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Touska, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, as the USS Spruance conducts its interception. Photo: CENTCOM via Reuters

Middle East

US-Iran talks in the air as high-seas ship seizure reignites Hormuz tensions

Pakistan scrambles to save talks in Islamabad following the US military’s seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel.

Israel entrenches hold on south Lebanon, vows to counter threats with ‘full force’

Russia arrests German woman over bomb plot it says is linked to Ukraine

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China Economy

China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Hormuz crisis hits energy flows

But increased shipments from Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia help to partially offset the shortfall, official data shows.

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The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm, an island in Iran, on April 18. Photo: AP
The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm, an island in Iran, on April 18. Photo: AP

Politics

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

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World

Hong Kong Sevens breaks records, Strait of Hormuz uncertainty: 5 weekend reads

From Iran’s effective low-cost missile to rugby fever in Hong Kong, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

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United States & Canada

Man slays 8 children in US mass shooting – 7 of them his own

Suspect killed by police after fleeing the scene in Louisiana, in the deadliest US mass shooting in two years.

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People grieve near the scene of the mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. Photo: AP
People grieve near the scene of the mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. Photo: AP

United States & Canada

LA woman charged in US with trafficking arms to Sudan for Iran

Shamim Mafi is accused ‘brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition’.

Europe

Allies back Starmer as Mandelson saga leaves UK leader fighting for his job

The British PM will address Parliament to defend his job amid growing calls to resign over the Mandelson scandal.

Europe

UK police arrest 2 in connection with arson attack on synagogue in London

With 15 arrests so far, police are investigating possible cooperation between local ‘thugs for hire’ and a shadowy proxy group.

In the latest incident, a fire caused minor smoke damage to a room at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday night. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

Canada’s Carney says economic ties with US have become a ‘weakness’

In a blunt video address, Canada’s prime minister promises regular updates on efforts to diversify away from the US.

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Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Africa

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

First American pontiff recalls centuries of ‘suffering’ at site originally built by Portuguese colonisers.

Europe

Patrol chief quits over ‘shameful’ police response to deadly Kyiv shooting

General steps down after video showed officers abandoning a child to flee the scene when gunfire erupted.

United States & Canada

US animal rights activists clash with police over Wisconsin dog breeder

About 1,000 animal welfare activists faced rubber bullets and pepper spray as they tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility.

Activists help an elderly woman after she had been tear gassed during an attempt to gain entry into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility on Saturday, in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, US. Photo: AP

Africa

Trump backs US$50 million investment for South Africa rare earths

Despite a rift with South Africa, the current Trump administration has proceeded with the project to broaden US access to critical minerals.

President Donald Trump shows pictures during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, US, on May 21 last year. Photo: TNS
President Donald Trump shows pictures during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, US, on May 21 last year. Photo: TNS

Europe

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for strong election win: exit polls

In his campaign, Rumen Radev talked about improving relations with Moscow and resuming the free flow of ‌Russian oil and gas into Europe.

Diplomacy

Closed? Open? Closed? Why is Iran changing course on the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran is looking for room to manoeuvre on bigger issues as a ceasefire deadline looms next week, observers say.

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Politics

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Xi and Trump’s key people

Discover the power players in Xi and Trump’s teams; the key people setting the agenda on diplomacy, the military, the economy, security and science.

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s inner circles

United States & Canada

Power players: a visual guide to Trump’s team and their views on China

Discover who is in Donald Trump’s inner circle, their backgrounds, stances on China and the roles they will play in shaping the future of the US.

United States & Canada

Trump claims Jesus-like meme that caused outcry was him as a doctor

US president deletes AI image of himself as a Jesus-like figure amid a deepening feud with Pope Leo.

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United States & Canada

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

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Pope Leo addresses journalists during a flight to Algiers on Monday. Photo: via Reuters
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Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
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OPINION
Nikola Mikovic

Opinion | As Iran war fallout hits Southeast Asia, US is losing influence to China

Nikola Mikovic
Kai-Lung Hui

Opinion | As AI evolves, school syllabuses must evolve with it

Kai-Lung Hui
Regina Ip

Opinion | How markets will test Hong Kong’s new economic model

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Neeta Lal

Opinion | Why India feels exposed by Pakistan’s diplomacy in Iran war

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Gabriela Bernal

Opinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’

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James David Spellman

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Blaze destroys over 1,000 homes in Malaysian water village

This image made from video provided by Bernama TV shows a fire at a Malaysian coastal settlement in the Sandakan district of Sabah state on Borneo Island, Malaysia, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (Bernama TV via AP)
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Video

Cambodian man deported to Africa by Trump administration

Cambodian Pheap Rom poses for picture at a restaurant in Phnom Penh on March 30, 2026. A Cambodian refugee long-settled in the United States, ex-convict Pheap Rom, remains bewildered at how he wound up behind bars in the African nation of Eswatini for months after being swept up in Donald Trump’s deportation blitz. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) / To go with ‘Cambodia-Eswatini-US-Migrants-Rights-Crime’ Focus by Suy Se and Matt Surrusco
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Video

What is Polymarket?

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05:02
Video

Myanmar frees thousands of prisoners, including former president

Released prisoners look out from a bus after it came out from Insein Prison, as relatives gather around it searching for their loved ones, during an amnesty to mark Myanmar’s new year in Yangon on April 17, 2026. More than 4,300 prisoners were slated for release on April 17 to mark Myanmar’s Thingyan new year, one of the country’s many public holidays when forgiveness orders are regularly announced. (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP)
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