Cambodia withdraws from SEA Games, thousands displaced by clashes with Thailand
Today's headlines: Australia bans children under 16 from accessing social networks; Pope Leo XIV: it is unrealistic to exclude Europe from peace negotiations in Ukraine; Two months after his arrest in China, Pastor Ezra Mingri of Zion Church remains in prison; New law further restricts press freedom in Vietnam. Gulf airlines' profit per passenger carried is three times the global average.
CAMBODIA-THAILAND
Cambodia has withdrawn its sports delegation from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA), currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand, amid new clashes that have been ongoing for three days on the border between the two neighbouring countries, which have already caused a dozen deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. For his part, US President Donald Trump, who brokered a ceasefire in July, has called on both sides to lay down their arms and promised to intervene in the coming hours.
VATICAN-UKRAINE-RUSSIA
‘Europe has an important role to play in bringing peace to Ukraine, it is not realistic to exclude it.’ This was stated by Leo XIV yesterday evening in Castel Gandolfo when asked by journalists about the audience granted to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Pope explained that the focus of the meeting was on the issue of the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken to Russia: ‘A slow process, behind the scenes.’ He reiterated that the Holy See is available to host peace negotiations.
AUSTRALIA
Australia today became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, blocking access to platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. In the event of violations, companies could face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (over 28 million euros). The measure has attracted criticism from large technology companies, but has been welcomed by parents and child rights advocates.
CHINA
Two months after his arrest, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, founder of Zion Church, a well-known Chinese house church, remains detained in Beihai prison in Guangxi province. His family and supporters have revealed that all mail and items sent to the detention centre have been rejected and that the authorities are interpreting Pastor Jin's fasting and prayer as a form of “hunger strike”.
VIETNAM
The Vietnamese parliament has passed a new law on media and state secrets that further restricts press freedom. From now on, journalists will be obliged to reveal their sources in any investigation, and no longer only in cases of serious crimes. It also adds to state secrets – the disclosure of which is punishable by law – details of leaders' overseas programmes, state compensation and resolutions of international investment disputes. The reforms come amid growing repression, with foreign reporters having their passports revoked and restrictions on the media.
MIDDLE EAST
According to the latest annual report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines in the Middle East are expected to earn .60 in profit per passenger next year, the highest of any region. This result is made possible by strong demand, favourable regulations and public investment in infrastructure. The performance of Gulf airlines guarantees an average net profit that is more than three times that of global airlines per passenger, at £7.90.
TAJIKISTAN
In Tajikistan, criminal liability has been introduced, with severe punitive measures, for the illegal use of electricity for mining, the production of virtual assets or cryptocurrencies, which can also result in a sentence of 2 to 8 years. The initiative came after complaints from the Attorney General of Dushanbe, Khabibullo Vokhidzoda, about energy theft, which led to necessary restrictions for the entire population.
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