NORTH KOREA
At least five children in North Korea have died following respiratory illnesses linked to Covid-19. An escalation that led the authorities in the province of Ryanggang, on the border with China, to implement a series of restrictive measures, including quarantine, masks and lockdowns for the little ones. Schools and nurseries are temporarily closed. According to some anonymous sources in the area the situation could be "far worse".
ISRAEL - PALESTINE
Extreme food shortages in some parts of the Strip have already far exceeded famine levels and a surge in starvation deaths would be "imminent" if there is no immediate ceasefire and a food surge. According to the UN Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), 70% of people in some parts of northern Gaza are affected by the most severe level of food shortages, far exceeding the 20% famine threshold. A total of 1.1 million people, around half the population, are experiencing "catastrophic" food shortages - the worst category with around 300,000 now facing the prospect of famine-scale mortality rates.
SOUTH KOREA
Fake news, disinformation based on artificial intelligence and digital technology are a threat to democracy. This was stated by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during the third "Summit for Democracy" in Seoul, held yesterday, during which accusations were made that China and Russia were conducting harmful propaganda campaigns. Beijing's anger over the invitation reserved for Taiwan's Digital Minister Audrey Tang.
INDIA
Indian police have arrested five people following the attack on a university hostel, which hosts international students, by an angry crowd armed with iron pipes, stones and knives. 15 Muslim boys were targeted, who were offering a prayer for Ramadan, the holy month of Islamic fasting and prayer. The episode occurred on March 16 in Gujarat.
HONG KONG
The "all patriotic" members of Hong Kong's legislative assembly today supported the controversial bill on Article 23, the local version of the national security law, which further tightens rules and penalties. The local Parliament is therefore ready to definitively approve the new legislation in record time, which regulates, among other things, sensitive matters such as treason and sedition.
MYANMAR
An aerial bombardment by the Burmese junta has killed and injured dozens of people in western Myanmar. Most residents of Thar Dar, a Rohingya village in Rakhine State, were sleeping when a fighter dropped a bomb around 1 am. Local sources report that at least 23 civilians died, including children and elderly people, and over 30 were injured.
CHINA - RUSSIA
The Beijing authorities promise the country economic growth of 5% and defeat deflation. However, the potential is held back by the provinces' heavy debts, which are recommended to "tighten their belts" and avoid overly expensive projects. On the other hand, in Russia the newly re-elected president Vladimir Putin has promised to forgive two thirds of regional debts.
CENTRAL A. - TURKEY
Large numbers of people from Central Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan, have been stranded in Istanbul after Turkey introduced stricter rules towards Latin America. From here, migrants look for ways to enter the United States, while now they will have to show their return ticket and hotel reservation in Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia or Brazil.
