Baghdad passes law against homosexual relations: 15 years in prison

Today's news: Xinjiang authorities block demolition order in old city of Kashgar, heart of Uyghur culture; Schools reopen in Bangladesh despite exceptional heatwave; Thai foreign minister resigns, negotiations with Myanmar at risk; India and Oman aim to strengthen trade agreements.

IRAQ
The Iraqi Parliament has approved the law that criminalizes homosexual relations, punishable by prison from 10 to 15 years. Transsexuals, from one to three years old, are also targeted. For supporters, the new rule will serve to "protect" religious values in the country (majority Shiite Islam). There is also a cell for those who promote homosexuality or prostitution, doctors who perform gender reassignment surgeries, men who "intentionally" behave like women and "swingers".

CHINA - ISLAM
In a sudden turn of events, Xinjiang's highest legislative body has issued a new regulation to protect the old city of Kashgar, the heart of Uyghur culture and already 85% destroyed, subject to a demolition order. The measure, in force since May 1, has sparked accusations of hypocrisy because its sole purpose is to attract investors in tourism and stem criticism against Beijing for its persecution of the Muslim minority.

BANGLADESH - ASIA
In Bangladesh, schools reopened yesterday despite the persistence of the heat wave with temperatures above 40 degrees, which has alarmed the governments of several countries in South and South-East Asia such as the Philippines. The institutions have been closed since last week (with an extension of the Eid al-Fitr holiday), with the alert having been extended until at least April 30. The measure has raised more than one concern for students' preparation for exams.

THAILAND - MYANMAR
Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has resigned after being removed from the position of deputy prime minister in the context of a government reshuffle. He was head of the team called to mediate with the Burmese military junta to resolve tensions and instability on the borders between the two countries, linked to the clash between the army and rebel groups. An internal conflict that is causing a serious crisis in Myanmar's economy.

INDIA - OMAN
India and Oman are finalizing a trade agreement to be signed in the coming months, part of Delhi's expansionist policy in the Middle East where tensions and conflicts are putting maritime routes at risk. The two countries have an annual turnover of less than billion, but the Gulf nation is strategic as an access point to the Strait of Hormuz.

RUSSIA
The Prosecutor General of Russia, Igor Krasnov, spoke at the Federation Council in Moscow, insisting on the need to adopt increasingly widespread "prophylactic measures" to avoid violations of laws and attempted crimes by migrants. An increasingly topical issue which also requires "the certainty and irreversibility of the sentence".

IRAN - AZERBAIJAN
As reported by AZfront, Iran and Azerbaijan are intensifying work to open a border terminal in Kalal-Agbents, in the Zangilan province of southwestern Azerbaijan, entrusting Tehran with the structures to be built and the Azerbaijanis with a bridge across the Araz river. A project already started at the beginning of the year for which the Islamic Republic has allocated 95 million dollars.

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