Philippines, Vietnam sign deal on South China Sea 💥
Recently, the Philippines and Vietnam have made significant strides in strengthening their cooperation in the South China Sea, despite opposition from China, which also claims the region.
The agreements between the two countries cover various aspects of their relationship, including maritime security, trade, and investment.
About South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
It is connected by the Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by the Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea (both marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean).
The South China Sea is a contested maritime area that is the subject of territorial disputes between six countries: China, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Studying three stage truce scheme made in Paris : Says Hamas leader
Amid mounting deaths and devastation, Hamas had proposed a three-stage plan to halt its ongoing conflict with Israel. The plan, which envisaged three truce periods of 45 days each
Phase 1, Israeli women hostages, boys under 19, and the sick and the elderly will be released, in exchange for Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails. Israel will withdraw its military for populated areas, and reconstruction, specially of hospitals, will begin in Gaza.
Phase 2, Other male hostages will be released and Israeli troops will withdraw from all of Gaza.
Phase 3, Bodies and mortal remains of those killed on both sides will be exchanged.
Foreign sec. calls on Bhutan King PM talks on boosting unique ties
Vinay Mohan Kwatra is on a three-day trip, in the first high-level visit from India after the formation of a new government under People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tshering Tobgay , aiming to deepen the “unique ties of friendship” between India and Bhutan.
The basic framework of India-Bhutan bilateral relations was the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries. It called for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. The Treaty was revised in 2007.
Jan30
Maldives main Opposition party mulls impeachment against President Muizzu
The main opposition party of Maldives Maldivian Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the Parliament, has filed an impeachment motion against President Mohamed Muizzu.
Muizzu, 45, defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year
Pakistan and Iran agreed to work together to improve security cooperation
Pakistan and Iran on Monday agreed to work together to improve security cooperation in the wake of deadly airstrikes by Tehran and Islamabad earlier this month that killed at least 11 people,
This marks a significant escalation in fraught relations between the neighbors.
Taliban minister discusses regional ties with diplomats of 11 countries
Taliban’s Foreign minister held a meeting of diplomats from 11 neighboring and regional countries, including India
He proposed establishing a “region-centric narrative.
Objective of meeting
It aimed at developing regional cooperation for a positive and constructive engagement between Afghanistan and regional countries.”
This is the first publicised meeting between the Taliban foreign minister and diplomats from India based in Kabul.
Since June 2022, India has stationed a technical team, with the stated objective of delivering humanitarian aid and support to Afghanistan.
Regional cooperation could be focused on exploring region-centric and engagement pathways based on common regional benefits
creating a region-centric narrative for positive and constructive engagement with the Afghan government to tackle existing and potential threats in the region;
What is IRI, that killed US solidiers in Jordan
Jan30
Why some nations have paused UNRWA findings
Jan29
Burkina, Mali, Niger quit West African bloc
Jan27
Alabama uses nitrogen gas to execute convict, putting U.S. at forefront of death penalty debate
On January 26th, 2024, Alabama used nitrogen hypoxia to execute a death row inmate for the first time, marking the debut of a controversial and risky method in the United States.
What is Nitrogen Hypoxia?
Nitrogen hypoxia involves forcing the inmate to breathe pure nitrogen gas until oxygen deprivation leads to asphyxiation and death. Along with Oklahoma and Mississippi, Alabama approved this method as an alternative to injection and electrocution.
Nitrogen makes up around 75% of normal air. But inhaling too much displaces oxygen, leading to loss of consciousness, convulsions and death.
Jan24
Pak.-Afghan border crossing reopens after talks; visa, passport not needed
Pakistan and Afghanistan on have reopened the Torkham border crossing, weeks after a row over travel papers erupted earlier this month.
The border was closed since Jan 12, as Islamabad imposed strict controls requiring truck drivers from both sides to have visas and passports.
Torkham Crossing is strategically placed along the Grand Trunk Road, an ancient trade route known for its historical and commercial significance.
The Durand Line, is a 2,611-kilometre border between Afghanistan and Pakistan The western end runs to the border with Iran and the eastern end to the border with China. It was fixed by British civil servant Sir Henry Mortimer Durand and the then Afghan Emir, Abdur Rahman Khan in 1893.
U.S., Britain launch second round of military strikes
In response to the Iran-backed Huthi rebels’ escalating assaults on shipping in the Red Sea, the United States and Britain carried out airstrikes using fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. The Huthis, controlling a significant part of Yemen since 2014, had intensified attacks on the crucial international sea route, triggering global concerns.
Shipping companies diverting around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hoperaised alarms about potential economic repercussions.
Jan21
Nepal requests Russia not to recruit its nationals into Army
Nepal has requested Russia to not admit Nepalese nationals into the Russian Army and help repatriate those who have already joined the country’s forces to fight the war in Ukraine.
At least 200 Nepalese youths have joined the Russian Army through illegal channels and 12 of them have already lost their lives while fighting against Ukraine.
Jan13
South Korea passed bill prohibiting Dog meat consumption and sale.
South Korea’s parliament overwhelmingly approved bill banning the consumption and sale of dog meat, ending a centuries-old practice.
Breeding and slaughtering dogs for human consumption could result in up to three years imprisonment, while selling dog meat may lead to a maximum of two years.
Attitudes toward animal welfare and a rise in pet ownership contribute to the legislative milestone.
Jan11
Maldives, China commit to greater strategic cooperation, sign 20 MoUs
China and the Maldives signed 20 MoUs during President Muizzu’s visit.
