World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 818
Fewer Visible Sorties, Not Less Pressure: How J-20s and Information Warfare Are Reworking the Taiwan Air Picture
A reported drop in PLA sortie counts around Taiwan has prompted speculation of de‑escalation, but evidence points to a qualitative shift in operations. The deployment and massing of J‑20 stealth fighters, combined with integrated sensor networks, mean fewer visible flights can still impose significant military pressure and complicate Taiwan's defence picture.
A New Middle East War Edges Closer: Chinese Commentary Warns of Imminent U.S.–Israeli Strike on Iran
A Chinese op-ed warns that a large-scale U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran could be imminent after negotiations stalled, citing elevated military postures and preparations on all sides. The commentary stresses the risk of a protracted regional conflict—drawing in proxies, disrupting oil flows and challenging global stability—while urging China to value and protect its peace and interests.
After Geneva Talks, White House Keeps Diplomacy Front and Center — but Military Action Remains on the Table
Following indirect Geneva talks, the White House said diplomacy remains President Trump’s first choice but kept a military option open. Regional mediators described the meeting as constructive, while U.S. officials warned Iran has not yet accepted key U.S. red lines.
Guarding the Long Road Home: Armed Police at Hangzhou East Hold the Line During Record Spring Travel
As China faces a record 9.5 billion cross‑regional movements this Lunar New Year, armed police at Hangzhou East station are combining security patrols with public‑service duties to keep a major transport hub running smoothly. Their work reflects both practical crowd management needs and the state’s broader approach of using uniformed forces to reassure the public during large‑scale population movements.
U.S. Orders Mid‑March Force Readiness in Middle East as Diplomacy with Iran Continues
A senior U.S. official says President Trump’s national security adviser ordered that all U.S. forces involved in a Middle East buildup be deployed by mid‑March, while Washington expects Iran to submit a written proposal after Geneva talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel on February 28 to coordinate with Prime Minister Netanyahu, reflecting a parallel strategy of military readiness and diplomatic pressure.
White House Sees Limited Progress in Talks with Iran, But Major Gaps Remain
The White House said talks with Iran have achieved limited progress but remain distant on key issues, with Iran expected to submit a more detailed proposal in the coming weeks. The administration declined to set a deadline or rule out military options, underscoring a cautious, leverage-preserving approach to negotiations.
Lunar New Year Exodus Strains Hainan: Flights and Ferries Sold Out as Return Rush Drives Prices Skyward
As the Lunar New Year return peak hits, Hainan is experiencing acute transport shortages: flights from Haikou to major mainland cities are selling out and ferry crossings on the Qiongzhou Strait have no available seats. The squeeze reflects a strong inbound tourism rebound to Hainan and an asymmetric flow of passengers that has pushed outbound fares sharply higher while some inbound fares have plunged.
Overseas on Lunar New Year: China’s Builders Keep Belt-and-Road Projects Running — and Winning Hearts
Chinese construction crews maintained major Belt-and-Road projects through the Lunar New Year, combining round‑the‑clock work with cultural outreach to local partners. The narrative underscores both immediate economic gains from new roads, railways and power grids and Beijing’s broader strategy to cement influence through visible, people‑centred infrastructure delivery.
Trump Stakes Diplomacy on Coercion as Geneva Talks With Iran End in Standoff
The Geneva nuclear talks ended without agreement as US military deployments and Iranian naval drills hardened positions on both sides. Fundamental disagreements over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, Israeli security demands, and the timing of sanctions relief mean the risk of escalation remains high unless negotiators find a politically credible compromise.
NATO Conducts Major Baltic Amphibious Exercise in Germany as Europe Tests Rapid Reinforcement
NATO launched Steadfast Dagger‑2026, a large amphibious exercise on Germany’s Baltic coast involving about 10,000 troops from 13 countries, aimed at practising rapid reinforcement of the alliance’s eastern flank. The United States did not directly participate, highlighting growing European responsibility for regional deterrence and testing allied logistics and interoperability.
China’s 10,000‑Ton Destroyer Lhasa Builds Ship‑Wide Shield Against Drone Swarms
China’s 10,000‑ton destroyer Lhasa has adopted a ship‑wide anti‑unmanned warfare deployment, integrating sensors, electronic and kinetic defenses to counter drone swarms. The move signals a wider PLA Navy effort to harden surface ships against proliferating low‑cost unmanned threats that complicate maritime operations.
A Thousand-Kilometre Reunion: Border Troops, Family Sacrifice and the Song of the Triangular Mountain
A family reunion at a remote border post in the Greater Khingan Range illustrates the human cost and symbolic power of China’s frontier defence. After a 40-hour journey, a soldier who has served 19 years met his wife and daughters at Triangular Mountain, a site steeped in local military memory and used by state media to underscore the virtue of sacrifice.