In Riyadh, thaw between Washington and Moscow (at Ukraine's expense)

Today's news: Delhi increases security for the Dalai Lama. Bangkok foils an international fraud ring worth 187 million dollar; Pakistani army kills 30 Islamic extremists In Waziristan; Despite Fukushima, Japan wants to boost use of nuclear power; The Turkish giant Baykar will also build drones in Indonesia.

SAUDI ARABIA - USA - RUSSIA

The first session of negotiations between the USA and Russia on the conflict in Ukraine, led by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergej Lavrov, has ended in Saudi Arabia. The parties have decided to nominate representatives for the next meetings, and to re-establish the previous number of members of the embassies of Moscow and Washington. The start of dialogue on ‘geopolitical and economic cooperation’ is also planned. Moscow reiterated that it did not want troops on the ground in NATO member countries. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia so as not to give ‘legitimacy’ to the meeting.

INDIA - TIBET

Delhi has increased security for the 89-year-old Dalai Lama, now at the third highest level (category Z), adding about 30 men from special police units to protect the Tibetan spiritual leader from ‘potential threats’. Among the reasons for concern is the decade-long opposition from China, which aims to choose his successor. The Dalai Lama himself is expected to make a statement on the matter in July, when he turns 90.

THAILAND

Thai police have foiled a 7 million international fraud scam, arresting 10 suspects including Chinese nationals, in the latest in a series of operations against centres linked to online scams. The charges range from ‘fraud, computer fraud and money laundering’. Another 22 people of various nationalities are wanted, including Thais, Chinese and Koreans in an area where online crime is prolific, particularly between Cambodia and Myanmar.

VIETNAM - CHINA

Vietnam's National Assembly today approved of the increase in growth targets for 2025 and voted in favour of important infrastructure projects, including the first nuclear power plants and a railway link with China. As far as the economy is concerned, the previous target of 6.5% has been raised to 8%, while inflation should remain between 4.5% and 5%.

PAKISTAN

The Pakistani army has allegedly killed 30 radical islamists in southern Waziristan, near the border with Afghanistan, during an operation to free the tribal district from militants active in both countries. Extremist groups have launched a war against Islamabad to overthrow the government and establish Sharia law, with an escalation of attacks since the end of 2022. In Balochistan, gunmen killed seven passengers on board a bus bound for Lahore.

JAPAN

Tokyo will increase the use of nuclear power, overturning the energy policy guidelines adopted until now, to meet demand in sectors such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The plan has shifted from ‘reducing dependence’ to ‘maximising’ the use of nuclear power. It states that by 2040, nuclear power should account for 20% of supply, more than double the 8.5% in 2023, despite residual fears related to the Fukushima accident.

TURKEY - INDONESIA

Baykar, the Turkish defence giant linked to the family of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has signed an agreement with its Indonesian counterpart Republikorp for a drone production plant in the archipelago. The project remains secret and no details have been shared about the production capacity of the joint venture, the cost or the location of the factory.

UZBEKISTAN

In the face of a continuous increase in population throughout Central Asia, Uzbekistan, the most populous state with over 37 million inhabitants (in the mid-1900s there were 7 million), has seen a decrease in population for the first time in eight years. This is combined with a drop in the marriage rate, an increase in mortality and an increase in migration, all worrying signs.

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