World

Imran Khan’s party began its five-day march towards Islamabad on Sunday from Lakki Marwat. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi told supporters “we are not yes-men”, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned that anyone breaking the law would be pursued “one by one”.

The main stories from across Asia on Sunday, 4 October 2026: Pakistan’s opposition march, Taiwan’s first F-16V jets, Vietnam’s fastest growth in four years, Indonesia’s cabinet reshuffle, Kazakhstan’s AI pitch and more.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has endorsed the voluntary AI safety accord signed at the White House and suggested it could form the core of an international treaty under the UN. Kazakhstan plans to bring proposals to the G20 summit in December.

President Prabowo Subianto has reshuffled his cabinet, moving Sugiono out of the foreign ministry and appointing career diplomat Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir. A day later he swore in a 26-member Presidential Advisory Council.

Two new F-16V Block 70 fighters landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung on October 2, the first of 66 jets Taiwan ordered from the United States in 2019. More are due before the end of the year.

Imran Khan’s party is set to begin a five-day march towards Islamabad from Lakki Marwat on Sunday after overnight talks with the government ended without a deal. The government says the march will not be allowed into the capital.

G7 leaders have agreed to release 100 million barrels of crude and diesel from emergency reserves over four months, with diesel front-loaded in the first 20 days. Brent fell 1.48% to $100.80 after the announcement.

Protesters filled Madrid and about 50 Spanish cities a day after parliament rejected two decrees to halt evictions and extend rental contracts. Organisers are calling for a general strike and Pedro Sánchez is reported to be weighing a November election.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the sea on Saturday morning, South Korea and Japan said. A day earlier Kim Yo Jong rejected Seoul's demand for an apology over a landmine blast in the DMZ.

Brazil holds the first round of its presidential election on Sunday, October 4. Polls show President Lula narrowly ahead of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The US has suspended consular services in Brazil, citing security concerns.

Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats after explosions in Addis Ababa. Eritrea then cut all diplomatic ties. Fighting in northern Ethiopia is the worst since the 2022 peace deal.

The US 10-year Treasury yield touched 5.34% on Thursday, its highest level since 2002. Borrowing costs in Britain, France and Japan are also at multi-decade highs.