Trump halts ‘Project Freedom’. Araqchi meets Wang Yi in Beijing

Today’s headlines: Hanoi announces a new crackdown on online piracy and counterfeit goods in response to US pressure; Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate (and prisoner) Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her life; Record growth for the Indonesian economy, driven by public spending; Nepal’s new prime minister rejects criticism and deems the ban on student unions legitimate.

GULF - US - CHINA

International diplomats are working towards a peace agreement in the Gulf: in the last few hours, US President Donald Trump (who yesterday returned to attacking Pope Leo XIV) is reported to have put the “Project Freedom” plan for navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on hold in view of a possible peace agreement with Tehran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Operation “Epic Fury” (the name of the war against Iran) is “concluded” because “the objectives” have been achieved. Meanwhile, today, for the first time since the start of the Israeli-American war, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing, emphasising the close ties between the two countries on the eve of the White House occupant’s trip to the Chinese capital. The visit by the Islamic Republic’s foreign minister, announced by Xinhua, comes at a delicate stage in negotiations to end a conflict that has triggered the most severe global oil shock and undermined the energy security of China, the world’s leading importer of crude oil.

VIETNAM

From tomorrow, Hanoi intends to launch a new crackdown on online piracy and counterfeit goods, with the aim of increasing seizures by at least 20% in response to the US threat of new tariffs. Washington’s move is reportedly linked to a “persistent failure” by the Vietnamese to tackle intellectual property infringements, against a backdrop of a multi-billion-dollar trade surplus that is even larger than that with China.

IRAN

The imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi is fighting for her life after being hospitalised (while still in custody) over the past five days due to a serious heart condition. “We are fighting to keep her heart beating,” said lawyer Chirinne Ardakani at a press conference, adding that the woman is “between life and death” .

INDONESIA

The economy grew at its fastest annual rate in three years at the start of 2026, driven by a surge in public spending and Christmas celebrations.  According to official data released yesterday, GDP grew by 5.61% in the first quarter compared to 2025, a stronger figure than the 5.30% forecast by analysts and the 5.39% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. It was the fastest rate since the third quarter of 2022, supported by a 21.8% increase in public spending, including holiday bonuses for civil servants and the free school meals programme.

NEPAL

The newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah yesterday rejected criticism of the ban on student unions linked to political parties and the trade blockade, stating that it does not violate citizens’ rights. On the government’s recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the controversial ordinances, which were met with widespread discontent among the population. Student groups have opposed the decision and called on the government to withdraw the ban.

JAPAN - PHILIPPINES

The Japanese Defence Minister has announced the early deployment of the Abukuma-class destroyer and TC-90 aircraft to the Philippines, as part of the most significant revision of Japan’s defence export regulations in decades. At a press conference in Manila, Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed the commitment with his Philippine counterpart to further promote (military) cooperation, for an alliance – which also includes the United States – deemed essential to counter China’s expansionist ambitions.

RUSSIA

According to statistical data from the Rosstat institute for the first few months of 2026, a significant demographic decline is also occurring in the regions of the North Caucasus, traditionally the most fertile in the entire Russian Federation. In Chechnya, the rate has fallen from 2.67 to 2.56 children per woman (-4%), in Ingushetia from 1.80 to 1.74, and in Dagestan from 1.82 to 1.76 – a drop of over 3% – with an ever-decreasing number of second children, though these regions remain at the top of the Russian rankings.

GEORGIA - ARMENIA

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze travelled to Yerevan for the Council of Europe summit, where he emphasised the importance of the Trans-Caspian ‘Middle Corridor’ transport route, in which ‘the role of the South Caucasus, and above all of Georgia, is of irreplaceable value’. He then called on all Europeans to “be pragmatic” and move beyond ideological dogmatism to jointly promote economic interests, holding various bilateral meetings on the matter.

• Asia
• Today