Israel has violated Lebanese airspace over 22,000 times in 15 years

Today's headlines: Asian companies' profits drop for the first time in two years; Hong Kong seeks students to be quarantined to celebrate Covid-free July 1; Northern Thai poultry farm replaces antibiotics and medicine with cannabis; Pakistan prepares for former President Musharraf's return; dozens of activists and pacifists arrested on Russia Day. 

LEBANON - ISRAEL

In 15 years, Israeli military vehicles have violated Lebanese airspace 22,111 times. Since 2007, according to Air Pressure, 8231 fighter jets and 13102 drones (UAVs) have conducted incursions in the skies over the country, with at least 4 hours and 35 minutes of overflights for a total of 3098 days. The primary reason is the 'indiscriminate surveillance' of the population, messages, calls and movements. 

ASIA

Asian companies' profits fell for the first time in seven quarters. Profits in March declined due to a drop in demand, a consequence of lockdowns in China due to the 'zero-Covid' policy, and decreasing margins, linked to rising costs. In the top 1,500 large and medium-sized companies, cumulative profits fell by 3.2%. Average net margins were around 5.86%. 

HONG KONG - CHINA 

A Hong Kong primary school is looking for students to be quarantined in hotels ahead of return anniversary celebrations on 1 July. The news fuels speculation about a highly controlled 'closed circuit' allowing Xi Jinping or senior officials to visit. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the president has never left mainland China. 

THAILAND

A farming community in northern Thailand started a trial in cooperation with Chiang Mai University. Poultry farmers have banned antibiotics and medicines, feeding them cannabis products. The results show an improvement in animal health and the quality of meat and eggs. The company plans to expand the offer with roast chicken. 

PAKISTAN

Pakistan is preparing for the return of former President Pervez Musharraf, 79, who has been in self-imposed exile for some time. An air ambulance will bring him back home from the hospital in Dubai where he has been hospitalised for three weeks due to a worsening clinical picture, with the consent of his family and doctors. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, once a strong opponent, calls for there to be 'no obstacles' to his return. 

RUSSIA

More than 50 people were arrested during Russia Day celebrations in Moscow metro stations, thanks in part to the installation of new facial recognition cameras. They included political and humanitarian activists, journalists and ordinary citizens suspected of taking part in protests against the war in Ukraine.

TURKMENISTAN

Russian President Vladimir Putin received the new President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdymuhamedov, in the Kremlin, thanking him for choosing Moscow as his first official visit. The decision, he added, "underlines the strategic importance of relations between our two countries", whose trade in the first quarter of 2022 increased by 40%.