Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 5-Xinhua

Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 5

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2026-03-06 00:03:45

BANGKOK -- Global economic resilience has been tested yet again by the new conflict in the Middle East, said Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday.

"This conflict, if it proves to be more prolonged, has obvious potential to affect global energy prices, market sentiment, growth, and inflation, placing new demands on policymakers," according to Georgieva's opening remarks made at the Asia in 2050 Conference in Bangkok. (Thailand-IMF-Middle East)

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KATHMANDU -- The voting for a new House of Representatives of Nepal concluded Thursday afternoon.

The voting, which opened from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time Thursday, will determine the 275 seats of the lower house of parliament. (Nepal-Parliamentary Election)

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TOKYO -- Japanese startup Space One Co. launched a small rocket on Thursday in western Japan, but the mission failed on its third attempt in a row.

The No. 3 unit of the company's Kairos rocket was launched at around 11:10 a.m. local time from the privately run Space Port Kii in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, but terminated its flight during ascent, resulting in another launch failure following two launches in 2024. (Japan-Rocket Launch-Fail)

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COLOMBO -- A second Iranian vessel is inside Sri Lanka's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) close to the country's maritime boundary, a senior minister told parliament on Thursday.

Cabinet spokesman and Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told parliament in response to a question posed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa whether another Iranian ship had been reported near the Port of Colombo. (Sri Lanka-Iranian Vessel)