Dario Salvi

Tehran is looking at alternative transport routes from Pakistan to China. The exploitation of a rail corridor to China, especially valuable for oil transport, is under consideration. A fourth South Korean ship has successfully crossed the Red Sea. Energy is also a central issue at the ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

Today’s headlines: first fatality of 2026 in Japan following a bear attack. Two Singaporean nationals in isolation after travelling on the cruise ship MV Hondius, the epicentre of the Hantavirus outbreak. Six dead, including two children, in north-west Pakistan after a mortar shell struck a market. Beijing sentences two former defence ministers to death.

A nun has been attacked, the door of the Armenian cathedral has been spat upon, symbols of the faith have been desecrated. Abbot Schnabel spoke to AsiaNews about what is happening. Some places like Mount Zion are more at risk because extremists and radicals consider them their own. In the case of the attack against the Tabgha church, the “lawyer who defended the arsonists was Itamar Ben-Gvir. Now he is the minister in charge of national security, in charge of my security,” said the abbot.

Today’s headlines: War, energy, and Myanmar take center stage at the 48th ASEAN summit opening today in Cebu. Three Iranian Christians arrested for promoting an “evangelical network.” Beijing harshly criticizes Eswatini for meeting with Taiwan’s president. Jakarta plans to ban e-commerce for those under 16. Four people killed in post-election unrest in West Bengal.

Today’s headlines: Hanoi announces a new crackdown on online piracy and counterfeit goods in response to US pressure; Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate (and prisoner) Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her life; Record growth for the Indonesian economy, driven by public spending; Nepal’s new prime minister rejects criticism and deems the ban on student unions legitimate.

Three Indian workers were wounded in the Iranian attack on the Fujairah oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates, the only one that bypasses Hormuz, a development that threatens to reignite the regional conflict, amidst competing alliances and interests. Against this backdrop, Abu Dhabi decided to leave the cartel of oil-exporting countries and consolidate its alliance with Israel. These steps, for Iran, will lead to the “collapse” of the Gulf.

Today’s headlines: New flashpoints in the conflict between the US and Iran in the Gulf, with missiles and drones targeting the UAE; Singapore’s Education Minister says caning as a disciplinary measure should be used when other options are “ineffective”; Record electricity production in India, with further peaks expected in summer linked to El Niño; Turkey and Armenia have reached an agreement on the restoration of the historic Ani Bridge.

Today’s headlines: Prime Minister Modi’s party is heading for victory in several key states in the local legislative elections; The ADB is ready to assist Pacific nations affected by the war in the Middle East; Police in Sri Lanka have arrested 37 Chinese nationals on suspicion of cyber fraud; Taiwanese President Lai in Eswatini following Beijing’s attempts to block the trip; A man arrested for assault during a service at Singapore Life Church.

A trade union is threatening an 18-day production stoppage if its demand for bonuses proportional to the group’s record revenues is not met. The production halt would create a shortfall of nearly $700 million. President Lee calls on workers and trade unions to act “responsibly” against excessive demands and urges greater “solidarity”.

Kuwait-born US journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was arrested and had his passport revoked for publishing the video of a US fighter jet crashing. A similar measure was taken against 21 other people, including two sisters. Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people accused of sympathies with Iran. Activists see the conflict as giving the authorities an “opportunity to crack down even harder”.

This is what emerges from the report “Children in Statistics 2025” compiled by TurkStat. In 1970, children accounted for 48.5% of the population; today they account for 24.8%. Regional disparities in infant mortality; the southeastern regions have the highest number of children. Record numbers also for minors in prison, in pretrial detention, or convicted. A new law against social media use by those under 15.

From India to Australia, Tibetan expatriates in 27 countries elected the 45-member assembly with 93 candidates running. Just over 91,000 voters cast their ballot. The five-year parliament, based in Dharamsala, serves as the representative body for the approximately 150,000 Tibetans living in exile. Young voters call for greater attention to the community's future.