Eight dead (six civilians) in Israeli raids in Syria. Gaza talks still stalled

Today's news: five dead and dozens injured in a landslide in Mindanao; Activist Agnes Chow is wanted by Hong Kong police; Militiamen in northern Myanmar hand over 60 more Chinese accused of online fraud and weapons possession; Bangkok wants to cancel the decriminalisation of cannabis; Domestic tourism in Russia grows +20%.

ISRAEL - SYRIA - GAZA
Israeli attacks on the Homs region of central Syria have left eight dead, including six civilians including a woman and a child. The last two victims were Hezbollah fighters, the target of the raid. Meanwhile, Hamas has proposed a three-phase plan in response to mediators from Qatar and Egypt, which includes, among other things, the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire. But for the Israeli government it would be "inadmissible", the war in Gaza must continue.

PHILIPPINES
The toll - still provisional - of a landslide caused by heavy rains that hit Davao de Oro on the island of Mindanao in recent days is at least five dead and 31 injured. Mud and debris overwhelmed two buses and several houses near a village inhabited by miners. There were workers on the vehicles from a gold mine managed by the Apex Mining company.

HONG KONG
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, who moved to Canada without returning home as required by provisional freedom, is officially wanted by the police after failing to show up at the barracks on December 29th. Speaking during a press conference on the crime rate in 2023, the deputy commissioner of the Department of Homeland Security called her behavior "shameful" and she will always be considered a "fugitive" until she is surrendered.

MYANMAR - CHINA
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in Kokang, northern Myanmar, handed over around sixty Chinese accused of online fraud and possession of illegal weapons. A group of 36 people were arrested on February 4, another 23 the following day; weapons and cell phones seized. The arrested were handed over to the Beijing authorities in a camp for displaced people on the border between the two countries.

INDIA
At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured in an explosion yesterday in a fireworks factory in Madhya Pradesh (central India). TV images showed a massive fire and smoke as rescue teams tried to recover people still trapped inside. At least 174 were saved and rushed to hospital.

THAILAND
The Thai government intends to present an urgent bill to ban the recreational use of cannabis, after decriminalizing the drug in June 2022 under a previous government that included the pro-legalization Bhumjaithai party. The Minister of Health announced this yesterday, receiving criticism from those who called for stricter legislation.

RUSSIA
Domestic tourism in Russia is growing dramatically, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitrij Chernišenko, recording a +20% with over 11 million users. Some regions try to imitate the model of China, which offers ever new attractions to its tourists such as the Martian astronaut base in the Gobi desert, taking advantage of state subsidies for tourism.

AFGHANISTAN - UZBEKISTAN
The Taliban authorities have formalized the appointment of the Afghan ambassador to Uzbekistan, the son of Industry Minister Mugfurulla Shahab. He is now awaiting the delivery of the letters of credence from President Šavkat Mirziyoyev, even though he has already taken possession of the embassy building, replacing the previous diplomat appointed by the then Gani government.

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