Blinken urges halt to Middle East conflict as Israel bombs historic Lebanese city

The trip is also the last major US peace push before the November 5 presidential election, which could scramble US policy in the region.

Tech war: TSMC chips found in Huawei’s AI processors open firms to fresh scrutiny

TSMC has denied that it sold chips to Huawei after TechInsights found that Huawei’s Ascend 910B had components from the Taiwanese firm.

China’s Canton Fair, barometer of foreign trade, shows US, EU buyers may lose interest

Exporters see emerging markets becoming more important to Chinese businesses, despite smaller profit margins and increased payment risks.

Over 100,000 Hong Kong households eye subsidised homes in revamped scheme

Preliminary figures show about 14 households competing for each flat, compared with 18 last year.

Will Vietnam keep ‘nuanced’ China policy amid report of radar system on disputed island?

China’s new radar system on Triton Island could enable it to survey an area from Hainan to the Subi Reef, a Chatham House report says.

Fresh tension grips Bangladesh as student protesters demand president’s resignation

They are urging the president to resign over his comments that appeared to call into doubt former PM Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August.

How Prabowo’s cabinet choices could affect Indonesia’s growth targets, economy

Analysts say Sri Mulyani’s reappointment as finance chief can reassure markets, but warn retaining most of Widodo’s team may affect economic policy.

France mulls law changes to include consent as mass rape case shakes nation

Current French law makes no clear mention of the need for a partner’s consent and prosecutors must prove the intention to rape.

China’s space programme targeted by ‘audacity’ of foreign agents, anti-spy agency warns

Ministry of State Security warns that foreign agents are targeting space scientists and researchers to steal information from China.

Why does China punish foreigners for taking drugs in other places (even where it’s legal)?

A senior Volkswagen executive was detained and expelled from the country after returning from a trip to Thailand, where cannabis is legal.