Dario Salvi

Today's headlines: Emirates, maxi seizure of 13 tonnes of Captagon worth over a billion dollars; A 10-year-old boy in Hong Kong arrested for armed robbery, luxury watches worth nearly 650,000 euros in the loot; Tharman Shanmugaratnam sworn in as Singapore's ninth president; Border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened, but tension remains between the parties; Lavrov: 'Russia and China withdraw from UN sanctions on Pyongyang over nuclear programme'.

The two North African countries were hit recently by a quake and floods and are now struggling to deliver aid to devastated communities. But politics and diplomacy appear to be shaping the response to their emergencies. One of the few players to benefit is the UAE, whose investments and outreach in Africa has earned it some kudos.

Today's headlines: Tehran blocks internet to obscure pro-Mahsa Amini protests; Japanese government ready for reshuffle, more women; There has been no news of the Chinese Defence Minister for a fortnight; Jakarta wants to ban business transactions on social media; Hindu leader instigator of violence against Muslims in Haryana state arrested; Russian Minister of Economic Development proposes visa facilitation for Middle Eastern countries to encourage tourism.

Tensions are running high in Iran at the approach of the first anniversary of the death by the regime’s morality police of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman. Last weekend, authorities in the southwest of the country jailed six people for "organising" riots to remember her. An uncle of the young victim has also targeted. The Islamic Republic’s reign of terror and repression continues; more than 500 people have died during the unrest. At present, Iran’s economic woes risk overshadowing the fight for rights.

Today's headlines: at least 10 dead in clashes between rival factions in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon; Runoff between Solih and Muizzu scheduled for Sept. 30 to decide next president of the Maldives; Sexist behavior toward women in the workplace persists in South Korea; Kuala Lumpur wants to halt rare earth exports; Delhi ready to reintroduce firecracker ban for Diwali to try to curb air pollution in the capital.

The country’s parliament is set to vet a controversial bill by the Information Ministry. Experts view it as a step backward for a country that guarantees more freedoms than other Gulf region states. If adopted, the bill would ban criticising top officials, including the crown prince.

Today's headlines: Afghan Taliban against Islamabad for closing Torkham crossing; Manila wants a tariff cut on imported rice to curb price escalation. India's Silicon Valley paralyzed by vehicle strikes; Japanese premier announces government reshuffle and "drastic" economic measures; In Israel, artists and film and TV personalities revolt over industry cooperation agreement between Tel Aviv and Moscow; The "Tiger Valley" park in Tajikistan will enter among UNESCO heritage sites.

The steep decline is indicated in a report by the Ministry of Finance. The country saw a 34 per cent drop in foreign direct investment, with exit transactions down by 80 per cent (from US$ 307 to US$ 56 million). The main factors are the decline in the value of many US-based tech companies, the Ukraine war, inflation, and the contentious reform of the justice system.

Card Sako speaks out from his temporary headquarters in Erbil after the falling out with Iraq’s president. The Christian community feels threatened in its “very existence”. A “new horizon” is needed through the synodal path. The cardinal will be in Marseille for Mass with Pope Francis.

In As-Suwayda, hundreds of Druze, including women, protest against the economic crisis, corruption, drug trafficking, and subsidy cuts. The rallies are the most significant since the 2011 Arab Spring, but a lack of leadership undermines their prospects. Meanwhile, Syrian President Assad scraps military field courts, notorious for abuses and violations.

WHO estimates at least 34,300 measles and rubella cases in the first seven months of the year, up from 27,000 in 2022 (with 220 deaths). Critical issues include an overburdened health care system and low immunization rates. Need to strengthen vaccination campaign. AsiaNews sources: situation still "precarious" for a population experiencing a "painful crisis."

On 1 September 1923, a devastating earthquake followed by fires fuelled by a typhoon killed more than 100,000 people. Thousands of Koreans and Chinese were slaughtered following false accusations. Separate ceremonies were held in Japan today to mark the events. A hundred years later, the call for justice and the demand for an apology still fall on deaf ears.