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Dalai Lama Outlines Succession Plan, Rejects Chinese Plan
As he turns 90 on July 6, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has outlined plans for the continuation of his spiritual office. In a mid-February memoir, A Voice for Those Who Have None, the Dalai Lama affirms that his successor will be born outside China, “in the free world,” and that the institution will…
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Deadly Flash Floods Underscore Pakistan’s Climate Vulnerability
On June 27, 13 members of a single family were swept away by a sudden flash flood in Swat Valley, Pakistan, after becoming stranded on a small riverbank island during a rise in water levels. The Swat River, fed by glacial melt from the Hindu Kush mountains, surged rapidly following intense rainfall, according to officials.…
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Timor-Leste: Revisiting a Forgotten War Ahead of ASEAN Entry
As Timor-Leste is et to join ASEAN in October 2025, we dive back into the country’s recent conflicts. CREDIT: Regio Da Cruz Salu.As Timor-Leste prepares for full accession to ASEAN in late 2025, its troubled path to independence raises renewed interest in its historical trajectory. This report revisits the conflict that led to one of the most violent decolonization processes in recent history. Following Portugal’s withdrawal in 1975, Indonesia occupied the territory, triggering decades of armed resistance,…
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Calls for Monarchy Revival in Nepal
Gyanendra Shah’s Return to Kathmandu.Nepal’s former king, Gyanendra Shah, was welcomed by thousands of pro-monarchy supporters as he returned to Kathmandu on Sunday following a visit to western Nepal. Gyanendra’s Return to Kathmandu Approximately 10,000 demonstrators gathered near the main entrance of Tribhuvan International Airport. The demonstration temporarily disrupted access to the airport, forcing passengers to walk to and…
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Major Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, India: Over 126 Dead.
A strong earthquake struck western China and Tibet on Tuesday, causing significant casualties and widespread damage. The US Geological Survey recorded a 7.1 magnitude quake, while the China Earthquake Networks Center recorded the quake at 6.8 magnitude. The epicenter was in Dingri County, Shigatse, a high-altitude region near Mount Everest, with a depth of 10km,…
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Security Staff Blocks Arrest of South Korean President
Early on January 3, South Korean investigators attempted to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. Yoon is under investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) for insurrection after declaring martial law on December 3, which triggered a political crisis. The Presidential Security Service (PSS) blocked investigators, citing the presence of military secrets, and…
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North Korean Troops Confirmed in Ukraine, Amid Allegations of Disfigurement to Conceal Identity
A North Korean soldier stands guard at the Korean Demilitarized Zone in 2011. CREDIT: US Army (army.mil).US and South Korean intelligence agencies’ reports suggest the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region as part of military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang. These troops are believed to be engaged in frontline operations in Russia’s war against Ukraine, drawing international scrutiny and leading to sanctions by the United States and South…
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EU: Sanctions Against Chinese Entities Over Support for Russia in Donbas
The European Union (EU) has announced expanded sanctions against seven Chinese entities and individuals accused of supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine. The measures, officially adopted by EU foreign ministers on Monday, include travel bans within the EU, asset freezes, and a prohibition on EU companies financing these entities. Among those sanctioned is businesswoman…
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Afghan Minister Killed in Kabul Suicide Bombing
Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, was killed in a suicide bombing at the Ministry of Refugees in Kabul on Wednesday. This marks the first attack targeting a minister since the Taliban regained power in 2021. The incident occurred within the ministry compound, which was reportedly hosting training workshops in recent days.…
