At the Winter Olympics that open tomorrow, the Chinese team arrives with a record delegation and the desire to confirm its status as a new power in winter sports, earned in 2022 at Xi Jinping's Games. Among athletes, women outnumber men. The growing popularity of winter sports is also used as a model for the sinicisation of minorities.
After two years of presidential rule, the northeastern state is governed by an elected government. The appointment of Nemcha Kipgen, an ethnic Kuki, as deputy chief minister has sparked protests and strikes in the hill areas, where demands for a separate administration remain strong, reigniting tensions with the Meitei majority.
For the first time, Islamic law is being used in this Malaysian state to initiate criminal proceedings. The “offence” is punishable by a fine of hundreds of euros and up to two years in prison. Under Islamic law, gender is determined at birth. A similar case involved transgender Nur Sajat, who fled to Australia in 2021.
About 300 faithful attended the event at the Church of the Rosary in Tejgaon. Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze: divisions are ‘a great scandal’. Methodist Bishop Simon Biswas: ‘When we are united, Christ becomes visible’. An invitation to pray for national harmony in the pre-election context.
Today's news: suicide of three Indian minors in Ghaziabad, online gambling addiction under scrutiny. US oil giant Chevron signs agreement with Syria for offshore oil and gas fields. Islamabad declares operation in Baluchistan over and points finger at India. Passengers' phones checked on Moscow subway.
The three variants that had passed the national competition were rejected by the Žogorku Keneš, the Kyrgyz parliament, which nevertheless undertook to continue the search. The new anthem, following the new flag, reflects President Žaparov's desire to affirm Kyrgyzstan's historical and current identity and its aspiration to play a leading role in the world.
