All articles tagged with #asia pacific
Amid Iran's actions and a fragile ceasefire, US allies in Asia are hedging energy security by buying more from Iran, Russia and China as oil prices spike, signaling a shift away from a solely US-backed energy umbrella and foreshadowing broader realignments in the region.
Asia-Pacific equities mostly rose as investors weighed a fragile two-week US-Iran ceasefire that kept oil prices volatile, with WTI and Brent climbing roughly 1.7–1.8% on tensions around the Strait of Hormuz; Japan announced an oil-reserve release, while U.S. stocks finished higher on the session.
China’s factory-gate prices rose 0.5% year-on-year in March, ending a 41-month streak of declines, while CPI climbed 1% YoY but fell 0.7% month-on-month, signaling rising import-cost pressures linked to the Middle East crisis.
Japan has deployed its first long-range missiles, showcasing the Type-12 land-to-ship launcher at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture, marking a shift in its defense posture amid regional security tensions.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited North Korea, where he was greeted by Kim Jong Un and the two leaders signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, underscoring closer Moscow-aligned ties as both nations back Russia’s war in Ukraine despite Western sanctions and rights concerns.
BTS thrilled tens of thousands in Seoul with their first concert in nearly four years after completing military service and solo projects, staging a high‑energy comeback at Gwanghwamun Square with a drone show, red landmarks, and purple branding tied to their Arirang album.
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s DC visit with Trump blended warmth with strategy: she sought reassurances on the US-Japan security‑economic partnership while navigating Tokyo’s limits and China tensions, and Trump pressed for Japan’s help in the Hormuz crisis. With widespread domestic opposition to any Iran war and Japan’s legal constraints, deployment is unlikely, pushing Tokyo toward diplomacy. The piece argues she should push for a quicker end to the Iran conflict and pursue proactive engagement with China (including Taiwan policy clarity) ahead of the 2026 APEC summit to elevate Japan’s global stature without triggering an arms race.
Taiwan’s defense ministry says 26 Chinese military aircraft operated near the island on Saturday, 16 entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, with seven Chinese naval ships spotted nearby. The uptick follows a brief lull and appears linked to ongoing Chinese military training and modernization rather than a single event. Taiwan says its defense posture remains unchanged as Beijing reiterates its intent to seize Taiwan if necessary; analysts cite timing around Beijing’s legislature meetings and U.S.-Taiwan diplomacy as possible context.
Iran's judiciary says US-Israeli air strikes hit a girls' elementary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, killing at least 85 students; Washington has not commented. The report comes amid broader strikes on Iran, with Iran claiming retaliatory actions and the White House not yet confirming details.
Stocks in Asia and Europe were set to outperform US benchmarks in February as investors rotated into AI-related equities seen as insulated from disruption risks. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose about 7% in February, Europe’s benchmark up roughly 3.6%, while US indices declined; Nvidia’s earnings tempered broader AI enthusiasm. Treasuries hovered near 4% yields, oil steadied, and gold posted another monthly gain, signaling a shift in global risk appetite toward Asia and Europe.
Asia-Pacific shares rose after Wall Street gains driven by Nvidia and Oracle, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 hitting a fresh high on the Takaichi growth narrative; Kospi rose while Hang Seng fell, the Bank of Korea held rates at 2.5%, and Nvidia’s strong data-center revenue boosted tech names and fed the AI rally in U.S. indices.
Japan plans to place surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni, its westernmost island near Taiwan, by March 2031 (fiscal 2030), according to Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, as Tokyo steadies against China amid Taiwan security concerns and ongoing Senkaku/ Diaoyu tensions; locals worry about militarization of the small island that already hosts an SDF base.
Kim Jong Un was re-elected general secretary of North Korea's ruling Workers’ Party at a rare congress, with delegates voting unanimously; KCNA said the country’s nuclear deterrence has been radically improved under his leadership, while Kim also pledged to boost living standards and push economic development.
North Korea's ruling Workers' Party re-elected Kim Jong Un as general secretary during its congress, praising him for boosting the country's prestige and strengthening its military with nuclear deterrence, while electing Central Committee members and revising party rules with details not disclosed.
Imran Khan's sons Kasim and Sulaiman, based in London, say their father’s health in a Pakistani jail is deteriorating and have applied for visas to visit him, though no approvals have come. Khan’s lawyers have alleged significant vision loss in his right eye, while a medical board said swelling eased and vision improved. The brothers, who last saw him in late 2022 after living in Britain, urge authorities to grant access to medical care, while Pakistan says procedures are underway and rejects neglect claims; the Supreme Court has asked for treatment details.