In *Novaya Gazeta*, Slavic studies scholar Jakov Klotz describes the flourishing of publications by Russian dissident authors during the period of repression in Moscow: “We do not translate books to entertain Western readers with tales of Putin’s horrors, but to save Russian culture.”
Under pressure from Darjeeling producers, India’s Ministry of Commerce is blocking imports from Nepal, ostensibly for “quality control”, seriously damaging the Himalayan country's economy. Yet, India itself actually needs to supplement its production to meet the volumes demanded by the global market and sells Nepali tea marketing it as its own.
Attieh Fard, a politician and lawyer who has been in the United Kingdom for years, spoke to AsiaNews about the signing of an agreement that leaves international tensions and critical issues in the country unresolved. Iran’s hardliners could block signing, while the regime could use the moment to strengthen stability and its grip on power. The call for a "free" Iran may still lead to fresh street protests.
Controversy and outrage mount across the country over the latest femicide committed within the family. Fuelling the controversy is the fact that it occurred under the eyes of police officers who were supposed to protect the victim. Activists blame the killing on a mix of patriarchy, caste, and failure to enforce the law in Uttar Pradesh.
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed his Myanmar counterpart, Min Aung Hlaing, to whom he has reiterated China’s support. The visit coincides with the recent arrest of a leading scholar of China-Myanmar relations and the release by an ethnic militia of 200 POWs captured during fighting along the border.
The Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Princesa, Bishop Socrates Mesiona, has criticised the Manila government for issuing new deforestation permits to mining companies in what is one of the Philippines’ most biodiverse habitats. “This way of acting gives the impression that there are two kinds of laws in our country: one for the rich and powerful, and one for the poor.”
