(2025-01-09). Laos: States should ask "Where is Sombath?" at upcoming review of human rights record. fidh.org
(2025-01-09). Weaponising antisemitism — BDS, antisemitism and the silencing of criticism of Israel. asiapacificreport.nz COMMENTARY: By Cathy Peters To be Jewish does not mean an automatic identification with the rogue state of Israel. Nor does it mean that Jews are automatically threatened by criticism of Israel, yet our media and Labor and Liberal politicians would have you believe this is the case. We are seeing a debate in Australia…
(2025-01-09). 2025 Might be a Tumultuous Year for South Asia. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2025-01-09). In India, 4 suspects arrested over killing of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar. the-independent.com
(2025-01-09). Descendants of NZ's Waitangi Treaty translators speak out against bill. asiapacificreport.nz RNZ News A descendant of one of the original translators of New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi says the guarantees of the Treaty have not been honoured. A group, including 165 descendants of Henry and William Williams, has collectively submitted against the Treaty Principles Bill, saying it was a threat to the original intent and integrity…
(2025-01-09). "Assisted dying" programmes used to harvest organs; is it already happening in Canada? expose-news.com In 2018, Canadian doctors were already openly discussing the possibility of harvesting organs from patients who have consented to euthanasia while they are still alive. This practice, sometimes referred to as "euthanasia …
(2025-01-09). Laos/Thailand: United Nations body petitioned over the enforced disappearance of Thai dissident. fidh.org
(2025-01-09). Chinese Foreign Ministry states there is great potential for deepening cooperation in BRICS after expansion. tvbrics.com The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, congratulated Indonesia on joining the group…
(2025-01-09). Afghanistan warns Iran after dam project criticism. newarab.com 
The Water rights have long been a source of friction in ties between the two countries, which share a more than 900-kilometre (560-mile) border. | Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, voiced "strong protest" on Friday over the "disproportionate restriction of water entering Iran" due to the Pashdan Dam on the Harirud River, adding that th…
(2025-01-09). South Africa's sports minister joins calls for Afghanistan cricket boycott. aljazeera.com McKenzie urges his country's cricket governing body not to honour the Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan.
(2025-01-09). UN expresses concern over situation of women in Afghanistan. plenglish.com Kabul, Jan 9 (Prensa Latina) The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in Afghanistan, Georgette Gagnon, expressed today in this capital her concern over the increasing restrictions on women and girls in the country.
(2025-01-09). Inquiry: UK soldiers executed Afghan boys 'younger than 16'. presstv.ir British special forces executed Afghan boys "younger than 16" during operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, a public inquiry has found.
(2025-01-09). The flower of transformation blooms in South Africa. pressenza.com 
Communities and civil society groups unite for land rights and climate justice for a sustainable future: | As a young person growing up in India in the 1970s and 80s, the struggle of southern Africans against apartheid—an institutional form of race-based segregation and discrimination that its colonial government imposed—was one that we frequently encountered. Tales of brutality that we heard were horrifying, but stories of the movements for freedom led by some of recent history's most iconic figures inspired us. India as a people, including its government, was strongly and vocally supportive…
(2025-01-09). Crowd crush at India's Tirupati temple kills six as thousands seek entry. aljazeera.com Dozens of others injured after thousands of devotees queue outside one of the most visited Hindu temples in south India.
(2025-01-09). Northeast India: Engineers' Forum Expresses Concern over Tibet Dam. pressenza.com Guwahati: Expressing anxiety over the recent earthquake that hit the Tibetan plateau killing over 125 residents and injuring several others, a forum of graduate engineers in northeast India apprehended probable damages in the Brahmaputra valley if the China-made massive hydropower project on Yarlung Zangbo collapses some day because of a high-intensity tremor. All Assam Engineer's Association (AAEA), in a media statement, also urges the Union government in New Delhi to strongly deal with the Beijing administration for safeguarding the entire Brahmaputra river basin comprising eastern Bharat localities along with…
(2025-01-09). India's Ambassador to Ethiopia Anil Kumar Rai: relations between two countries grow as BRICS offers huge range of opportunities to cooperate. tvbrics.com 
The Ambassador also said that Indian companies are closely following the progress of reforms in Ethiopia…
(2025-01-09). Taliban calls India a 'significant regional partner' after officials meet. aljazeera.com Senior foreign ministry officials of two countries hold highest-level talks since group's takeover of Kabul in 2021.
