Death toll climbs in Myanmar quake, could reach 10 thousand

Today's news: China, South Korea and Japan are moving towards a free trade agreement; Tensions rise between the United States and Iran; In the Philippines, families of ‘war on drugs’ victims target of a disinformation campaign In Indonesia, a clown teaches the values of the Islamic faith to children.

MYANMAR–THAILAND

While Bangkok has declared that, after a brief interruption, industrial production and payment services have resumed normal operations, in Myanmar the death toll continues to rise, reaching at least 1,700; according to some estimates, however, it could already be as high as 10,000. After international press agencies confirmed that the ruling junta continued to bomb the civilian population in the hours following the tragedy, the military today prevented foreign media from entering the country.

CHINA–SOUTH KOREA–JAPAN

Yesterday the three East Asian countries agreed to ‘cooperate closely for universal and high level talks’ on a free trade agreement with the aim of promoting ‘regional and global trade’. These are the first economic talks in five years in anticipation of Washington imposing tariffs. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has stated that the US military command in Japan will be strengthened in an anti-Chinese direction.

USA–IRAN

After Iran refused to hold direct negotiations with the United States for a nuclear agreement, President Donald Trump threatened to bomb and impose further tariffs on Tehran. Iran responded to the US proposal through Oman: President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that the country is willing to continue negotiations indirectly.

PHILIPPINES

The families of those killed during former president Rodrigo Duterte's ‘war on drugs’, who was arrested in early March by the International Criminal Court, have reported facing a wave of online attacks from Duterte's supporters. As part of the disinformation campaign, the victims are labelled as ‘drug addicts’ and their deaths are not attributed to the police. According to one study, about 51% of Filipinos are convinced that Duterte should be held responsible for the murders.

INDONESIA

In Indonesia a clown teaches the values of the Islamic faith to children. Yahya Hendrawan started working at birthday parties as a second job and then, encouraged by his teacher, he founded the Sharia Clown Foundation in Tangerang, an initiative that combines entertainment and religious education.

KYRGYZSTAN

The ban on public protests in the centre of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, which has been in place since March, has been extended until 30th June in Ala-Too Square and around the parliament building, in Panfilov Park and in front of the Government House, as well as near other important buildings such as the courts, embassies and ministries.

RUSSIA

According to an investigation by the Sistema website, on Russkij Island in the province of Primorje, on the Russian Far East Pacific coast, an unbridled luxury tourist village has been built for Russian army generals, disguised as a training and shooting range with numerous Japanese-style buildings, swimming pools and playing fields, helipad, all captured by satellite images.

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