Displaying items by tag: Asia

A devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet on 6 January, claiming at least 126 lives and injuring 188, according to Chinese state media. Centred near the Nepalese border, the quake caused widespread destruction across remote Himalayan villages, damaging over 3,600 homes. Tremors were felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India. Rescue operations are under way, with over 400 individuals freed from rubble and 30,000 residents relocated. The harsh terrain and winter weather add challenges to the efforts. The quake caused significant damage in nearby Shigatse, a holy Tibetan city. Emergency aid, including tents and warm clothing, has been dispatched to support affected communities, where temperatures are expected to plummet below freezing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called on officials to make all-out efforts to search for and rescue survivors and provide for displaced residents, while the Dalai Lama extended condolences and prayers for victims. Rescuers continue to search for survivors in difficult conditions.

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots Japanese organisation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors, for its tireless efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. It was formed in 1956 to document survivor testimonies and press for nuclear disarmament at the UN and other global forums. Nihon Hidankyo's work aligns with Alfred Nobel’s will, emphasising peace and the abolition of war. The organisation will receive a $1 million award: prime minister Shigeru Ishiba called the recognition ‘extremely meaningful’. The Nobel committee noted that the ‘nuclear taboo’ is under pressure: the nine nuclear-armed countries are continuing to modernise their weapons, and currently there are 12,121 warheads in the world. Hibakusha’s testimonies serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of nuclear warfare and a call for a peaceful, disarmed future.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader and head of HTS, has met senior Christian leaders in Damascus to reassure minorities about their safety under his administration. The meeting follows protests over attacks on Christian and Alawite symbols. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria that safeguards diverse communities' rights. Al-Sharaa has also held talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), proposing their integration into the national army. Despite attempts to stabilise the country after Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow in December, incidents of violence and unrest persist. The SDF, backed by the USA, remains locked in conflict with Turkish-backed factions, while Turkiye alleges SDF ties to the PKK, a group it deems terrorist. Syria’s Christian population, once about one million, has dwindled to 300,000 since the civil war began in 2011, highlighting the challenges minorities face amid ongoing instability.

After months of deadlock, there are new signs that Israel and Hamas could be moving closer to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The USA, Qatar, and Egypt are reporting greater willingness by both sides to conclude a deal. Talks are reportedly in a decisive stage. Israel’s defence minister has indicated that they are close to an agreement, though challenges remain, including far-right Israeli cabinet opposition and Hamas's conditions. A three-phase plan proposes releasing civilian and women hostages, with Israeli troop withdrawals and a mechanism for displaced Gazans to return. Subsequent stages include freeing remaining hostages and a broader troop withdrawal. Of 96 hostages in Gaza, 62 are believed to be still alive; a hundred others have been freed through negotiation or military action. The negotiations have been given a new push by Donald Trump’s election; he has warned that a ceasefire deal should be reached before he takes office, because otherwise ‘it’s not going to be pleasant’.

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic insurgent group, has captured the Myanmar military’s border guard base in northern Rakhine State, marking a significant victory in the country’s civil war. After months of intense fighting, the base, built on a former Rohingya village destroyed during the 2017 crackdown, fell to the AA, leaving the junta humiliated. The AA now controls the entire 270 km border with Bangladesh and much of Rakhine State. The battle was among the bloodiest in the conflict, with over 450 junta soldiers killed. While the AA is setting up its own administration in the region, challenges persist. The area is devastated, with 80% of housing destroyed, widespread displacement, and looming famine exacerbated by a military blockade. The future of the Rohingya population in Rakhine remains uncertain. Though the AA has pledged inclusivity, there are tensions between the Rohingyas and the ethnic Rakhine majority. The AA’s leadership remains quiet on how they will govern amid growing humanitarian concerns.

On 8 December, Syrian rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad, ending his 24-year rule and his family’s half-century grip on power. Their victory caps a devastating 13-year civil war which killed over 500,000 people, displaced millions, and involved major global powers. Turkey, a key player, supported rebel groups, primarily to counter Kurdish militias. Turkey, which would also like to repatriate three million Syrian refugees, has played a role in brokering ceasefires and aiding the rebels’ recent offensive. Russia, Assad’s staunch ally, provided air support and troops starting in 2015, securing key military bases in Syria. However, its focus on the Ukraine war weakened its ability to sustain Assad’s regime, leading to his downfall. Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow. The USA has backed moderate rebels and Kurdish-led forces against Assad and ISIS, maintaining about 900 troops in the northeast. Iran and Hezbollah, longtime Assad allies, have also seen their influence wane due to internal and external conflicts. Breaking news: the rebels have announced that the Syrian parliament and constitution will be suspended for three months.

Israel has launched a series of airstrikes and naval operations in Syria, targeting military assets and creating a buffer zone near the Golan Heights. Defence minister Israel Katz stated the actions aim to establish a ‘sterile defence zone’ to prevent terrorist activities. Israeli strikes reportedly destroyed Syria’s naval fleet, military warehouses, air-defense facilities, and weaponry near Damascus. There were probably as many as 250 strikes, with video evidence of naval wreckage in Latakia. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed significant damage to Syria’s military infrastructure. Israel claims its operations are temporary and limited to precluding advanced weaponry from extremist groups. However, several nations have condemned the strikes as violations of international law. The UN criticised the buffer zone seizure as a breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement, despite Israel’s assurances of its defensive intent.

Animal rights activists are urging the Nepali government to halt the mass slaughter of animals during the Gadhimai festival, a tradition held every five years in a village near the Nepal-India border. Despite a 2016 supreme court order to phase out animal sacrifices, thousands of buffaloes, goats, and pigeons were reportedly killed this year. Participants believe that sacrificing animals pleases the goddess Gadhimai, bringing them good fortune and fulfilling wishes. Efforts by organisations like the Humane Society have led to a reduction in the number of animals sacrificed, but activists argue that more needs to be done. Local officials claim that measures are being taken to limit the practice, and some villagers have shown openness to alternatives, such as monetary donations instead of animal offerings. However, many community members resist change, viewing the sacrifices as an integral part of their 200-year-old cultural tradition. Activists continue to work on the ground, focusing on education and awareness to shift attitudes towards ending the practice.

Marziyeh Amirizadeh spent her first 33 years under a restrictive regime that curtailed freedoms following the 1979 revolution. Raised as a Muslim, she experienced a profound spiritual transformation after encountering God in a dream, leading her to embrace Christianity. Despite the severe risks, Marziyeh and her friend Maryam began evangelising in Tehran, distributing Bibles and sharing Jesus' love. Their activities attracted the attention of authorities, and in 2009 they were arrested and sentenced to death by hanging for apostasy and promoting Christianity. Initially confined in an underground dungeon, they endured inhumane conditions, but throughout their imprisonment Marziyeh held on to the promise of Matthew 10:19, which assures believers that the Spirit will provide words in times of persecution. Their unwavering faith and international advocacy eventually led to their release. Her story is a testament to steadfast faith amid persecution.

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol faces political turmoil after his controversial declaration of martial law on 3 December triggered calls for impeachment and police investigations into alleged insurrection. Opposition lawmakers accuse him of abusing power to suppress dissent under the guise of countering North Korea. The impeachment motion, set for a Saturday vote, requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, with opposition parties needing eight votes from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) to pass. The martial law declaration, made during a late-night televised address, sparked immediate backlash. Armed troops attempted to block parliament but were repelled. Critics called the declaration unconstitutional. Yoon’s actions have divided his party and drawn widespread criticism. If he were to be impeached, the constitutional court would determine the outcome; prime minister Han Duck-soo could act as interim leader.