(2025-01-09). NewsX World (India): Russian Troops Overrun Kurakhove. gilbertdoctorow.com Yesterday's panel discussion hosted by broadcaster News X (ITV India) demonstrates that the producers of this news program are in the process of finding their unique place in Indian media. They are now presenting experts holding contradictory positions on the nature of the Russia-Ukraine war and on its likely outcome. Readers of these pages will …
(2025-01-09). In a first, female teachers surpass males in India. ummid.com For the first time in India, female teachers have surpassed their male counterparts in terms of numbers, according to the latest government data.
(2025-01-09). India registers first HMPV positive patient in Bengaluru. ummid.com An 8-month-old baby was found to be positive with HMPV in Bengaluru, making it the first such case in India.
(2025-01-09). Remembering Madhu Limaye On His Death Anniversary. ummid.com Madhu Limaye (1st May 1922-8th January 1995) was one of the most distinguished personalities of modern India who played a pivotal role in the freedom movement and later in the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese.
(2025-01-09). Henley Passport Index 2025: India Slips Further Down. ummid.com India is down three points to its passport ranking in 2024 whereas Singapore retained the most powerful passport status in the world for the 3rd consecutive year, according to the Henley Passport Ranking 2025 released today.
(2025-01-09). Idli Sambhar rocks GATE 2025 ahead of exams. ummid.com In a bizarre incident, Idli, Sambhar and Chatni — popular South Indian dish, rocked GATE 2025 Thursday January 09, 2025 barely twenty days before the important engineering entrance exam.
(2025-01-09). Bastar Journalist found murdered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. ummid.com New Year has brought sad news for the Indian media fraternity as a young scribe was found murdered in Bijapur locality of Chhattisgarh State on Friday January 03, 2025.
(2025-01-09). SOS-defenders platform: Expose arbitrary detention of human rights defenders worldwide. fidh.org A collective of local, regional and international human rights organisations unveils SOS-Defenders, an action platform that exposes the alarming scale of arbitrary detention of human rights defenders worldwide.
Geneva, 13 December 2024. This information hub, which will progressively expand to cover more countries, has already documented 274 cases of arbitrarily detained human rights defenders across 17 countries (Bahrain, Belarus, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Iran, Jordan, (…) | – |
(2025-01-09). China rejects attempts to politicize cybersecurity. plenglish.com Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stressed that cyberspace is highly virtual and difficult to track, with multiple actors involved. He also criticized the Japanese authorities' lack of professionalism and responsibility who based their judgments solely on the objectives and methods of the attack. | In the official's opinion, these types of conclusions are not supported by an adequate technical approach. He also noted that some allies of the United States had begun to cooperate disseminating "false information about China." | The spokesman urged all parties to "address cybersecurity issues based on facts and…
(2025-01-09). Laos and Vietnam sign 2025 cooperation plan. plenglish.com Vientiane, Jan 9 (Prensa Latina) The governments of Laos and Vietnam inked the 2025 Cooperation Plan agreement in this capital on Thursday, in the presence of Prime Ministers Sonexay Siphandone and Pham Minh Chinh, respectively.
(2025-01-09). BRICS — What's in It for Malaysia. infobrics.org At a meeting held in Kazan in Russia, Malaysia was admitted as a partner country in the international organisation known as BRICS for the time being…
(2025-01-09). Mongolian University supports Cuba's disaster recovery. plenglish.com The president and founder of the University, Baigalmaa Tsembel, gave the Cuban ambassador Jorge Ferrer the donation, consisting of three million Mongolian tugriks, equivalent to about 850 euros, raised spontaneously by students and workers. | Ferrer deeply appreciated the display of solidarity and stressed that the initiative was a sincere symbol and genuine friendship uniting both peoples. The diplomat stressed that the gesture of altruism of a group of Mongolian students and workers, often humble, is a clear message that Cuba is not alone and that solidarity cannot be blocked. | Relations between Cuba and Mong…
(2025-01-09). Universidad de Mongolia apoya recuperación de Cuba de desastres. radiohc.cu La Habana, 9 ene (RHC) La Universidad CITI de Mongolia efectuó hoy una donación a Cuba para cooperar con la recuperación de la isla caribeña de los daños sufridos por dos huracanes y los terremotos de 2024.
(2025-01-09). Why are Donald Trump's allies cheering for Pakistan's Imran Khan? aljazeera.com From Richard Grenell to Matt Gaetz, their comments reflect overseas PTI campaigning for Khan's release. Will it work?>
(2025-01-09). Why the police ignored the rape gangs. strategic-culture.su The statistics behind the rape gang scandal — let's banish the wholly inadequate word "grooming" — are staggering. For over 25 years, networks of men, predominantly from Pakistani Muslim backgrounds, abused young white girls from Yeovil to London to Glasgow. The victims' accounts are beyond depravity, unthinkable in a supposedly advanced Western democracy.
