French police fatally shoot a man suspected of planning to set fire to a synagogue
French police neutralized a man armed with a knife aiming to set fire to a synagogue, amid increasing tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict. [ more ]
A race against time': Taiwan strives to root out China's spies
Accusations of Taiwanese soldiers accepting bribes from Chinese agents to create propaganda videos and declare loyalty to China have surfaced.
A retired army colonel has been convicted of accepting payments to delay retirement and serve as a spy for China, pledging his loyalty to Beijing's cause of annexing Taiwan. [ more ]
France deployed 1,000 security personnel to control unrest after curfew. Voting law changes inflamed tensions with indigenous Kanak population. [ more ]
Reporters - Asia-Pacific region: A new cold war brewing
China's assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region is causing tensions, particularly around Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The documentary highlights the rising geopolitical tensions in the region, characterized by a new 'cold war' between China and the US and its allies. [ more ]
Serb-majority areas vote on Albanian mayors' fate in Kosovo referendum
A referendum in four Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo aimed at removing ethnic Albanian mayors from office is endorsed by Western nations and supported by the ethnic Serb party in Kosovo.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are exacerbated by the dispute over the municipalities, reflecting broader historical and political conflicts. [ more ]
Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator John Cornyn are calling for military strikes on Iran, while Nikki Haley urges a forceful retaliation against Iran.
The recent drone strike on American troops in Jordan has escalated tensions between the U.S. and Iran, raising concerns about the potential for a wider war in the Middle East. [ more ]
Pakistan launches retaliatory airstrikes on Iran after Tehran attack
Pakistan's air force launched retaliatory airstrikes on Iran after an attack on Pakistani soil, raising tensions between the two nations.
The airstrikes imperil diplomatic relations between Iran and Pakistan, as the two countries have long regarded each other with suspicion over militant attacks. [ more ]
Yoon's gamble with ideology undercuts democracy and ignites inter-Korean tensions | East Asia Forum
President Yoon Suk-yeol seeks deeper contacts with Japan and the US, while distancing from China, Russia, and North Korea.
South Korea's neglect of dialogue with North Korea, military cooperation with the US, and anti-North Korea rhetoric have strained relations and raised tensions. [ more ]
What's behind North Korea's increasing belligerence? DW 01/08/2024
North Korea has conducted live-fire artillery exercises near South Korean islands, signaling potential aggression and tension on the Korean Peninsula in 2024.
Analysts predict that North Korea may use military threats to influence the outcome of the upcoming South Korean legislative elections and weaken the government of President Yoon Suk-yeol. [ more ]
Russian prosecutors seek lengthy prison terms for suspects in cases linked to the war in Ukraine
A man in Siberia was sentenced to 19 years in prison for shooting a military enlistment officer, while a woman in St. Petersburg faces a 28-year sentence for a cafe bombing.
These cases highlight the tensions in Russian society heightened by President Putin's war in Ukraine, with some individuals resorting to violent acts. [ more ]
The war in Gaza is leading to deep divisions at Israeli universities
The University of Haifa is the most diverse university in Israel, with about 40% of students being Palestinian citizens.
Tensions have increased at the University of Haifa since the Gaza war, with Arab students being accused of posting pro-Hamas comments on social media. [ more ]
The State Department allows the sale of F-16 jets to Turkey to move forward
The US State Department has approved the sale of $23 billion worth of fighter jets and equipment to Turkey, which has strained relations between Ankara and Washington.
The sale of the F-16 fighter jets and upgrades to other jets was delayed until Sweden's approval for membership in NATO, which was granted recently. [ more ]
NYC unveils plan to ease school tensions over Israel-Hamas war after aggressive incidents left Jewish staff, students fearful
The city Department of Education has unveiled a plan to address growing tensions in public schools related to the Israel-Hamas war.
The plan includes consequences for students, training and support workshops for educators and parents, and a commitment to respond to hate in schools. [ more ]
Greece and Turkey, Long at Odds, Vow to Work Together Peacefully
Greece and Turkey signed a declaration on friendly relations and good neighborliness, aiming to resolve longstanding differences and avoid military conflicts.
The pact, although not legally binding, carries strong symbolism and is historically significant. [ more ]
State drafted flyer discouraging migrants from coming to Chicago
Illinois and Chicago officials planned to discourage asylum-seekers at the southern border from coming north by creating a Spanish-language flyer with a bleaker picture of the weather and support available in the city.
There is ongoing disharmony between the Pritzker administration and City Hall over the migrant response, despite the state's promise of $160 million in additional aid to the city. [ more ]
Focus - In West Bank city of Hebron, violence soars betweenIsraelisettlers and Palestinians
Tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian locals have been on the rise in Hebron since the Hamas attacks and Israel's air strikes on Gaza.
Israeli soldiers are increasing patrols in the Old City of Hebron to protect Israeli settlers who occupy houses around the Cave of the Patriarchs. [ more ]