Category: Asia-Pacific
-
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test-launch of 12 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers on Saturday (14 March), according to state media KCNA, following annual military exercises by the United States and South Korea. Kim said the drills were intended to show “enemies within the 420-km striking range… the destructive power of tactical nuclear…
-
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has warned Afghanistan’s Taliban government it has “crossed a red line” after alleged drone attacks on civilian areas in Pakistan, escalating the deadliest fighting between the two neighbours in years. The warning follows a surge in Pakistan–Afghanistan border clashes, with both sides accusing each other of airstrikes and military escalation…
-
Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has secured a landslide victory in the country’s latest parliamentary election, the first since youth-led protests toppled the previous government in 2025. The party won 182 seats in the House of Representatives, narrowly missing a two-thirds supermajority by two seats. The result places Balendra Shah, the RSP leader and mayor…
-
Indonesia and Australia are exploring expanded security cooperation that could include Japan and Papua New Guinea, following talks between Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles. Speaking after the meeting, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the countries are considering new trilateral security arrangements and enhanced collaboration across the Indo-Pacific. The discussions follow a…
-
China’s exports rose sharply at the start of 2026, reinforcing the country’s status as the world’s largest trading nation ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Customs data shows exports grew far faster than expected, highlighting the resilience of China’s manufacturing sector and its expanding…
-
The United States and South Korea began their annual Freedom Shield joint military exercise on Monday (9 March), a key component of allied defence cooperation on the Korean Peninsula. The drills will run until 19 March 2026 and involve around 18,000 troops. According to reports, the exercise focuses on evaluating conditions for the eventual transfer…
-
China’s President Xi Jinping has called for stricter political loyalty within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) as Beijing expands a sweeping anti-corruption campaign targeting senior military officials. Speaking at a plenary meeting of the PLA and People’s Armed Police Force delegation during China’s annual “Two Sessions” political gatherings, Xi said the armed forces must remain…
-
China has set its lowest annual growth target since 1991, aiming for 4.5%-5% in 2026 amid domestic and global challenges. The announcement came during the country’s annual “two sessions” political meetings, alongside preliminary details of the 15th Five Year Plan. Premier Li Qiang highlighted investments in innovation, high-tech industries, AI, green energy, and household consumption…
-
Nepal is voting in a pivotal national election, the first since the September 2025 Gen Z protest movement that forced the resignation of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The vote reflects widespread public frustration over corruption, economic stagnation and political instability. Many voters say the result will determine whether young Nepalis see a future…
-
China is set to unveil its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) at the annual session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing. The week-long meeting at the Great Hall of the People runs alongside the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, collectively known as the “Two Sessions”. Key developments expected: • A 2026 GDP growth target of…
tut0ugh 