Weekly Update (Jan 5th – Jan 11th, 2026)

Gaza: Airstrike kills four as ceasefire politics stay brittle

An Israeli airstrike on a tent sheltering displaced people in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza Strip killed four Palestinians, a grim datapoint that cut through diplomatic language about restraint. Israel said it was targeting Hamas. Even isolated incidents like this can harden negotiating positions and tighten the space for mediators trying to keep broader arrangements intact.

Pakistan: Police seize two tonnes of explosives in counter-terror raid

Pakistani counter-terrorism police seized two tons of explosives and arrested three suspects accused of links to the Baloch Liberation Army. The scale of the seizure — and the allegation of planned attacks — highlighted the persistent security load carried by the Pakistani state even as it grapples with economic pressures and political polarisation.

Japan: Record tuna price becomes a symbol of demand and scarcity

A 243kg bluefin tuna sold for a record ¥510mn (about US$3.2mn) at Toyosu Market, an eye-catching number that functioned as more than spectacle. High-end food markets often become a proxy for confidence among wealthy buyers and for debates over sustainability, quotas and scarcity — especially with prized species.

Indonesia: Flash floods kill 14 in North Sulawesi

Flash floods in the Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands Regency in North Sulawesi killed at least 14 people, a reminder that climate-linked disasters are not just environmental stories but governance tests — measuring early warning capacity, infrastructure resilience and the state’s ability to mobilise relief quickly.