Syria: Turkish drones kill three members of a Christian militia in the north-east

Today's news: Vientiane aims to build one of the largest 'wind farms' in the region; India heart of global aviation industry by 2040; Bangkok wants to pass a law this year that will only allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes; South Korea sends military personnel to hospitals amid young doctors' strike.

SYRIA - TURKEY
A Turkish drone attack in north-eastern Syria yesterday killed at least three members of a local Christian militia (the Syriac Security Office, better known as Sutoro police) and one civilian, wounding other people. Four vehicles hit - For years Ankara has carried out targeted raids against Kurdish fighting groups in Syria and Iraq, ending up also involving Christian populations.

LAOS
True to its plan to become the “battery of Southeast Asia,” Laos intends to build one of the largest wind farms in the region. The 1,200 megawatt and .16 billion project, built by Savan Vayu Renewable Energy Co., will be built near the village of Lako, Sepon district, southern Savannakhet province, near the border with Vietnam. Once completed, it will be much larger than the 600 megawatt Monsoon Wind Project, also in Laos.

INDIA
India will become the heart of the global aviation industry within the next 15 years thanks to the demand, capacity and professionalism of the airlines present in the domestic market. This was stated by a senior Airbus official for South Asia, according to whom it is necessary at the same time to improve airport connectivity especially when switching from domestic to international flights.

THAILAND
By the end of the year, Bangkok will ban the recreational use of marijuana, but will continue to allow its use for medical purposes. Thailand became the first country in South-East Asia to liberalize cannabis for medical purposes in 2018 and recreational purposes in 2022, encouraging the opening of tens of thousands of shops for a total turnover of 1.2 billion dollars.

JORDAN
Jordanian police have arrested dozens of people suspected of smuggling drugs from Syria. In recent days, Amman has intensified the fight against drug trafficking, arresting at least 23 people, as announced by the Public Security Directorate. One of the most relevant cases concerns the sale of 1.5 million drug pills to an unspecified third country.

SOUTH KOREA
Seoul is ready to send military and community doctors to hospitals within the next few days, while today expires the deadline granted by the government for young doctors and trainees to end the general strike and return to the departments. The objective is to support hospitals and healthcare facilities in full emergency due to the lack of people, so much so that services and interventions have to be interrupted.

RUSSIA
The Russian Ministry of Education and Scientific Research has decided to include a compulsory course on "Spiritual security and traditional Russian moral and religious values in the activity of the psychologist" in psychology degree programs. A provision linked to the fact that "almost 40% of graduates support values contrary to traditional ones", while now "professionals capable of supporting the patriotic commitments of special operations" are needed.

TURKMENISTAN
A large investment forum entitled “Turkmenistan is open” will be held next summer in the Turkmen tourist area of Avaz. As announced by the Ashgabat Chamber of Commerce, the event includes a large exhibition of local products, decorations, animal breeding excellence and light industry items, with the aim of attracting foreign investments.

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