In January, Japan will try to mine the seabed in its Exclusive Economic Zone. Like the United States, India and Australia, Japan wants to compete with China for leadership in this sector. The test to recover sediments at a depth of 5,500 metres is the first in the world. The aim is to “test the function of all mining equipment.”
In the second quarter of 2025, Vietnam's GDP grew by 7.96 per cent thanks to booming exports. The new trade agreement with the US has improved the climate of confidence, but transhipped goods from China risk affecting the entire regional production chain.
In today’s news: India accuses China of aiding Pakistan in the conflict in early May. Nagasaki’s administration has agreed to allow Taiwan to attend the anniversary of the US bombing of the city. Myanmar’s military junta says it has released 93 child soldiers. Dalai Lama hopes to live to be 130.
After leaving behind the Ottawa Treaty that banned mines, Ukraine is creating an impassable abyss with Russia, the new explosive "iron curtain" that will mark the destiny of peoples in times to come. In Rome the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church discussed with Pope Leo XIV how to proceed with the "spiritual demining" of the hearts of men.
The Indian prime minister visited Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago before travelling to Argentina, Brazil (for the BRICS summit), and Namibia to boost ties with developing countries and challenge Chinese influence. Billions-dollar investments in Africa and South-South cooperation top the agenda, while at home the opposition accuses him of neglecting domestic crises.
Taybeh’s parish priest raises the alarm about the increasing violence by pro-occupation groups, backed by Israeli authorities. For the clergyman, people live "without security or protection". Palestinians are being attacked, driven from their homes, their land seized. The last two extremists arrested in connection with the Kafr Malik raids and the attack on the IDF base have been released.
