Other news today: Afghan Taliban against music and dance at weddings. The Burmese junta shut down the oil wells at Magway, with more than 300,000 workers at risk. Beijing studies a new “water network” against drought. The Netherlands and Canada want to take Damascus before the International Court for torture. Bhutan is targeting Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies to build a 600-megawatt power plant. Tehran is willing to build an assault drone factory in Russia.
HONG KONG
Hong Kong has decided to relax the entry rules for foreign workers to address labor shortages that could have a strong negative impact on the economy and competitiveness. The chief executive of the city, John Lee, confirmed that the plan will be released “soon”, and the objective is to strengthen sectors with “serious” deficiencies and avoid a “job crisis”.
AFGHANISTAN
The religious police have renewed the prohibition – hitherto ignored – for all the halls of Kabul to play music, dance or carry out activities that violate the rules of sharia, Islamic law, on the occasion of weddings or anniversaries. Last year the Taliban had introduced the law because they consider the music to be contrary to the Muslim faith, but the owners had ignored the provision.
MYANMAR
The military junta has ordered the closure of all oil wells privately run in the central region of Magway, with the risk of putting some 300,000 workers in the sector out of work. The decree was published last week without prior notice and without any reason justifying the measure. The military fears that these capitals are financing the rebel groups.
CHINA
To counter climate change-related drought, Beijing is planning ambitious new infrastructure. At the end of May, the government authorities announced the project of a national “water network” with new channels, reservoirs and storage structures for irrigation. However, experts warn that diverting rivers and modifying reserves could have a negative impact.
SYRIA
The Netherlands and Canada have requested the opening of a trial for torture against Syria before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The two governments accuse Damascus of committing “countless violations of international law” since the civil war began in spring 2011. It could be the first international court to rule on torture cases.
BHUTAN – SINGAPORE
Bhutan, famous for its happiness index, is developing a plan based on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies to boost the kingdom’s economy and bring it into the 21st century. The goal is to create, together with Singapore-based Bitdeer Technologies Group, a fund to raise $500 million to build a 600-megawatt power plant, tapping into the potential of the hydroelectric sector.
IRAN – RUSSIA
Iran has promised Moscow to build a factory to produce Shahed assault drones in the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan in early 2024 and supply the necessary materials. Meanwhile, Tehran will continue to equip the Russians with military drones that are transported from Amirabad to Makhachkala across the Caspian Sea.
KYRGYZSTAN
The Bishkek court sentenced former Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev to 30 years in prison in a harsh regime prison. He has been accused of corruption in a case dating back to 2013 in connection with the “Kumtor Gold Company” mine contract. The judges also sentenced his son Maksim and other senior officials of his government to life imprisonment, although almost all of them reside abroad.
