ASIA TODAY Taipei on high alert over ‘waves’ of Chinese missile tests

Today’s news: IDF partially withdraws from Gaza after a week-long offensive. Kathmandu moves towards a new coalition government after parliamentary vote of no confidence in KP Sharma Oli. To revive tourism (and trade), Thailand increases the number of countries that do not require an entry visa to 93. The “wandering” monk Thich Minh Tue reappears after a month.

TAIWAN – CHINA

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry is closely monitoring the “waves” of missile tests are taking place in Inner Mongolia in northern China, and its air defence forces are on alert. Beijing declined to comment. The Rocket Force, which is carrying out the tests, is responsible for China’s arsenal of conventional and nuclear missiles.

ISRAEL – PALESTINE

Last night the Israeli army (IDF) he retired Gaza City’s neighbourhoods have been evacuated following a fierce, week-long military offensive that left dozens dead, homes destroyed and several buildings temporarily closed, including the Anglican hospital. Meanwhile, mediation backed by Washington continues to try to reach a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

NEPAL

Kathmandu is preparing to form a new government coalition led by KP Sharma Oli, because the government of radical Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal lost the vote of confidence yesterday. The assembly ended a tumultuous 20-month mandate. Since the abolition of a 239-year-old monarchy in 2008, Nepal has suffered great instability. The next one will be the 14th government in 16 years.

THAILAND

To boost tourism (and trade), Bangkok will allow the visa-free entry people from 93 countries or territories as of July 15, a significant increase from the current 57. Visitors will also be able to stay for up to 60 days. Foreign arrivals in 2024 are up 35% compared with the same period in 2023, generating revenue of $31.8 billion.

IRAQ

The Nineveh Antiquities and Heritage Inspectorate has announced the start of work on Restoration of the ancient walls of Ninevehone of the most significant monuments in Mosul, to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once completed, it will be 200 metres long and seven metres high. It is part of the ancient city of Nineveh, capital of the ancient Assyrian Empire, and is a major tourist destination.

VIETNAM

Reappeared The “wandering” Buddhist monk Thich Minh Tue, 43, has disappeared from circulation for almost a month when the police “interrupted” his journey. The religious leader, not recognized by the government, was seen walking – in an unidentified locality – together with his younger brother in a video that immediately went viral on social networks in Vietnam.

RUSSIA – ORTHODOX

More than 40 Orthodox priests have recently lost their jobs for refusing to recite the prayer for Russia’s victory in the war in Ukraine. A few days ago, the victims were Father Vadim Perminov from Novosibirsk, a father of five who remained in Russia despite everything, and Father Andrej Drugaj from Krasnodar, who has taken refuge abroad.

ARMENIA

In the context of numerous discussions about true patriotism, the Yerevan government decided to replace the school subject “History of the Armenian people” with “History of Armenia”. The rationale for the decision is that “the center of social life should be the actually existing state, and not theories of interpretation of history,” said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.