South Asia
Several protestors have gathered in Bahria Town in Karachi, with demonstrators claiming that the authorities have “stolen” the land from the locals to develop it into a model city. This has resulted in the arrest of 156 individuals who were then charged with “vandalism” by the anti-terrorism court. [Indian Express]
The United Arab Emirates had barred its citizens from travelling to several countries, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The Foreign Ministry and the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority said that with the commencement of the travel season, the government was urging citizens to exercise caution and take all preventive measures related to COVID-19. [NDTV]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Armenian and Iranian officials met in Tehran on Thursday to discuss the expansion of economic, trade, and diplomatic ties. Both sides stressed on the importance of establishing a free trade agreement and developing infrastructure and transport facilities. Armenia also expressed support for Iran joining the Eurasian Economic Union. [Fars News]
Over a dozen Kazakh political activists have been detained by police in the city of Shymkent for demanding the release of political prisoners. Activists have been carrying out hunger strikes in several cities in Kazakhstan, including capital city Nur Sultan, Almaty, Oral, Oskement, and Shymkent, demanding the reversal of the ban imposed on unregistered opposition parties Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) and Koshe (Street) party. [RFE/RL]
East and Southeast Asia
Japan’s embassy in Manila announced on Thursday that Japan and the Philippines’ air forces will conduct their first-ever joint exercises from July 5 to 8 at Clark Air Base, a former US military facility in the northern Philippines. The air-to-air bilateral training will focus on humanitarian and disaster relief, which Japan’s embassy described as a “significant milestone” for defence cooperation. [Nikkei Asia]
In his speech celebrating the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), President Xi Jinping warned against foreign aggression and vowed that China has “never bullied and will not bully others.” He also said that China will continue to pursue international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). [Global Times]
Europe
The British Foreign Office released a statement calling upon all parties in Tigray to work towards bringing an end to violence and allow humanitarian access to the region. Further, it also called upon Eritrean forces to withdraw from Tigray. [Reuters]
The European Union’s digital COVID certificate, the resolution for which was passed last month, was officially launched yesterday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We are helping Europeans get back the freedom they value and cherish so much.” All EU member countries are connected to the online getaway except Ireland. [Politico]
Latin America and the Caribbean
A conglomeration of opposition political parties and activist groups has filed a “mega petition” with Brazil’s House of Deputies to impeach President Jair Bolsonaro. The leader is accused of 23 crimes, including “encouraging the military to not comply with the law”, inciting a coup, and mismanaging the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Merco Press]
The United States (US) State Department has published a list of over 50 current and former Central American officials who are “suspected of corruption or undermining democracy.” The list is populated by indivudals in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and includes former Honduran President Jose Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa and former first lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo. [Associated Press]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Qatar is set to train its air force in Turkey as part of a training agreement between Ankara and Doha. The deal will allow the Gulf country to deploy 36 fighter jets and 250 servicemen to Turkey.. [Middle East Eye]
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has appointed Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei as the country’s judiciary chief to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who is set to take office as President next month. Mohseni-Ejei, 64, was sanctioned by the United States in 2020 for his role as intelligence minister in crushing the protests that emerged following Iran’s disputed 2009 presidential election. [Iran International]
North America
United States (US) President Joe Biden released a statement that celebrates the fact that 130 countries, which together account for more than 90% of the world’s economy, have come together to support a minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. Biden said, “With a global minimum tax in place, multinational corporations will no longer be able to pit countries against one another in a bid to push tax rates down and protect their profits at the expense of public revenue. They will no longer be able to avoid paying their fair share by hiding profits generated in the United States, or any other country, in lower-tax jurisdictions.” [The White House]
On Thursday, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau met with Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi. According to a statement released by Global Affairs Canada, Garneau “restated Canada’s recognition of Jordan’s custodianship over the Holy Sites in Jerusalem and conveyed Canada’s appreciation of Jordan’s constructive efforts and recognition of the key role it plays towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.” [Government of Canada]
Oceania
New Zealand welcomed a report by the Commission of Inquiry that denounces human rights abuse in Syria, particularly in Idlib. The report was presented last month at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. The Government further condemned the mass killing of civilians and abuse of international humanitarian law. [Government of New Zealand]
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under pressure to reduce the number of international arrivals in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus. The Delta strain of the virus, which was first found in India, has been reported in different parts of the country. [9 NEWS]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite protests back in 2018 when it was first proposed, the Ugandan government is going ahead with implementing a 12% excise duty on mobile data that some have called the “social media tax.” President Yoweri Museveni has dismissed concerns of this being a move to restrict access to information, saying that social media users are “endlessly donating money to foreign telephone companies through chatting or even lying.” [Africa Feeds]
Rwandan Prime Minister Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente has said that the Kagame government stands ready to restore ties with Burundi. Bilateral relations have been strained since 2015, when many Burundian citizens sought refuge in Rwanda following the country’s election, in which former President Pierre Nkurunziza secured a third term in office under controversial circumstances. [The New Times]