(2025-01-09). Fostering Peace: BCU Graduate Students Unite for Social Responsibility. pressenza.com 
First in a Series of Two (1/2)
| By: Charlyn P. Banaken and Emelita C. Pis-oyen | Baguio Central University's Graduate School doctoral students took a bold step toward fostering global peace and understanding with their 'FOSTERING PEACE: A Peace Forum Initiative for Unity and Social Responsibility', themed "Breaking Barriers: Cultivating Empathy for the Unknown Victims of War." Held last November 9, 2024, at the Margarita J. Fernandez Hall, the event aimed to bridge cultural divides and shed light on the often-overlooked victims of war. The hybrid format allowed for both in-person and online participation,…
(2025-01-09). Young Peacebuilders, Champions, and Artists Get together to Illustrate their Heartfelt Images of Peace and Non-violence. pressenza.com 
"The Ka-PEACE-tahan: Cultivating a Culture of Peace" Poster-Making Competition | by Karina Lagdameo Santillan and Genevieve Balance Kupang | A pre-World March for Peace and Non-violence event was held, organized by the Supreme Student Council of Baguio Central University. The council was headed by Ivy Grace M. Bunnat, SSC President, and Kathleen Geryls B. Chua, SSC Vice President, along with the rest of the SSC officers. They received guidance from their adviser, Dr. Michael Sebullen, and Ma'am Sheenah Pearl L. Pangda, the head of the Student Services Office, as well as Ma'am Judith Adina, the head of the Guidan…
(2025-01-09). South Korea impeachment sparks revelations of president's warmongering. workers.org Massive protest by Korean Federation of Trade Unions against Yoon in Seoul, Dec. 4, 2024. South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol faces mounting popular, political and legal pressure as more details emerge about his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. The South Korean police and the Corruption Investigation Office . . . |
(2025-01-09). Antony Blinken says Gaza ceasefire deal 'very close'. newarab.com 
US Secretary of State "In the Middle East, we're very close to a ceasefire and hostage deal" he told reporters in Paris. | Earlier this week, he also told a news conference in South Korea he is determined to have an agreement before…
(2025-01-09). On the events in Korea. thecommunists.org Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on 3 December 2024 was destined to come into conflict with the opposition Democratic party, which secured control of the 300-seat south Korean legislature in the election that took place last April. Since then, the Democratic party has blocked legislation and held up the national budget. Government-affiliated agencies …
(2025-01-09). Thailand : Sixth conviction of pro-democracy activist Anon Nampa under "lèse-majesté" charges. fidh.org
(2025-01-09). Why Jimmy Carter pardoned draft resisters. iacenter.org January 9, 2025 By Gerry Condon Condon, who was a leading activist among exiled military deserters in Canada, places the role of U.S. President Jimmy Carter in perspective, while presenting a survey of how repulsion against the U.S. occupation of Vietnam drove varied forms of war and draft resistance among U.S. youths. These forms included underground living, exile, organizing military veterans against war, and anti-war and anti-racist mobilization within the U.S. Armed Forces. Publication of activist exiled war resisters in Canada. From Dee Knight's memoir, 'My Whirlwind Lives.' Workers World Party saluted all t…
(2025-01-08). Laos: States should ask "Where is Sombath?" at upcoming review of human rights record. fidh.org
(2025-01-08). An indictment of NZ's settler colonial and 'Five Eyes' spy paranoia over political critics. asiapacificreport.nz 
REVIEW: By David Robie Four months ago, a group of lawyers in Aotearoa New Zealand called for a little reported inquiry into New Zealand spy agencies over whether there has been possible assistance for Israel's war in Gaza. In a letter to the chief of intelligence and security (IGIS) on 12 September 2024, three lawyers…
(2025-01-08). Pro-France Alcide Ponga elected as New Caledonia's new president. asiapacificreport.nz By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia's newly-installed government has elected pro-France Alcide Ponga as territorial President. Ponga, 49, is also the first indigenous Kanak president of the pro-France Le Rassemblement-Les Républicains (LR) party. His election came after the first attempt to elect a President, on Tuesday, failed to bring out…
(2025-01-08). Towards Comprehensive Food and Farming Policy. asia-pacificresearch.com
(2025-01-08). Laos/Thailand: United Nations body petitioned over the enforced disappearance of Thai dissident. fidh.org
(2025-01-08). BRICS Grows, Adding Indonesia As Member. popularresistance.org Indonesia is the world's number one producer of nickel, by a large margin. Nickel is an important mineral needed for renewable energy technologies like batteries and solar panels. | In the past decade, the Indonesian government has embarked upon an ambitious industrialization program. Through careful state planning and industrial policy, Jakarta banned the export of raw minerals and, with strategic investments from Chinese state-owned enterprises and favorable loans from Chinese state-owned banks, Indonesia has moved up the value chain, processing nickel at home, instead of simply exporting the ore.
