Displaying items by tag: Asia

On 18 January Pakistan launched retaliatory airstrikes against alleged ‘terrorist hideouts’ in Iran, killing seven. This followed Iran's strikes on Pakistani soil on the 16th, resulting in the deaths of two children, which targeted Jaish al-Adl, an ethnic Baloch Sunni group which has previously launched attacks inside Iran. Pakistan stated that its actions were based on credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities and emphasised its respect for Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The airstrikes have heightened tensions in the region, adding to the broader Middle East crisis. Earlier in the week, Iran also conducted strikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting the alleged perpetrators of the bomb attack in Kerman which claimed 84 lives. China, a key ally of both countries, called for restraint and de-escalation in the situation. Pakistan's action is seen as an attempt to restore deterrence amid the volatile dynamics in the region.

South Africa has appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Israel to ‘immediately suspend’ its military operations in Gaza. While acknowledging the ‘particular weight of responsibility’ of accusing Israel of genocide, Pretoria has also ‘unequivocally’ condemned the Hamas attacks in October which touched off the war. President Isaac Herzog has called this complaint ‘atrocious and preposterous’: Israel will present its case to the court on 12 January. As it is an urgent procedure, the ICJ could rule in a matter of weeks: although its rulings cannot be appealed, its decisions are not binding. However, a ruling against Israel would certainly increase political pressure on the country and might serve as a pretext for sanctions. Meanwhile, the UN has passed a resolution demanding ‘immediate, safe, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip’: see

On 9 January, the US and UK navies intercepted 21 drones and missiles fired in the southern Red Sea by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels - their 26th attack on global maritime trade routes within the past seven weeks. The navies claim to have successfully shot down 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile. The UN security council has voted to demand an immediate halt to the attacks, calling them a threat to regional peace and security. The resolution also called for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated cargo ship with ties to an Israeli company which was seized by the Houthis in November. Because of the attacks, 20% of the world's container ships are now avoiding the Red Sea and using the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa instead.There are hints that the USA and UK are considering military action against the Houthis: see

Violence erupted in PNG's capital, Port Moresby, on 10 January, after police went on strike due to pay issues. The governor, as looting and fires engulfed the city, called the situation unprecedented in the country's history. The police commissioner mentioned plans to deploy additional officers from regional areas and relocate defence forces to support the city’s overwhelmed police presence. Firefighters faced threats while trying to control the blazes, and the parliament's guard house was reportedly set on fire by protesters. The police strike began when officers discovered reductions in their pay. The government has promised to rectify any administrative errors causing these pay discrepancies. PNG has been grappling with rising violent crime rates in recent years. The prime minister has said that increasing security would help to attract foreign investment in PNG’s growing gold and copper resources sector.

Scenes of devastation emerged along Japan’s western coast as rescuers raced to save residents trapped in the rubble of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on 1 January which triggered multiple aftershocks and killed dozens of people. Buildings collapsed, fires broke out, and tsunami alerts were given as far away as eastern Russia. The disaster has claimed at least 57 lives. While warnings of tsunamis along the coast were lifted, the northern part of the Noto Peninsula remains isolated due to a destroyed road. Prime minister Fumio Kishida announced efforts to secure transportation routes, including aerial and marine transport, to send supplies and personnel to the affected areas. The city of Wajima, home to over 27,000 people, is among the hardest-hit areas, with 15 confirmed fatalities and widespread destruction. The next day, all 367 passengers and twelve crew members of a Japan Airlines jet successfully disembarked after it collided with a coastguard plane on its way to provide earthquake relief. The crew have been praised for their calmness and professionalism. See

On 3 January two bomb explosions near the tomb of general Qasem Soleimani in the southern city of Kerman resulted in at least 84 deaths and many injuries. The blasts occurred during a procession near the Saheb al-Zaman mosque; local authorities described it as a ‘terrorist attack.’ Videos of the incident, on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's assassination by the USA, showed bodies on the road and ambulances rushing to the scene. It remains unclear who was responsible for the explosions, as no group has claimed responsibility. Suspects in previous attacks on security forces and Shia shrines include Arab separatists, IS, and Sunni jihadist groups. This tragedy comes amidst heightened tensions in the region following the killing of the deputy leader of Hamas in a suspected Israeli drone strike in Lebanon. The first explosion occurred near the mosque, while the second took place about one kilometre away. Reports suggest that two bags carrying bombs were detonated by remote control. Breaking news: IS has now claimed responsibility for the bombings.

There are signs which suggest a potential pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict, although a full ceasefire remains uncertain. Hamas, which has consistently said that it will only free more Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, is engaged in talks in Cairo, led by its leader Ismail Haniyeh. Both Egypt and Qatar are involved in mediating these discussions. Although Israel's goal is to dismantle Hamas completely, it has reportedly presented a plan to secure the release of around forty hostages, focusing on women, elderly individuals, and those in urgent need of medical care. In return, they could exchange Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails with more serious convictions than those released in previous deals. Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised the importance of retrieving the hostages, revealing that Mossad has been actively promoting a new release deal through diplomatic channels. These developments come alongside the news that over 20,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the conflict: see

In Japan, a huge surge in bear attacks has been linked to climate change. Already in 2023 there have been 212 attacks, compared to 158 in 2022; six people have died. Rising temperatures and diminishing food sources in the bears' natural habitats have pushed them into human-populated areas. Experts say this alarming trend highlights the profound impact of climate change on wildlife behaviour and ecosystems. According to local authorities, the number of bear-related incidents, including attacks and sightings, has reached an unprecedented high. Climate change has disrupted their hibernation patterns and reduced their natural food supply, forcing them to search for sustenance in unfamiliar territories. The environment minister has pledged to help affected communities, saying: ‘We are considering providing emergency assistance to local communities in response to their needs, such as surveying and capturing bears living in the vicinity of human settlements’.

On 12 December, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. With 153 votes in favour, 10 against (including the United States and Israel), and 23 abstentions (including the UK and Germany), the resolution emphasises the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, provide humanitarian assistance, and seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. It also calls for an end to the use of force and the resumption of negotiations. It is reported that the conflict has now led to over 18,600 civilian casualties in the Gaza strip, 70% of them women and children. The vote serves as a strong international call for an end to hostilities and a return to peace talks. On 8 December, an almost identically worded resolution proposed at the UN security council was vetoed by the USA. There is a sense that Joe Biden’s administration is becoming increasingly isolated in its unconditional support of Israel’s actions.

On 6 December Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hamas in an expanding offensive into southern Gaza, forcing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinian civilians to cram into a city close to the Egyptian border to avoid Israeli bombardment. However, many feared they would not be safe in Rafah either, with their options for refuge dwindling, and at least nine people were killed when a house in the city was shelled. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled to the south during the two-month-old war between Israel and Hamas are now increasingly cornered in an area deemed safe by Israel's military. UN Secretary General António Guterres has called on Security Council members to avert a humanitarian catastrophe In other news, harrowing details have been released about the acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas fighters when they attacked Israel on 7 October. See