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Ukraine

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia, gaining independence from the Soviet Union and declaring neutrality in 1991. In February 2022, Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine under the auspices of a "special military operation" to "de-nazify" the country. The move turned Moscow into a global pariah, and the Ukrainian army - backed financially and militarily by the US and western European countries - continues to fight off the invading forces. Nuclear-armed Russia has warned of consequences if Nato interferes in the war, while strategic ally China urges a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Capital

Kyiv

Head of State

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Head of Government

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

Indonesia

Video | Indonesians reportedly fought for Russia in Ukraine war

Jakarta says it has yet to determine if the 8 were recruited through job offers and duped into joining Russia’s military.

1 minute ago

China jobs

Open Questions | How China Works author on the data economy, robots and AI

4 Sep 2026 - 11:33AMvideocam

War and conflict

Norway seizes Russian ship over US$4.2 billion claim by Ukrainian energy firm

3 Sep 2026 - 11:51PM

India

Has India’s Modi found new mediator clout?

Analysts say while India could act as a potential bridge in engaging parties locked in conflict, ensuring a resolution works will be harder.

2 Sep 2026 - 7:35PMvideocam

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday. Photo: EPA

Indonesia

Indonesia investigates reports of 8 citizens fighting in Ukraine war

Jakarta says it has to determine if the eight people were recruited through job offers but then duped into joining Russia’s military.

1 minute agovideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s president warns airlines to avoid ‘drone-infested’ Russian airspace

Zelensky threatens to respond to Moscow’s escalating aerial barrages by crowding its skies with drones.

2 Sep 2026 - 3:54PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | China wants to lead a multipolar world. Now it must show how

To translate its well-articulated vision into practice, Beijing must flesh out concrete mechanics, starting with institutional design.

2 Sep 2026 - 10:16AMvideocam

Britain

UK’s Burnham pledges to restore hope as he makes House of Commons debut as PM

His vow to ‘unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility’ was a marked contrast to his predecessor Starmer’s downbeat pronouncements.

2 Sep 2026 - 4:40AM

Germany

Germany blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

Berlin says it will shut down a Russian consulate and take other actions, citing ‘hybrid attacks’ by Moscow.

2 Sep 2026 - 11:08AM

China's military weapons

How China’s revised defence law could harness AI and drones for war

The first amendment to the law in 16 years is also expected to cover cyberspace, biotechnology and quantum technology, analysts say.

1 Sep 2026 - 6:06PM

Analysts say China’s revised defence mobilisation law will make it possible to rapidly convert emerging infrastructure, including unmanned systems, into military capabilities. Photo: Xinhua

Ukraine war

Russia strikes Ukraine capital for sixth straight day, killing at least 12

Civilians die in Russian air bombardments as Moscow repels Ukrainian drones.

1 Sep 2026 - 5:15PM

A woman looks from the window of her flat after a Russian missile strike in the town of Boryspil, Kyiv region. Photo: Reuters

United States

US Army Secretary Driscoll resigns after rifts in Pentagon leadership

Top civilian official’s departure marks the latest leadership upheaval following reported tensions with Pete Hegseth.

1 Sep 2026 - 1:03PM

SCO

Xi, Putin vow to deepen strategic ties after meeting at SCO summit

Xi said relevant departments from both sides are implementing initiatives he and Putin discussed during Putin’s state visit to China in May.

1 Sep 2026 - 1:50AMvideocam

Spain

Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for Ceuta migrant crisis’ disinformation

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also dismisses speculation on the involvement of Moroccan authorities in the crisis.

31 Aug 2026 - 11:16PM

Migrants try to make their way past Spanish police officers on August 1, following recent mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in Ceuta. Photo: Reuters

China-Japan relations

Why Japan’s hypersonic and underwater weapon plans might worry China

Beijing has hit out at Tokyo’s moves to arm submarine drones with long-range missiles and test hypersonic weapons in Australia.

31 Aug 2026 - 8:00PM

Japan plans to arm its fleet of unmanned underwater vehicles. Photo: Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force

Get to Know

Meet Elizaveta Neretin, who plays Ukrainian spy Oleksandra in Lioness

She has a deep personal connection to her role in Taylor Sheridan’s thriller, and the Juilliard-trained actress wants to be a Bond girl.

