A major disruption to a critical global shipping lane has plunged parts of South Asia into a severe shortage of cooking gas, upending daily life for households and forcing widespread business closures. The crisis stems from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, …
Asia
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AsiaNews
IN A KOLKATA WORKSHOP, SILICONE FIGURES OFFER A LIFELINE TO THE GRIEVING
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesIn an industrial corner of Kolkata, a unique form of solace is being crafted from clay, fiberglass, and silicone. Here, artisans create hyper-realistic, life-sized figures that are providing comfort to those navigating profound loss, offering a tangible presence for the departed. The workshop, which …
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AsiaNews
MONGOLIAN REFORMIST LAWMAKERS FACE SEVERE CHARGES AMIDST POLITICAL POWER STRUGGLE
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesA group of reform-minded politicians in Mongolia, comprising many younger and female legislators, now confronts the possibility of lengthy prison sentences. Their alleged crime stems from a parliamentary vote held last fall that sought the resignation of the nation’s prime minister. The accused lawmakers …
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AsiaNews
THE FALL OF A TYCOON: UNRAVELING A VAST CRIMINAL NETWORK AND ITS ENTANGLEMENT WITH POWER
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesThe once-glittering facade of a casino in a coastal resort city now lies shrouded. Its iconic golden clam shell, a symbol of opulent excess, is dark, and a sign proclaiming “under renovation” blocks the entrance. This shuttered venue, previously linked to a company named …
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AsiaNews
HUNDREDS FEARED DEAD AFTER AIRSTRIKE HITS KABUL TREATMENT FACILITY
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesA devastating airstrike on a medical facility in the Afghan capital has resulted in catastrophic loss of life, with initial reports indicating hundreds of casualties. The attack, which occurred late Monday, targeted a compound widely known for providing addiction treatment and vocational rehabilitation. Rescue …
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AsiaNews
GLOBAL POWERS HESITATE AS U.S. CALLS FOR NAVAL COALITION IN HORMUZ
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesThe recent escalation in the Persian Gulf has laid bare a significant strategic gap in Washington’s approach. Following joint military actions with Israel against Iranian targets, the expectation that Tehran would retaliate by targeting maritime traffic appears to have caught U.S. planners off guard. …
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AsiaNews
GLOBAL ALLIES HESITATE AS U.S. CALLS FOR NAVAL SUPPORT IN KEY OIL PASSAGE
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesThe United States is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to rally international naval support for securing a critical maritime chokepoint, following its effective closure by Iranian forces. The move comes amid a severe disruption to global energy shipments, which has triggered historic spikes in oil …
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AsiaNews
SRI LANKA ADOPTS FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK AMID REGIONAL ENERGY CRISIS
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesA severe energy shortage, triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has prompted Sri Lanka to implement a four-day work week for its public sector. The move is a direct effort to conserve dwindling fuel and gas reserves. The crisis stems from …
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AsiaNews
INTERNATIONAL ALLIES HESITATE AS TRUMP CALLS FOR NAVAL FORCE IN HORMUZ
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesA recent appeal from former U.S. President Donald Trump for a multinational naval deployment to the Strait of Hormuz has been met with widespread caution and non-committal responses from key global powers. The strategic waterway, a critical artery for global oil shipments, faces a …
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AsiaNews
PAKISTAN CONDUCTS CROSS-BORDER STRIKES AS TENSIONS WITH AFGHANISTAN ESCALATE
by Emilie Lopesby Emilie LopesMilitary action has intensified along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, with Pakistan confirming it has targeted what it describes as militant infrastructure inside Afghan territory. The operations, focused on areas within Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, mark a significant escalation in ongoing hostilities between the two neighboring nations. …
