more than 15% are older than 75 years

Today’s news: Saudi GDP promises to grow at highest rate in decade; Shanghai launches a development plan of 260,000 million euros; Pakistan High Court Acquits Former Prime Minister Khan of Terrorism Charges; in Cebu they will erect a giant statue of Padre Pio in a pilgrimage area; For the Moscow Patriarchate, the meeting between the Pope and Kirill remains possible and desirable.

JAPAN

For the first time in history, the Japanese older than 75 years they exceed 15% of the total, reaching 19.37 million (+720 thousand). This year’s data confirms the rapid aging of Japanese society, with a record figure also among those over 65 years of age (36.27 million, 29.1%). The Rising Sun heads the world ranking of the oldest societies; Italy and Finland follow.

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate promises to be the highest in a decade, with 7.5% in 2022. According to S&P data, the forecast surplus for the State budget is around 6.3%. The rating agency believes that production capacity will also increase in the long term thanks to the development of finance and economic reforms.

CHINA

This morning, the Shanghai authorities released eight infrastructure projects for a total value of almost 260,000 million euros. They focus on the development of energy and mobility plans for citizens: urban transit, railways and home improvements, among others. An ecological park, the development of offshore wind energy, security and drinking water are some of the specific projects.

PAKISTAN

The High Court ordered the charges dropped of terrorism against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The accusation was related to a public speech in which the former prime minister would have threatened the police for not having released one of his collaborators by paying bail. Therefore, the case was transferred from the anti-terror court to an ordinary criminal court.

PHILIPPINES

On a hill overlooking Cebu they will erect a giant statue of Padre Pio, as part of the sanctuary dedicated to the saint of Pietrelcina (Italy) in the village of Pulangbato, a pilgrimage destination. The inauguration took place on September 17, in the presence of Archbishop José Palma and members of the contemplative community of Padre Pio. At the foot of the work they will also build an oratory.

RUSSIA – VATICAN

The Metropolitan “For Foreign Relations” of the Moscow Patriarchate, Antonij, reiterated that a second meeting of Kirill with Pope Francis remains possible and desirable. Jerusalem would be the ideal place to hold the meeting, but “now the ball is in the hands of the Vatican,” he added.

TURKMENISTAN

Following Turkmenistan’s recently imposed ban on termination of pregnancy, the number of abortions has not decreased, reports Radio Azattyk. But there has been a sharp increase in bribes that women have to pay to medical personnel to terminate a pregnancy after the fifth week of gestation.