Relations between Moscow’s eastern neighbours remain largely in limbo, as they seek to reduce their dependence without severing ties with Russia for good. Meanwhile, in Bishkek, Xi Jinping has, yet again, rejected Putin’s call to unblock the ‘Power of Siberia 2’ gas pipeline project.
Today's headlines: Tehran executes three more men linked to the pro-Mahsa Amini protests; Thai authorities released after 50 days a 15-year-old girl arrested for insulting the monarchy; The rise of the Afghan Taliban fuelled child labour; North Korean soldiers beat to death a young boy who had tried to steal petrol from a military truck; New tensions between Hanoi, Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.
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.
The story of a yoga teacher from Petrozavodsz fined for anti-war ribbons displayed on the street: "There are many of us expressing ourselves, even though they try to hide us. I fear for the future of my children, who will have no future, and from whom they have also robbed the present."
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.
Today's headlines: hackers linked to North Korea stole 720 million in cryptocurrency from Japan; Cambodia's electoral commission has excluded the only opposition party; Foxconn invests half a billion dollars in Telangana; After years of legal battles villagers in Aceh reach an agreement with oil giant ExxonMobil; Putin ordered the transfer of Rublev's Trinity to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Today's headlines: elections in Turkey, the challenge between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu on the ballot; In Thailand clear assertion of opposition movements; Record CO2 emissions from China in the first quarter of 2023; Manila placed buoys in the EEZ around the Spratlys; First polio case of the year in Afghanistan;. In Russia there is psychosis over possible drone attacks.
Today's headlines : University research reveals a quarter of young people in Hong Kong today suffer from mental disorders; A new global plan for vaccines to developing countries will be discussed at the G7 in Hiroshima; Papua New Guinea foreign minister resigns over controversy over expenses of trip to London for King Charles' coronation; First Russian Orthodox prayer book in Malagasy language.
When anything can be considered a threat, it is no longer important how real this risk or effective the containment measures, the only thing that matters is to give the impression that "everything is under control".
New mines are constantly being opened in Russia, without too much concern about the environmental impact. Already in 2021 Russia was producing 346 tonnes of gold, exporting 87% of the precious metal. And today, Deputy Finance Minister Aleksej Moiseev declares that 'gold bars must replace foreign currency', which is now unaffordable.
Behind the reappearance of President Tokaev at the 9 May parade in Moscow are questions about the uneasy relations with Putin. According to some analysts, the disagreements over Ukraine are just 'smoke and mirrors'. But there are also those who claim that Russia is already targeting the more 'loyal' CSTO secretary Tasmagambetov to replace him.
Jewish immigrant boom from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus as a consequence of the war. Israeli government adopted procedures to speed up procedures. But ultra-Orthodox and religious Zionists now press for a clampdown to close the doors to those who do not really profess Judaism.
In Tatarstan, Diljara Gajsina is fighting in court against the intention to take her children away from her because of the unacceptable conditions of the house that the local administration itself assigned to her. This story is emblematic of the progressive deterioration of living conditions in peripheral regions.
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