About
Both countries agreed to draw an “action plan” for building a “China-Maldives Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership from 2024 to 2028.” China firmly opposes external interference in Maldives’ internal affairs.
Key agreements during Maldivian President Muizzu’s state visit to China:
Both countries have agreed to elevate China-Maldives relations to –
Comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,
Better leverage the political guidance of high-level engagement,
Expand practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including the blue economy, digital economy, infrastructure development projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative, and disaster and risk mitigation.
Strengthen collaboration on international and multilateral affairs,
Enhance the well-being of the two people,
Work toward a China-Maldives community with a shared future.
An agreement on ‘Grant Assistance’ was also signed, but the quantum of financial assistance was not disclosed.
Jan10
Chinese vessel in Indian Ocean now, ‘heading’ to Male
As per the foreign ministry of the Maldives Government, diplomatic request was made by the Chinese government for the necessary clearances to make a port call, for rotation of personnel and replenishment.
The ministry said that the Chinese research vesselXiang Yang Hong 03 will not be carrying out research in Maldivian waters, but will arrive for a port call.
Reports of Chinese vessel heading to Maldives have drawn considerable attention in India.
Israel faces Gaza ‘genocide’ case by S. Africa at UN court
The ongoing legal dispute between South Africa (SA) and Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) revolves around allegations of genocide and violations of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
South Africa’s allegations against Israel at the ICJ are centered on the assertion that Israel has committed genocidal acts against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
What is the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide?
According to the Genocide Convention, genocide is a crime that can take place both in time of war and in time of peace.
Definition of Genocide: In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
Killing members of the group.
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group.
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
The convention also states that any country involved in the agreement can request the relevant United Nations organs to take necessary actions to prevent and suppress acts of genocide.
It puts obligation on state parties to take measures to prevent and to punish the crime of genocide, including by enacting relevant legislation and punishing perpetrators.
Jan8
Hasina to return as PM as her party sweeps Bangladesh polls
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina retained her title as the world’s longest serving female head of government after her party Awami League party won 223 of 299 seats for a simple parliament majority
Sheikh Hasina secured a record fourth term in general elections marred by violence & boycott
Jan9
Dubai claimed top honor in 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
Dubai becomes the first city to secure the No.1 global destination title for three successive years.
Award exclusively based on millions of traveler reviews, reflecting Dubai’s outstanding hospitality and attractions.
Dubai’s tourism success highlighted as a vital contributor to over 10% of the city’s GDP, backed by infrastructure and collaboration.
Jan8
Air strike on Myanmar village kills 15, as junta battles rebels across country
Jan6
Israel puts forth post-war plan for Gaza as battle rages
Israel’s defence minister has publicly presented for the first time proposals for the post-war administration of Gaza
Defence minister Yoav Gallant’s plan for the “day after”, shared with the media late Thursday but not yet adopted by Israel’s war cabinet, says that neither Israel nor Hamas will govern Gaza and rejects future Jewish settlements there.
North Korea fires artillery shells near S. Korean islands
North Korea has fired more than 200 rounds of artillery shells off its west coast, towards the South’s Yeonpyeong island, Seoul’s military has said.
Yeonpyeong Island – It is home to a military base and a small civilian population of about 2,000 people in South Korea.
It lies 3km (2 miles) from the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea and 12km from the North Korean coast.
Jan5
China, U.S. hold rival drills in disputed South China Sea
Warships from China and the US conducted rival exercises in the sea this week amid heightened tensions involving US ally the Philippines.
This week’s drills follow a month of tense standoffs between China and the Philippines in disputed reefs in the area that saw a collision between vessels from the two countries and Chinese ships blasting water cannons at Philippine boats.
Turkey detains 33 accused of spying on behalf of Israel
Turliye announced the detention of 33 people suspected of spying of behalf of Mossad Intelligence services . However it has not been made clear where those arrested were from Mossad or any other intelligence agency.
Jan4
MEA Conveyed condolences and solidarity with Iran after bomb blasts.
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep sorrow over twin bomb blasts in Kerman, Iran.
Offers solidarity with the government and people of Iran during this difficult time.
Death toll reaches 103 with 188 injured; Iranian President accuses Israel of orchestrating the attacks.
MEA Conveyed condolences and solidarity with Iran after bomb blasts.
The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep sorrow over twin bomb blasts in Kerman, Iran.
Offers solidarity with the government and people of Iran during this difficult time.
Death toll reaches 103 with 188 injured; Iranian President accuses Israel of orchestrating the attacks.
Jan2
Explosions reported near ship in Bab el-Mandeb
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The ship was travelling between the coasts of Eritrea and Yemen.
The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb is a crucial maritime chokepoint, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean
A strait is a narrow, naturally formed waterway that connects two larger bodies of water, typically seas or oceans. They can be formed by a variety of geological processes, such as tectonic activity, erosion, or the submersion of land.
Jan1
US shoots Houthi rebels after latest use on container ship in Red sea
The US military said on Sunday that it’s forces opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a Cargo ship in Red sea , killing several of Houthi fighters .
The UD central command said the crew on US gravely destroyer first shot down two anti ship ballistic missiles . fired at the Singapore based Maersk Hangzhou . Then three of four small boats that was chasing the ship was drowned in US strike .
Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is the first woman with a $100 billion
The US military said on Sunday that it’s forces opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a Cargo ship in Red sea , killing several of Houthi fighters .
The UD central command said the crew on US gravely destroyer first shot down two anti ship ballistic missiles . fired at the Singapore based Maersk Hangzhou . Then three of four small boats that was chasing the ship was drowned in US strike .
