China: 4 killed in factory blast

An Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked by an explosive-laden speedboat near Basra, Iraq. India confirmed that 15 other Indian sailors were successfully evacuated and are receiving diplomatic assistance as regional maritime security challenges continue to escalate.

An Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked near Basra, Iraq, on March 11. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad confirmed that 15 other Indian sailors were successfully evacuated and are receiving assistance as regional maritime tensions continue to escalate.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has strongly condemned what it described as racist and defamatory remarks made by Chinese media outlets against Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Arfiya Eri, calling the incident an example of discrimination and transnational intimidation targeting Uyghurs.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of six Chinese naval vessels operating around their territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Wednesday. Taiwanese forces said they monitored the situation and responded.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun has made a comment on the West Asia conflict, wherein he has expressed China's willingness to remain in touch with all the parties involved in the conflict to de-escalate the issue, reported China Daily.

China has announced a 7 per cent increase in its 2026 defence budget to roughly USD 277 billion. Amidst regional conflicts and military purges, Beijing is prioritising modernisation and "sovereign rights." While feeling vulnerable due to energy dependencies, China is choosing diplomatic engagement over direct military involvement in current global wars.

Two persons were murdered in Bogura and Cox's Bazar, on March 6 and March 7, while crude bombs were thrown at a Hindu temple in Cumilla city during a puja on March 8, triggering significant panic, as per rights group the Bangladesh Jatio Hindu Mohajote (Bangladesh National Grand Alliance).

Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China had taken note of media reports about the leadership change in Iran. He emphasised that the decision regarding Iran's top leadership was made internally and in accordance with the country's legal framework.

India's total arms imports declined slightly over the past decade, partly due to its increasing ability to design and produce weapons domestically.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday discussed defence technology and economic security with Special Advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister Sadamasa Oue in the backdrop of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.