Dhaka: students defy curfew, at least 300 dead in clashes with police
Today's headlines: Israel is on maximum alert for an expected attack from Iran and its allies in response to Haniyeh’s killing. China hits an historic low in the number of marriages in the first six months of 2024. At the Torkham border crossing, Pakistan denies entry to Afghan drivers without passport or visa. Thailand draws up a ten-year plan in response to healthcare crisis.
BANGLADESH
Student protesters intend to march in Dhaka streets, defying a countrywide curfew imposed by the government, in order to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign. Yesterday heavy clashes pitted police against protesters across the country, bringing the death toll to at least 300. Tanks and army troops patrol the capital.
ISRAEL – GAZA – TURKEY
Israel is currently on maximum alert waiting for “three days of missiles” from Iran and allied militias, expected to start tonight or tomorrow, in response to the killing last week of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources report at least 30 dead in a yesterday’s attack on a school in Gaza. Like many Western countries, Turkey urged its citizens to leave Lebanon ahead of a possible war with the Jewish state.
CHINA
The number of Chinese couples who got married in the first half of 2024 fell to its lowest level since 2013, as a growing number of young people postpone their nuptials due to the slowing economy and the rising cost of living. A total of 3.43 million couples got married in the first six months of the year, down by 498,000 over 2023. The number of marriages is closely tied to the number of births.
AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN
Pakistani authorities have banned Afghan drivers from using the Torkham border crossing – a critical route for trade if they do not have passports and visas, which many Afghans do no have. This decision came after Pakistan accused the Taliban of allowing militants to stage attacks across the border.
THAILAND
Tomorrow, the Thai government will present a 10-year strategic plan to increase the number of healthcare workers in the country following a proposal by the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of professionals. According to Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, the ministry aims to increase the number of graduate doctors, nurses, pharmacists, traditional Thai medicine practitioners, and public health workers.
RUSSIA
Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated four more NGOs as "undesirable” entities, including the Russia Behind Bars foundation, established to help political prisoners, reported Russia Behind Bars founder Olga Romanova on her Telegram channel. The measure follows accusations that the four NGOs spread information “demonising” Russia.
JAPAN – CENTRAL ASIA
Japan has decided to finance the transport corridor to Europe through Central Asia, bypassing Russia. The proposal will be presented by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in early September at a meeting with the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. Before that, the Japanese leader is set to visit Tashkent, Astana, and Ulan-Baatar from 9 to 12 August.
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11/09/2021 09:41
28/10/2023 14:24
