48 h. ago To quieten drumbeats of war in US and China, cool heads must prevail

While the Ukraine war drags on and new conflicts rage in the Middle East, we cannot overlook the drumbeats of great power tension across the Pacific at levels unmatched since the Cold War. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a known China hawk, frames diplomacy through strategic confrontation. He has said the United States aims to “re-establish deterrence” against “China’s aggression” in the Indo-Pacific. This includes upgrading the US-Japan command to a “warfighting headquarters” and pushing...

Events

2 w. ago 20 of 21 Hongkongers in Israel and Iran have left those countries: John Lee

All but one of the 21 Hongkongers who were in Israel or Iran have left those countries safely, Hong Kong’s leader has said, adding that escalating tensions in the Middle East will not affect the city’s efforts to develop markets there. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the Immigration Department had received inquiries from 21 Hong Kong residents who were in Israel or Iran as of Monday. “Twenty of them have already departed safely. The department will continue to maintain...

Politics

2 w. ago 20 of 21 Hongkongers in Israel and Iran have left the countries: John Lee

All but one of the 21 Hongkongers who were in Israel or Iran have left the countries safely, Hong Kong’s leader has said, adding that escalating tensions in the Middle East will not affect the city’s efforts to develop markets there. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the Immigration Department had received inquiries from 21 Hong Kong residents who were in Israel or Iran as of Monday. “Twenty of them have already departed safely. The department will continue to maintain close...

Politics

2 w. ago China not likely to use navy to secure Hormuz Strait, analyst says

China is highly unlikely to use its navy to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz if Iran threatens to close it as Middle East tensions rise, a top US analyst told reporters Monday. Although China depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil, its approach would be shaped by quiet negotiations and self-interest, not direct military intervention, Richard Fontaine, chief executive of the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank, said. Fontaine spoke at a CNAS press briefing on the...

Politics

2 w. ago China, US at loggerheads in emergency UN Security Council meeting on Iran

China and the United States were at loggerheads in an emergency UN Security Council meeting called a day after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a move that marked a major escalation in the Israel-Iran air war. “We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to the hostilities in the context of the abrupt escalation of tensions in the Middle East,” said Fu Cong, China’s ambassador to the UN. “We call for effective protection of civilians. The ultimate victims of all...

Events

3 w. ago China builds a crude oil war chest amid Middle East tensions

China builds a crude oil war chest amid Middle East tensions  Reuters

Events

3 w. ago Hong Kong stocks waver as investors assess China growth prospects, Middle East tensions

Hong Kong stocks waver as investors assess China growth prospects, Middle East tensions  South China Morning Post

Economics

3 w. ago Trump to abruptly leave G7 summit, after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump abruptly leaving G7 summit after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump abruptly leaves G7 summit after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump leaves G7 summit early after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced on Monday, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump...

Politics

3 w. ago US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz Leaves South China Sea, Heads West Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

US Aircraft Carrier Nimitz Leaves South China Sea, Heads West Amid Rising Middle East Tensions  kurdistan24.net

Events

3 w. ago US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions

US aircraft carrier heads west from South China Sea amid Middle East tensions  Reuters

Events

3 w. ago US Aircraft Carrier Heads West From S.China Sea Amid Middle East Tensions

US Aircraft Carrier Heads West From S.China Sea Amid Middle East Tensions  U.S. News & World Report

Events

3 w. ago Chinese citizens in Iran, Israel need to prepare for attacks, embassies warn

The Chinese embassy in Israel warned its citizens on Friday morning to take safety precautions for potential attacks as Tehran considers a retaliation against Israeli strikes targeting its nuclear sites. The Israeli strikes were “significantly escalating the tensions” in the Middle East, the embassy said in a statement that urged Chinese citizens in Israel to closely monitor the evolving situation, remain calm, and stay vigilant. “Citizens are advised to prepare for potential attacks involving...

Events

3 w. ago Oil Prices Retreat. Investors Weigh Up China Deal and Middle East Tensions.

Oil Prices Retreat. Investors Weigh Up China Deal and Middle East Tensions.  Barron's

Economics

4 w. ago S&P 500 ends lower; traders focus on Middle East tension and await details on trade deal

S&P 500 ends lower; traders focus on Middle East tension and await details on trade deal  Reuters

Events