Trump’s announcement could trigger economic “detente” and encourage the return of Syrian refugees. Reconstruction, trade and banking links between Beirut and Damascus could be revived. In the background looms the possibility of normalisation with Israel. Walid Joumblatt reminds us of the Arab world’s key condition: “Peace in exchange for territory.”
After years of disregarding opposition demands, the Indian government has changed course and decided to include caste classification in the next national census. Behind the political move lie electoral pressures and the growing influence of disadvantaged castes. No official date has been set, but according to local media, the census is expected to take place in 2026.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev continues to insist that “the Turkic World is our family”—a perspective that resonates increasingly with the rising nationalist sentiment in the majority-Azeri regions beyond the Iranian border, fuelled in part by support for Tabriz’s football team. A phenomenon that the authorities in Tehran are responding to with harsh repression.
Chinese concerns over its army of subcontractors in the garment industry working for big brands is behind the first truce in the Sino-American trade war. The China Labour Bulletin reports protests and closures in April. Local authorities are trying to limit the damage with informal mediation, hoping for a recovery. Facts contradict statements by Western brands about “responsible exits”.
Hundreds of people rallied demanding justice for Amshika who took her own life after “months of official neglect and public shaming”. A teacher accused in connection with the affair was later released. A political cover-up is suspected. The story is highlighting the shortcomings of Sri Lanka’s education system, as well as the pervasiveness of gender-based violence.
During the official visit of the Malaysian prime minister, the two countries rebooted their historic economic, technological and cultural cooperation. Malaysia remains non-aligned in global power politics. Anwar said he raised the issue of flight MH17 shot down in 2014, after a UN body recently blamed Russia for the incident.
