Thai Constitutional Court suspends Prime Minister Shinawatra

Today's headlines: Two Turkish cartoonists arrested for a cartoon depicting Muhammad and Moses; John Lee praises Hong Kong's “security and competitiveness” on the 28th anniversary of its handover to China; In Telangana, 39 people are killed in an explosion at Sgachi Industries; An investigation reveals sectarian massacres against Alawites by groups close to Damascus; Manila is working on a “single theatre” approach to its confrontation with Beijing in the Asia-Pacific seas.

THAILAND

The Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office pending consideration of a motion calling for her dismissal. The verdict is linked to a petition filed by 36 senators accusing the head of government of dishonesty and violation of constitutional ethnic standards in a phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

TURKEY

Authorities have arrested two cartoonists for a satirical drawing published in the weekly magazine Leman, depicting the prophets Moses and Muhammad shaking hands in heaven while missiles fly over the earth in a scene that appears to represent war. Seen as a comment on heavenly harmony in contrast to earthly conflicts, the image sparked outrage among conservative religious figures and condemnation from the government. In a post, the magazine apologised to those who felt offended and spoke of a misunderstanding, while protesters marched outside its headquarters in the evening.

HONG KONG - CHINA

Hong Kong leader John Lee today praised the growing security and competitiveness of the city as he celebrated the 28th anniversary of its handover to China in 1997 under the “One Country, Two Systems” model, which in the past has been the scene of protests. Analysts and critics denounce the use of repressive methods against dissent, applying the National Security Law imposed by Beijing.

INDIA

At least 39 people have died and dozens more have been injured in Telangana after an explosion at a Sigachi Industries plant triggered a devastating fire. Four people are in ‘extremely critical condition,’ while 10 are still trapped in the plant. The Indian industrial giant produces polymer blends, lubricants and medicinal ingredients for the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and chemical industries.

SYRIA

A Reuters investigation has uncovered 40 sites of killings, looting and arson during three days of sectarian massacres following the uprising of Alawites in March, considered loyal to the former Assad regime. The chain of command appears to be linked to the current leadership headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa. Christians have been targeted by extremist groups (including HTS defectors), as evidenced by the massacre of the “martyrs” of the church of St. Elias on 22 June. The killings threaten the fragile transition in Syria, where Trump has lifted sanctions.

PHILIPPINES - JAPAN - CHINA

The Philippine military leadership is working to create a one “theatre” in the East and South China Seas, with “threats” in seas similar to those around Japan. The reference is to the proposal by the Tokyo Defence Minister, who had invited his US counterpart to consider the East and South China Seas, the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas as “a single entity”. Manila and Beijing - which has sanctioned former senator Francis Tolentino and imposed an entry ban - have frequently clashed over disputed islands and atolls in the Philippine EEZ.

RUSSIA - AZERBAIJAN

Tension is growing between Baku and Moscow: in Azerbaijan, all cultural initiatives already planned by state or private institutions from Russia have been cancelled, as announced by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture. Behind the decision are alleged “deliberate actions by Russian law enforcement agencies against Azerbaijanis on ethnic grounds” in recent days in Yekaterinburg, in the Urals.

KAZAKHSTAN

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev yesterday signed a law banning the wearing of clothing that covers the face in public places, joining an emerging trend in Central Asia to restrict forms of Islamic dress. According to the law, which does not mention religion, clothing that ‘interferes with facial recognition’ will be banned in public, with exemptions for medical purposes, adverse weather conditions and sporting and cultural events.