Category: Uncategorized

AdvertisementChina-Japan relationsChinaDiplomacy‘Uncompromising’: Takaichi’s meeting with Trump seen as key to China-Japan tiesNeither Tokyo nor Beijing has enough incentive to compromise, observers say, signalling a new reality between Asian giants
5-MIN READ5-MIN ListenLaura ZhouPublished: 8:00pm, 19 Mar 2026China and Japan’s long-standing rivalry has deep historic roots, and relations between the two have taken a significant turn for the worse in recent months. This article, the third in a three-part series, looks at how US President Donald Trump, Taiwan and war in the Middle East factor into their relationship. Read the second part here.As Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host regional leaders for the Apec summit later this year, observers are closely watching whether the summit could instigate a thaw in relations between China and Japan.Or will it simply clarify how protracted this cold spell between the Asian giants is likely to be?
AdvertisementAnalysts are also watching h..

Sharjah Public Parking/Representative Image Sharjah Municipality has announced free public parking for the first three days of Eid Al Fitr 2026, easing movement across the emirate as authorities roll out a wider transport plan to manage increased travel during the holiday. Public parking users in Sharjah will be exempt from fees on the first, second and third day of Eid Al Fitr, allowing residents and visitors to move around without worrying about parking charges during the festive period. The exemption, however, does not apply to smart parking lots and public parking zones that remain chargeable throughout the week and on official holidays. These areas are marked with blue informational signs, and motorists are advised to follow the signage to avoid fines.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: US pounds Iranian missile sites near key Strait of Hormuz; Iran rains down cluster bombs on Tel AvivIran confirms death of national security chief Ali Larijani, president Pezeshkia..

AdvertisementHong Kong courtsHong KongLaw and CrimeFormer Hong Kong lawmaker denies abetting criminal activity in mainland ChinaEx-lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan says people his alliance had been supporting should not have been considered as violating mainland law in first place
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenBrian WongPublished: 8:00pm, 18 Mar 2026A former Hong Kong lawmaker on trial for allegedly inciting subversion has denied abetting criminal activity by supporting mainland Chinese dissidents, accusing Beijing of levelling false charges against them.
Prosecutors on Wednesday challenged Lee Cheuk-yan’s claim that he had no intention to incite others to overthrow the mainland’s communist rule when he called for an end to “one-party dictatorship” as former chairman of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
Lee, 69, and former vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung, 41, are contesting the charge under the Beijing-imposed national security law for allegedly i..

AdvertisementChina-Latin America relationsChinaDiplomacyAs Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba, China has ‘very limited options’Any response from Beijing is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and humanitarian aid, according to analysts
3-MIN READ3-MINCao Jiaxuanin BeijingPublished: 8:00pm, 18 Mar 2026As Washington steps up rhetoric and pressure on Cuba after its campaign in Iran, Beijing finds itself torn between geopolitical reality and ideological affinity.According to analysts, Beijing has few good options to counter US hegemony in Washington’s own backyard, and its response is likely to be constrained to diplomatic opposition and modest humanitarian aid.
They said any disruption to global stability ultimately harmed Beijing’s interests and did not see prolonged US military action creating a window of opportunity for China.
AdvertisementUS President Donald Trump on Monday said he expected to have “the honour of taking Cuba”, after a tightening US oil squeeze contributed t..

EditionININUSGCCEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign In

A viral post claimed IShowSpeed was invited to Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s wedding and would livestream it. The quote spread quickly but lacks any official confirmation. The claim comes from a meme account using old images. In reality, the couple plans a private ceremony after the 2026 World Cup, and Speed’s earlier mention was just a joke. The rumor spread fast and loud. A viral post claimed that a popular streamer had secured an invite to one of football’s most anticipated weddings and would even broadcast it live. The quote fueling the buzz read: “🚨 IShowSpeed has confirmed he’s been invited to Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s wedding and will be streaming it live.” It sounded believable at first glance. Big names. Bigger hype. But the story does not hold up under. There is no verified confirmation from any of the people involved. No official statement. No credible source. What exists instead is a familiar pattern in the age of social media, where recycled j..

Advertisement2026 Trump-Xi summitChinaPoliticsWill the postponed Trump-Xi summit affect US arms sales to Taiwan?Possible US$14 billion package said to be on track but broader concerns loom as America depletes ammunition stockpiles in Middle East
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenLawrence Chungin TaipeiPublished: 8:01pm, 17 Mar 2026Updated: 8:02pm, 17 Mar 2026A delayed summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has raised concerns over whether the postponement could affect a reported record US arms sales package to Taiwan, as officials insist the deal remains on track.A US$14 billion arms package – possibly the largest ever for Taiwan – is ready for the American president’s approval and could be announced after his visit to Beijing, according to Reuters on Friday.
The proposed sale is expected to include advanced air-defence systems such as Patriot PAC-3 missiles and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams), as well as an additional US$6 billion in “asymmetric” capabilities.
Adv..

AdvertisementTrending in ChinaPeople & CultureTrending in ChinaChina sailor creates ‘radio station’ to connect families with seamen stranded in Strait of Hormuz‘Frightened’ sailor tells wife of conflict tension on board Singaporean commercial ship stuck close to land on war-torn waterway
2-MIN READ2-MINAlice Yanin ShanghaiPublished: 8:00pm, 17 Mar 2026A Chinese man has used public maritime radio to create a “family’s voice station” on which sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz can relay safety messages to their families.
Liu Yiwen, a native of Jilin province in northeastern China, is a second officer on a Singaporean commercial ship which is now anchored near the Khor Fakkan harbour administered by the United Arab Emirates, China’s state media CCTV reported.
The ship had planned to head to the Persian Gulf to load liquid petroleum gas (LPG), but is stuck in the war-torn waterway like hundreds of others after the US and Israel jointly launched a war against Iran on February 28.
A lo..

. Afghanistan on Tuesday accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes on a Kabul hospital treating drug addicts, saying the attack killed more than 400 people.Also Read | 'Fabricating imaginative tales of Islamophobia': India hits out at Pakistan; cites Afghanistan strike at UNPakistan denied the allegation, saying its strikes- also carried out in eastern Afghanistan – targeted only military and “terrorist” sites. Trump's 'FAVOURITE' Field Marshal Goes Rogue: Pak Massacres Hundreds In Afghan Capital Kabul Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman gave the death toll during a television interview with local media, reported AP. He said all parts of the drug treatment hospital had been destroyed. Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, however, said the death toll has increased to 400, with 250 wounded.Loud explosions rocked the Afghan capital at about 9:00 p.m. local time, with plumes of smoke visible from the Shahr-e-Naw and Wazir Akbar Khan areas. Israel Ir..

In Washington, access to power usually comes through carefully arranged press briefings and official interview requests. But with Donald Trump, the path seems to be an easy one, and that is to dial on his cellphone- as simple as it is According to multiple reporters, Trump’s personal number has become one of the worst-kept secrets in political journalism. The president has fielded dozens of impromptu calls from journalists in recent weeks, often answering without screening the caller and launching into brief, off-the-cuff conversations about everything from politics to the ongoing Iran conflict. The result is a strange new media ritual, reporters dialing the president directly in hopes he’ll pick up, Semafor reported. Calls reportedly come at all hours — late at night when Trump can’t sleep, after a round of golf when he’s in a good mood, or while he’s watching television in the evening. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots &#03..