Israel: Body handed over by Hamas not one of the last two hostages
Today's headlines: Kuala Lumpur announces the resumption of the search for flight MH370 on 30 December; Islamabad and Beijing have begun their annual joint military exercises; UN: opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar reaches record levels, up 17% on 2024; Tokyo focuses on generative artificial intelligence; According to Bangkok, devastating floods have paralysed the domestic high-tech market.
ISRAEL - PALESTINE
Israeli forensic services have determined that the remains handed over yesterday by Hamas to the Red Cross do not belong to one of the last two hostages (deceased) still in Gaza. This was reported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, according to which “the remains” do not correspond to either Israeli police officer Ran Gvili or Thai citizen Sudthisak Rinthalak, who were kidnapped during the attack on 7 October 2023 that triggered the war. Meanwhile, over 200 cultural figures and intellectuals, including those of Jewish origin, have signed a petition for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. Finally, on the domestic front, the clash over military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews is becoming increasingly heated, threatening to split the country and bring down the government.
MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur has amended its regulatory framework on nuclear energy, making it necessary to obtain permits for all activities related to atomic energy, including the import, export and transhipment of radioactive materials. In force since 1 December, the regulation will be implemented in several phases to meet energy demand and achieve zero emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, the authorities have also announced the resumption on 30 December of the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, the Boeing 777 that disappeared without trace in March 2014 with 239 people on board.
PAKISTAN - CHINA
Islamabad and Beijing have begun their annual joint military exercise called “Warrior-IX”, focusing on counter-terrorism operations in north-eastern Pakistan. Running until mid-December, the operation aims to improve interoperability, facilitate the exchange of tactics and share modern combat techniques between the two strategic allies in the region.
MYANMAR
The cultivation of opium poppies in Myanmar has reached its highest level in 10 years, with an increase in the area under cultivation in all regions of a country exhausted by war. This is according to a survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which found that poppy cultivation has increased by 17% compared to 2024, with a jump from 45,200 hectares to 53,100 hectares of cultivated land.
JAPAN
Tokyo is looking to generative artificial intelligence, aiming for 80% utilisation, up from 25% in fiscal year 2024. The country is lagging behind in the use of technology, which is why it is considering allocating one trillion yen (over €5.5 billion) to the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Prime Minister Sane Takaichi plans to approve the guidelines by the end of the year.
THAILAND
The Thai government reports that the devastating floods that hit the country, particularly in the south, killing at least 181 people, have also “paralysed” the shipment of high-tech components and car parts from Hat Yai, benefiting rival exporters in Indonesia and Vietnam. Although the border crossings remain open, the roads and railways connecting them are submerged or impassable, effectively halting the flow of goods to Malaysia.
RUSSIA - TURKEY
Russian oil giant Gazprom is in talks with its Turkish partners to extend expiring Russian gas supply contracts. This was announced to journalists by Moscow's Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak, after Russian exports in the first eight months of 2025 increased by 18% compared to the same period in 2024, to almost 15 billion cubic metres, through the Goluboj Potok gas pipeline along the Black Sea.
GEORGIA
In the first 11 months of 2025, the Ministry of the Interior expelled more than a thousand illegal migrants from the country, as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced during a government meeting. This number is equal to the total for the last seven years, confirming a crackdown. And for next year, the expulsion of at least 3,500 illegal foreigners from Georgian territory is planned, so that “within three to four years, the problem will be completely resolved”.
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