Category: Asia-Pacific
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from across Asia-Pacific, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and Pacific nations, with a focus on security, trade, and regional diplomacy.
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All border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain closed after forces from both countries exchanged fire for the second time in a week, raising tensions along the 1,622-mile (2,611 km) frontier. Key developments:• Clashes began on Saturday (Oct. 11) night, with Afghan forces striking Pakistani military posts.• Afghan officials claimed 58 Pakistani soldiers killed, while…
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Alphabet Inc, Google’s parent company, will invest $15 billion (£11.3bn) to establish a large-scale AI data hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The project, unveiled by Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, will be completed over the next five years — marking Google’s largest AI investment outside the United States. Key developments:• The facility will integrate…
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has said Beijing is ready to advance its relationship with North Korea, pledging deeper strategic cooperation on international and regional affairs, according to state media KCNA. In a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Xi described both countries as “good neighbours and good friends” with shared destinies, adding…
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Border fighting between Afghan and Pakistani forces intensified overnight, with both sides reporting significant casualties amid rising regional alarm. Key developments:• Afghanistan’s Taliban government claims to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounded 30 in cross-border operations.• Pakistan’s army confirmed 23 soldiers killed and 29 injured, while saying over 200 Taliban fighters were killed in…
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Firefights broke out along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border late on Saturday (Oct. 11), after Afghan Taliban forces reportedly attacked Pakistani military posts, according to security officials from both sides. The violence follows alleged Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika earlier this week. Local authorities in Helmand province claimed the Taliban had seized two Pakistani border positions.…
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a large-scale military parade showcasing the country’s latest Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), state media KCNA reported on Saturday (Oct. 11). The event, marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party, drew international attention as foreign dignitaries including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, and…
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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), pledging closer cooperation to uphold the international rules-based order amid rising global tensions. • The agreement builds on a 2019 partnership covering trade, defence, and supply chains. • Both nations committed to collaborate on digital trade,…
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The Taliban government has accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, calling it an “unprecedented, violent, and provocative act.” The claim follows reports of two explosions in Kabul late on Thursday (Oct. 9) and a bombing in the southeastern province of Patika, which the Taliban Defence Ministry said struck a civilian market. Pakistan’s military…
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Japan’s Komeito party has ended its 26-year coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), leaving newly elected LDP leader Sanae Takaichi struggling to secure parliamentary backing to become Japan’s first female prime minister. Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito said the split followed an “inadequate explanation” from the LDP over a political funding scandal that has shaken…
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India and Afghanistan’s Taliban government have announced an expansion of diplomatic engagement — the most significant since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that India will restore its embassy in Kabul, elevating relations but stopping short of formally recognising the Taliban administration. Hours before the meeting between Mr Jaishankar and Amir Khan…
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