MIDDLE EAST
The US military has announced that it has carried out a large-scale wave of strikes against targets belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, in response to the attempted launch of ballistic missiles against US forces in Jordan and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian media, the raids left three people dead, including a child.
For several days, both sides had suspended their attacks, whilst talks appeared to be resuming in the hope of finding a diplomatic solution.
Meanwhile, a new report by Amnesty International shines a spotlight on arms supplies from India to Israel. The organisation documents 2,596 shipments made between October 2023 and November 2025, comprising parts for small arms, ammunition components and military vehicles. The report also identifies nine Indian companies involved, including three state-owned defence firms.
JAPAN
The number of Japanese citizens residing in Japan has fallen below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, according to government figures. As of 1 January, the population stood at 119.74 million, down 0.76 per cent on the previous year, marking the seventeenth consecutive year of decline since the peak in 2009. The decline is attributed to the low birth rate and an ageing population. In contrast, the number of foreign residents has reached its highest level since records began in 2013, bringing the total population to 123.8 million. With a median age of 49.9 years, Japan is the second-oldest country in the world after Monaco.
MALAYSIA
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced that Myanmar has agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya refugees currently in Malaysia, thanks to the “good relations between the two countries”. Malaysia is currently home to around 126,000 Rohingya registered with the UNHCR, but tensions between the refugees and local communities have recently increased. The Rohingya, who have been denied citizenship in Myanmar for decades, constitute the world’s largest stateless population according to the UN. However, doubts remain as to their willingness to return, given the persecution they have suffered. Neither the Myanmar government nor the UNHCR has commented on the announcement.
HONG KONG
Althea Suen, former president of the Hong Kong University Students’ Union, has been released after serving a sentence of four years and nine months for her role in the storming of the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 1 July 2019, during the pro-democracy protests. Upon her release from prison, she thanked her supporters for their backing. Prior to her sentencing, she had stated that, for the government, the real ‘crime’ was the pursuit of democracy, freedom and human rights. The storming of the local legislature was one of the defining moments of the 2019 protests. Other defendants, including Ventus Lau and Gregory Wong, remain in custody.
SOUTH KOREA
The hugely popular Korean group BTS has announced that it will not be submitting its music for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards. The decision was communicated via an identical message posted by all seven members on Instagram. In the post, they explain that they wish to promote music that is appreciated for its own merits, without distinctions based on language or origin. Despite the huge success of the album Arirang and the single Swim – both considered favourites for major nominations – the group has chosen to withdraw because the introduction of a new ad hoc category dedicated to Asian pop, which requires significant use of a local language, has drawn criticism from many fans
RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA
The first-ever road bridge between Russia and North Korea is in the final stages of construction and could pose another serious challenge for Ukraine. According to journalists, the bridge over the Tumen River is approximately one kilometre long and 7 metres wide; it will have two lanes and form part of a 4.7-kilometre transport infrastructure, officially intended to promote trade and tourism, but its construction would also serve to create a military logistics corridor.
GEORGIA-IRAN
According to data from Sakstat, trade between Georgia and Iran exceeded $231 million in the period January–June 2026, compared with $139 million the previous year. This distinctly positive trend was driven by a significant increase in Georgian exports; Iran mainly supplies Georgia with ferrous metals, construction materials and plastics, whilst agricultural products, raw materials and timber make up the bulk of Georgian exports.
