ASIA TODAY Ankara wants to create schools for girls only. Opposition criticism

Other news today: a tomato crisis broke out in India and prices increased more than six times. There are no mainland Chinese students in Taiwan universities. The UN Human Rights Council approves a motion by Pakistan, supported by Islamic countries, against the burning of the Koran, but the West believes that it could limit freedoms. Malnutrition alarm in Iran: about 57% of the population does not reach the minimum level of daily calories. Moscow sends homeless people to “labor rehabilitation” centers.

Türkiye

The Turkish Ministry of Education intends to create all-girls schools in order to respond to the “request” of the families, who do not want to send their daughters to mixed classes in compliance with the strict Islamic norms on the separation of the sexes. The oppositions affirm that the law is “unacceptable”, but the government “admits” the failure to comply with compulsory schooling.

INDIA

In India there has been a “tomato crisis”. The price has risen nearly sixfold in an escalation that began in early June due to a combination of factors: high temperatures, late rains and a virus affecting production. The shortage has triggered a series of thefts. From 30-40 rupees (0.44 euros) per kilo that it cost in the past, it has risen to more than 200 (2.19 euros).

TAIWAN – CHINA

In the new school year there will be no in Taiwan no college student from mainland China, a new sign of growing tension in the strait between Beijing and Taipei. The last group arrived three years ago and obtained the title in these weeks. Experts and young people consider that the measure will only end up fueling more misunderstandings and prejudices between the parties.

INDONESIA

The Bali authorities want to introduce in 2024 a entrance fee for foreigners of 150 thousand rupees (about 13 euros), intended to preserve the “island of the gods” from degradation and protect both its culture and traditions and nature, which is the main attraction. Every year millions of people flock to the beaches of one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Electronic payment is provided.

PAKISTAN – ISLAM – UN

The United Nations Human Rights Council approved a controversial resolution on religious and confessional hatred following the burning of the Koran in Sweden. The text, presented by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), raises concerns in the West because it calls into question established practices in the field of human rights and freedom of expression.

IRAN

A former official of the Ministry of Social Welfare sounded the alarm about the “malnutrition” in Iran, a country that is at risk of suffering a “humanitarian catastrophe.” According to data from Hadi Mousavi Nik, 57% of the population does not reach the threshold of 2,100 calories a day, the minimum set by the World Bank. This includes 14.5 million minors, of which 10 million are under the age of 12. One of the causes is the Western sanctions that suffocate the economy.

RUSSIA

The Russian Social Welfare Council wants to apply “labor rehabilitation” to the homeless. The measure is reminiscent of Soviet times and is based on complaints to 112 from citizens upset by the presence of homeless people on the streets. After the intervention of the police and ambulances, these people will be transferred to social adaptation centers for their “rehabilitation”.

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Kemelūly Tokaev alerted administrators in the capital, Astana, about the severe shortage of drinking water this summer. The emergency has unleashed protests by the population against the “lack of measures by those responsible.” The city depends on a single reservoir, and “the slightest accident could lead to a disastrous crisis.”