Winter with ‘extreme hardship’ for displaced people and refugees in the Middle East

Other news of the day: Chinese influence in Cambodia grows, now Mandarin is compulsory; India’s Supreme Court has freed six people serving 30-year sentences for Gandhi’s assassination; after several days of violence, Manila and the MILF sign a ceasefire; ultra-conservative Russian philosopher Dugin hypothesizes Putin’s “ritual assassination” in the event of a military defeat in Ukraine.

MIDDLE EAST

Millions of people displaced by conflict and persecution in the Middle East are at risk of suffering “extreme hardship” next winter. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) raised the alarm and explained that the coming months will be “much more difficult than in previous years.” 3.4 million displaced Syrians and Iraqis are at risk, but the most critical situation is registered in Lebanon.

ASIA

While in Egypt world leaders discuss climate, biodiversity and environmental emergencies at the COP27 meeting, in Asia the multi-million dollar illegal wildlife trade (rare and protected), a widespread practice especially between China, Vietnam and Laos. Some of the most requested animals are pangolin, rhinoceros and tiger parts, which are used to make traditional medicines and ornaments.

CHINA – CAMBODIA

Chinese influence in Cambodia grows: the mandarin study it will be mandatory in public secondary schools, in the face of protests from teachers who fear the hegemony of the dragon. Beijing and Phnom Penh have signed an 18-point memorandum that includes the field of education. The foreign languages ​​studied so far are English, French and Korean in only six institutes in the kingdom.

INDIA – SRI LANKA

The Supreme Court released after 30 years for “good behavior” six people convicted of the murder of the former prime minister rajiv gandhi in 1991 during a suicide bombing in Tamil Nadu. Those responsible for the attack were members of the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), a Sri Lankan separatist group who wanted to kill him for sending soldiers. Three of them had received the death sentence, later commuted.

PHILIPPINES

Manila and the rebels of the Moro Islamic Front (MILF) have signed a ceasefire agreement after several days of intense fighting. The balance is seven dead (three soldiers and four militiamen) and dozens of wounded. The clashes have shaken the 10-year-old peace process in Mindanao, reopening wounds from the separatist past. What triggered the violence was a “communication error.”

RUSSIA

Ultra-conservative philosopher Aleksandr Dugin has speculated that an eventual Russian defeat in Ukraine could result in a “ritual assassination” of President Vladimir Putin. He called the withdrawal from Kherson a “betrayal” and “a step towards Armageddon”, for which the Moscow leadership must bear responsibility.

KYRGYZSTAN

In Bishkek, the first world championship of Sambo, a martial art of Soviet origin, was held, in which champions from more than 50 countries participated in the three disciplines of male, female and warrior wrestling. Along with the countries of the former Soviet Union, many South Americans, Great Britain, Australia and some Africans such as Mali and Djibouti are represented.