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)

    China Launches Two ‘Reciprocal’ Probes Into US Trade Practices

    BEIJING, March 27 (Reuters) – ⁠China’s ⁠commerce ministry ⁠said on Friday ​it had initiated two ‌counter-probes into U.S. ‌practices hampering ⁠the ⁠flow of Chinese products into the ​United States, in a move suggesting no ​retaliation from Beijing immediately against ⁠recent ⁠U.S. probes. The two ⁠investigations – ​to conclude within six months ​but which ⁠could be…

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    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)

      China Demands More Than Just ‘Regret’ From Japan After Embassy Break-In

      BEIJING, March 27 (Reuters) – Japan ⁠has ⁠expressed its “regret” over ⁠the break-in into the Chinese embassy ​in Tokyo by a knife-wielding Japanese military ‌officer, but that is “far ‌from enough”, said the Chinese foreign ⁠ministry ⁠on Friday. The Japan side has still not said ​anything about the details of the incident, Lin Jian, spokesperson…

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      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)

      Russia’s Lavrov Says US Wants to Take Over Nord Stream Gas Pipelines

      MOSCOW, March 27 (Reuters) – Russian Foreign ⁠Minister ⁠Sergei Lavrov said ⁠the U.S. has been seeking control over ​the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which ‌were damaged by mysterious ‌blast in September 2022. Explosions that destroyed the pipelines ⁠more ⁠than three years ago largely severed Russian gas transit ​to Europe, squeezing energy…

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      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)

        Philippines, France Sign Military Pact Amid South China Sea Tensions

        MANILA, March 27 (Reuters) – The Philippines and ⁠France ⁠have signed a visiting ⁠forces agreement that would allow them to conduct ​joint military training in each other’s territory, as Manila expands defence ‌ties amid rising tensions ‌with Beijing in the South China Sea.  Philippine Defence Secretary ⁠Gilberto Teodoro ⁠and French Minister for the Armed Forces…

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        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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