Nepal's political shift setback for China’s expansionist strategy: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 9:16 PM

Taipei, April 4 (IANS) With the rise of new political leadership in Kathmandu and growing strategic constraint on China’s engagement with Nepal, there is hope that the stronger democratic institutions would enable the Nepali people to comprehend Beijing's expansionist ambitions in Nepal and the wider South Asian region, a report highlighted on Saturday.

Pakistan court's ruling on marriage of abducted minor girl raises grave concerns

IANS | April 4, 2026 9:15 PM

Islamabad, April 4 (IANS) Human rights lawyers and defenders have sharply criticised the recent judgement of Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court which upheld the marriage of a minor Christian girl, Maria Shahbaz, to a Muslim man accused of kidnapping her, while rejecting a habeas corpus petition filed by her father.

China's new ethnic law a tool to expand CCP ideology: Report

IANS | April 4, 2026 9:13 PM

Tokyo, April 4 (IANS) The implementation of China's 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress' could have broader regional implications, potentially extending the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) ideological influence in the neighbouring countries and beyond, a report said on Saturday.

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.