Suspected attacks left two tankers in flames in the Gulf of Oman, bumping up oil prices and further raising regional tensions triggered by a bitter United States (US)-Iran standoff.The strikes on Thursday follow last month's sabotage attacks on four ships off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that Washington blamed on Tehran.Amid rising fears of a conflict, here is what we know:What happened?In the early daylight hours of Thursday, two vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz towards

Just when a trade agreement between the United States (US) and China appeared to be in sight, negotiators found themselves back at square one. The immediate reason for the disruption was China’s insistence on a substantially rewritten draft agreement, which, according to US President Donald Trump’s administration, reneges on previously agreed terms.

As the United States (US) Congress returns from a 10-day break, the question of whether the House of Representatives (controlled by the Democrats) should formally commence the process of impeaching President Donald Trump for alleged misdeeds committed during his tenure – and perhaps before – has split the party. Theoretically, impeachment by the House would be followed by a trial in the Senate.

China on Saturday increased tariffs on billions worth of United States (US) goods as it prepares to unveil a blacklist of "unreliable" foreign companies that analysts say aims to punish US and foreign firms cutting off supplies to telecoms giant Huawei.Beijing's move hits US$60 billion worth of US goods with new punitive tariffs ranging from five to 25 percent, and comes in retaliation for Washington raising duty on US$200 billion in Chinese goods to 25 percent.Washington and B

The United States (US) warned China on Saturday against threatening its neighbours' sovereignty and said Washington is investing in new military technology to defend its Asian allies.Washington and Beijing have been vying for influence in the region, which hosts potential flashpoints such as the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait.Ties between the two powers are once again taking centre stage at the weekend Singapore conference known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, wh

Beijing warned Friday that the United States (US) should not underestimate China's military as the top defence officials from both countries met on the side-lines of a security forum.As Beijing and Washington vie for influence in a region hosting potential flashpoints such as the South China Sea, Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait, acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan met Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe for 20 minutes Friday.Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Q

The path to peace on the Korean Peninsula remains as perilous as ever.

From socks and sneakers to washing machines and watches, Asian countries are hoping the United States (US)-China trade war will permanently boost manufacturing as brands dodge the row by choosing cheaper locations to make their goods.Business has fanned out from China, often referred to as the 'Factory of the World', into Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Indonesia for years.But the shift has accelerated as the world's two biggest economies slap tit-for-tat tariffs on each other.&am

The United States (US) has hit China where it hurts by going after its telecom champion Huawei, but Beijing's control of the global supply of rare earths used in smartphones and electric cars gives it a powerful weapon in their escalating tech war.A seemingly routine visit by President Xi Jinping to a Chinese rare earths company this week is being widely read as an obvious threat that Beijing is standing ready for action."We should firmly grasp the strategic basis of technological i

The United States (US) is projecting “strategic confusion” in the South China Sea, the Philippines’ top diplomat said, prompting the Southeast Asian nation to deepen its ties with China.President Rodrigo Duterte prefers China’s offer of loans and investments in the absence of a clearer stance from the US in the disputed sea amid growing rivalry between the two nations, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin said."China’s offer of a strategic partnership is a bit more attract