Asia
It’s Official: Russia Now Biggest Foreign Investor in Iran
Russia continues to further cement its influence abroad, expanding its economic and political reach even deeper into the Middle East with strategic investments....
Taliban Arrests Chinese Nationals for Stealing Afghan Lithium
The men reportedly were trying to smuggle 1,000 metric tons of rocks containing the vital metal into China via Pakistan. ...
Read moreFormer Japanese PM Lambastes Support for Ukraine
SINGAPORE — Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori decried the Japanese government’s pro-Ukraine position in the Russia-Ukraine crisis that erupted last February, Kyodo...
Read moreMyanmar Junta Burns Down Historic Catholic Church and Convent, Faces Charges of War Crimes
Soldiers from Myanmar’s military razed to the ground the historic Catholic Church of the Assumption in Chan Thar, a village inhabited by Catholics...
Read moreTaiwanese President Tells Pope War With China “Not an Option”
SINGAPORE — Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has written to Pope Francis to announce that war between Taiwan and China is not an option,...
Read morePakistan Strengthens Blasphemy Laws, Raising Fears of Increased Christian Persecution
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which can already carry the death penalty for those ruled to have insulted Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, can now...
Read moreChinese Exports to North Korea More Than Tripled in 2022
SINGAPORE — China’s overall exports to North Korea more than tripled in 2022 over 2021 as freight train operations between the two countries...
Read moreTaiwanese Foreign Minister: China “More Likely” to Invade Taiwan as Xi’s Problems Accumulate
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu has declared that he thinks China is now “more likely” to invade Taiwan to divert attention away from...
Read moreTaiwan to Permit Women in Reservist Training for First Time
SINGAPORE — As Taiwan attempts to enhance its forces against threats from China, the island nation’s military declared plans on Tuesday to include...
Read moreSurvey: Indians Regard U.S. as Next Biggest Threat After China
They also put more blame on NATO and Washington than on Russian President Vladimir Putin for his actions in Ukraine, based on findings...
Read moreIndia, Japan Begin First Joint Fighter-jet Drill Amid Increasing Regional Militarization
SINGAPORE — Japan and India started their first joint fighter-jet exercise on Monday near Tokyo, as the countries ramp up defense and security...
Read moreIn Defiant Move Against China, US, Taiwan Conclude First Round of Bilateral Trade Negotiations
The ongoing talks will encompass discussions on China’s “economic coercion,” as Taiwan needs to diversify its trade away from China. ...
Read moreJapan Says East Asia Could be “Next Ukraine,” Tells Biden That New Era Needs “Military Muscle”
SINGAPORE — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on January 14 that he told Western powers that East Asia could be the next...
Read moreIndonesia Sends Warship to Observe Chinese Coast Guard Vessel in Disputed Waters
SINGAPORE — Indonesia has sent a warship to its North Natuna Sea to keep tabs on a Chinese Coast Guard vessel that has...
Read moreTaiwan Offers to Help Ukraine With Digital Reconstruction
SINGAPORE — Taiwan is open to aiding Ukraine in overhauling its digital infrastructure in areas such as remote learning as part of reconstruction...
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