SUDAN: An attack by paramilitary forces on a stronghold of Darfur tribal leader Musa Hilal left at least 28 people dead, a doctors’ group said today.

The Rapid Support Forces rampaged through the town of Misteriha in North Darfur province on Monday, according to the Sudan Doctors Network.

Mr Hilal is from the Rizeigat Arab tribe, as are many of the RSF fighters.

AUSTRALIA: A federal inquiry began today into a nationwide rise in anti-semitism after December’s gun attack on a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.

Alleged shooter Sajid Naveed was shot dead by police. His son Naveed Akram, faces charges including committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder. 

HONG KONG: The Chinese territory is protesting at Panama’s seizure of two ports on the Panama Canal that were operated by a Hong Kong-based company for decades, Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said today.

The bureau said in a statement that it had lodged “stern protests” with Panama’s consulate, adding that it had expressed strong opposition and dissatisfaction and would “staunchly support the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong corporations overseas.”

CHINA: Beijing put 20 Japanese companies on an export control list today and 20 others on a watchlist, as tensions continue over Japan’s continued interference in the affairs of the Chinese breakaway province of Taiwan. 

Chinese exporters will be banned from selling dual-use goods, which can be used both for civilian and military purposes, to 20 Japanese companies, according to a statement by China’s Commerce Ministry.