31 Aug 2026 - 3:07PM

Gold in Hong Kong

In Focus | Hong Kong is trying again to be a gold trading hub. Will it succeed this time?

De-dollarisation tailwinds, ecosystem buildout and mainland China’s support plus foreign backing give city’s ambitions credible momentum.

31 Aug 2026 - 9:01AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine prepares for talks with Trump envoys as Kyiv reels from strikes

Zelensky pursues diplomatic opening as Myla warehouse death toll reaches 38 and Russia threatens energy grid.

31 Aug 2026 - 3:06PM

A burnt-out car and destroyed buildings following a Russian strike on a warehouse in the village of Myla, west of Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: AP

European Union

Iceland votes to reject proposal to restart EU accession talks

Referendum fails as voters prioritise control over fishing grounds over pro-EU government’s push for geopolitical stability.

31 Aug 2026 - 11:33AM

European Union

New UK PM Burnham’s honeymoon ends as Trump, first budget loom large

Since succeeding Keir Starmer, Burnham has pleased voters with several low-cost sweeteners, including cutting electricity bills and bus fares.

30 Aug 2026 - 11:29PMvideocam

Taiwan

PLA shift to systems warfare means Taiwan’s defences need to change: experts

Conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have shown the power of integration and the extension of targets to include critical civilian infrastructure.

30 Aug 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises in August included a simulated missile attack on communication infrastructure, as part of an urban resilience air-defence drill. Photo: Reuters

Russia

Finland says it ‘makes no sense’ for Russia to risk attack on a Nato nation

President Stubb said he did not believe Moscow was ⁠in a position ⁠to go to war with the military alliance.

30 Aug 2026 - 12:38PM

Soldiers take part in the Nato Eagle Spearhead drill in Cincu, Romania, on August 18. Photo: Reuters

China-Russia relations

Xi, Putin to meet in Bishkek for Power of Siberia 2 talks: Kremlin

Second face-to-face talks this year to come as leaders of China and Russia visit Kyrgyzstan for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

29 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Russian drone strike near Kyiv kills at least 37

The strike hit a depot that appeared to have been storing ‘explosive objects’.

29 Aug 2026 - 7:47PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | The end of history? No, the world’s thermodynamic bill is coming due

When energy, technology, money and power are linked, governments can’t escape the laws of nature.

28 Aug 2026 - 4:49PMvideocam

An electronic display shows the US national debt in Washington on August 19. The US national debt exceeded a record US$40 trillion. The uptick in borrowing comes as longer term US obligations linked to social security and health care have been growing, while interest payments have climbed as well. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

US Patriot missile shortage in Europe ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war

In the event of a Russian ballistic missile assault, Nato could be forced ‘to take punch after punch in the mouth’.

28 Aug 2026 - 3:29AM

A US Army air defence artilleryman conducts maintenance on an MIM-104 Patriot missile system at an undisclosed location in the Middle East, in an image released in June. Photo: US Army via AFP

Ukraine war

‘Playing with fire’: Russia slams UK, France over Ukraine missile tech transfer

Moscow warns of potential strikes on British military targets, urging London to change its stance on supporting Kyiv.

27 Aug 2026 - 6:12PM

The Philippines

Why Philippines is betting on drones to boost maritime security

Manila plans to use drones as force multipliers, but analysts warn building a credible deterrence network will require multi-year investment.

26 Aug 2026 - 6:07PMvideocam

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Ukraine

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Indonesians reportedly fought for Russia in Ukraine war

Jakarta says it has yet to determine if the 8 were recruited through job offers and duped into joining Russia’s military.

Open Questions | How China Works author on the data economy, robots and AI

Norway seizes Russian ship over US$4.2 billion claim by Ukrainian energy firm

Has India’s Modi found new mediator clout?

Analysts say while India could act as a potential bridge in engaging parties locked in conflict, ensuring a resolution works will be harder.

Indonesia investigates reports of 8 citizens fighting in Ukraine war

Jakarta says it has to determine if the eight people were recruited through job offers but then duped into joining Russia’s military.

