During this period of global instability, the precious metal has broken all records. But this surge is particularly pronounced in India, where women hold the largest share of this safe asset as a guarantee of financial security in marriage. Together, they hold an estimated 11 per cent of the world's gold. Rising jewellery prices, however, are also changing market habits.

Introduced by the University Grants Commission to combat casteism on university campuses, the regulations have been challenged by students in Uttar Pradesh from the "general classes”, i.e. those not covered by quotas, for their ambiguous language and the risk of generating new forms of exclusion. The Supreme Court has stayed their application, calling for a review. Meanwhile, existing protections remain in place.

In the capital of Sri Lanka, public spaces for children to play are disappearing, hitting working-class communities hard. In Slave Island, historic gathering places have been privatised through opaque procedures and political pressure. The phenomenon is accelerated by urban regeneration programmes.

Since August 2024, over 300 companies have closed in a heavily industrialised area of Bangladesh, leaving tens of thousands of people out of work. ‘My wife and I used to earn a good salary. Now I drive a rickshaw and we've cut back on meals.’ Many have returned to their villages, but the depopulation also affects traders and homeowners. Entrepreneur: ‘The empty warehouses I saw in Italy are now in our country.’

Bangladesh inks an agreement with China to manufacture UAVs, with technology transfer and the development of military infrastructure. Although Dhaka stresses the technology’s civilian use, New Delhi views the agreement as a strengthening Chinese military presence in a neighbouring country.

Maharashtra's deputy chief minister was 66 when the plane crashed after taking off from Mumbai. Everybody on board, Pawar’s staff and the crew, perished. The cause of the crash is not yet known. The nephew of Sharad Pawar and a key figure in the Nationalist Congress Party's split, Ajit Pawar led his party in an alliance with Narendra Modi's BJP. Condolences are being expressed by political leaders. The Catholic Church also expressed its closeness to the family and the people of Maharashtra.