Beijing (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - China set its lowest annual growth target in decades on Thursday, at 4.5-5 percent, as the government outlined plans to tackle sluggish consumption and a flagging property market.
Beijing (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - China has told its largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline, Bloomberg News reported Thursday, citing unidentified sources, as the war in the Middle East risks an energy supply crunch.
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - A group representing Chinese companies slammed an EU plan to bolster the bloc's industries against fierce competition from China on Thursday, labelling it a shift towards protectionism that could affect trade cooperation between the two giants.
Paris, France (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - Cancelled flights, postponed trips and a great deal of uncertainty: the war in the Middle East is casting a long shadow over the tourism outlook for a region that has become a prized destination for travellers worldwide.
Tokyo (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - A Japanese startup's third attempt to put a satellite in orbit failed on Thursday after its rocket spiralled back to Earth shortly after take-off.
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday the bloc was looking to help Gulf nations fend off Iranian drone strikes, but warned supplies of relevant kit might be limited.
Beijing (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - China announced a seven percent boost to its defence budget for 2026 on Thursday as it steadily increases spending to counter the United States and enforce its claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Manila (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - Philippine authorities have apprehended three defence personnel who allegedly spied on behalf of China in what the country's security agency has described as a 'serious national security matter', its spokesman said Thursday.
Tehran (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - Fresh blasts were reported in Iran's capital on Thursday as Tehran said it had targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq and warned 'separatist groups' against action in the widening war.
Galle, Sri Lanka (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - A second Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka's territorial waters Thursday, a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 84 sailors, a minister told parliament.
Zurich (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - The European Union and Switzerland agreed Thursday to strengthen their cooperation on foreign policy, security and defence, at a time of soaring geopolitical tensions.
Geneva (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - The Swiss are expected to snub a call to create a multi-billion-dollar climate fund, aimed at combating global warming and addressing its consequences, with polls indicating voters deem the ambitious project too costly.
Beirut, Lebanon (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - Israeli strikes killed eight people in Lebanon on Thursday as Israel renewed its evacuation call for vast areas of the country's south, long a stronghold of Hezbollah.
Istanbul (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading towards Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defence systems, Turkish officials said Wednesday.
Athens (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - Greek ships were confined to port on Thursday, the coastguard confirmed, as workers staged a 24-hour strike in support of crews stranded in the Gulf by the Middle East war.
Vienna (AFP) Mar 5, 2026 - The UN nuclear watchdog's governing body passed a resolution on Thursday - overcoming US opposition - expressing concern over 'repeated and intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure' posing a 'threat to nuclear safety', according to diplomatic sources.
