A group of countries led by the US warned Yemen’s Houthi rebels of “consequences” if the latter continues to attack Red Sea shipping vessels. “Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilising,” said the statement released by the White House on Wednesday. The countries demanded an immediate end to these illegal attacks and the release of unlawfully detained vessels and personnel.
On Wednesday, twin explosions at a ceremony in Iran’s southern city of Kerman killed over 100 people and injured more than 200. The blast occurred as hundreds gathered to commemorate commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by a US drone in 2020. According to Iranian media, the second blast occurred roughly 20 minutes after the first. Officials believe that unspecified “terrorists” were behind the explosion.
According to Rajesh Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, almost 50% of cyber-crime complaints received on the national cyber crime helpline originate in China and pockets of Myanmar and Cambodia. Kumar said that, in India, around 5,000 cyber complaints are received daily. He mentioned that around Rs 10,319 crore (~$1.2 billion) had been lost to cybercrime from 1 April 2021 to 31 December 2023.
On Wednesday, the Indian Navy said that its ships and aircraft continue to monitor the security situation in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden by undertaking maritime security operations and enhancing surveillance. The Navy said that Indian Naval Task Groups deployed in the region have investigated several fishing vessels in the last week. The Navy reiterated its dedication to protecting seafarers and merchant vessels in the area.
The Philippines and the US began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday, the Philippine military said. “Our alliance is stronger than ever, sending a message to the world. We are advancing a rules-based international order and a free and open Indo-Pacific region in the face of regional challenges,” Philippine Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner said. The move will likely irk China, which has been at odds with the Philippines and other countries in the region regarding the contentious waters and historical claims on territory therein.
Taiwan “will resist” China’s attempts to influence the self-governing island’s 13 January election, frontrunner presidential candidate Lai Ching-te said on Wednesday. “Everyone cherishes Taiwan’s democracy. I have confidence that the people will resist China’s use of various forces to try to influence this election,” he said.