(2025-01-08). BRICS Grows, Adding Indonesia as Member: World's 4th Most Populous Country, 7th Biggest Economy. scheerpost.com 
(2025-01-08). Shelters delivered in northern Afghan provinces. plenglish.com Kabul, Jan 8 (Prensa Latina) At a cost of 407 million Afghanis ($5,7 million), the construction of 1,120 shelters in nine provinces of northern Afghanistan, has been completed and delivered for use.
(2025-01-08). UK soldiers tell inquiry of Afghan civilian killings concerns. newarab.com 
Soldiers who were part of British special forces working in Afghanistan have told a public inquiry of their concerns that Afghans who posed no threat had been murdered in raids against suspected Taliban insurgents, including some aged under 16. | The independent inquiry was ordered by Britain's defence ministry (MoD) after a BBC TV documentary reported that soldiers from the elite Special Air Service (SAS) had killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances during the war in Afghanistan more than a decade ago. | The investigation is examining a number of night-time raids called deliberate detention operations car…
(2025-01-08). What is HMPV, the respiratory virus surging in China? aljazeera.com HMPV infections are spreading in China while cases of flu-like disease have also been found in India and the UK.
(2025-01-08). Bastar Journalist found murdered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. ummid.com New Year has brought sad news for the Indian media fraternity as a young scribe was found murdered in Bijapur locality of Chhattisgarh State on Friday January 03, 2025.
(2025-01-08). One Nation One Subscription — Steps to Join. ummid.com The Government of India has started online registration for One Nation One Subscription, popularly known as ONOS Scheme, through the official website onos.gov.in.
(2025-01-08). In a first, female teachers surpass males in India. ummid.com For the first time in India, female teachers have surpassed their male counterparts in terms of numbers, according to the latest government data.
(2025-01-08). India registers first HMPV positive patient in Bengaluru. ummid.com An 8-month-old baby was found to be positive with HMPV in Bengaluru, making it the first such case in India.
(2025-01-08). Remembering Madhu Limaye On His Death Anniversary. ummid.com Madhu Limaye (1st May 1922-8th January 1995) was one of the most distinguished personalities of modern India who played a pivotal role in the freedom movement and later in the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese.
(2025-01-08). SOS-defenders platform: Expose arbitrary detention of human rights defenders worldwide. fidh.org A collective of local, regional and international human rights organisations unveils SOS-Defenders, an action platform that exposes the alarming scale of arbitrary detention of human rights defenders worldwide.
Geneva, 13 December 2024. This information hub, which will progressively expand to cover more countries, has already documented 274 cases of arbitrarily detained human rights defenders across 17 countries (Bahrain, Belarus, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Iran, Jordan, (…) | – |
(2025-01-08). Former Cambodian opposition MP shot dead in Bangkok 'assassination'. aljazeera.com Lim Kimya, 74, had refused to flee Cambodia even after former PM Hun Sen threatened to make opposition MPs lives 'hell'.
(2025-01-08). Thai police hunt hitman for shooting of Cambodian opposition figure. aljazeera.com Bangkok police chief says initial investigation suggests a gunman was hired to carry out Tuesday's shooting.
(2025-01-08). With Trump looming, Pakistan braces for foreign policy challenges in 2025. aljazeera.com Analysts predict a tough year, as Islamabad prepares for more US belligerence towards China, the closest Pakistan ally.
(2025-01-08). The promises and challenges of the Philippines' new climate-resilient city. grist.org 
The highway approaching New Clark City is wide — four lanes each way in places — but carries little traffic. Newly installed streetlamps, powered by sunlight, dot the median. Construction equipment and recently finished buildings rise ahead, where the Philippine government is building a metropolis designed to withstand the threats of a hotter, less predictable world. | Once completed in 2065, this
(2025-01-08). Thailand : Sixth conviction of pro-democracy activist Anon Nampa under "lèse-majesté" charges. fidh.org
(2025-01-08). Russia e Vietnam continuano ad approfondire il loro partenariato strategico globale. strategic-culture.su Un legame storico, consolidato e in continua evoluzione sin dai tempi dell'Unione Sovietica: le relazioni tra Vietnam e Russia si fondano su una lunga tradizione di cooperazione e fiducia reciproca, che oggi si rafforza con nuovi accordi strategici in materia di difesa ed energia. | Segue nostro L'amicizia tra Vietnam e Russia affonda le proprie radici nelle storiche relazioni ai tempi dell'Unione Sovietica, quando Mosca fu il princip…