World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 482
US–Iran Standoff Tightens: Naval Build‑Up, Sanctions and a Narrow Window for Diplomacy
A sharp US–Iran confrontation has intensified as Washington increases naval deployments and sanctions while Tehran vows to retaliate and seeks regional diplomatic backing. Negotiations remain possible but are constrained by US preconditions that Iran rejects and by a narrow strategic space where miscalculation could shut the Strait of Hormuz and roil global markets.
From Coastal Raiders to Blue‑Water Guardians: How the PLA Navy’s ‘Sea Tigers’ Repackaged Tradition into Modern Power Projection
The PLA Navy has ceremonially passed the storied “Sea Tiger” mantle to the modern frigate Red River, using the event to showcase institutional reform, rigorous training and an expanding blue‑water operational tempo. The blend of veteran mentorship, political education and technical innovation reflects a PLAN determined to convert legacy prestige into sustained expeditionary capability.
Trump Sets an Unspecified Deadline for Talks with Iran, Raising Risks of Brinkmanship
President Trump says he has set a deadline for Iran to reach an agreement but declined to disclose the date, while Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran will only negotiate on equal terms and not under threat. Recent contacts between the two sides reportedly flagged U.S. demands on uranium enrichment and ballistic missiles—conditions Iran has so far rejected—leaving diplomacy precarious and the risk of escalation real.
France and Italy Clear Key Hurdle for Next‑Generation Air‑Defence System
France and Italy have completed reciprocal live‑fire trials of the jointly developed SAMP/T NG air‑defence system, a key milestone before mass production. The tests validate the system’s basic engagement capabilities and reinforce Franco‑Italian industrial cooperation and European options for indigenous air‑defence capabilities.
Two Ports, One Pattern: How US Influence Is Reshaping Overseas Infrastructure Deals
Australia and Panama have moved to revoke long-term port concessions held by Chinese-linked companies, actions Beijing says breach international norms and which observers interpret as reflecting US strategic pressure. The cases underscore how national-security arguments and political influence are reshaping the investment climate for critical maritime infrastructure.
Iran Signals Willingness to Talk — But Warns of 'Firm, Forceful' Response if Attacked
Iran's foreign minister said Tehran still prefers negotiations but only if threats and pressure are removed, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with a "firm, forceful" response. The comments blend openness to diplomacy with a clear deterrent posture and come amid stalled talks over Iran's nuclear programme and heightened regional tensions.
Under Beijing’s Pressure, Tokyo Quietly Urges Fishermen Away from Diaoyu/Senkaku Waters
Chinese media report that Beijing’s intensified coastguard patrols and economic pressure have prompted Japanese officials to privately advise fishermen to avoid the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku waters. The episode illustrates how sustained maritime patrols and targeted economic measures can produce de‑facto control and compel rivals to change behaviour without open warfare.
“We Were Turning Plague into Weapons”: Full Testimony from a Unit 731 Member Rekindles Evidence of Industrialized Biological Warfare
A newly disclosed full interview with former Unit 731 member Sato Hideo provides direct testimony that the unit sought to weaponize plague bacteria, produced pathogens at industrial scales, and conducted systematic human experiments. Museum curators say the account, corroborated by archival evidence and court testimonies, reinforces the view that these were organised, state-connected crimes rather than isolated abuses.
Iran Asserts Conventional Deterrence as IAEA Board May Refer Nuclear File to UN Security Council
Iran’s nuclear chief said Tehran can defend itself without nuclear weapons and warned the IAEA board may refer its nuclear dossier to the UN Security Council in March. The comments signal a diplomatic standoff in which Western capitals press for accountability while Iran stresses conventional deterrence and limited cooperation with safeguards.
PLA Bomber Patrols Over Huangyan Signal Beijing’s Harder Line Toward Manila
China’s Southern Theater Command dispatched H‑6K bombers and fighters on patrols over Huangyan Island on 31 January, a move Beijing says enforces its jurisdiction and rebukes Philippine attempts to declare nearby exercise areas. The flights reflect a broader strategy of regularized bomber presence and calibrated coercion intended to deter Manila while emphasising Chinese claims of humanitarian assistance and restraint.
Explosion Heard at Residential Building in Bandar Abbas, Raising Regional Security Concerns
An explosion was reported at a residential building in Bandar Abbas on 31 January 2026, with early Chinese media accounts offering few details and no immediate official confirmation from Iran. Given Bandar Abbas’s strategic location and history of attacks on Iranian infrastructure, the incident is being monitored for its potential to affect regional security and maritime traffic.
Beijing’s Show of Force Over Scarborough: Armed PLA Flights as Manila’s Exercise Zone Escalates Tensions
China staged naval patrols and armed air overflights near Scarborough Shoal after the Philippines included the feature in a declared exercise zone, signalling Beijing’s readiness to defend what it calls sovereign territory. The episode increases the risk of miscalculation and highlights the limits of legal rulings and the growing role of calibrated coercion in the South China Sea.