GULF – ISRAEL – LEBANON
It is not just the Strait of Hormuz: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are, in fact, threatening to close “all other export corridors” that benefit the United States and its allies in response to the military escalation between Washington and Tehran, which is undermining the fragile truce. “Regional energy exports,” the Pasdaran state in a statement, “are either shared by all or denied to all.” Iran could use its Houthi allies in Yemen to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the Red Sea, opening a new front and putting two of the world’s most vital energy arteries at risk. Meanwhile, yesterday saw the start of two days of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome, with Beirut hoping to make progress in the talks on the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the south as part of a US-brokered agreement.
PAKISTAN
Yesterday’s clashes between security forces and supporters of the Joint Action Committee (Jaac) – which has been banned in Pakistan-administered Kashmir since last June under anti-terrorism laws – left nine people dead. The violence erupted the day before a march organised by the group to protest against controversial electoral arrangements ahead of the regional vote at the end of the month. The clash stems from a dispute over 12 reserved seats in the Regional Assembly for refugees living elsewhere in the country, a system which, according to the protesters, ultimately dilutes local representation.
THAILAND
The death toll from the fire at a live music bar in the heart of Bangkok’s nightlife district has risen to 32, after two more people died from their serious injuries. This has been reported by hospital sources, whilst the police are investigating the causes and have opened an investigation into negligence as the cause of the fire. The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre adds that 30 people are still being treated in the city’s hospitals, 15 of whom are in intensive care, whilst a total of 44 have been discharged.
CHINA
Economic growth slowed sharply between early April and late June due to weak domestic demand and the impact of the war in Iran on oil prices, which have crippled the country’s exports. Official gross domestic product (GDP) figures show that the world’s second-largest economy grew by 4.3 per cent in the second quarter, below Beijing’s annual target, following a 5 per cent increase in the first quarter. By contrast, exports rose by 27 per cent year-on-year in June. In March, China lowered its growth target to a range of 4.5%–5%, the lowest since 1991, to allow for greater flexibility in managing the economy.
JAPAN
Images and videos generated by artificial intelligence will have to be labelled as such under new rules on social media use during elections in Japan.
The Minister for Home Affairs announced this, adding that the new rules, approved by Parliament on 13 July, will come into force in March and will also prohibit internet users and platforms from spreading false or distorted information about candidates. “We believe,” said Yoshimasa Hayashi, “that this is extremely important in terms of ensuring the fairness of elections.”
NEPAL
Three people have died after setting themselves on fire in separate incidents across Nepal in less than a week. The latest victim, 42-year-old Bivek Mandal from Godaita village in Sarlahi, died on the morning of 13 July whilst receiving treatment at the Nepal Cleft and Burn Centre in Kirtipur. Mandal was flown to Kathmandu and admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit due to the extremely severe burns he had sustained.
RUSSIA
Between January and June 2026, customer footfall in restaurants across Russia fell by 6–10 per cent. Consumers are increasingly opting out of restaurant visits, preferring ready meals bought from supermarkets. Restaurant operators and fast-food owners are offsetting the decline in customer numbers with price rises: the average bill increased by 4–18 per cent over the period in question, depending on the segment. The Netmonet tipping service also reports a drop in footfall, particularly in traditional restaurants and mid-range bars.
