Dario Salvi

Since the start of the war in Ukraine and the imposition of Western sanctions, Russian bullion exports have had to find new paths. For Russia the UAE has become a favourite destination for its gold, followed by China and Turkey. Reuters reports that 75.7 tonnes of Russian bullion found its way into the Gulf country in the past year, up from only 1.3 tonnes in 2021.

Cambodian authorities have arrested four people for allegedly planning to overthrow the government from the north-eastern province of Ratanakkiri. Charges are based on their attendance of a worship organised by the Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Community. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Sen threatens foreign governments and embassies ahead of the July elections.

The Shura Council 'unanimously' repealed the controversial Article 353 of the Penal Code. It allowed rapists to avoid jail time by marrying the victim. For the Minister of Justice now 'they will not escape just punishment'. The rules must be updated 'as societies and cultures evolve'.

Nearly 500,000 Turks living abroad have already voted for the second round, which pits Erdoğan against Kılıçdaroğlu. Parties are still seeking votes on the back of Syrian refugees, pushing for their repatriation. The new parliament includes 121 women, a record, but most seats have gone to parties that want to curb their rights.

The prelate spoke about the situation in Iraq during a recent trip to the United States. Some of those who fled to Western countries are coming back, especially to Kurdistan, hoping to raise their families in a Catholic environment. Since the defeat of the Islamic State, the number of Chaldean families has doubled to 4,000 out of a total of 8,000 Christian families.

Today's news: Hong Kong police want to install surveillance cameras in schools and universities. India's defence production grew by 12 per cent. North Korea is set to launch a new spy satellite, a "step forward" in military science. Turkey is pressing to add "Islamophobia" in a UNESCO resolution on discrimination. Cambodian opposition leader slams upcoming elections as a "sham", calls on democratic countries not to recognise their legitimacy.

According to Unicef data 3.7 million children in Syria and 2.5 million in Turkey are living in severe poverty and precarious conditions. Over 4 million have had to interrupt their studies, already hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Source of AsiaNews: 'Structural' problems, lack of classrooms and teachers. They need 'prefabricated schools, stationery, books'.

The World Health Organisation is set to hold its annual meeting on 21-30 May in Geneva. Several countries support Taiwan’s presence as an "observer", but mainland China is poised to reject it. Taiwan’s Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan stresses that exchanging information in a post-pandemic world is crucial and points to the island's health system as a “model".

Today's headlines: Raisi and Putin oversee the signing of an agreement for a made-in-Tehran rail line; Record Nepalese climber reaches Everest summit for 27th time. April record number of tourists in Japan in post-Covid era. Cautious optimism of UN special envoy on Yemen peace talks. Azerbaijani environmentalist raises alarm over drying Caspian Sea.

Recent street protests against the slander and ambitions of “Rayan the Chaldean” are a “sign of strength, Cardinal Sako told AsiaNews. The self-styled Christian leader, head of a militia set up to fight the Islamic State, accuses Church leaders of theft and abuse. In reality, he already controls much of the Nineveh Plains and wants more power.

Today's headlines: Malaysia government drops appeal on use of the word "Allah" for non-Muslims sparking ire of Islamic extremist movements; World Bank warning, Jordan increasingly at risk of poverty; Pakistani court released on bail Christian widow accused of blasphemy; Sugar prices continue to rise due to Delhi's export cuts; New Taipei mayor (likely) opposition presidential candidate.

For some months now, rural brigades have been roaming the countryside monitoring farmers’ activities, as their urban counterparts do in the cities. Their action has sparked controversy, beginning with their heavy-duty equipment. For some observers, this is a sign that food security is high on the minds of China’s leaders.