Trump extends Iran ceasefire; Hong Kong actress’ second cancer shock: SCMP’s 7 highlights
From Hong Kong’s triple baby bonus scheme to President Xi Jinping’s Strait of Hormuz call, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
· SCMP
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Marco Rubio says Iran players welcome to play World Cup in US, but no one with links to IRGC | The National
Iran said that its men's football team are preparing for "proud and successful participation" at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Iranian players will not be allowed to bring with them anyone with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
· Steve Luckings
Prices to expedite Panama Canal crossing skyrocket after Strait of Hormuz closure
Cargo containers are stacked on a cargo ship moving through the Panama Canal, at sunrise in Panama City, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
· Alma Sol S
US imposes sanctions on Cambodian senator and 28 others for alleged crypto-romance scams
The US government on Thursday imposed sanctions on Kok An, a wealthy Cambodian senator and ally of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, and 28 individuals and entities that it said had stolen millions of dollars from US citizens using crypto-romance scams.
· REUTERS
Are voting patterns shifting? Early signs of movement within opposition bloc – Maariv poll
For now, little appears capable of altering Israeli voting intentions. Neither the way the war with Iran and Hezbollah came to an end, nor the events surrounding Remembrance Day and the 78th Independence Day celebrations, have significantly moved public opinion. Most voters remain firmly in place, with only minor fl…
· MOSHE COHEN
Middle East crisis live: Trump orders US to ‘shoot and kill’ boats laying mines in Hormuz strait; Israel-Lebanon truce extended
US president claims ‘total control’ of strait of Hormuz despite Iranian seizure of two ships and report warning it could take months to clear waterway of mines
· Adam Fulton
Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks - DailyNews
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended by three weeks, even as a timeline for a full peace deal to end the Iran war has yet to be laid out.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
Asian shares mostly fall after a retreat on Wall St
A currency trader watches monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), top center, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won, top center left, at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 24, 2026…
· Chan Ho Him
Iran war puts Bahrain's flimsy fiscal buffers in spotlight | The National
The Iran war poses new risks for Bahrain's deteriorating fiscal position, where warning lights were already flashing red before the regional conflict broke out.
· Kyle Fitzgerald
US special forces soldier arrested for betting on Venezuela raid
A US Army Green Beret has been arrested on charges that he used classified information from the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to place high-stakes bets on prediction markets already rocked by billions of dollars in suspiciously timed wagers during the US-Israeli war on Iran.
· RT
US special forces soldier arrested after ‘winning $400k on Venezuela raid bet’
A US Army Green Beret has been arrested on charges that he used classified information from the operation to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to place high-stakes bets on prediction markets already rocked by billions of dollars in suspiciously timed wagers during the US-Israeli war on Iran.
· RT
The world can't afford to wait and see who blinks first between Iran and the US | The National
In less than a week, it will have been two months since the start of the Iran war, after the US and Israel attacked Tehran and Iran responded with attacks on at least eight countries. In addition to the death and injury of many civilians in Iran and elsewhere in the region, this war has set off a chain reaction that…
· The National Editorial
Trump says US in no rush but 'clock is ticking' for Iran
TEHRAN, Iran — President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States is in no rush to end the war with Iran but "the clock is ticking" for the Islamic republic, as a third American aircraft carrier arrived in the Middle East.
· Agence France-Presse
US says Iran players welcome at World Cup amid Italy uproar
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Iran's footballers will be welcome at this year's World Cup, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday, distancing the US government from a proposal that Italy could take their place in the tournament.
· Agence France-Presse
Don’t aggravate Trump on Iran: Veteran US ambassador to NATO’s friendly advice to European leaders
Stories driving the day in Brussels and beyond.
· Anne McElvoy, Peter Snowdon
Iran ready for both talks and war – envoy
Iran is not seeking war, but it is ready to keep fighting, Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, said in an exclusive interview with RT, arguing that the Islamic Republic has never been the side to abandon diplomacy despite repeated stabs in the back.
· RT
Report: Iran War 'drained' essential US ammunition supplies
The war in Iran has significantly depleted a huge portion of the US military's global ammunition stockpile, according to a report published by The New York Times.
· Middleeasteye
Oil rises as Iran war worries keep markets on edge as Strait of Hormuz stays shut
Oil prices rose Friday as the Middle East conflict continues to stoke energy worries, with both the U.S. and Iran seizing ships as the Strait of Hormuz stays shut.
· Lee Ying Shan
We are in a ‘fossil-fuel crisis’. Is Labor meeting the moment? – Full Story newsroom edition
It’s been almost two months since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran, unleashing violence across the region and chaos in the global economy. But one of the strange and definitely unintended consequences of this war has been a renewed focus on green energy. Jo Tovey sits down with Gabrielle Jackson and Adam Mor…
Indian VCs look to Europe and Asia as Iran war threatens Mideast funds
A McKinsey survey of 50 global investors in March found that private markets accounted for nearly 73% of the alternative investments by Middle Eastern funds in India. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Evolvence Group, KAAF Investments and the Olayan Group's websites)
· Staff Writer
US not against Iran's participation in World Cup, but ties to IRGC not allowed, Rubio says
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he added that the players will not be allowed to bring with them people with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
· REUTERS, FIELD LEVEL MEDIA
Iran uses fast boats to seize container ships in Strait of Hormuz, challenging US blockade
Iran's use of a swarm of small, fast boats to seize two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz could undermine suggestions that US forces have disabled its naval threat and reveals the challenges facing reopening one of the world's most important oil export routes.
