USC said it was ‘redesigning’ the entire commencement programme days after the school decided to disallow valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech at the May 10 event.

‘China’s goal is to enjoy the fact that the US is getting bruised here, but also to use the conflict in Gaza as a way to rally the Global South against the United States,‘ one says.

New Delhi has urged de-escalation on both sides, reflecting deep concerns over regional instability

Readers discuss China’s response to Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, and how Chinese cultural exports can play a role in promoting goodwill

From former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s HK$9 million office budget to Chinese scientists rigging a low-cost AI chip to power a hypersonic weapon, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Iranian state media confirmed an attack by Israel in the early hours of Friday and said the ‘sabotage’ operation involving drones had failed

The first-ever direct Iranian attack on Israel has brought the conflict between the two countries “out of the shadows and into the light”.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz commended the United States for casting a veto. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the US veto as ‘unfair, unethical, and unjustified’.

The US and UK on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East.

Israel is divided over what to do next, and whether the Middle East plunges into a wider war might come down to the prime minister’s survival instincts.

Readers discuss the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and US Republicans holding up funding for Ukraine.

Speaker Mike Johnson is seeking final passage on Saturday for the package, which includes US$61 billion in funding for Kyiv long-delayed by Trump loyalists.

Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s unprecedented weekend attack without saying when or how, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of unrest linked to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel is vowing to retaliate against Iran for its weekend drone and missile attack. As the US and Europe urge restraint, Israel is weighing its choices.

Hoping to steer Israel away from massive retaliation, the US and Europe flagged a toughening of economic and political sanctions against Iran.

Readers discuss Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel, and how Benjamin Netanyahu should respond

In Indonesia, beauty brands owned by French cosmetics giant L’Oreal are being spurned in favour of Chinese and local alternatives, as the boycotts bite into the profits of Starbucks Malaysia and McDonald’s.

Palestinian families who had returned to northern Gaza after Israeli troops withdrew weeks ago have begun moving out again because of the new raids.

In the last few months, political observers have noted Singapore’s political elite expressing greater empathy for the plight of Palestinians.

State media said Iran fired long-range missiles able to cover close to 2,000km – almost double the capacity needed to reach Israel, as well as Shahed drones.

Reports that the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation is looking to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as a quid pro quo for membership in the OECD club of nations have been rubbished by Jakarta.

Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled an elaborate plan to break a US aid package into separate votes to squeeze through the House’s political divides on foreign policy. The move could end a months-long Republican blockade on help for Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds calls with counterparts from Iran and Saudi Arabia, vowing Beijing will work to avoid escalation.