Asia
Afghanistan: new law restricts women even further
There have been very few opportunities in the last three years for women to escape from the bleakness of life under Taliban rule, with teenage girls having been barred from formal education. Now…
Gaza: six UN workers killed
On 11 September the UN agency for refugees (UNRWA) reported that six of its employees had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on al-Jaouni school in central Gaza, which was sheltering thousands of…
Gaza: USA files charges against Hamas leaders
The USA has filed criminal charges against Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, and five other individuals for orchestrating the deadly attack on 7 October which killed 1,200 people, including forty Americans. The…
East Asia: the Pope’s longest-ever trip
Pope Francis, despite health challenges, has embarked on his longest trip as pope, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. In this significant visit, which will cover over 32,000 km, he…
Red Sea: risk of oil spill from tanker attacked by Houthis
The MV Sounion, a Greek-owned oil tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, remains ablaze and could be leaking oil, according to the Pentagon. The tanker, carrying over one million…
Hong Kong: innovative robot boat cleans up polluted waters
In Hong Kong's marinas, a new type of vessel is making waves - an uncrewed, solar-powered catamaran, designed to autonomously clean up plastic waste from waterways. It collects floating trash using a conveyor…
Gaza: dead hostages recovered, peace talks continue
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have recovered the bodies of six hostages from tunnels in Khan Younis, bringing heartbreaking confirmation to their families. Meanwhile, on 20 August at least twelve Palestinians were killed…
Indonesia: protests, potential constitutional crisis
Thousands of Indonesians are protesting against their government's attempt to reverse a constitutional court ruling that would allow smaller parties to field candidates without needing 20% representation in regional assemblies. Demonstrations have erupted…
Thailand: new PM sworn in
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, has been officially endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn as Thailand’s new prime minister, just two days after her election by parliament. The country’s youngest and second female leader, she follows…
India: protests and strikes after medic’s rape and death
Nationwide protests have disrupted hospital services in several Indian cities after the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee medic in West Bengal on 9 August. Thousands of doctors, led by the Federation…
