THAILAND
Five Thai soldiers were killed in a shootout and a bomb attack at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint in the south of the country, a hotbed of separatist insurgencies, according to the army; this is one of the bloodiest incidents in recent years. Six civilians were injured in the attack, which took place on Wednesday evening (22 July) in Narathiwat province. The Narathiwat provincial public relations office reported that no group had claimed responsibility for the attack and that no arrests had been made.
INDIA
In his first public reaction to the protests that have been ongoing for days in New Delhi over university exam scandals, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a tweet that “nothing is more important than the well-being and future of our young people”, announcing swift investigations to punish those responsible for the early leak of exam papers and to protect students’ interests through immediate measures. Protest leaders are responding with the sarcastic slogan “I am nothing”.
CHINA – TAIWAN
Beijing has launched two days of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. They will take place daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm near Dongshan Island, on the border with Guangdong province. The news comes the day after talks between US Secretary of State Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on a range of issues, including that of Taiwan – a democratically governed region which China claims as its own territory. In December, China conducted its most extensive military exercises to date.
INDONESIA
Indonesia has further cut the budget for its free meals programme by over $2 billion, a flagship project of President Prabowo Subianto. The move is expected to restrict access to the scheme. The meal programme, worth several billion dollars, is one of Prabowo’s signature policies, but its implementation has been marred by incidents of mass food poisoning and corruption. The programme aimed to reach at least 82.9 million children and pregnant and breastfeeding women
YEMEN – SAUDI ARABIA – MIDDLE EAST
The Houthis, allies of Iran, have claimed responsibility for an attack on two Saudi oil tankers passing through the Red Sea. “For violating the blockade order issued by the armed forces,” said spokesperson Yahya Saree. He added that the attacks were carried out “using a series of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones”, causing fires on the ships. Meanwhile, the United States and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The agreement builds on the historic strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia; for the latter, it marks the successful conclusion of bilateral negotiations on cooperation regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
RUSSIA
The number of recorded abortions has risen in Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia. This figure seems paradoxical, given the federal government’s efforts to increase the birth rate and prevent abortions, and considering that the North Caucasus is traditionally associated with large families, strong family values and religious devotion. This negative trend, however, has begun to develop against the backdrop of a tightening of anti-abortion policies, starting in 2023.
ARMENIA
Armenia is proposing to introduce the ‘I Have the Honour’ programme within the National Security Service, offering university students the opportunity to undertake military training whilst studying and to serve in the security forces after graduation. The proposal involves amendments to various laws governing military service, border troops and national security agencies, as reported by Armenpress. Under the initiative, programme participants will sign an agreement on terms set by the agency.
