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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

Yevheniia Yeremina, 89, stands in her kitchen using a gas stove to warm her apartment, which has no electricity and heating, in Kyiv on January 26. Russia has often attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid its invasion. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Most of Ukraine’s Chernihiv region has no power after Russian attack

Meanwhile, although Putin’s regime has thwarted protests over the blocking of the popular messaging app, Telegram, there is still discontent.

31 minutes agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US approves sale of Iranian oil at sea in move to ease crude supply crisis

21 Mar 2026 - 8:55AM

Hong Kong economy

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20 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

Belarus

Belarus frees 250 political prisoners as US removes more sanctions

It was the latest step in the Belarusian leader’s effort to improve ties with Washington.

20 Mar 2026 - 11:05AM

Rights activist Valiantsin Stefanovic was among those freed on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

20 Mar 2026 - 2:42PM

Russia

Pro-Kremlin Russian blogger who turned on Putin sent to psychiatric unit

Ilya Remeslo made a career calling out Putin’s critics until an abrupt about-turn saw him denouncing the Russian leader as a ‘war criminal’.

19 Mar 2026 - 10:46PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

A man refuels his car in a petrol station in Villeneuve d’Ascq, north France, on March 11. Photo: Xinhua

European Union

EU inspects Druzhba pipeline in bid to unclog Hungary’s block on Ukraine aid

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has vetoed giving Ukraine its promised US$103 billion EU loan until Russian oil supply is resumed.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:26PMvideocam

The Philippines

Beyond ‘lip service’: Philippines urged to act on air defence gaps

The Iran war has underscored the need for robust air systems and Manila should look to build a layered defence architecture, experts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 5:35PM

Ukraine war

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:20PM

A man walks past portraits of Russian soldiers in a St Petersburg street exhibition. Photo: AP

Japan

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

19 Mar 2026 - 5:23PM

Footage of a Russian fighter jet carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles conducting exercises over the Sea of Japan, or East Sea. Photo: Handout

Ukraine war

Zelensky urges EU to bypass Hungarian veto on vital US$103 billion loan

Putin ally Viktor Orban has been blocking the loan, in part because of a closed pipeline supplying his country with Russian oil in Ukraine.

18 Mar 2026 - 10:35PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | Chinese military set for EU and Nato talks as Iran war reshapes global security

The PLA delegation will travel to Brussels next week, where the Ukraine war remains a major barrier to better relations with Beijing.

19 Mar 2026 - 3:20AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns of ‘brothers in hatred’ as Iran war steals focus

Ukrainian leader visits London as the Middle East conflict overshadows the four-year war against Russia.

18 Mar 2026 - 4:41PM

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte at 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: Reuters

Drones

China leads world in anti-drone patent race with US far behind, law firm finds

Patent filings for anti-drone technology surged 27 per cent last year amid rising global security concerns, says Mathys & Squire.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:01AM

A police officer presents an anti-drone gun during the Railway Police Open Day at Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province. Photo: Getty Images

India

India detains 6 Ukrainians, 1 American suspected of training Myanmar rebels

The seven are also suspected to have illegally transported a ‘huge consignment of drones from Europe’ into India for use in Myanmar.

17 Mar 2026 - 8:27PM

Japan

Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow

Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:13PM

Ukraine war

Zelensky to visit UK as Starmer says it is ‘vital’ to support Ukraine

‘We cannot allow the war in the Gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin,’ Starmer said ahead of Tuesday’s meeting in London.

17 Mar 2026 - 2:24AM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the UK on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Oscar-winner Penn skips Academy Awards ceremony to visit Zelensky in Kyiv

The ‘One Battle After Another’ star skips ceremony for his third Oscar win to meet President Zelensky and potentially visit the front lines.

17 Mar 2026 - 9:56AM

Taiwan

What lessons does Taiwan see from Iran and Ukraine for its air-defence strategy?

Expensive missiles cannot stop large waves of rockets and drones in an armed conflict, officials on the self-ruled island warn.

16 Mar 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

European Union

Opinion | Europe says it must rearm – but to what end?

Beneath the rhetoric of defending democracy, a more uncomfortable reality drives the rearmament push: the fraying of the transatlantic bond.

16 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

To help Middle East nations fight drones, Ukraine wants cash and tech

This is about ⁠protection and a full assessment of how to counter Shahed drones, says Zelensky, after Kyiv dispatched dozens of experts.

