TIBET - INDIA - CHINA
The Dalai Lama will take part in an important three-day gathering of Buddhist religious leaders this week, on the eve of his 90th birthday on 6 July. Meanwhile, his followers and faithful await to hear who he will name as his successor, a move that is bound to create further friction with Beijing. Following his escape from Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising, he considers Tenzin Gyatso a separatist leader and not a religious leader. The Dalai Lama has said that his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing.
CHINA - JAPAN
Beijing announced yesterday the immediate resumption of imports of seafood products from 10 Japanese regions, ending a two-year ban in response to Tokyo's release of treated wastewater from Fukushima, the site of the 2011 nuclear accident. Products from other regions will require health certification, qualification for the detection of radioactive substances and production area certificates issued by the Japanese government.
TURKEY
Police arrested at least 30 people yesterday in Istanbul as they tried to take part in an LGBTQ+ pride march banned since 2015 in the country's economic and commercial capital by government order. Meanwhile, in the western province of Izmir, a fire emergency has been ongoing for two days, fuelled by strong winds, with the fire engulfing several villages that were subsequently evacuated.
INDIA
Prada has acknowledged the ancient Indian roots of its open-toe sandal design, which resembles the traditional Kolhapuri chappal footwear of Maharashtra, dating back to the 12th century and made by Chamar artisans. The presentation, which took place at a fashion show in Milan, sparked protests on social media and in the press. In response to the controversy, Lorenzo Bertelli acknowledged their Indian origin, although there is no confirmation that the product will be marketed.
INDONESIA
Jakarta has launched a $5.9 billion megaproject to produce batteries for electric vehicles backed by Chinese giant CATL, despite concerns from NGOs and activists about environmental risks. Indonesia is the world's largest nickel producer and wants to capitalise on its vast reserves, with a 2020 export ban sparking a national industrial boom in the key metal used in electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel.
RUSSIA
Shareholders in Russian oil and mining giants Gazprom and Nornikel will not publish or pay dividends for 2024, causing the Moscow stock market to fall by more than 3%. The last time Gazprom paid dividends was in 2022, after shareholders had received regular payments since 1999.
ARMENIA
The Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, presented himself to security agents who entered the territory of the patriarchal headquarters in Echmiadzin during a meeting of priests to arrest the bishop of the eparchy of Shirak, Mikhael Adžapakhyan. In the heated moments, a physical confrontation almost broke out, but he was then taken to the police station for questioning.
