US President Trump warned that Washington could withdraw from NATO unless allies align with his Iran policy. Several European capitals have publicly refused to support the US campaign to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and denied American military airspace access. NATO Secretary General Rutte plans an imminent US visit to stabilize the alliance, highlighting deepening transatlantic divisions.
President Trump confirmed Sunday that a missing crew member from an F-15E fighter jet shot down over southern Iran on Friday has been rescued. Chinese analysts view the operation as evidence of US comprehensive capability to conduct high-risk rescue missions. This marks the first manned US aircraft lost over Iran since the US-Israel conflict began in February.
South Korea plans to send five Korean-flagged vessels to Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea to establish alternative oil supply routes and avoid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. With approximately 70 percent of its crude oil imports sourced from the Middle East, South Korea faces rising oil prices amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, creating growth and inflation risks. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global petroleum and natural gas transit route.
Israel and the United States launched airstrikes on Iran on Monday, killing over 25 people. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab neighbors. Mediators circulated a new ceasefire proposal as US President Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches. Tehran experienced multiple explosions and airstrikes, with thick black smoke rising near Azadi Square.
According to Israeli military briefings, Iran currently maintains more than 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel. Additionally, Hezbollah's arsenal in Lebanon contains approximately 8,000 to 10,000 short-range rockets. An Israeli air force officer publicly disclosed the missile count estimate in a television interview, marking a shift from previous non-disclosure policies regarding Tehran's arsenal.
Pakistan presented a new peace proposal on Monday calling for an immediate ceasefire, offering what analysts describe as a critical opportunity for US-Iran negotiations. The plan was brokered through overnight contacts between Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, US Vice-President J.D. Vance, and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The timing coincides with President Trump's Tuesday deadline regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun is set to depart for Shanghai on Tuesday for a six-day trip, with a planned meeting with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday—the first such encounter between the two parties' leaders in a decade. The visit, aimed at promoting cross-strait peace, has drawn scrutiny in Taipei.
US President Trump warned that Washington could withdraw from NATO unless allies align with his Iran policy. Several European capitals have publicly refused to support the US campaign to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and denied American military airspace access. NATO Secretary General Rutte plans an imminent US visit to stabilize the alliance, highlighting deepening transatlantic divisions.
President Trump confirmed Sunday that a missing crew member from an F-15E fighter jet shot down over southern Iran on Friday has been rescued. Chinese analysts view the operation as evidence of US comprehensive capability to conduct high-risk rescue missions. This marks the first manned US aircraft lost over Iran since the US-Israel conflict began in February.
Israel and the United States launched airstrikes on Iran on Monday, killing over 25 people. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab neighbors. Mediators circulated a new ceasefire proposal as US President Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches. Tehran experienced multiple explosions and airstrikes, with thick black smoke rising near Azadi Square.
According to Israeli military briefings, Iran currently maintains more than 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel. Additionally, Hezbollah's arsenal in Lebanon contains approximately 8,000 to 10,000 short-range rockets. An Israeli air force officer publicly disclosed the missile count estimate in a television interview, marking a shift from previous non-disclosure policies regarding Tehran's arsenal.
Hungary holds a crucial election next Sunday, viewed as a referendum on European right-wing politics. Polls show Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party trailing challenger Peter Magyar's Tisza Party by 19-23 percentage points among likely voters. The election is considered consequential for China, Russia, and the United States, with Orban's potential defeat potentially diminishing China's influence within the EU.
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated a $656 million judgment against the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Palestinian Authority. The case involves Americans killed or injured in attacks in Israel. The judgment was previously dismissed a decade ago on grounds that US courts lacked jurisdiction over overseas attacks. A recent US Supreme Court ruling changed the legal landscape, prompting the appeals court to reconsider the case.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday appeared to suggest Ukraine's involvement in planning sabotage after Serbia reported finding explosives on the Balkan Stream pipeline. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that explosives of devastating force were discovered near Velebit village on the Hungarian border. The pipeline transports Russian natural gas from Turkey through Bulgaria to both countries.
US President Donald Trump issued a strongly-worded Easter message attacking Iran and threatening heavy bombing of Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran refuses to open the Strait of Hormuz. The statement, delivered early Sunday, renewed previous threats and sparked criticism from Capitol Hill and beyond regarding the president's polarizing rhetoric during the holiday.
Thailand faces an escalating fuel supply crisis as smugglers and hoarders profit through illegal sea transfers and stockpiling. Diesel prices hit an all-time high of approximately 50 baht (US$1.54) per litre on Monday. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned conditions will deteriorate, while Justice Minister Rutthaphon Naowarat confirmed oil has gone missing, highlighting Thailand's heavy reliance on fuel imports.
Hong Kong developers are testing homebuyer demand by raising prices this week following sold-out launches. Henderson Land Development sold 25 of 39 units at its Chester project in Hung Hom, with an average discounted price of HK$22,198 per square foot, representing a 4.57 percent increase from the previous batch of 123 units sold, reflecting developer pricing strategies amid geopolitical and interest rate uncertainties.
South Korea plans to send five Korean-flagged vessels to Yanbu port in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea to establish alternative oil supply routes and avoid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. With approximately 70 percent of its crude oil imports sourced from the Middle East, South Korea faces rising oil prices amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, creating growth and inflation risks. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global petroleum and natural gas transit route.
Malaysia faces mounting fuel subsidy costs as the Iran conflict drives up global oil prices, prompting the government to consider expanding palm-based biodiesel production. However, industry experts and academics warn that high infrastructure costs and slow implementation timelines make it unlikely to provide quick relief. The finance ministry estimates monthly petrol and diesel subsidies could reach 4 billion ringgit (US$903 million) as crude oil prices remain elevated.