Ukraine’s president warns airlines to avoid ‘drone-infested’ Russian airspace

Zelensky threatens to respond to Moscow’s escalating aerial barrages by crowding its skies with drones.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China wants to lead a multipolar world. Now it must show how

To translate its well-articulated vision into practice, Beijing must flesh out concrete mechanics, starting with institutional design.

UK’s Burnham pledges to restore hope as he makes House of Commons debut as PM

His vow to ‘unlock a feeling of positivity and possibility’ was a marked contrast to his predecessor Starmer’s downbeat pronouncements.

Germany blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

Berlin says it will shut down a Russian consulate and take other actions, citing ‘hybrid attacks’ by Moscow.

How China’s revised defence law could harness AI and drones for war

The first amendment to the law in 16 years is also expected to cover cyberspace, biotechnology and quantum technology, analysts say.

Russia strikes Ukraine capital for sixth straight day, killing at least 12

Civilians die in Russian air bombardments as Moscow repels Ukrainian drones.

US Army Secretary Driscoll resigns after rifts in Pentagon leadership

Top civilian official’s departure marks the latest leadership upheaval following reported tensions with Pete Hegseth.

Xi, Putin vow to deepen strategic ties after meeting at SCO summit

Xi said relevant departments from both sides are implementing initiatives he and Putin discussed during Putin’s state visit to China in May.

Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for Ceuta migrant crisis’ disinformation

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also dismisses speculation on the involvement of Moroccan authorities in the crisis.

Why Japan’s hypersonic and underwater weapon plans might worry China

Beijing has hit out at Tokyo’s moves to arm submarine drones with long-range missiles and test hypersonic weapons in Australia.

Meet Elizaveta Neretin, who plays Ukrainian spy Oleksandra in Lioness

She has a deep personal connection to her role in Taylor Sheridan’s thriller, and the Juilliard-trained actress wants to be a Bond girl.

In Focus | Hong Kong is trying again to be a gold trading hub. Will it succeed this time?

De-dollarisation tailwinds, ecosystem buildout and mainland China’s support plus foreign backing give city’s ambitions credible momentum.

Ukraine prepares for talks with Trump envoys as Kyiv reels from strikes

Zelensky pursues diplomatic opening as Myla warehouse death toll reaches 38 and Russia threatens energy grid.

Iceland votes to reject proposal to restart EU accession talks

Referendum fails as voters prioritise control over fishing grounds over pro-EU government’s push for geopolitical stability.

New UK PM Burnham’s honeymoon ends as Trump, first budget loom large

Since succeeding Keir Starmer, Burnham has pleased voters with several low-cost sweeteners, including cutting electricity bills and bus fares.

PLA shift to systems warfare means Taiwan’s defences need to change: experts

Conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have shown the power of integration and the extension of targets to include critical civilian infrastructure.

Finland says it ‘makes no sense’ for Russia to risk attack on a Nato nation

President Stubb said he did not believe Moscow was ⁠in a position ⁠to go to war with the military alliance.

Xi, Putin to meet in Bishkek for Power of Siberia 2 talks: Kremlin

Second face-to-face talks this year to come as leaders of China and Russia visit Kyrgyzstan for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Russian drone strike near Kyiv kills at least 37

The strike hit a depot that appeared to have been storing ‘explosive objects’.

Opinion | The end of history? No, the world’s thermodynamic bill is coming due

When energy, technology, money and power are linked, governments can’t escape the laws of nature.

US Patriot missile shortage in Europe ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war

In the event of a Russian ballistic missile assault, Nato could be forced ‘to take punch after punch in the mouth’.

‘Playing with fire’: Russia slams UK, France over Ukraine missile tech transfer

Moscow warns of potential strikes on British military targets, urging London to change its stance on supporting Kyiv.

Why Philippines is betting on drones to boost maritime security

Manila plans to use drones as force multipliers, but analysts warn building a credible deterrence network will require multi-year investment.

Video | Indonesians reportedly fought for Russia in Ukraine war

Opinion | China wants to lead a multipolar world. Now it must show how