2024 will see the most extensive year of elections ever, with 4.2 billion people in 76 countries set to vote. However, the state of democracy appears precarious; global reports show it contracting, accompanied by widespread disillusionment, especially among the youth. Elections often fail to rekindle faith in democracy, and authoritarian leaders often exploit them to their own ends. Moreover, elections can expose democracies to external threats, exemplified by Taiwan (13 January), under great pressure from its neighbour China. The one in Bangladesh (8 January) merely solidifies existing rule, with the main opposition party abstaining. In February Pakistan's election may escalate the conflict between Imran Khan and the military, while in Indonesia the outgoing president is backing a candidate who has a record of human rights abuses. 17 March will demonstrate a stark contrast: Russia's vote will proceed while Ukraine's may be postponed to protect its voters from being killed by Russian bombs. In South Africa, maybe as early as May, an opposition coalition could take power - but would that make any significant difference? The month-long election in India carries concerns over prime minister Narendra Modi’s growing authoritarianism. In June the EU assembly elections, the world's second-largest, may see far-right, anti-democratic parties making significant gains, further complicating the global democratic landscape.

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 of people. Buildings collapsed, fires broke out, and tsunami alerts were given as far away as eastern Russia. The disaster has claimed at least 57 lives. While warnings of tsunamis along the coast were lifted, the northern part of the Noto Peninsula remains isolated due to a destroyed road. Prime minister Fumio Kishida announced efforts to secure transportation routes, including aerial and marine transport, to send supplies and personnel to the affected areas. The city of Wajima, home to over 27,000 people, is among the hardest-hit areas, with 15 confirmed fatalities and widespread destruction. The next day, all 367 passengers and twelve crew members of a Japan Airlines jet successfully disembarked after it collided with a coastguard plane on its way to provide earthquake relief. The crew have been praised for their calmness and professionalism. See

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 procession near the Saheb al-Zaman mosque; local authorities described it as a ‘terrorist attack.’ Videos of the incident, on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani's assassination by the USA, showed bodies on the road and ambulances rushing to the scene. It remains unclear who was responsible for the explosions, as no group has claimed responsibility. Suspects in previous attacks on security forces and Shia shrines include Arab separatists, IS, and Sunni jihadist groups. This tragedy comes amidst heightened tensions in the region following the killing of the deputy leader of Hamas in a suspected Israeli drone strike in Lebanon. The first explosion occurred near the mosque, while the second took place about one kilometre away. Reports suggest that two bags carrying bombs were detonated by remote control. Breaking news: IS has now claimed responsibility for the bombings.

A never-ending massacre of Christians being ‘killed for sport’ is reportedly happening in Nigeria, yet the world appears to be largely deaf to it. While much of the world was celebrating a beginning - Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ - in Nigeria they were mourning the end of many lives. Armed bandits ran amok, according to Amnesty International, in some twenty communities across central Nigeria, killing at least 140. In a country where accurate statistics are traditionally hard to come by, some sources have put the death toll closer to 200. The Christians were killed in a wide swath across an invisible line that separates the mostly Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south in the country’s Plateau State. One commentator on social media asked: ‘When is the protest march scheduled for?’