Multiple international car brands are experiencing declining sales and shrinking market share in China, with mounting losses threatening their viability. Analysts note that manufacturers selling fewer than 1,000 units monthly cannot cover manufacturing and operating costs in the world's largest automotive market. Several brands may follow Skoda and Volkswagen in either exiting or scaling back their Chinese operations as consumer preferences shift toward new energy vehicles.
Hong Kong's Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) is projected to report a loss exceeding HK$100 billion in March, marking its largest monthly loss since inception 25 years ago. The sharp decline in global stock markets significantly impacted the fund's performance, while Middle East tensions prompted regulators and analysts to recommend the 4.8 million members adopt diversified investment strategies.
US AI startup Anthropic's decision to withdraw its Claude models from open-source AI agent tool OpenClaw has triggered public competition among Chinese tech companies. The move reflects surging demand for AI tokens driven by increased AI agent adoption, raising concerns about whether the industry can meet long-term demand amid a global computational resource shortage.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong has established the Women in Science and Medicine Academy (Wise) to develop the next generation of female medical scientists. The academy aims to recruit 100 early-career female researchers from Hong Kong and overseas within five years, providing mentorship, leadership training, and international exposure. This initiative addresses the global gender imbalance where women comprise only one-third of researchers worldwide.
Hong Kong police have issued a warning about English-speaking scammers targeting university students seeking summer internships. The fraudsters use a fake 40-minute orientation session to legitimize bogus job offers. A 19-year-old first-year student lost approximately HK$190,000 after falling victim to the scam last month. The scammers prepared detailed scripts and conducted the fraudulent recruitment process entirely in English.
President Trump announced that the US military conducted a rescue operation in Iranian territory, successfully retrieving a second F-15E Strike Eagle pilot who was shot down. Trump praised the operation as demonstrating American military courage and capability, with Israel also commending the rescue effort. The operation was described as an unprecedented and miraculous strike rescue.
Taiwan's National Development Council will release updated population projections in August, adopting an ultra-low fertility model due to unexpectedly low birth rates. With last year's total fertility rate at only 0.695 children per woman, the population is now projected to fall below 12 million by 2065, five years earlier than the previous 2070 estimate. The proportion of middle-aged and older workers (ages 45-64) is also expected to increase significantly.
US President Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran, demanding that Tehran's leadership agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 PM Eastern Time on April 7. Trump threatened further action if Iran fails to comply with the deadline. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global oil shipping route, and its status significantly impacts worldwide energy supplies.
IEA Director Fatih Birol urges countries to avoid stockpiling oil and fuel amid escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran. He warns that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, this month's oil supply losses could double compared to March, potentially worsening the global energy crisis.
President Trump issued an ultimatum on December 5th, demanding Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by 8 PM EST on December 7th or face bombing of Iranian bridges and power plants. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded, claiming irreversible strategic changes have occurred in the strait and asserting Iranian forces are preparing for a new security order in the Persian Gulf.
US President Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran, including power plants, bridges, oil wells, and desalination facilities, if Iran does not comply with demands or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Legal experts and historians note that modern US presidents rarely publicly discuss military actions that could constitute war crimes, raising concerns about international law compliance.
The Israeli military reported that an Iranian missile struck a residential building in Haifa, a city in northern Israel, today. According to rescue units, the attack resulted in 4 people injured, with 3 people currently missing. Israeli forces are conducting search and rescue operations and investigating the incident.
U.S. President Trump recently stated he is seriously considering withdrawing America from NATO. Political analysts warn that U.S. withdrawal could lead to NATO's collapse and expansion of Russian and Chinese influence globally. The prospect has prompted European nations to reassess their defense mechanisms and strategic autonomy.
The United States has issued an ultimatum to Iran, demanding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by April 7 EST, or face military strikes on critical infrastructure including power plants and bridges. The demand concerns control of a vital global energy transportation chokepoint and has escalated international tensions.
A US Air Force F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iranian territory on the 3rd, with two pilots aboard. One pilot was rescued the same day, while the second was successfully rescued on the 5th. During the rescue operation, the US military was forced to destroy two C-130 transport aircraft. Iran claimed the US rescue mission failed and accused the United States of becoming entangled in war.
Taiwan's National Security Bureau warned today that government network services (GSN) experienced over 170 million disruptions in the first quarter of this year. The agency suspects China may be preparing for interference in year-end elections through intelligence gathering, surveillance, and data theft. China is reportedly combining AI deepfake technology and false polls to influence election outcomes and policy direction.
According to Reuters, Pakistan has drafted a ceasefire framework for the United States and Iran, with both nations receiving the proposal. The plan aims to take effect on April 6, beginning with an immediate ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a final agreement within 15-20 days. The final agreement may include Iran's commitment to abandon nuclear weapons in exchange for US sanctions relief and unfrozen assets. Iranian government officials confirmed receiving the proposal and are currently reviewing it.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and foreign affairs advisor Velayati responded firmly to US President Trump's threats. Iran emphasized its commitment to continuing national defense operations and warned that if the US makes further mistakes, Iran-led resistance forces may block the Strait of Mandeb. Iran simultaneously released a list claiming to have downed 12 American aircraft, highlighting escalating tensions between the two nations over the Strait of Hormuz and regional stability.
US special forces have successfully located the second missing crew member from an F-15E fighter jet that was shot down over Iranian airspace. The aircraft was previously downed, prompting immediate search and rescue operations by the US military. The incident underscores escalating tensions in the Middle East region and intensifying military confrontation between the United States and Iran.
President Trump warned Iran in a Wall Street Journal interview that he could strike the country's power plants if Iranian leaders do not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening. The threat represents an escalation of pressure on Tehran amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran over the strategic waterway.