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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

Customers shop at an Auchan supermarket in Moscow earlier this year. French retailer Auchan was among the Western brands whose assets were seized by the Kremlin last week. Photo: AFP

Japan

Moscow’s asset seizures unnerve Japanese companies in Russia

The takeover of Swiss and French brands raises the spectre of retaliation against some 230 Japanese businesses still in Russia.

1 hour agovideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

3 hours agovideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky and US spy chief Ratcliffe meet in Ireland, sources say

3 hours ago

2026 Xi-Trump summits

No US ruling yet on Air China’s bid for extra flights during Xi Jinping’s visit

Major American carriers protest against the bid, saying Chinese rivals gain an unfair edge from access to Russian airspace.

22 Sep 2026 - 12:29AM

An Air China passenger plane at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: AP

United Nations

Burning questions: world leaders meet at UN amid climate, war and AI worries

As we face ‘three existential threats,’ says the UN chief, ‘international cooperation is more necessary than ever’.

21 Sep 2026 - 9:54PM

Science

Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study

Chinese researchers simulate attacks on a typical suspension bridge and find a precisely targeted small strike could trigger collapse.

21 Sep 2026 - 4:58PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Trump in New York

Planned meeting comes as Washington pushes for fresh, face-to-face peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

21 Sep 2026 - 2:30PM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky talking on the phone to US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via AFP

Russia

Putin’s party retains power in Russian vote marked by massive drone attack

Electoral chief says results show United Russia – dominating for 25 years – won 355 of the Duma’s 450 seats, the party’s highest ever.

25 minutes ago

Greenland

UK’s Burnham congratulates Trump and Danish PM on Greenland deal

British prime minister praises deal to bolster Arctic defence after Trump threatened to take island by force.

21 Sep 2026 - 11:57AM

China-North Korea relations

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

20 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Foreigners in China

China needs US-style migrant policy to win tech rivalry with Washington: expert

Li Mingbo, of Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area, says China should create English-friendly environment to attract foreign talent.

20 Sep 2026 - 7:04PMvideocam

A public policy analyst says the US immigration system offers lessons for China. Photo: Xinhua

Ukraine war

Ukraine tries to disrupt Russian election with Moscow drone barrage

Two people were killed in the Moscow region and the Russian capital’s oil refinery was also struck.

20 Sep 2026 - 8:35PM

Ukraine war

‘Nato war hawks’ stoking Russia clash as Ukraine strategy falters: Slovak PM

The Slovak leader said Europe was closer than ever to a large-scale war ‌erupting from the Ukraine conflict.

20 Sep 2026 - 11:04AM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

20 Sep 2026 - 6:12AMvideocam

Ukraine war

US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of Ukraine air defence equipment

Kyiv wants to buy multiple types of missiles, launchers and counter-drone radars, the US government says.

19 Sep 2026 - 6:22PM

Smoke rises in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday following a Russian attack. Photo: EPA

Kazakhstan

Reporter’s notebook: Kazakhstan trip shows promise, limits of Central Asia ties

It will soon be possible to fly direct from Hong Kong to Almaty, but in the meantime a little flexibility is required.

19 Sep 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

India

India’s Modi caught between Russian oil needs and US trade threats

Cutting Russian oil imports could avoid price rises ahead of key polls but keeping such purchases could cripple access to its largest market.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:15PM

Russia

Russians begin voting in parliamentary election in shadow of war

Kremlin’s United Russia party set to maintain a tight grip on the Duma alongside a handful of Putin-aligned groups.

18 Sep 2026 - 5:09PM

Cadets cast their ballots in Vladivostok on the first day of voting. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump says ‘major progress’ made towards US base in Poland

Announcement comes despite a wider US review of troop levels in Europe and tensions over Nato defence spending.

18 Sep 2026 - 4:32PM

Russia

‘War without battle’: Russia tests Europe with mounting hybrid attacks

From sabotage and arson to cyberattacks and airspace violations, officials say Moscow’s hybrid actions have moved deeper into Europe.

17 Sep 2026 - 5:51PMvideocam

North Korea

Russia employs North Koreans to build drones for Ukraine war: report

The move shows how military ties have expanded beyond weapons and troops into labour and industrial production, the report says.

17 Sep 2026 - 2:37PM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre) meets scientists, researchers and officials from key national defence research institutions in Pyongyang on August 29. Photo: KCNA / Reuters

Japan

Why Zelensky’s Kyiv invite puts Japan PM Takaichi in a diplomatic bind

Analysts say a Ukraine trip will be an ‘excellent opportunity’ for Takaichi to show her mettle, despite concerns about chilly Russia ties.

17 Sep 2026 - 10:40AMvideocam

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a conference at the Ministry of Defence in Tokyo on September 2. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump threatens EU over ‘hostile’ proposal to make Canada associate member

US president warns of severe trade action as Ursula von der Leyen pitches historic partnership to Mark Carney.

17 Sep 2026 - 7:21PM

Russia

Denmark says Russian frigate fired flares at helicopter

The helicopter was on a ‘routine photographic operation of a Russian frigate’ in the waters off Denmark’s southernmost town.

15 Sep 2026 - 7:49PMvideocam

China-France relations

China urges ‘constructive dialogue’ with EU in high-level call with France

Amid tensions over subsidies and deficits, Beijing’s top diplomat tells French counterpart the two sides should keep to their partnership.

