‘Systematically dismantled’: Hegseth’s new offensive against China’s Confucius Institutes

South China Morning Post - Oct 24, 2026

Just weeks before Donald Trump’s second trip to China this year and his third meeting with President Xi Jinping, whom he has called a “truly great” friend, his administration is intensifying its crackdown on Confucius Institutes – Beijing-backed centres that promote Chinese language and culture at universities abroad. Long viewed by critics as instruments of Beijing’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, the institutes are back in the crosshairs of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who says the...

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All aboard: China and Guinea train Simandou railway crews
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A ceasefire in the Kherson region of Ukraine will commence to enable humanitarian efforts in Oleshky. Melania Trump has played a crucial role in organizing aid delivery and civilian evacuations. The agreement was reached between Ukrainian, Russian and US negotiators ahead of the mission. Civilians in Oleshky are facing dire conditions with limited food and medical supplies. Safety measures for the mission will include mine clearance and secure evacuation routes.

Nuclear power could more than triple by 2060, UN agency says
Oct 24, 2026
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Rafael Grossi from the IAEA forecasts that nuclear power usage may more than triple by 2060. This increase will be driven by rising demands for electricity, especially from data centers powered by artificial intelligence. Grossi emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for energy security and its safety compared to other options. He also highlighted concerns regarding nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea, urging diplomatic efforts.

First tanker of Russian diesel sets sail for the US in Trump's controversial deal with Putin
Oct 24, 2026
First tanker of Russian diesel sets sail for the US in Trump's controversial deal with Putin

A tanker transporting Russian diesel to the United States has departed, signaling a new import agreement. This deal has raised concerns in Ukraine due to Russia's ongoing invasion. U.S. political figures criticized the agreement as it contravenes existing American laws and may benefit Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over the decision and its potential impacts.

Trump's diesel price relief efforts grow costlier as election nears
Oct 24, 2026
Trump's diesel price relief efforts grow costlier as election nears

With the midterm elections approaching, President Trump is implementing various strategies to combat high diesel prices. These measures include financial aid for farmers and adjustments to regulations for truckers. However, criticisms arise regarding the effectiveness of these solutions and their geopolitical implications. Many voters attribute rising costs to Trump's policies, posing a challenge for Republican candidates. Ultimately, the pressure to lower diesel prices remains as the elections draw near.

US has for years asked Musk to alter Starlink service in Ukraine, Middle East, sources say
Oct 24, 2026
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Multiple requests were made by the Biden and Trump administrations for SpaceX to adjust Starlink services across different regions. These requests included both restricting access to adversarial groups and providing access to allies and civilians. Notably, officials expressed concerns about Starlink being used by Iranian proxy forces, which the US aimed to counteract. Additionally, Ukraine's military access to Starlink has recently been limited, raising alarms among European officials.

Trump says US will 'take care of Cuba' on its way back from Iran
Oct 24, 2026
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President Donald Trump mentioned plans to deal with Cuba following discussions about Iran. He expressed confidence that the US would reach an agreement with Cuba. The Trump administration aims to alter the current communist government in Cuba. Recently imposed oil blockades have triggered severe energy shortages in Cuba. Cuba's foreign minister indicated an openness to dialogue with the United States amidst these tensions.

'Told them we will put 250% tariffs...': Trump reiterates claim of India-Pakistan ceasefire through tariff threat
Oct 24, 2026
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Donald Trump addressed a rally, asserting he halted hostilities between India and Pakistan with trade tariff threats. He claimed that his ultimatum led to both countries de-escalating their military actions. India, however, disputed Trump's assertions, particularly about aircraft losses during the conflict. The Indian government has consistently rejected any external mediation regarding its military operations.

Chinese FM meets UN high commissioner for refugees
Oct 24, 2026
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US-China strategic competition to keep escalating as world watches on, Rudd says
Oct 23, 2026
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Kevin Rudd, president of the Asia Society and a former Australian prime minister, described US-China strategic competition as full-on and multidimensional at a Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics event on Friday. “There is a full-blown strategic competition under way in every dimension of national political power and influence, militarily, economically, trade and investment and technology, in foreign policy, in ideology,” said Rudd, a noted China scholar. “It’s across the world,...

US, allies and China vie for influence through Pacific security deals
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Strategic competition between China and the US and its allies is intensifying across the Pacific islands, with both sides pursuing a growing range of security agreements to expand their influence, according to an interactive mapping tool released this week by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington think tank. The tool details 56 security arrangements among 14 Pacific island countries and the US, Australia, New Zealand, mainland China and Taiwan in a bid to map...

What will China’s fifth plenum mean for the root-and-branch corruption drive?
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Plenary sessions of the Central Committee, the upper echelon of China’s ruling Communist Party, are major events on the country’s political calendar. In the third part of this series, William Zheng and Alcott Wei examine how the fight against corruption is shaping the party’s future. When China’s political elites gather for a key conclave in Beijing later this month, the increasingly empty auditorium will speak loudly to the event’s theme – the ruling Communist Party’s strict self-discipline and...

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