Asia watch: Purja dies, Sri Lanka moves court appeal, China ups military push
Saturday brought major developments across Asia, from Nirmal Purja's avalanche death to Sri Lanka's legal battle and China's fresh military and maritime moves. The mix of tragedy, legal fallout and strategic signalling underscored rising volatility across the region.
Several developments were reported across Asia on Saturday, including the death of a veteran Nepalese mountaineer in an avalanche, a legal move in Sri Lanka linked to the 2019 Easter bombings, and fresh military and maritime steps by China.
There were also search efforts in Sri Lanka for missing fishermen amid rough seas, a call by a US envoy for Bangladesh to join the US-led "Pax Silica initiative", and a warning from US President Donald Trump of more strikes on Iran as Washington pushes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Veteran Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit Baltistan, his expedition company said on Saturday.
In Sri Lanka, former police chief Pujith Jayasundera will appeal against the death sentence handed to him a day earlier over the 2019 Easter bombings, his lawyer said.
In China, President Xi Jinping called on the armed forces to enhance the use of AI as part of a push to develop an "intelligent military system". He also asked them to improve combat capabilities as a testing criterion for promoting high-quality modernisation.
Also in Sri Lanka, the Navy and Air Force launched a joint search-and-rescue operation for fishermen reported missing or in distress after heading out to sea before a fishing ban was imposed due to rough weather, officials said.
Amid its row with the Philippines, China issued management measures for the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the disputed South China Sea. The move is likely to further escalate the maritime dispute, as the Philippines also has claims over the shoal.
In Bangladesh, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor discussed bilateral ties, trade and investment with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and called on Dhaka to join the US-led "Pax Silica initiative", local media reported.
Separately, in the Middle East, Trump threatened more strikes on Iran as the United States presses for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In sum, the day saw major developments across the region, from Purja's death in an avalanche and legal proceedings in Sri Lanka to China's military and maritime moves, Bangladesh's talks with the US, and escalating US pressure on Iran.
With PTI Inputs
Several developments were reported across Asia on Saturday, including the death of a veteran Nepalese mountaineer in an avalanche, a legal move in Sri Lanka linked to the 2019 Easter bombings, and fresh military and maritime steps by China.
There were also search efforts in Sri Lanka for missing fishermen amid rough seas, a call by a US envoy for Bangladesh to join the US-led "Pax Silica initiative", and a warning from US President Donald Trump of more strikes on Iran as Washington pushes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Veteran Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit Baltistan, his expedition company said on Saturday.
In Sri Lanka, former police chief Pujith Jayasundera will appeal against the death sentence handed to him a day earlier over the 2019 Easter bombings, his lawyer said.
In China, President Xi Jinping called on the armed forces to enhance the use of AI as part of a push to develop an "intelligent military system". He also asked them to improve combat capabilities as a testing criterion for promoting high-quality modernisation.
Also in Sri Lanka, the Navy and Air Force launched a joint search-and-rescue operation for fishermen reported missing or in distress after heading out to sea before a fishing ban was imposed due to rough weather, officials said.
Amid its row with the Philippines, China issued management measures for the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the disputed South China Sea. The move is likely to further escalate the maritime dispute, as the Philippines also has claims over the shoal.
In Bangladesh, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor discussed bilateral ties, trade and investment with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and called on Dhaka to join the US-led "Pax Silica initiative", local media reported.
Separately, in the Middle East, Trump threatened more strikes on Iran as the United States presses for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In sum, the day saw major developments across the region, from Purja's death in an avalanche and legal proceedings in Sri Lanka to China's military and maritime moves, Bangladesh's talks with the US, and escalating US pressure on Iran.
With PTI Inputs
Several developments were reported across Asia on Saturday, including the death of a veteran Nepalese mountaineer in an avalanche, a legal move in Sri Lanka linked to the 2019 Easter bombings, and fresh military and maritime steps by China.
There were also search efforts in Sri Lanka for missing fishermen amid rough seas, a call by a US envoy for Bangladesh to join the US-led "Pax Silica initiative", and a warning from US President Donald Trump of more strikes on Iran as Washington pushes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Veteran Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit Baltistan, his expedition company said on Saturday.
In Sri Lanka, former police chief Pujith Jayasundera will appeal against the death sentence handed to him a day earlier over the 2019 Easter bombings, his lawyer said.
In China, President Xi Jinping called on the armed forces to enhance the use of AI as part of a push to develop an "intelligent military system". He also asked them to improve combat capabilities as a testing criterion for promoting high-quality modernisation.
Also in Sri Lanka, the Navy and Air Force launched a joint search-and-rescue operation for fishermen reported missing or in distress after heading out to sea before a fishing ban was imposed due to rough weather, officials said.
Amid its row with the Philippines, China issued management measures for the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve in the disputed South China Sea. The move is likely to further escalate the maritime dispute, as the Philippines also has claims over the shoal.
In Bangladesh, US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor discussed bilateral ties, trade and investment with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and called on Dhaka to join the US-led "Pax Silica initiative", local media reported.
Separately, in the Middle East, Trump threatened more strikes on Iran as the United States presses for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In sum, the day saw major developments across the region, from Purja's death in an avalanche and legal proceedings in Sri Lanka to China's military and maritime moves, Bangladesh's talks with the US, and escalating US pressure on Iran.
With PTI Inputs
