Daily News Brief

 

January 23, 2024 (Tuesday)

Asia Pacific 

1. Taiwan Says 6 Chinese Balloons Flew Through its Airspace, Warplanes, Ships Detected. Taiwan said that six Chinese balloons either flew over the island or through airspace just north of it, while Chinese warplanes and navy ships were also detected in the area. 

2. North Korea Defends Military Development. North Korea defended its right to increase military capabilities in the face of “danger of the U.S. and their followers” at a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) this month, according to North Korean state media. 

Russia/Europe/West 

3. Ukraine War Drives Shift in Russian Nuclear Thinking. The war in Ukraine has dented Russia’s confidence in its conventional forces and increased the importance to Moscow of non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNWs) as a means of deterring and defeating NATO in a potential future conflict, a leading Western think-tank said. 

4. Turkish Navy Receives First Sea Drone, Indigenous Vessels. The Turkish Navy has received four state-of-the-art naval platforms to enhance its maritime patrol and electronic warfare missions. 

India/South Asia 

5. India’s PM Opens Temple on Site of Razed Historic Mosque in Ayodhya. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a grand new Hindu temple built on the ruins of a historic mosque in the town of Ayodhya, in a religious spectacle taking place ahead of elections in the country. 

6. India, Kyrgyzstan Begin Joint Military Drills to Counter Terror. India and Kyrgyzstan began the 11th edition of their joint military exercise ”KHANJAR”, aimed at countering terrorism and extremism at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. 

7. Chinese Research Vessel Heads to Maldives. A Chinese research vessel is on its way to the Maldives, according to an Indian military official and an independent researcher, as new Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu deepens ties with Beijing, distancing from New Delhi. 

IIOJK 

8. IIOJK Continues to Witness Checking, Patrolling and Strict Surveillance. Indian authorities have continued to impose heavy restrictions in terms of checking, frisking, surveillance and patrolling in occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the name of security ahead of India’s Republic Day on 26 January. 

9. Justice Continues to Elude Gaw Kadal Massacre Victims in IIOJK. A report released by Kashmir Media Service said that over 50 people were martyred in Gaw Kadal area of Srinagar on 21 January 1990 when Indian troops had resorted to indiscriminate firing on peaceful demonstrators who were protesting against the molestation of several women by troops, the previous night. 

Afghanistan 

10. Russia Says Four Survive Charter Jet Crash in Afghanistan. Russia’s aviation watchdog said four people survived the crash of a charter plane bound for Moscow in northern Afghanistan, citing the Russian embassy there, and it said the condition of two other passengers on board was not yet clear. 

11. UNAMA Releases Quarterly Report on Afghan Human Rights Situation. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in a quarterly report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan October-December 2023, said: “The de facto authorities continue to enforce and promulgate restrictions on women’s rights to work, education and freedom of movement.” 

Middle East/Africa 

12. Hamas Still Have Enough Munitions, Men to Strike Israel. The Wall Street Journal quoting US intelligence sources estimated that the Palestinian group Hamas “still has enough munitions to continue striking Israel and Israeli forces in Gaza for months.” 

13. MEMO Correspondent Reports Partial Withdrawal from Central Gaza. MEMO correspondent Mohammed Asad reported from Central Gaza as Israeli forces withdrew from areas around Al-Nuseirat, Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi camps.  

Iran 

14. Iran Arrests Soldier Responsible for Deadly Shooting of Five Comrades.  Iran has arrested a soldier who shot dead five fellow soldiers, state media reported, adding that authorities have initiated an interrogation process. 

15. Iran Holds Funerals for Guards Killed in Alleged Israeli Strike. Hundreds of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funerals of Revolutionary Guards killed in Syria, in what Iran called an Israeli strike. 

PAKISTAN 

Security 

16. Pakistan Schools, Universities Close Over Security Threats in Capital. Schools and universities in Islamabad abruptly closed over safety concerns, as police in the capital reassured citizens that the security situation was under control. 

17. At Least 7 Terrorists Killed in Balochistan Intelligence-Based Operation: ISPR. At least seven terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Sambaza sector of Balochistan’s Zhob district, according to a statement released on Monday by the Inter-Services Public Relations. 

Economy 

18. Pakistan to Carry Out Special Audit of Govt Departments. According to details, the Pakistan government assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of uplifting the performance of its departments and introducing transparency. 

19. APTMA Calls for Urgent Removal of Power Tariff Cross-Subsidy. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), which represents the largest industrial sector of Pakistan, has appealed for the urgent removal of the cross-subsidy from power tariffs for industrial consumers, bringing them down to 9 cents/kWh. 

Politics 

20. Iran’s Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan. Pakistan said Iran’s foreign minister will visit the country next week, signaling efforts to mend relations after the neighbors exchanged missile strikes last week at what they said were militant targets.