Displaying items by tag: Asia

China has retaliated against new US tariffs by imposing 15% duties on certain energy imports and 10% tariffs on crude oil, vehicles, and machinery. It also announced export controls on key minerals like tungsten and added two firms to its ‘unreliable entities’ list. Additionally, China launched an antitrust investigation into Google. On 2 February Donald Trump had imposed 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, part of broader trade measures also targeting Mexico and Canada. He has briefly paused tariffs on those two nations following talks. China denounced the tariffs at the World Trade Organisation, warning of economic disruption. The dispute extends beyond tariffs, touching on security and fentanyl production. While Beijing aims to avoid an escalating trade war, China’s slowing economy adds pressure. Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that he might impose tariffs on other nations.

Humanitarian worker and Kurdish activist Pakhshan Azizi faces imminent execution in Iran after a Revolutionary Court sentenced her to death in July 2024. Her conviction is solely based on her peaceful humanitarian work, including aiding displaced women and children in northeast Syria. Despite allegations of torture, Iranian authorities failed to investigate her mistreatment. She was arrested in August 2023 alongside family members, who were later released on bail but sentenced to prison for alleged national security offences. Since her detention, she has gone on several hunger strikes in protest against Iran’s policies; in reprisal, authorities have denied her family contact and opened new cases against her. Iran has intensified executions, particularly targeting ethnic minorities like Kurds and Baluchis. Human rights groups warn that the Iranian regime is using the death penalty as a tool of repression, disproportionately affecting political dissidents and minority groups. To add your name to a petition for her release, go to

A spokesperson has confirmed China’s willingness to repatriate confirmed Chinese nationals from the USA, following escalating tensions over deportation cooperation. This came after Donald Trump had threatened sanctions and tariffs against countries refusing to accept deportees. Following threats of potential visa sanctions against Chinese officials if China continued its noncompliance, the USA has recently sent five charter flights to China with individuals believed to lack legal residency.  Trump has declared illegal immigration a national emergency, taking measures to secure borders and limit pathways to citizenship. The number of Chinese citizens encountered crossing the US southern border without permission has surged in recent years.

Christianity is growing exponentially in Punjab, with Pentecostal churches leading a revival among Sikhs. This movement incorporates Punjabi culture by allowing converts to retain their traditional names and clothes while adopting Christian faith, creating a smoother and more relatable transition. Pentecostal churches are similar to Sikh places of worship, with familiar worship practices like sitting on the floor and singing, drawing many to the faith. The revival’s growth stems from dynamic leaders like Pastor Ankur Narula, whose church in Jalandhar has over 130 churches and 2.6 million YouTube subscribers. Testimonies of healing, miracles, and divine visions fuel conversions, and there are many compelling stories of transformation through faith. While traditional churches remain stagnant, Pentecostal churches resonate with the Punjabi longing for connection with God, hope, and healing, leading to a remarkable spiritual awakening.

A ceasefire deal has been reached, ending fifteen months of conflict in the Gaza strip. This agreement, hailed by Joe Biden, Qatar’s prime minister, and Hamas officials, aims to bring a much-needed break in violence. It will also lead to the release of dozens of hostages and prisoners from both sides. The phased plan includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the Gaza border, allowing displaced Palestinians to return home, as well as providing humanitarian aid and rebuilding Gaza's healthcare infrastructure. Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences, while Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were not involved in the 7 October attacks. The deal follows months of intense diplomatic efforts, particularly by the USA, Egypt, and Qatar. Breaking news: the Israeli cabinet has not yet ratified the deal, with Benjamin Netanyahu saying that Hamas were reneging on some parts of the agreement. See Also, Israel has continued air strikes on Gaza, with at least 73 killed on 16 January.

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested, ending weeks of standoff at his fortified residence. Yoon recorded a video before being taken to a detention centre, criticising the ‘collapse of the rule of law’. While he complied with the arrest warrant to prevent violent clashes, he has refused to cooperate with investigators. The arrest involved 3,200 officers, some scaling barriers to access the property. A standoff earlier this month delayed his detention as his presidential security service resisted, leading to the arrest of its acting chief. Yoon’s martial law declaration on 3 December, which deployed troops to the National Assembly, lasted hours before lawmakers voted to end it. His impeachment on 14 December suspended his powers, with the opposition accusing him of rebellion. He had defended his actions as a warning to the opposition, whom he called ‘anti-state forces’. Pro- and anti-Yoon protests have drawn thousands in Seoul since his impeachment.

A devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet on 6 January, claiming at least 126 lives and injuring 188, according to Chinese state media. Centred near the Nepalese border, the quake caused widespread destruction across remote Himalayan villages, damaging over 3,600 homes. Tremors were felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India. Rescue operations are under way, with over 400 individuals freed from rubble and 30,000 residents relocated. The harsh terrain and winter weather add challenges to the efforts. The quake caused significant damage in nearby Shigatse, a holy Tibetan city. Emergency aid, including tents and warm clothing, has been dispatched to support affected communities, where temperatures are expected to plummet below freezing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called on officials to make all-out efforts to search for and rescue survivors and provide for displaced residents, while the Dalai Lama extended condolences and prayers for victims. Rescuers continue to search for survivors in difficult conditions.

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots Japanese organisation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors, for its tireless efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. It was formed in 1956 to document survivor testimonies and press for nuclear disarmament at the UN and other global forums. Nihon Hidankyo's work aligns with Alfred Nobel’s will, emphasising peace and the abolition of war. The organisation will receive a $1 million award: prime minister Shigeru Ishiba called the recognition ‘extremely meaningful’. The Nobel committee noted that the ‘nuclear taboo’ is under pressure: the nine nuclear-armed countries are continuing to modernise their weapons, and currently there are 12,121 warheads in the world. Hibakusha’s testimonies serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of nuclear warfare and a call for a peaceful, disarmed future.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader and head of HTS, has met senior Christian leaders in Damascus to reassure minorities about their safety under his administration. The meeting follows protests over attacks on Christian and Alawite symbols. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria that safeguards diverse communities' rights. Al-Sharaa has also held talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), proposing their integration into the national army. Despite attempts to stabilise the country after Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow in December, incidents of violence and unrest persist. The SDF, backed by the USA, remains locked in conflict with Turkish-backed factions, while Turkiye alleges SDF ties to the PKK, a group it deems terrorist. Syria’s Christian population, once about one million, has dwindled to 300,000 since the civil war began in 2011, highlighting the challenges minorities face amid ongoing instability.

After months of deadlock, there are new signs that Israel and Hamas could be moving closer to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The USA, Qatar, and Egypt are reporting greater willingness by both sides to conclude a deal. Talks are reportedly in a decisive stage. Israel’s defence minister has indicated that they are close to an agreement, though challenges remain, including far-right Israeli cabinet opposition and Hamas's conditions. A three-phase plan proposes releasing civilian and women hostages, with Israeli troop withdrawals and a mechanism for displaced Gazans to return. Subsequent stages include freeing remaining hostages and a broader troop withdrawal. Of 96 hostages in Gaza, 62 are believed to be still alive; a hundred others have been freed through negotiation or military action. The negotiations have been given a new push by Donald Trump’s election; he has warned that a ceasefire deal should be reached before he takes office, because otherwise ‘it’s not going to be pleasant’.