THAILAND
In his first monthly televised address, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that the government wants to curb illegal gambling by legalising casinos and build a nuclear power plant to reduce electricity costs.
ARMENIA – PALESTINE – ISRAEL
Armenia is the latest country to recognise the Palestinian state amid military and diplomatic tensions over the war in Gaza, which has caused tens of thousands of civilian victims. Armenia also reiterated its support for the UN ceasefire resolution. Israel's response was immediate, with the foreign ministry summoning the Armenian ambassador to Israel for a severe reprimand. At least 45 Palestinians have died in Rafah in the last few hours in Israeli attacks.
CHINA – TAIWAN
China threatens to impose the death penalty on supporters of Taiwanese independence, who could be tried in absentia and convicted of "splitting the country". The Supreme People's Court and four other police agencies issued the directive yesterday. Notwithstanding the lack of jurisdiction over the island, it can target anyone who works for the "rebel" island.
IRAN
Law enforcement in North Khorasan arrested 29 people in a raid on a villa on charges of "Satanism" and possession of illegal substances. Police Chief Saeed Motahhari-Zadeh reported the discovery of "alcoholic beverages, satanic paraphernalia and various hallucinogenic substances." The identity and fate of those arrested is unknown at present.
SINGAPORE
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli announced that directives will be issued in the coming months to regulate the use of electronic devices like smartphones, tablets as well as social media platforms, now an integral part of daily life but whose use must be managed to reduce their negative effects and the mental health challenge they represent.
PAKISTAN – AFGHANISTAN
At least five Pakistani army soldiers were killed in the attack on a convoy in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan border, which was claimed by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban. The raid marks the end of the unilateral truce announced by the group for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, while relations between Islamabad and Kabul are becoming increasingly tense.
RUSSIA
Russia’s State Duma has approved further amendments to a bill that would increase controls on foreign migrants, with restrictions that virtually leave them without legal defence. Advocacy groups have slammed the draft proposal, which increases the list of reasons to refuse entry, and cuts by half the staying period to 90 days a year.
UZBEKISTAN
The Academic Lyceum of the Westminster International University in Tashkent will offer the Cambridge International As&A Level programme. Such internationally recognised, high-quality education will provide candidates with the opportunity to prepare for enrolment in the most prestigious higher education establishments in the world.
