers killed in border clashes between the Pakistani army and Afghan Taliban; World Expo 2025 closes today in Japan; Jakarta doubles key allowance for parliamentarians; Beijing and Pyongyang ready to “develop” relations and strategic cooperation; Dhaka launches national typhoid vaccination campaign.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck at 9:43 am near Manay, coastal Davao Oriental, followed by hundreds of aftershocks throughout the day. Damage was reported to homes, hospitals, schools and other buildings, as well as bridges. Rescue teams are still at work.

AsiaNews publishes the thoughts on the Gaza peace deal (in its first phase) by the political activist and mediator. A key player in the release of Israeli soldier Shalit, he has worked behind the scenes in recent months to achieve a ceasefire. Against the backdrop of Biden's weakness, the Netanyahu government's war at all costs, and Trump's strength in imposing peace (with Turks and Arabs), Baskin's remarks are a testament to the ongoing struggle.