South East Asia

While the eyes of the world are on the negotiations between China and the United States, Chinese-backed ethnic militias control new unregulated rare earth deposits. Beijing's priority is clear: to secure control over strategic resources, including through growing interventionism that is fuelling the country’s civil war and causing serious environmental damage.

New data from the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF indicate a drop of 22 million child workers in four years. However, 138 million children remain trapped in this scourge, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy. Expert Insaf Nizam, who spoke to AsiaNews, highlighted the role of economic growth, warning of the dangers of inequality and family responsibilities.

The Asian Development Bank is investing US$ 1.5 billion to promote more efficient farming that increases productivity while reducing the environmental impact of growing the main staple in the Asian diet. Rice farming alone generates 1.5 per cent of greenhouse gases. New irrigation systems and the use of drones are among the tools to cut the amount of methane released into the atmosphere.

The president of the Philippine Bishops' Conference has taken a stance on the start of proceedings for the impeachment of the vice-president and daughter of Rodrigo Duterte, which after several postponements linked to the clash with the Marcos clan is set for tomorrow. The cardinal: 'Although impeachment is by nature a political process, it is not exempt from the moral demands of truth, justice and accountability'.

The Commission on Elections has set deadlines for the first legislative elections in Mindanao’s autonomous region. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is calling for the vote not to be postponed any further. The removal of Sulu from the autonomous region’s territory is not going without glitches, and the risk of fraud related to registration is raising questions.

The body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai farm worker who died soon after he was captured, was recovered over the weekend. In Thailand, the authorities expressed their sadness over the death. The sister of another hostage, Bipin Joshi, from Nepal, issued an appeal for his release, but his fate remains uncertain. In Israel, the Israeli parliament (Knesset) is set to vote on Wednesday on a motion to dissolve it over the issue of military service for Haredi Jews.

Indonesia has temporarily blocked activities in a natural paradise in West Papua after protests from local communities and environmentalists. Greenpeace reports serious violations and irreversible damage to the legally protected ecosystems of the small islands. The area is home to 75 per cent of the world's coral reefs and relies on ecotourism.

Launched in 1975 as a Lenten gesture, over the years it has become an ongoing form of support for the activities of the 85 social action centres of the Philippine Church. And to mark the anniversary, Caritas has launched a campaign to engage one million Filipinos in a monthly donation. Bishop of Kidapawan Msgr Bagaforo: "Seed of hope and compassion".

The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) office of the Capuchins in Medan, North Sumatra, issued a strong appeal for the protection of the Lake Toba region. Speaking out against rising environmental exploitation and the threat to the rights of indigenous peoples, they ask the government to act and slam the devastation caused by business interests, in particular by Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk.

The Trump administration’s immigration restrictions have had a devastating impact on people from Myanmar’s, disproportionately affecting refugees and students. Many of them, who have waited years in refugee camps, are now seeing their dreams of a better life in the United States dashed, while the new policies threaten to set a dangerous precedent for other countries.

Data from a new national survey shows the growth in methamphetamine use. This phenomenon no longer affects only the northern areas traditionally close to production sites in Myanmar. As many as 300,000 people have needed medical treatment for drug addiction-related problems.

The measure was introduced in 1989 after the war to reduce the pressure on scarce resources. Removing the limit is meant to reverse the declining birthrate and the aging of the population. The drop is not uniform and affects mainly large centres like Ho Chi Minh City.