India

Despite recent discoveries of deposits in Kashmir, India is still dependent on minerals from China. Last week, New Delhi and Buenos Aires inked an agreement to explore and develop five lithium deposits in Argentina’s Catamarca province, a deal that could open the door to other forms of cooperation.

Temperatures warmer than seasonal averages and low rainfall over the past few months have resulted in what experts describe as the "driest winter" in the region. From Nepal and northern Pakistan to Tibet and Bhutan, a combination of different weather factors is to blame, including the climate crisis and El Niño.

Today's news: India won't withdraw troops from the Maldives, after archipelago's president seeks relations with Beijing; Seoul court approves seizure of funds from a Japanese company to compensate for wartime labour exploitation; Israel denies the attack on the UN shelter in Gaza that also drew a rebuke from Washington; Fuel runs out in Laos.

In Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, the celebrations for the new Ram Mandir in Ayodhya provided an opportunity for further intimidation of Christians. The police refused to accept complaints, citing "pressure from above". The local diocese asks for protection.

Today's news: progress on the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, but Hamas wants an end to the war; In Islamabad, a Belucian garrison was removed and protesters were booked; As Beijing forges alliances in the Pacific, Taiwan asks Biden to join the US-led 'Indo-Pacific economic framework'; Modi's India expels French journalist Vanessa Dougnac, correspondent of the Catholic newspaper La Croix.

The Ram Mandir, the new temple symbol of India in the place disputed with Muslims, has been officially consecrated. For Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “our Lord Ram has finally arrived,” marking “the beginning of a new era”. Bishop Mathias hopes that the “Ram Rajya (Reign of Rama) that Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of for our beloved country” will be realised. Today also marks 25 years since Rev Staines and his two sons were burnt alive in one of the most brutal acts of religious violence in the country's recent history.

As required by the Supreme Court ruling settling the dispute, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated land for the new mosque, which will be some 25 kilometres from the city centre. Thus far, the project exists only on paper while the local Muslim community is wary of the state body that is raising funds for its construction.

The war against Hamas is profoundly changing Israel’s labour market, especially in agriculture and construction. Tens of thousands of Thais and Nepalis have left, while Palestinian workers are no longer allowed in with Israel calling up of 350,000 reservists. India and Sri Lanka are looking with interest at the opportunities created even if the Indian government will not provide any social protections.

Today's news: Taiwan says it has detected six more Chinese spy balloons flying over the island; In May, construction will begin on a new mosque in Ayodhya, India; Putin says he plans to visit Pyongyang soon; Israeli Foreign Minister Katz and his Palestinian counterpart al-Maliki will attend the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels separately: Tajikistan continues the work of "de-Russification" of its civil code.

According to the latest Annual Status of Education Report, more than 50 per cent of rural students between 14 and 18 fail to solve a three-digit division, a problem whose solution is usually taught in primary school. Many continue to struggle even with basic reading. Among the causes: poor training and low wages for teachers.

For weeks, the city on the border with Myanmar has been rocked by attacks and reprisals between ethnic Meitei and Kuki. Seven deaths have been reported in the last few hours. The Sisters of Mother Teresa have also been forced to leave their home amid fighting between armed men and Indian security forces.

Today's news: Pyongyang tests a "new" undersea nuclear weapon; Islamabad holds emergency meeting after border tensions; In Thailand, a man faces 50 years for lese majesty; New allegations of human rights violations in Colombo over anti-drug campaign; Tehran and Delhi begin talks to defend trade from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.