15 Mar 2026 - 5:34PMvideocam

A Ukraine-made drone equipped with a high-performance camera. Kyiv downs Russian drones every night, including through the use of cheaper, smaller drones. File photo: Kyodo

Central Asia

Beyond a ‘buffer zone’: how the Iran war is recalibrating Central Asian ties

The former Soviet republics are leveraging diplomatic fallout from conflict to assert autonomy and balance major powers, observers say.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Obituaries

Habermas, the philosopher who shaped Germany’s post-war conscience, dies at 96

A critic of fascism and nationalism, his ideas remain relevant as post-war pacifism wanes and the far-right gains influence in Germany.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:30AM

China travel

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM

A police officer helps an American tourist fill out an entry registration card at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Xinhua

War and conflict

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump gestures during a visit to Verst Logistics in Hebron, Kentucky, US, on March 11. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran war marks return to strongest states assuming special rights

International law still exists, but it no longer reliably restrains actors as states increasingly act first and justify those deeds later.

13 Mar 2026 - 7:59AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran warns of US$200 oil as countries reach for emergency reserves

US president declares ‘we won’ the war as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz sends shock waves through energy markets.

12 Mar 2026 - 1:25PMvideocam

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Ukraine

Most of Ukraine’s Chernihiv region has no power after Russian attack

Meanwhile, although Putin’s regime has thwarted protests over the blocking of the popular messaging app, Telegram, there is still discontent.

US approves sale of Iranian oil at sea in move to ease crude supply crisis

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong has a chance to lead the world in marine underwriting

Belarus frees 250 political prisoners as US removes more sanctions

It was the latest step in the Belarusian leader’s effort to improve ties with Washington.

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

Pro-Kremlin Russian blogger who turned on Putin sent to psychiatric unit

Ilya Remeslo made a career calling out Putin’s critics until an abrupt about-turn saw him denouncing the Russian leader as a ‘war criminal’.

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

EU inspects Druzhba pipeline in bid to unclog Hungary’s block on Ukraine aid

Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has vetoed giving Ukraine its promised US$103 billion EU loan until Russian oil supply is resumed.

Beyond ‘lip service’: Philippines urged to act on air defence gaps

The Iran war has underscored the need for robust air systems and Manila should look to build a layered defence architecture, experts say.

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

Zelensky urges EU to bypass Hungarian veto on vital US$103 billion loan

Putin ally Viktor Orban has been blocking the loan, in part because of a closed pipeline supplying his country with Russian oil in Ukraine.

Exclusive | Chinese military set for EU and Nato talks as Iran war reshapes global security

The PLA delegation will travel to Brussels next week, where the Ukraine war remains a major barrier to better relations with Beijing.

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns of ‘brothers in hatred’ as Iran war steals focus

Ukrainian leader visits London as the Middle East conflict overshadows the four-year war against Russia.

China leads world in anti-drone patent race with US far behind, law firm finds

Patent filings for anti-drone technology surged 27 per cent last year amid rising global security concerns, says Mathys & Squire.

India detains 6 Ukrainians, 1 American suspected of training Myanmar rebels

The seven are also suspected to have illegally transported a ‘huge consignment of drones from Europe’ into India for use in Myanmar.

Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow

Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.

Zelensky to visit UK as Starmer says it is ‘vital’ to support Ukraine

‘We cannot allow the war in the Gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin,’ Starmer said ahead of Tuesday’s meeting in London.

Oscar-winner Penn skips Academy Awards ceremony to visit Zelensky in Kyiv

The ‘One Battle After Another’ star skips ceremony for his third Oscar win to meet President Zelensky and potentially visit the front lines.

What lessons does Taiwan see from Iran and Ukraine for its air-defence strategy?

Expensive missiles cannot stop large waves of rockets and drones in an armed conflict, officials on the self-ruled island warn.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Europe says it must rearm – but to what end?

Beneath the rhetoric of defending democracy, a more uncomfortable reality drives the rearmament push: the fraying of the transatlantic bond.

To help Middle East nations fight drones, Ukraine wants cash and tech

This is about ⁠protection and a full assessment of how to counter Shahed drones, says Zelensky, after Kyiv dispatched dozens of experts.

Beyond a ‘buffer zone’: how the Iran war is recalibrating Central Asian ties

The former Soviet republics are leveraging diplomatic fallout from conflict to assert autonomy and balance major powers, observers say.

Habermas, the philosopher who shaped Germany’s post-war conscience, dies at 96

A critic of fascism and nationalism, his ideas remain relevant as post-war pacifism wanes and the far-right gains influence in Germany.

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

Opinion | Iran war marks return to strongest states assuming special rights

International law still exists, but it no longer reliably restrains actors as states increasingly act first and justify those deeds later.

Iran warns of US$200 oil as countries reach for emergency reserves

US president declares ‘we won’ the war as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz sends shock waves through energy markets.

Letters | Hong Kong has a chance to lead the world in marine underwriting

Opinion | Europe says it must rearm – but to what end?