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How Philippines succeeded in limiting Chinese coercion in Second Thomas Shoal

IANS | April 4, 2026 8:29 PM

Beijing/Manila, April 4 (IANS) The provisional understanding between the Philippines and China over the contested Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea underscores how Manila has countered Chinese coercion through quiet resolve backed by political leadership, alliance support, calculated military moves, and public willingness to bear the cost of managed escalation.

India's active BIMSTEC engagement holds strategic significance

IANS | April 4, 2026 7:38 PM

Colombo, April 4 (IANS) India considers the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) not merely a regional platform but as a key pillar of its broader geopolitical and economic strategy.

China exploiting Middle East security vacuum to counter US: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 6:44 PM

Sofia, April 4 (IANS) China is exploiting the security vacuum in the Middle East to position itself as a "strategic alternative", amid growing doubts in Beijing over the viability of US bases in the region following repeated attacks on American and Israeli interests, a recent report has highlighted.

Chile grapples with Chinese organised criminal networks: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 5:36 PM

Santiago, April 4 (IANS) Chile's El Barrio Meiggs region has emerged as an operational hub for the 'Bang Clan', a Chinese organised crime group with roots in the Fujian province on China's southeastern coast. The organisation is involved in a range of criminal activities, including "intensive cannabis cultivation; human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation; as well as the trafficking of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine and ecstasy", a recent report has detailed.

Fear and insecurity behind exodus of minority communities from Pakistan: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 4:15 PM

Washington, April 4 (IANS) Pakistan has witnessed a consistent exodus of minority populations - including the Christians, Hindus, and other communities - reflecting a broader pattern of fear and insecurity.

Taiwan must build 'self-deterrence' to counter Chinese threat: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 3:51 PM

Washington, April 4 (IANS) Taiwan faces a stark challenge in preserving its democratic way of life amid persistent threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The answer lies in "self-deterrence" – developing the capacity to raise costs on aggression to make any attempt at subjugation prohibitively expensive for Beijing, a report mentioned.

China using digital governance to shape narratives, suppress dissent: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 3:31 PM

Dhaka, April 4 (IANS) China has, over the past two decades, built an extensive digital governance system that tightly controls online expression while simultaneously amplifying voices in favour of the government.

'Iranians playing smart chess game', 'Trump living in fantasy land': Former diplomat K.P. Fabian (IANS Exclusive)

IANS | April 4, 2026 2:38 PM

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Weighing in on the ongoing West Asia conflict, India's former Ambassador to Qatar K.P. Fabian on Saturday remarked that the Iranians "are playing a smart chess game" and termed US President Donald Trump's statements as showing that he is "living in a fantasy land".

Indian envoy meets Cyprus President, discusses upcoming India visit

IANS | April 4, 2026 2:00 PM

Nicosia, April 4 (IANS) Indian High Commissioner to Cyprus Manish on Saturday called on Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, reviewing the preparations for the President’s visit to India in May, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taxes, margins eat half of Pakistan's petrol price, consumers cry: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 1:45 PM

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Pakistani consumers are bearing almost half of petrol's retail cost in the form of government levies and industry profit margins, an internal government document has revealed, coming just a day after a massive increase in the prices of both petrol and diesel was announced, a report said.