15 Sep 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on France to take a “pragmatic and rational” approach and encourage the European Union to work with Beijing. Photo: dpa

United States

Mitch McConnell returns to US Senate after lengthy health absence

Frail-looking 84-year-old Republican returns in a wheelchair following his June hospitalisation.

15 Sep 2026 - 2:29PM

US Senator Mitch McConnell waves at reporters outside the Senate Chamber. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Ukraine says ready for ‘de-escalatory steps’ if Russia does same

Kyiv demands genuine commitment from Moscow as Trump claims deal to halt refinery and grid attacks.

15 Sep 2026 - 11:14AM

Artificial intelligence

UN Security Council to meet on AI threat as rights chief warns of ‘unprecedented risks’

France calls high-level session during General Assembly amid urgent pleas to govern frontier models.

15 Sep 2026 - 9:38AM

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Ukraine

Moscow’s asset seizures unnerve Japanese companies in Russia

The takeover of Swiss and French brands raises the spectre of retaliation against some 230 Japanese businesses still in Russia.

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Zelensky and US spy chief Ratcliffe meet in Ireland, sources say

No US ruling yet on Air China’s bid for extra flights during Xi Jinping’s visit

Major American carriers protest against the bid, saying Chinese rivals gain an unfair edge from access to Russian airspace.

Burning questions: world leaders meet at UN amid climate, war and AI worries

As we face ‘three existential threats,’ says the UN chief, ‘international cooperation is more necessary than ever’.

Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study

Chinese researchers simulate attacks on a typical suspension bridge and find a precisely targeted small strike could trigger collapse.

Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Trump in New York

Planned meeting comes as Washington pushes for fresh, face-to-face peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

Putin’s party retains power in Russian vote marked by massive drone attack

Electoral chief says results show United Russia – dominating for 25 years – won 355 of the Duma’s 450 seats, the party’s highest ever.

UK’s Burnham congratulates Trump and Danish PM on Greenland deal

British prime minister praises deal to bolster Arctic defence after Trump threatened to take island by force.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

China needs US-style migrant policy to win tech rivalry with Washington: expert

Li Mingbo, of Guangzhou Institute of the Greater Bay Area, says China should create English-friendly environment to attract foreign talent.

Ukraine tries to disrupt Russian election with Moscow drone barrage

Two people were killed in the Moscow region and the Russian capital’s oil refinery was also struck.

‘Nato war hawks’ stoking Russia clash as Ukraine strategy falters: Slovak PM

The Slovak leader said Europe was closer than ever to a large-scale war ‌erupting from the Ukraine conflict.

Analysts tip a stronger hand for China ahead of Xi-Trump summit in Washington

Chinese confidence could be boosted by US push to make progress on its war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, experts say.

US approves potential US$2.7 billion sale of Ukraine air defence equipment

Kyiv wants to buy multiple types of missiles, launchers and counter-drone radars, the US government says.

Reporter’s notebook: Kazakhstan trip shows promise, limits of Central Asia ties

It will soon be possible to fly direct from Hong Kong to Almaty, but in the meantime a little flexibility is required.

India’s Modi caught between Russian oil needs and US trade threats

Cutting Russian oil imports could avoid price rises ahead of key polls but keeping such purchases could cripple access to its largest market.

Russians begin voting in parliamentary election in shadow of war

Kremlin’s United Russia party set to maintain a tight grip on the Duma alongside a handful of Putin-aligned groups.

Trump says ‘major progress’ made towards US base in Poland

Announcement comes despite a wider US review of troop levels in Europe and tensions over Nato defence spending.

‘War without battle’: Russia tests Europe with mounting hybrid attacks

From sabotage and arson to cyberattacks and airspace violations, officials say Moscow’s hybrid actions have moved deeper into Europe.

Russia employs North Koreans to build drones for Ukraine war: report

The move shows how military ties have expanded beyond weapons and troops into labour and industrial production, the report says.

Why Zelensky’s Kyiv invite puts Japan PM Takaichi in a diplomatic bind

Analysts say a Ukraine trip will be an ‘excellent opportunity’ for Takaichi to show her mettle, despite concerns about chilly Russia ties.

Trump threatens EU over ‘hostile’ proposal to make Canada associate member

US president warns of severe trade action as Ursula von der Leyen pitches historic partnership to Mark Carney.

Denmark says Russian frigate fired flares at helicopter

The helicopter was on a ‘routine photographic operation of a Russian frigate’ in the waters off Denmark’s southernmost town.

China urges ‘constructive dialogue’ with EU in high-level call with France

Amid tensions over subsidies and deficits, Beijing’s top diplomat tells French counterpart the two sides should keep to their partnership.

Mitch McConnell returns to US Senate after lengthy health absence

Frail-looking 84-year-old Republican returns in a wheelchair following his June hospitalisation.

Ukraine says ready for ‘de-escalatory steps’ if Russia does same

Kyiv demands genuine commitment from Moscow as Trump claims deal to halt refinery and grid attacks.

UN Security Council to meet on AI threat as rights chief warns of ‘unprecedented risks’

France calls high-level session during General Assembly amid urgent pleas to govern frontier models.

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China