The governor of Niigata Prefecture approved the partial restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, marking a turning point in Japan's energy strategy, spearheaded by Sanae Takaichi’s government. The prime minister is also considering a revision of the country’s three historic non-nuclear principles, sparking outrage among survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A young Muslim man in a relationship of "mutual respect" with a Christian woman has gone before the Constitutional Court to challenge Article 2 of the Marriage Law because of its ambiguity. Currently, the Civil Registry Office only register marriages performed by religious authorities. Two justices are calling for laws to better respect rights.
India wants China to open a flight corridor over Xinjiang, even though the area is highly militarised. Tensions with India have led Pakistan to close its airspace to Indian aircraft, causing Air India losses estimated at over US$ 450 million a year. Meanwhile, closures of land crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan are paralysing regional trade, leading Ariana Afghan Airlines to lower fares to Indian markets.
The annual ordinary session of the Iraqi Church, led by Cardinal Sako and attended by 20 bishops, was held in Baghdad. The final declaration emphasised the importance of “team spirit” in order to put past divisions behind them. A warning to respect “quotas” to protect their presence in institutions.
A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck the area around the capital of Bangladesh this morning. The victims were hit by falling debris from buildings as they walked along the street. Panic and injuries were also reported in textile factories and university buildings. Bishops' Conference: no damage to churches. Experts warn: ‘The country is in a seismic zone, building safety codes must be enforced’.
Today's headlines: four more arrests in connection with the attack near the Red Fort in Delhi; Four Chinese and American citizens arrested for illegally exporting Nvidia chips to China; The (provisional) death toll from the floods in Vietnam rises to 41; Malaysia suspends funding to the football association over the forged documents scandal.
