The start of 2026 across the South Pacific was marked by both celebration and sombre reflection as communities welcomed the new year in the shadow of a deadly mass shooting, choosing resilience and unity over fear. The first major city in the world
In his annual New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the nation to intensify efforts to strengthen economic growth and accelerate technological progress, framing the coming years as decisive for China’s long term development and global standing. Speaking in a nationally
China’s latest military drills around Taiwan are being closely analysed by regional security watchers, with growing attention on whether Beijing is experimenting with low cost methods to gradually weaken the island’s air defence capabilities. The two day live fire exercise, named Justice Mission
The United States is advancing a series of new health cooperation agreements across Africa as it intensifies efforts to expand its influence on the continent amid growing competition with China. The deals, focused on disease surveillance and outbreak response, are designed to strengthen
China has created a new national supervisory body to oversee the conduct of Buddhist clergy, moving to tighten control over religious institutions following a high profile scandal that shook public confidence in the country’s monastic community. The decision comes less than six months
South Korean President Lee Jae myung is set to travel to China next week on a high level visit aimed at easing economic tensions and strengthening dialogue on regional security, as Seoul works to balance its relationship with Beijing while maintaining close ties
Former US president Donald Trump has claimed that American forces carried out a strike on a drug boat loading facility in Venezuela, signalling a possible escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign against transnational narcotics networks operating in the region. If confirmed, the action would
Venezuela has strongly criticised a recent United States arms sale to Taiwan, echoing Beijing’s long held position and accusing Washington of undermining regional stability by interfering in what it described as China’s internal affairs. The statement adds another international voice opposing US military
Thousands of passengers were left stranded between London and Paris after Eurostar suspended services on Tuesday following a power supply failure in the Channel Tunnel, causing major disruption during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The incident came as large
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has sparked outrage after issuing a deeply offensive threat against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, using violent language in response to Zelensky’s Christmas message to the nation. The remarks have been widely condemned as another sign of the increasingly
