Today's headlines: Death of Nepalese hostage confirmed, his remains among the four returned yesterday by Hamas; Sex tourism from Japan and China fuels child prostitution in Laos; From Malaysia to the Philippines, schools closed due to tens of thousands of cases of flu and respiratory viruses among students and school staff; By 2028, South Korean authorities intend to build the first civilian anti-nuclear bunker.

ISRAEL - GAZA

Although weakened by two years of war, since the truce with Israel, Hamas militants have been trying to regain control of the Strip by killing at least 33 members of rival groups or armed family clans in recent hours. Meanwhile, after yesterday's signing of Trump's peace plan in Sharm el-Sheikh, there remains a climate of uncertainty about the next steps for Gaza, especially in terms of ensuring the ceasefire holds and control of the territory.

NEPAL - GAZA

Confirmation has also arrived of the death of Nepalese hostage Bipin Joshi, whose family had released a video from 2023, the last living testimony of the young man. His remains are among the four that Hamas returned yesterday according to the peace plan, although protests are mounting in Israel over the return of the remains of all hostages who died in captivity.

JAPAN - CHINA - LAOS

The phenomenon of sex tourism from Japan and China, which has been going on for some time despite attempts to crack down on it, fuels trafficking and child prostitution in Laos. Foreign visitors exploit victims, some as young as 10, who are lured by poverty or false promises of work. The sex trade is a national emergency, with underground complexes operating in the shadows but well enough known to be found on social media or through word of mouth.

PHILIPPINES - MALAYSIA

Classes in Metro Manila's public schools were suspended on 13 and 14 October due to an increase in flu-like and respiratory illnesses among students and staff, according to the local Department of Education. The authorities are calling for alternatives to be implemented to prevent “interruptions to learning”, while schools will have to carry out pest control and prepare drills for earthquakes and other emergencies. The situation is similar in Malaysia, where 6,000 students are reported to be infected, leading to the closure of several schools.

SOUTH KOREA

The Seoul authorities plan to build the capital's first civilian nuclear bunker, capable of withstanding a nuclear attack, under a public housing complex by 2028. This was reported today by a government official, who added that the project is based on the need to protect against threats from Pyongyang. The municipality and Seoul Housing and Communities Corp are planning a shelter for 999 families to withstand nuclear, biological or chemical attacks.

IRAN

The judiciary has launched a crackdown on manufacturers and buyers of dolls deemed “offensive” to Muslim morality and the sanctity of figures in the Shiite world. The sale of items depicting monkeys or pigs has become common on social media and in shops in recent times, with citizens unaware of their “anti-religious nature”. Called Morteza and Marziyeh, the dolls are designed as anti-stress toys; however, Morteza is a title associated with Imam Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, and Marziyeh is also a title associated with Fatimah, daughter of the prophet.

INDIA

The World Health Organisation yesterday issued a health alert regarding three contaminated cough syrups produced in India, urging authorities to report any detection of these drugs in their countries to the health agency. The alert targets specific batches of Coldrif by Sresan Pharmaceutical, Respifresh TR by Rednex Pharmaceuticals and ReLife by Shape Pharma, which pose significant risks and can cause serious and potentially fatal illnesses. The preparation is said to contain toxic diethylene glycol (a toxic industrial solvent) in quantities almost 500 times above the limit. The Indian health authority (the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) reports that the syrups have caused the deaths of at least 19 children in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh.

RUSSIA

The apartment rental market has grown by about 10% since 2023, according to research by Rbk, but with a preponderance of undeclared rentals, about 95%. According to the Institute of City Economics, out of six million flats, 1.2 million are legally registered for rent, with an average price of 40,000 roubles per month (€400), producing a total figure of 350 billion roubles per year.

UZBEKISTAN - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The company Taškent Invest has signed an agreement with DP World of Dubai for the construction of a “dry port” in the capital of Uzbekistan, making it one of the main logistics hubs in Central Asia for the Middle East and Europe. A large railway station, customs clearance areas, warehouses and cross-docking complexes are planned to reduce storage and shipping times.

 

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