ASIA TODAY Thousands of schools close in the Philippines due to the heat wave; long distance education

Today's news: Three people died last night in Gaza and Israeli police made dozens of arrests at the end of the Al Aqsa prayer. More than 600 people affected by the earthquake in Taiwan have yet to be rescued. In India, consumer confidence is at the highest level since 2019. Hundreds arrested in joint police operation against child pornography in Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong.

PHILIPPINES

Thousands of schools They suspended face-to-face classes yesterday due to the heat wave that hits much of the country. Some 5,288 institutions throughout the archipelago have begun to teach distance classes to more than 3.6 million students. March, April and May are usually the hottest and driest months, but conditions have become extreme due to the phenomenon known as El Niño.

ISRAEL – PALESTINE

Israeli artillery hit homes in Gaza City in the neighborhoods of Zeitoun, Sabra, Tal al-Hawa and Sheikh Ajlin, leaving 3 people dead and 10 injured. At the same time police arrested 16 people at the end of dawn prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque, for inciting violence and terrorism. The United States has issued a maximum alert for a “significant” attack by Iran against US or Israeli interests over the next week in response to the attack in Damascus. Finally, two officers considered responsible for the attack on the humanitarian convoy in recent days were discharged.

TAIWAN

More than 600 people are still isolated and waiting for help in Taiwan after the earthquake that shook the island on April 3 and caused at least 12 deaths. Rescuers say they are safe, but it is difficult to reach them due to landslides and destroyed roads. So far there are 12 people still missing and teams continue the search.

INDIA

A study by the Reserve Bank of India shows that consumer confidence is at its highest level since mid-2019, and the economy (+7% by 2024-25) and employment continue to grow. Current inflation levels are also expected to decline. Finally, the employment rate in the manufacturing sector increased to 74.7% in October-December 2023 compared to 74% in the previous quarter.

HONG KONG – KOREA – SINGAPORE

A joint operation against child pornography and sexual exploitation carried out by police forces in Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore led to the arrest of 272 people. The suspects, aged between 12 and 73, were arrested between February 26 and March 29. Authorities raided 236 different locations. In Hong Kong they found 972 videos and photographs of child pornography contained in hundreds of seized electronic devices.

RUSSIA – ISLAM

In anticipation of the Eid-al Fitr holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the date of which will be announced by the council of ulemas, the Moscow Ethnic Policy Bureau has asked local Muslims to perform prayers related to the holiday at home . He invited people from Central Asia to follow the celebrations virtually, especially.

KAZAKHSTAN

During a scientific expedition in the Kyzylordinsk region of Kazakhstan, scientists found 24 extremely rare manuscripts and books dating from the period between the 17th and 20th centuries. These include texts about Sharjah and the work Divany Khikmet by the Turkish poet and mystic Akhmet Yasavi in ​​the original Kazakh edition of 1904, as well as copies and Sufi commentaries on the Quran.