Iran makes at least 26 arrests for “collaboration” with Israel

Today's headlines: Thailand is criminalising the cannabis industry; Food allergies among children are on the rise in Singapore;  North Korea has inaugurated the large tourist area of Wonsan Kalma on the east coast; In India, two people have died and ten are missing after a minibus carrying pilgrims fell into the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand.

IRAN

Iranian media reported that at least 26 people were arrested in the southwestern province of Khuzestan on charges of collaborating with Israel, two days after the end of the conflict. Intelligence units affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards detained the suspects on charges of acting as “agents or unwitting participants in the recent war imposed by the Zionist regime”. The arrests follow statements by Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who revealed that “ground commando units” had operated inside Iranian territory during the war. Meanwhile, in Gaza, at least 90 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombings and shootings at disputed aid distribution centres in the last 24 hours.

THAILAND

The Thai government is moving towards the return of the criminalisation of cannabis, throwing into uncertainty a sector that, since the substance was removed from the list of narcotic drugs in 2022, had grown to be worth over a billion dollars. The move to impose new controls on recreational cannabis use comes as the government teeters on the brink of losing support from the Bhumjaithai party. A medical prescription will soon be required for any retail purchase.

SINGAPORE

A clinical study aims to answer questions about the impact of food allergies among children in Singapore. There has been a steady increase in cases of paediatric food allergies (60% between 2022 and 2024) observed in clinics at the National University Hospital (NUH) and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH). While this may reflect growing awareness and concern among parents (as well as worldwide), it highlights food allergy as an emerging condition in Singapore.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea has completed the construction of a vast tourist area on its east coast, in what is a key project promoted for years by leader Kim Jong Un to boost tourism. The opening ceremony for the Wonsan Kalma area, which could accommodate around 20,000 visitors, was attended by Kim Jong Un, who said that the country would quickly build other large-scale tourist areas. The Wonsan project was developed after the announcement in 2014.

INDIA

A vehicle carrying pilgrims crashed into the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand, killing two people and leaving ten missing. At the time of the accident, there were 20 people in the vehicle, including the driver. Eight of the passengers were injured after the minibus they were travelling in fell into a deep ravine in the Alaknanda River valley in the Rudraprayag district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, known for its Hindu pilgrimage sites.

RUSSIA

The shortage of healthcare personnel in St. Petersburg is becoming increasingly serious. According to Rosbalt, at least 8,800 doctors of various specialities are needed, and in general there are 20,000 vacancies in the city's facilities, despite average salaries having increased by 14% over the last year to 85,000 roubles per month (more than £800). 120,000 for head physicians.

AZERBAIJAN

According to an analysis by specialists at Zerkalo.az, 90% of entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan are small business owners, who are forced to close or try to avoid tax pressure at the slightest sign of a crisis, often ending up in a “grey area” of the economy. However, they could play a decisive role if they received the necessary aid from the state, as proposed by Finance Minister Sakhil Babaev, who has so far failed to push through reforms.

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