Pakistan, clashes between police and Islamic fundamentalists: 78 arrested
Today's headlines: Xi Jinping ally Wang Huning is expected to lead the National People's Congress; North Korea responds with artillery strikes to South's drills; Majority of Singaporis in favour of the death penalty; Iran sells new weapons to the Russians. In Russia, an anti-Lgbt law is about to be passed.
PAKISTAN
Clashes with police in the Abbottabad area led to the arrest of 78 militants of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan, an Islamist organisation banned in April 2021. Those arrested are accused of terrorism and arson attacks. According to the fundamentalist group, security forces killed 10 of its members.
CHINA
Wang Huning, Xi Jinping's ally in the Politburo Standing Committee, is tipped as favourite to become the new head of the National People's Congress, rising to third place in the power hierarchy. Wang is considered Xi's ideologue: his appointment would signal a clear victory for the supreme leader at the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress.
KOREA
Tense day on the Korean peninsula. North Korea carried out artillery strikes on its west and east coasts in response to the firing of more than 10 rockets by the South Koreans during exercises near the border.
SINGAPORE
More than 7 out of 10 respondents support the death penalty for serious crimes such as murder, use of firearms and drug trafficking. This is the result of a survey released today by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 2022 saw a sharp upturn in executions in Singapore.
IRAN-RUSSIA
Tehran reportedly gave the go-ahead for the sale of more kamikaze drones to Russia, to be used in the conflict with Ukraine. The new supply would also include Fateh and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles. The arms purchase from the Iranians is seen as a sign of Moscow's munitions problems.
RUSSIA
The head of the control agency Roskomnadzor Andrej Lipov spoke in the Duma to support the bill against LGBT propaganda at all levels, which is expected to be passed by November. The agency has closed down more than 7,200 websites containing propaganda 'of non-traditional sexual behaviour'. The Moscow Patriarchate likened the measure to a 'great military victory'.
ARMENIA-AZERBAIGIAN
Armenian Prime Minister Pasinyan announced via Twitter that his government is awaiting a response from Baku on the proposal to set up three checkpoints and transit points on the border. They would serve to allow communication between East Azerbaijan and Nakhicevan.
15/07/2023