Putschist General Min Aung Hlaing elected president of Myanmar
Today's news: Former Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif urges Iran to declare victory and seek an agreement with Trump on ending the war. Pakistan offers oil tankers Pakistani registration to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. By 2025, renewable energy will reach nearly 50 per cent of global electricity capacity. Tencent Video launches a TV channel for dogs and cats, tapping into a rapidly growing economic niche in China.
MYANMAR
As widely expected, Myanmar's parliament today elected Min Aung Hlaing as the country’s new president. The 69-year-old general has ruled the Southeast Asian nation since overthrowing the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup in 2021. His transition from junta leader to head of a civilian-fronted administration comes after elections that analysts say were engineered by the military to maintain their grip on power and exclude Suu Kyi's now-dissolved party. Since the coup, the general has had limited diplomatic contact with many of Myanmar's regional neighbours and has rarely spoken to non-state-controlled media.
WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST
US President Donald Trump has escalated his threats against Iran, warning that the US military “hasn't even started" to destroy what remains of the country's infrastructure after a US strike demolished the nation's largest bridge. Meanwhile, Iranian missiles rained down on Israel and the Gulf states again last night. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called on Iranian leaders to declare victory and end the war, outlining a plan for how Iran could seek an agreement with Trump on acceptable terms.
PAKISTAN – GULF
The operator of an oil tanker recently stranded in the Persian Gulf received an offer: to safely leave the area by crossing the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian navy escort, on the condition that it change its registration and fly the Pakistani flag. The offer, made by the Pakistani government, was not accepted. Islamabad is contacting major commodity traders to find ships willing to temporarily sail under its flag. The goal is to allow large supertankers to transit and show the success of its diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region.
WORLD
Renewable energy reached nearly 50 per cent of global electricity capacity in 2025, driven primarily by a sharp increase in solar power, this according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Total capacity reached a record 5,149 GW, an increase of 692 GW compared to 2024. Solar led the way (+511 GW), followed by wind. Renewables have grown much faster than fossil fuels and have protected some countries from energy market shocks. Despite geopolitical tensions, the sector is approaching the global goal of tripling capacity by 2030, although slightly more growth will be needed.
CHINA
Chinese tech giant Tencent Video launched Pet TV, China's first streaming channel specifically designed for dogs and cats. Since 20 March, the channel is available to the platform's VIP subscribers, costing about 25 yuan (US$ 3.60) per month, featuring videos for specific dog breeds. Tencent aims to capitalise on China's growing pet business. A 2025 report by multinational auditing firm KPMG found that the country's urban pet market exceeded 300 billion yuan (about US$ 44 billion) in 2024 and is expected to exceed 400 billion yuan in 2027.
RUSSIA
This summer, Russia plans to regulate cryptocurrency circulation and legalise the sector. On 30 March, the government approved various bills, drafted by the Central Bank, which are expected to be tabled in the State Duma this week. The bills ban cryptocurrency transactions in the country without regulated intermediaries and introduce a series of restrictions for investors.
AZERBAIJAN
A total ban on the import, export, production, storage, sale, and use of e-cigarettes came into effect in Azerbaijan on 1 April. The law was amended to allow the heating of tobacco, but specifies that "equipment intended for vapour inhalation, whether or not containing nicotine," is not permitted. Hefty fines of up to US$ 350 for individuals and US$ 3,500 for companies are also in place.
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13/07/2022 19:10
