Dario Salvi

The government has approved a plan to cap rail fares at 20 baht (US$ 0.60) in the capital's metropolitan area. The aim is to encourage motorists to use public transport. The price applies only to Thai citizens, not foreigners. This represents savings of just under US$ 310 million.

Under the pretext of security, the Hong Kong government presented lawmakers with a bill aimed at tightening the rules for meetings with doctors, lawyers, and religious leaders. According to its backers, violations and abuses have characterised prison visits in the past. According to the authorities, human and civil rights, including those of prisoners, should be “limited by the need to maintain national security, discipline and order.”

Mehran Shamloui, 37, was trying to reach Europe, but was stopped by Turkish authorities who sent him back to his country of origin, he had been sentenced recently to 10 years in prison for religious activities. Meanwhile, Iran continues its policy of expelling hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants.

Taybeh’s parish priest raises the alarm about the increasing violence by pro-occupation groups, backed by Israeli authorities. For the clergyman, people live "without security or protection". Palestinians are being attacked, driven from their homes, their land seized. The last two extremists arrested in connection with the Kafr Malik raids and the attack on the IDF base have been released.

Today's headlines: Moscow accepts Afghan ambassador's credentials; The Burmese junta has “dismissed” 93 child soldiers; An hour-long phone call between Putin and Trump fails to bring “any progress” on a truce in Ukraine; North Korean crosses border into South in demilitarised zone, questioned by Seoul intelligence.

The promoters of the moralising campaign are Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman and Kidapawan Mayor Jose Paolo ‘Pao’ Evangelista. The bans concern the use of promoting one's image on projects and initiatives financed with public funds. A ‘no gifts’ policy has also been applied in government offices.

Today's news: South Korean Parliament approves Kim Min-seok as prime minister; Hamas reportedly ready to accept truce proposal, Israeli army accused of using internationally banned bombs in bar raid; Over 900 earthquakes in two weeks in a chain of islands in southern Japan; Hong Kong opens the door to legal recognition of same-sex couples; Dhaka, first conviction for exiled former Prime Minister Hasina.

Extremist groups have attacked the LeMan magazine, while a Turkish court issued an arrest warrant for the chief editor and three other people, including the cartoonist. Erdogan calls the cartoon a "clear, vile provocation" and accuses the authors of immorality. Activists and civil society movements condemn the manner of the arrest, comparable to "torture", and the posting of its video.

Today's headlines: Number of survivors of Japan's nuclear holocaust falls below 100,000; Tehran: heavy damage to the Fordo nuclear plant; Through her lawyer, former Prime Minister Hasina rejects the charges in the trial in absentia that began yesterday; In cases of suspected fraud, Singapore police will be able to seize bank accounts; China braces for a new wave of rain and flooding.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the parish priest describes the tragic reality of a population that is getting more desperate by the day. The war continues in the shadow of Israel-Iran confrontation, with a glimmer of hope for fresh ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu is set to visit the White House next week. Palestinians in Gaza show photos of Israeli children killed by Hamas on 7 October.

Today's headlines: Two Turkish cartoonists arrested for a cartoon depicting Muhammad and Moses; John Lee praises Hong Kong's “security and competitiveness” on the 28th anniversary of its handover to China; In Telangana, 39 people are killed in an explosion at Sgachi Industries; An investigation reveals sectarian massacres against Alawites by groups close to Damascus; Manila is working on a “single theatre” approach to its confrontation with Beijing in the Asia-Pacific seas.

In recent days, three men accused of “spying” for Israel were executed. Dozens of Afghan migrants were detained in Operation “Plan Hijrat”. According to the UN, Tehran is deporting up to 30,000 Afghans a day. Arrests and interrogations also among Baha'is and Iranian Jews. An apparent show of force to mask military weaknesses.