Asia
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…
Israel: new West Bank settlement announced
The Israeli government has announced the establishment of Nahal Heletz, the first new West Bank settlement created from scratch since 2017, near Bethlehem. Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who pushed for the settlement, stated…
Israel / Lebanon: UN peacekeepers ‘more crucial than ever’
UN peacekeepers on the Israeli-Lebanese border are now more crucial than ever, according to their chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah has increased, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.…