India has inaugurated a 6.4km Himalayan road tunnel that provides all-weather access to contested high-altitude border zones with China and Pakistan. The Z-Morh or Sonmarg tunnel is part of a wider infrastructure drive in the region, connecting Indian-administered Kashmir with Ladakh and allowing for rapid deployment of military supplies along the Srinagar-Leh Highway throughout the year. Despite an ongoing border dispute with China that escalated four years ago, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, India has not reduced its troop presence in the area.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3294569/india-opens-tunnel-china-border-wont-reduce-troops-despite-thaw-boundary-row?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionIndia's army chief stated that the country will not reduce the number of troops along its northern frontier during winter, but will review summer deployment based on negotiations with China. The decision comes after a four-year military stand-off in Ladakh, where 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in clashes in 2017. In October last year, India and China reached an agreement to resolve the dispute, following which they pulled back troops from the disputed border.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/585114-india-wont-reduce-troops-along-china-border-in-winter-says-army-chiefThe Indonesian government is facing pressure from civil society organizations, including 41 groups that have signed a petition calling for the halt of the AZEC program. The program, which involves the development of fossil fuels and other energy sources with Japanese investment, has raised concerns about environmental degradation and human rights violations. Specifically, the Muara Laboh power plant project in Indonesia is accused of causing pollution, depleting water sources, and threatening local communities. The project has received funding from Japanese corporations such as Inpex and Sumitomo Corporation, and the Indonesian government has been urged to cancel its support for the project by environmental group WALHI.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1963480/walhi-concerned-over-japanese-pms-visit-fears-revival-of-polluting-azec-programIran is set to hold nuclear talks with France, Britain, and Germany on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, just a week before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office. This will be the second round of talks over Iran's nuclear program in less than two months, following a meeting held in November between Tehran and the three European powers known as the E3.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/13/world/iran-european-powers-to-hold-nuclear-talks-ahead-of-trump-return/2037573Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "strong" concerns to US President Joe Biden over his decision to block Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel, citing national security concerns. The $14.9 billion sale was blocked earlier this month and has sparked a legal battle between the two companies, who accuse Biden of "illegal interference". Ishiba urged Biden to dispel these feelings during a call with Biden and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday. Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also expressed concerns over the issue, saying it was important not to undermine the big picture of the Japan-US alliance. The two steel companies have extended their deadline for unwinding the acquisition until June 18.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/01/13/japan-us-ties-under-strain-as-ishiba-presses-biden-on-blocked-nippon-steel-us-steel-acquisition/163031Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged US President Joe Biden to address concerns about investments in the United States following his rejection of the sale of United States Steel to Nippon Steel during a virtual summit with leaders from Japan and the Philippines. The decision has raised concerns among business communities in both Japan and the US, prompting Ishiba to stress the need for clarification on the matter.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/13/japan/politics/ishiba-biden-steel-concern/Chinese officials believe that a visit by a high-ranking Chinese delegation to Japan will help improve relations between the two countries. The visit is expected to promote mutual understanding and trust, as well as increase defense exchanges between China and Japan. This development comes after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took office, marking a shift towards more stable relations with China.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326780.shtmlThe wife of slain Anadolu journalist, Yaser Matar, has accused Israel of killing 31 members of her family in a statement made to the press. This incident is part of a larger context of escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine, with reports indicating that a ceasefire deal for Gaza is at a critical point.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/biden-says-on-the-brink-of-reaching-gaza-truce-prisoner-swap-deal-18253397The credit ratings of Israel were downgraded by all three major credit rating agencies last year, citing the significant financial burden imposed by its military conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The downgrades were a result of the high costs associated with these wars, which have strained Israel's finances and raised concerns about its ability to meet its debt obligations.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941364-economy-at-war-israel-may-not-get-budget-deficit-under-control