Philippines, Tropical Storm Megi leaves at least 25 dead

Today's headlines: Pope Francis spoke by video-conference with the president of Kazakhstan, hypothesis of a trip to the country; in Herat  Afghans protest against Iranian guards use of violence on refugees; Over 200 priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church want to expel Patriarch Kirill; in Hong Kong  the journalist and producer Allan Au arrested; a hundred private planes belonging to Russian oligarchs blocked at Dubai airport. 

PHILIPPINES

There are at least 25 victims, but the toll is still provisional, of the passage of tropical storm Megi (Agaton in the local language) that hit the Philippines, causing landslides and flooding. This morning, rescue teams are battling to recover people stranded on the eastern and southern coasts. This is the first tropical storm; an average of 20 occur each year.

AFGHANISTAN - IRAN

Shouting "Death to Iran! Killer nation" dozens of Afghans protested in front of the Islamic Republic's consulate in Herat, in the west, and in other cities. A few videos went viral over the weekend, showing beatings and mistreatment of more than five million Afghan refugees by Iranian guards. There is no reliable information on the authenticity of the videos.  

KAZAKHSTAN - VATICAN

Pope Francis had a video-conference call yesterday with Kazakhstan's President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev. The Vatican confirmed the news anticipated by Nur-Sultan, who spoke of a possible trip of the pontiff to the country. The Kazakh leader added that the visit could be held in September for the World Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

INDONESIA

Police fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of demonstrators, mostly university students, protesting against high prices and President Joko Widodo's stay in power beyond the two-term limit. Demonstrators reportedly threw stones inside Parliament. The protests reached Jakarta, South Sulawesi and West Java. 

HONG KONG

Former TvbNews network producer and Rthk radio host Allan Au, a prominent journalist in Hong Kong, was taken from his home yesterday morning in Kwai Chung. The man is suspected of "sedition" for publishing material aimed at conspiracy. He had been removed from the media last June following Beijing's crackdown on the media. 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Dubai airport has become a trap for Russian oligarchs, who have flocked there in their private planes to escape confiscation under Western sanctions. However, the planes cannot take off and fly elsewhere due to the US ban on refueling and servicing them. There are currently over 100 vehicles stranded in Dubai.

RUSSIA

More than 200 priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is linked to the Moscow Patriarchate, want to bring Patriarch Kirill before an ecclesiastical court, appealing to the patriarchs of the ancient pentarchy of the Eastern Churches. They intend to accuse the primate of heresy for supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, demanding that he be excommunicated and dismissed from his position as patriarch.

KYRGYZSTAN

Compulsory 12-year schooling will be introduced in the country, Education Minister Almaz Beyshenaliev explained. The goal is to conform to most world school systems and allow graduates to enroll in foreign universities without additional years. However, the reaction of Kyrgyz society is quite negative in this regard.