Asia
Thailand: Move Forward party loses court case over royal insult law
Thailand's constitutional court has ruled that the Move Forward party's campaign promise to amend the strict royal insult law during the 2023 election amounted to an attempt to overthrow the monarchy. The case…
Middle East: fears of regional escalation
As Israel’s war on Gaza pushes into its fourth month, fears of regional escalation are growing, with several nations and armed groups targeting each other’s territories and common waters, and the USA boosting…
Pakistan: censorship on Imran Khan’s party ahead of election
There are allegations of extensive official censorship on coverage of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of the country's elections on 8 February. PTI, founded by former prime minister Imran Khan, is considered one of…
Red Sea: USA’s fourth round of missile strikes against Houthis
On 17 January the US military launched a fourth round of missile strikes targeting Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, aiming to prevent imminent threats to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.…
Pakistan / Iran: retaliatory airstrikes
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…
South Africa complains of Israeli ‘genocide’
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…
Yemen: another missile attack by Houthi rebels thwarted
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…
Papua New Guinea: violence after police go on strike
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…
Japan: devastating earthquake
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…
Iran: over 80 killed by bombs on anniversary of general’s death
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…
