Taiwan’s president vows to defend sovereignty after China military exercises
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has vowed to defend the democratic island’s sovereignty in a New Year’s speech, after China carried out military drills.
Asia
China says ‘successfully completed’ Taiwan exercises
China announced on Wednesday that it had successfully completed military drills around Taiwan, including live-fire exercises simulating a blockade of key ports and attacks on maritime targets.
China slams states that criticised Taiwan drills as ‘irresponsible’
Beijing slammed on Wednesday certain countries for their “irresponsible” criticism of China’s military drills in waters around Taiwan.
Regional temperature records broken across globe in 2025: Report
Central Asia, the Sahel region and northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record this year, according to AFP analysis based on data from the European Copernicus programme.
North Korea’s Leader touts new rocket launchers capable of targeting South
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has toured a factory producing new multiple rocket launchers capable of striking South Korea, praising their ability to “annihilate the enemy” in a concentrated attack, state media reported on Tuesday.
China must ‘forcefully counter’ US weapons sales To Taiwan: FM
Beijing’s top diplomat stressed Tuesday that China would “forcefully counter” large-scale US arms sales to Taiwan, as its military kicked off a second day of live-fire drills around the island.
Trump ‘not worried’ as China fires rockets towards Taiwan during war games
China deploys assault ships and bomber aircraft to encircle island on second day of war games
UN says Afghan farmers taking heavy hit from opium poppy ban
Farmers in northern Afghanistan have yet to make up for lost income since the Taliban government banned poppy production for opium three years ago, the United Nations announced on Monday.
US slashes UN humanitarian aid to $2bn: report
The United States has announced it will contribute only $2bn in United Nations humanitarian assistance – a small fraction of its traditional funding scope – as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to heavily downsize its role in foreign a…
China conducts war games around Taiwan as island vows to defend democracy
Beijing staged live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday, deploying troops, warships, fighter jets and artillery for its “Justice Mission 2025” exercises, as the island scrambled soldiers and showcased U.S.-made hardware to rehearse repelling an attack.