Asia
Israel / Hamas leaders: ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants
On 20 May, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli ministers, and also for three senior Hamas officials. Hamas is charged with atrocities…
Myanmar: growing resistance to the junta
On a scorching day in Karenni state, from a hilltop overlooking an army base, former army captain Nay Myo Zin uses loudspeakers to address soldiers loyal to Myanmar's ruling military aiming to persuade…
Gaza: Israel now controls Rafah border crossing, negotiations continue
The Israeli military has claimed it now controls the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a crucial point for aid entry and civilian exit amid the ongoing conflict…
Japan: millions of abandoned homes in an aging country
Japan now has about 8.48 million ‘akiya’, or abandoned homes - over 13% of all residences. They are increasingly common across the country, particularly in rural areas. This problem, exacerbated by Japan's aging…
Gaza: where do truce negotiations stand?
On 29 April senior Hamas representatives headed to Egypt for talks aimed at halting Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. Although previous talks have yielded few results, both sides have expressed a willingness…
Afghanistan: gun attack on mosque kills six
On 29 April a gunman attacked a mosque in western Afghanistan, killing six people. The mosque, reportedly belonging to Afghanistan's minority Shia community, was targeted during prayer. Among the victims was a prayer…
India: world’s biggest election explained
On 19 April Indians commenced voting for their next parliament, with Narendra Modi seeking a third term. Opinion polls favour his BJP party and its allies over an opposition alliance of over two…
Climate change: Asia most affected
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that Asia bore the brunt of climate change and weather-related disasters in 2023. Floods and storms caused significant casualties and economic damage, while heatwaves intensified. Asia's…
Middle East Christians: subdued Easter celebrations
This year’s Easter celebrations in the Middle East were subdued. In Gaza City, Christians who have found refuge in the Holy Family Church brought palm branches to the Palm Sunday service. One of…
North Korea: new proposal for enforcing sanctions
The USA, South Korea, and Japan are proposing a new multinational panel outside the UN to enforce sanctions against North Korea. Russia rejected renewing the UN panel which has monitored sanctions for fifteen…
