A Kurdish woman in traditional dress holds a lit torch during Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on a hill overlooking the town of Akra in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

ASEAN Summit to Go Ahead in May, but Shortened to ‘Bare Bones’ Programme Due to Middle East Conflict

MANILA, March 27 (Reuters) – ⁠Philippine ⁠President Ferdinand ⁠Marcos Jr. said ​on Friday that the ‌ASEAN Leaders’ summit ‌will go ⁠ahead ⁠in May, but will be shortened to ​a “bare-bones” programme that focuses on addressing issues ​like fuel supplies, food prices ⁠and ⁠migrant workers. Marcos ⁠said he ​has consulted with his counterparts ​in ⁠the regional…

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An Army carry team moves the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army soldier Maj. Sorffly Davius, of Cambria Heights, N.Y., who died in Kuwait, during a casualty return, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

EU’s Kallas Warns Against Ukraine Land Concessions, Calls Territorial Demands ‘Russian Playbook’

PARIS, March 26 (Reuters) – ⁠The ⁠European Unions is ⁠worried about Ukraine being ​pressured by the United States ‌into ceding territory in ‌negotiations with Russia, ⁠the ⁠EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ​on Thursday. “This is clearly a wrong approach. It is, of course, ​the Russian playbook of negotiations, that ⁠they ⁠are demanding something ⁠that…

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An Army carry team moves the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army soldier Maj. Sorffly Davius, of Cambria Heights, N.Y., who died in Kuwait, during a casualty return, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Iran Allowing Malaysian Vessels to Pass in Strait, PM Says After Talks With Regional Leaders

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Reuters) – Malaysia’s ⁠Prime ⁠Minister Anwar Ibrahim ⁠said on Thursday he had spoken to ​the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Turkey and other regional ‌countries and said Malaysian vessels ‌were now being allowed to pass through ⁠the ⁠Strait of Hormuz. Anwar in a televised address thanked Iran’s ​president for allowing the passage…

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An Army carry team moves the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army soldier Maj. Sorffly Davius, of Cambria Heights, N.Y., who died in Kuwait, during a casualty return, Monday, March 9, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

    China Urges Peace Talks in Iran War

    BEIJING, March 26 (Reuters) – China on Thursday urged ⁠parties ⁠to the Middle East ⁠conflict to “create conditions for starting truly meaningful and sincere peace ​talks”. “The pressing priority is to actively promote peace talks, seize the opportunity of ‌peace and promote the cessation ‌of the war,” Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said…

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