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Middle East crisis  Gaza war
The border at Rafah open to 50 people a day

The border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in Rafah was opened on Monday morning for the first time in two years, Reuters reports. It is described as an important step in the ceasefire and an attempt to open it was already made yesterday when some people with special needs were allowed to cross the border.

However, the opening is limited and only for pedestrians. Israel also requires security checks for both entry and exit. 50 people a day will be allowed to cross the border in each direction during the first few days, sources for state-linked Egyptian media reported according to AFP.

According to the news agency's sources at the border, dozens of people have arrived at the border on the Egyptian side waiting to enter Gaza.

Kashmir conflict
Islamabad: We have killed 145 "India-backed terrorists"

Pakistan says it has killed 145 "India-backed terrorists" in the disputed Baluchistan region in the past 40 hours, several media outlets report.

The announcement comes after 33 people, mostly civilians, were killed in terrorist attacks targeting police in the region on Saturday.

The Pakistani region of Baluchistan is both rich in natural resources and strategically important. For decades, the separatist movement Baluchistan Liberation Army has opposed the central government in Islamabad. Pakistan accuses arch-enemy India of supporting the movement, a claim India denies.

Local leader Sarfraz Bugti says the 145 perpetrators belonged to “Fitna al-Hindustan,” a phrase the government uses for the Balochistan Liberation Army.

Japan-China Relations
China in focus – but LDP predicted to win big in Japan

The relationship with China is in focus ahead of the Japanese lower house election on Sunday, reports Japan Daily. Tetsuo Saito, one of the leaders of the centrist opposition alliance, stressed in a television debate the importance of maintaining dialogue with the neighboring country.

However, this risks sending “the wrong message,” replied Liberal Democrat Norihisa Tamura, who participated in the program in place of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Instead, he emphasized the need for “a strategic relationship that benefits both parties.”

Relations between Japan and China have been tense since Takaichi said late last year that Japan might consider military intervention if China were to attack Taiwan – statements that were met with strong criticism from Beijing.

Despite the tensions, the issue does not appear to have damaged the government at home. According to the Asahi opinion poll, the Prime Minister's LDP party looks set to win a clear victory, and the government bloc is expected to be able to take over 300 of the 465 seats in parliament.