The need to contribute financially to their families’ is turning students, even very young ones, into cross-border porters, a trend that is growing, especially in western Iran. Increasingly, many are also victims of accidents or shot by Pasdaran.
Today's news: Bangkok court convicts Chinese businessman and three accomplices for running a surrogate mother circuit; Agreement between IMF and Islamabad to allocate a first tranche of $1.1 billion; Aramco will increase gas production by 60%; Two Vietnamese pro-minority activists sentenced to prison for 'abuse of democratic freedoms'.
Today's news: At least 15 Palestinians killed in Israeli raid on Nuseirat refugee camP; In India, water reservoirs are at their lowest levels in five years; Pyongyang launches "super-large" rockets capable of hitting Seoul; Villagers in Laos accuse Chinese company of polluting the Mekong.
The autonomous region is expected to go to the polls on 10 June in a vote postponed several times due to disagreements between the min Kurdish parties. A ruling by Iraq's Federal Supreme Court is causing chaos after it abolished minority quota seats. Both the Chaldean patriarch and the Shura Council of Kurdistan have criticised the court’s ruling, which puts at risk the crucial, yet fragile balance exists between various groups.
Today's news: in Gaza, according to the UN, a surge in deaths from starvation is 'imminent'; South Korean president's warning: fake news and artificial intelligence a 'threat' to democracy; Indian police arrest five people for the assault on Muslim university students at a hostel in Gujarat; Burmese junta bombing in Rakhine kills at least 23 civilians, including women and the elderly.
An investigation reveals the effects of an amendment passed in November affecting thousands of people. The seizures are aimed at creating 'reserve building areas', a temporary measure to speed up recovery. Citizens protest: 'We are able to repair our homes'.
Today's news: only 51.7% of South Koreans want to get married, 28.3% intend to have children 'with certainty'; Hanoi reports annual crop losses of three billion dollars, Mekong Delta in crisis; Elections in India scheduled between 19 April and early June; The Israeli government instituted the annual national day of remembrance of the 'catastrophe' on 7 October; Russian President Putin re-elected with 87.17% of the vote.
In contrast to Europe, Turkey is increasingly focusing on fossil fuels taking advantage of falling prices. According to Ember, coal use for power generation in the country has gone from 25 per cent in 2013 to 36 per cent today. In 2023, more than US$ 3.7 billion were spent on coal imports.
Today's headlines: Senior doctors in South Korea join trainee doctors’ protest. India's foreign exchange reserves reach their highest level in two years. Iran is beset by a severe nursing shortage with more than 3,000 emigrating abroad a year. Thailand is considering legalising casinos. The Chinese are quietly occupying Siberia, raising concerns among local Russians.
The extremist group plans to release Israeli hostages, including female soldiers, in exchange for a truce and the release of a thousand Palestinian prisoners. Smotrich attacks the White House over sanctions against settlers. Gideon Sa'ar leaves Gantz's centrist alliance, weakening the alternative to Netanyahu.
Pope Francis has authorised the promulgation of the heroic virtues of the prelate who died in 1953, considered "the Newman of the East” in his native India. ““Our Church has been praying fervently for many years” for this day, Card Baselios Cleemis told AsiaNews. Thus, “his unconditional commitment to Providence” has been recognised. The latest papal decrees also recognise the miracle that will lead to the beatification of Istifan al-Duwayhi, the great Maronite patriarch of the 17th century.
Turkey is developing a US$ 17 billion, 100,000-job project to connect Asia and Europe by rail and road, competing with rival Israel and the United Arab Emirates. This is why Turkey’s military is planning a summer campaign against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan. A high-level meeting between Turkish and Iraqi officials was held today in Baghdad.
Over the weekend, the bells at Ibrahim Al-Khalil Church chimed for the first time. Its inaugural Mass will take place by Easter. Speaking to AsiaNews, the engineer who conceived and financed its construction calls for peace in Gaza, saying that the Church will be a place full of symbolism to "show the world" our Christian "identity”. Many now hope that it will draw pilgrims to “rediscover their land”.
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