· REUTERS
Israel, Lebanon extend ceasefire as Trump seeks 'best deal' with Iran
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Herbie G
Trump news at a glance: a tale of two blockades as US and Iran spin their control over strait of Hormuz
US report warns it could take six months to clear strait of mines as Trump declares ‘total control’ over key waterway – key US politics stories from Thursday 23 April at a glance
· Guardian staff
Iran Announces First Hormuz Toll Fees Successfully Transferred To Central Bank
President Trump has repeatedly said that Iran "better not" collect tolls from ships seeking to traverse the Hormuz Strait waterway, as both warring sides have initiated their own rival blockades of different sectors of the strait.
· Tyler Durden
Iran seizes vessel in Strait of Hormuz, defying US naval superiority
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Herbie G
Trump says he won't use nuclear weapon in Iran war
US President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out using a nuclear weapon in the war against Iran, noting that he hopes to make the "best" peace deal with the Islamic Republic and does not want to "rush" himself.
· Yonhap
Italy dismisses 'shameful' idea to replace Iran at football World Cup
Paolo Zampolli came up with the idea for Italy to replace Iran at the World Cup. (Getty Images: Matthias Balk)
Seoul stocks open higher after 3-week ceasefire extension in Israel-Lebanon conflict
SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, bucking overnight losses on Wall Street, as the United States announced a three-week ceasefire extension for Iran and Lebanon.
· Choi Kyong-ae
'A nuclear weapon should never be allowed to be used by anybody': Trump
Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out striking Iran with a nuclear weapon, following his earlier threats to completely destroy Iranian civilisation.
· Middleeasteye
Alarm as Iran's 'sacrificing life' war campaign in Australia lets children sign up
Last week, local media in Iran reported that "Janfada girls" had been involved in a pro-regime demonstration in Iran. Source: Getty, SBS
· Sbsaustralia
After toasting €90B loan, EU leaders face up to the morning after
AYIA NAPA, Cyprus ― The afternoon began with the EU finally sealing its €90 billion loan to Ukraine. The evening ended with leaders confronting the sheer scale of everything else they have to do.
· Sebastian Starcevic, Nektaria Stamouli, Jacopo Barigazzi
Japan core inflation accelerates after five months as Iran war pushes energy prices higher
Core inflation in Japan accelerated for the first time in five months, rising to 1.8% in March as Iran war-fueled higher energy prices stoke consumer inflation.
· Lim Hui Jie
Iran reportedly drops more mines in Strait of Hormuz — as US moves more minesweepers into the region
The US is ramping up its minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz — after US officials reportedly found that Iran had dropped more mines in the narrow oil chokepoint, which has been effectively shut down for weeks.
· Ronny Reyes, Samuel Chamberlain
Trump pressed on nuclear strike against Iran (VIDEO)
Donald Trump has lashed out at a reporter who asked whether his threats to destroy Iranian power plants, bridges, and the entire civilization meant he was ready to use a nuclear weapon, dismissing the question as “stupid.”
· RT
PIMCO Privately Lends Over $10 Billion To Dollar-Strapped Gulf States
Just days after the UAE hinted at a growing dollar shortage in the Gulf nation by requesting swap lines with the Fed, Bloomberg reports that as Iran's struggling neighbors scramble to build cash buffers to deal with any potential economic fallout from the Iran war, one large buyer has stepped in: the world's largest…
· Tyler Durden
Air Force Extends Use Of Iran Attack Plane A-10 'Warthog' To 2030
Authored by Victoria Friedman via The Epoch Times,
· Tyler Durden
IRGC commander backs Iran ‘unity’ after Trump division claims
Iran’s Quds Force commander has reinforced calls for national unity, pushing back against claims of internal divisions made by US President Donald Trump.
· Middleeasteye
(2nd LD) Trump says he won't use nuclear weapon in Iran war
(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 18-19)By Song Sang-ho
· Song Sang-ho
(LEAD) Trump says he won't use nuclear weapon in Iran war
(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 8-10, 16)By Song Sang-ho
· Song Sang-ho
Trump rules out striking Iran with nuclear weapon
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out striking Iran with a nuclear weapon, after his previous threats to completely destroy Iranian civilization.
· Agence France-Presse
Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks
Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following a meeting in the White House with top U.S. officials, President Donald Trump said Thursday.
· Kevin Breuninger
Trump threatens to ‘finish it up militarily’ if Iran refuses to make a deal
President Trump said Thursday afternoon that he plans to resume bombing Iran if there’s no peace deal.
· Steven Nelson
Trump says he won't use nuclear weapon in Iran war
WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out using a nuclear weapon in the war against Iran, noting that he hopes to make the "best" peace deal with the Islamic Republic and does not want to "rush himself".
· Song Sang-ho
US sanctions Cambodian senator over purported scam network links
The United States Department of the Treasury has announced sanctions against the Cambodian Senator Kok An, accusing the politician of using his influence and connections to protect a network of scam operators.
· Brian Osgood
The top photos of the week by AP photojournalists
People climb on old tanks at the Armored Corps memorial site during a ceremony marking Israel’s annual Memorial Day for the soldiers who died in the nation’s conflicts and victims of nationalistic attacks, in Latrun, Israel, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, FIle)
· The Associated Press
Israel Waiting For US Greenlight To Renew Iran War: New 'Targets Marked', Says Katz
It should come as no surprise that the Netanyahu government is not happy with this current lull in the Iran war, as Trump's initially declared 3-5 day ceasefire extension has become more of an indefinite truce, with the Hormuz Strait blockade still on.
· Tyler Durden
Trump rules out using nuclear weapons against Iran
US President Donald Trump has said he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran, stepping back from earlier threats of overwhelming force.
· Middleeasteye
Iran dismisses Trump’s claim of leadership rift, says nation is ‘one soul’
Several Iranian officials have stressed that their country is united, rejecting United States President Donald Trump’s claims of a rift in the leadership in Tehran.
· Al Jazeera Staff