Diplomacy

US ambassador to France banned from meeting French government

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner walks on the day of a summit of the \"Coalition of the Willing\", at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, September 4, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/ File Photo

US pulling non-essential staff from embassy in Beirut amid Iran tensions

The US Department of State has warned US citizens not to travel to Lebanon due to risks of a military conflict with Iran.

China’s visa-free travel is diplomacy sweetener as it rekindles ties with middle powers

Amid a slowing economy that has been supported by a surge in exports, China has made boosting domestic demand its top economic priority for a second year running in 2026.

Russia says no peace dialogue ongoing with Japan over territorial dispute

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s relations with Japan “have been reduced to zero” over what he cast as Tokyo’s “unfriendly stance” towards Moscow.

News analysis

Indonesia steps up in US-backed Gaza mission, and into a complex geopolitical gamble

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto (front C) and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (front R) attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, DC, on Feb 19, 2026. PHOTO: AFP

US imposes visa restrictions on Iran officials, telecoms leaders as nuclear talks continue

US Vice-President JD Vance said there were red lines set by President Donald Trump that Iranians are not willing to acknowledge and work through.

News analysis

Tarique Rahman won big in Bangladesh. Far bigger tests await him

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin signs as he administers the oath‑taking ceremony for Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister in Dhaka on Feb 17, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS

PM Wong congratulates Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman on election win

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman won a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s general election on Feb 12.

Trump says Board of Peace members pledge $6b for Gaza, calls for ‘full and immediate’ disarmament of Hamas

Makeshift tents of displaced Palestinian families among the ruins of the Al-Zaitun neighborhood of Gaza City, on Feb 12, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Iran says potential energy, mining and aircraft deals on table in talks with US

Iran and the US renewed negotiations in January to tackle their decades-long dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme and avert a new military confrontation.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.