Finland set to close its Embassy in Pakistan amid strategic concerns

IANS | April 4, 2026 8:38 PM

Islamabad, April 4 (IANS) The Finnish Embassy in Islamabad will cease its operations this summer, with the mission continuing to function until the final date is announced. After reopening its Embassy in 2022 following a decade-long closure, Helsinki has decided to shut it again, the local media reported.

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.

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.

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.