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Iran
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Iran

Iran
Iran
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iran. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Tehran
Head of State
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Head of Government
President Masoud Pezeshkian
A woman crosses a street near a giant anti-US billboard in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday. Photo: TNS
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump rejects Iran proposal for deal to reopen Hormuz

Tehran’s conditions had included the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil and an end to the US blockade.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Trump will face a stronger Xi Jinping at November Apec forum in China

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China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

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China-Middle East relations

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia test limits of Mecca regional security pact

Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to intervene despite the deal’s terms, which could hobble its deterrent effect, analysts say.

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Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels at a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, on September 18. Photo: AP
Pakistan

Why Pakistan’s endless war on militants fails to break the cycle

Tactical wins and retaliatory strikes have not delivered peace, even as two separate insurgencies appear to be converging.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump atmospherics welcomed but mask structural rifts: analysts

That two economic and military giants are talking – and pledging to talk some more – suggests some period of relative stability with caveats.

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Thailand

Thailand has had enough of foreign tourists behaving badly

Viral misbehaviour, crimes and foreign-ownership scandals are exhausting the patience of a country famous for its hospitality.

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Illustration: Kevin Wong
Tourists stroll down Walking Street in Pattaya, Thailand, in August. Photo: AP
Foreign tourists visit Wat Pho Temple, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand, in August. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran offers US plan to reopen Hormuz within 7 days

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the ball is now in Washington’s court, after setting out conditions for ending the war.

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Donald Trump

US TV networks back at White House, as Trump hails ‘fair’ coverage of Xi visit

The US president had earlier barred CNN, MS Now and Politico from the grounds, prompting other outlets to halt coverage in solidarity.

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Hong Kong society

HK Electric to cut fuel charge for first time in 4 months as CLP raises rate

Customers of HK Electric are set to pay less for electricity after it cut its fuel charge for the first time in four months.

HK Electric supplies customers on Hong Kong Island and Lamma. Photo: Sam Tsang
2026 Xi-Trump summits

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

Trump’s mention of a ‘Chinese phrase’ may have puzzled some, but the US Marine Corps adopted gung-ho from the name of wartime cooperatives.

Not only has gung-ho – derived from the Chinese gong he – entered the English dictionary, but it also features in the names of several awards associated with the US Marine Corps. Photo: The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Middle East

France to protect key Saudi oil terminal as Houthis step up missile attacks

Macron pledges troops and radar systems to defend Red Sea energy hub at Yanbu following aerial barrage.

Israel-Iran conflict

UK foreign secretary warns Iran against hostile activity on British soil

Ed Miliband presses Tehran over domestic security and demands release of couple held in Evin prison.

Middle East

Netanyahu blasts critics at UN, dismissing Gaza genocide accusations

Israeli prime minister denounces walkout delegates as ‘moral cowards’ during a fiery address defending the war against Iran.

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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the UN General Assembly. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

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From left: Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the National Archives Museum in Washington on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

China’s sulphur imports dive 65% as prices surge 3.5 times

Country pays more for less of the key fertiliser ingredient, potentially pressuring the spring planting season, analyst says.

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf nations keep oil flowing amid Iran war, but it’s getting costly

Despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade and other attacks, oil exporters and the US military have found workarounds, but they may not be sustainable.

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South Korea

Can South Korea solve the US military’s ammunition shortage?

Depleted stockpiles from the Middle East and Ukraine wars are spurring South Korean arms makers to build US production hubs.

South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm howitzers during a live-fire drill in Pocheon. South Korea’s leading defence company Hanwha Aerospace has announced a US$2.2 billion investment to make 155mm shells in the US. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel in Hormuz: India and Oman authorities

A strike on the cargo ship Cape Dao led to a fire in the engine room, and 27 crew members had to be evacuated by the Omani navy.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Pool via Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s president accuses Trump of ‘bullying mentality’ in wartime speech to UN

Masoud Pezeshkian rejects US threats while signalling readiness for diplomatic talks to end conflict.

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Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian giving his address in New York. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

US$365 trillion and counting: the world’s total debt hits record high, IIF finds

Debt climbs US$10 trillion in six months as fiscal strains deepen, exposing cracks in household and corporate balance sheets.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

China hawks grumble over Trump’s lavish welcome planned for Xi state visit

Chorus of disapproval rises ahead of the Chinese leader’s arrival, even as others say the welcome is the show, not the deal.

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China stock market

AI trade rallies on falling oil and Meta’s Muse agent ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

Nasdaq-100 hits record high while chip stocks in China and South Korea rebound, with investors betting that AI earnings can weather higher interest rates.

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. The Nasdaq-100 Index hit a record high on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Taiwan

As I see it | Taiwan might as well give up now

If Washington can’t or won’t defend the island, Taipei has no choice but to settle with Beijing.

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A mannequin points a model gun from inside a bunker past Shihyu, towards the skyline of Xiamen, a coastal city in mainland China, in Lieyu, Kinmen, Taiwan, in 2021. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf tech firms turn to Hong Kong and Singapore as Iran war grinds on

Analysts point to growing adoption of a ‘dual-hub’ model, using secondary Asian bases to hedge against geopolitical risk.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | Can Xi and Trump use their leverage to actually make progress?

Analysts agree that keeping ties stable will be a priority when the leaders meet, and artificial intelligence could be an area for cooperation.

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