US forces exit Iraq, emboldening Iran’s proxies and Islamic State

Rappler - Sep 30, 2026

The withdrawal, viewed as a victory by Iran, was agreed upon in 2024 and marks a significant moment 23 years after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein

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Sep 30, 2026

Taiwan plans US$850 million ammunition spend to prepare for potential PLA blockade

Taiwan’s military plans to spend more than NT$27 billion (US$850 million) to quadruple critical ammunition stocks to 120 days’ supply, strengthening its ability to sustain combat operations during a wartime blockade. The proposed six-year “urgent ammunition replenishment” programme, running from this year until 2031, comes as Taipei seeks to strengthen its ability to keep fighting if a cross-strait conflict cuts external supply lines. The spending proposal was revealed on September 26 and still...

Sep 30, 2026

Can pay-as-you-earn funding fix Southeast Asia’s higher education debt problem?

A Singapore-based education financing programme is testing whether income-linked funding can widen access to higher education without an unmanageable debt burden, a model analysts say could help ease repayment pressure faced by graduates across Southeast Asia. Global Financing for Education’s (GFE) Pay It Forward scheme, publicly launched in September, provides students with funding for their education in return for 3 to 10 per cent of their subsequent income for one to 10 years. The...

Sep 30, 2026

China vows response if EU introduces moves targeting Chinese trade

The tool amounts to a 'typical protectionist and unilateralist measure,' and will disrupt stability of China-EU trade, the Chinese commerce ministry says

Sep 30, 2026

US-China trade truce remains ‘fragile’ after Xi-Trump summit, analysts say

The two-month extension of the US-China trade truce remains fragile despite last week’s summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, with modest economic concessions leaving deeper disputes unresolved, Asia Society Policy Institute analysts said on Tuesday. “In my view, this truce is very fragile,” said Wendy Cutler, an Asia Society Policy Institute vice-president and former acting deputy US trade representative. “I think they’re testing each other.” Xi’s three-day state visit to...

Sep 30, 2026

Australian woman dies after cosmetic surgery at HCMC international hospital

A 65-year-old Australian woman has died following cosmetic surgery at City International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City's An Lac Ward, the municipal Department of Health has confirmed.

Sep 30, 2026

‘Hold the status quo’? US Congress reviews Xi-Trump summit outcomes

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s three-day state visit to Washington is over, but China watchers in Congress and the US-China policy community are still parsing a wide range of outcomes, with two more leadership summits expected before the end of the year. The talks between Xi and US President Donald Trump produced a series of joint announcements, including an extension of the US-China trade truce, investment commitments, an agreement to continue an AI dialogue and high-level engagement, as well...