Doha, no results from the summit on the international force in Gaza

Today's headlines: the Burmese junta wants to prosecute over 200 people for “disturbing” the elections; Thailand sets three conditions for a ceasefire; Phnom Penh accuses “disproportionate” use of violence; Nepal: new digital system to monitor visitors; In Japan's gender equality plan, no to different legal surnames after marriage.

QATAR - GAZA

Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) hosted a conference in Doha to discuss the next steps in the 20-point Trump plan for Gaza, including the deployment of an international stabilisation force (ISF). However, according to European officials, the conference - from which Turkey would be excluded at Israel's request - failed to decide on the mandate of the future peacekeeping force. The US has unsuccessfully sent requests to more than 70 countries for volunteer troops and supplies for the ISF deployment, which could include, among others, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

MYANMAR

Myanmar's military junta has said it will prosecute more than 200 people for “disrupting” the upcoming military-run elections, using new legislation introduced in July that aims to crack down on dissent. Opposition factions are ready to block the elections - a pretext for perpetuating military rule - in areas of the country under their control. The maximum penalty can be up to 20 years in prison.

THAILAND - CAMBODIA

Thailand has outlined three conditions for a ceasefire, placing the responsibility on Cambodia, which in turn highlights a “manifestly disproportionate and unjustified use of force” by the other party to the conflict. According to Thai Foreign Minister Nikorndej, Cambodia must publicly declare a ceasefire, commit to peace and cooperate on demining. These conditions must be met before meaningful peace negotiations can take place, while fighting continues along the common border.

NEPAL

With tourist numbers returning to record levels after anti-government protests, Nepal is introducing a new digital registration system to track every foreign visitor. This is to increase security, limit visa misuse and locate missing travellers. Starting 1 January, the NepaliPort portal will integrate visa applications, trekking permits and other travel services into a single online system. Nepal attracts hundreds of thousands of hikers on routes such as Everest and Annapurna. In the 12 months to July, 12 foreign hikers died in the Annapurna region alone.

JAPAN

The Japanese government's draft “Basic Plan for Gender Equality” aims to counter calls for a system that allows married couples to keep different legal surnames if they wish. Instead, the initiative aims to expand the use of pre-marital surnames as widely accepted “commonly used names”, for example, in the workplace and other professional contexts. However, a person's legal surname would still change after marriage.

RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree requiring anyone applying for Russian citizenship, or even just residency in Russia, to sign a contract with the army. This list includes all foreigners who are automatically eligible for citizenship based on the length of their stay, for family reunification or to bring their children to Russia, with the exception of students and specialists.

GEORGIA

Georgia is also entering a new phase of climatic and geological challenges, with melting glaciers, increasing risks of landslides and other changes that require quick decisions and greater transparency in state structures, as demonstrated by investigations by the Swiss company Geotest Ag into risk areas in the central Caucasus, which warn of the lack of professionalism and uncertainty of the competent bodies, with their various interests.

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