The Straits Times

Iran is asking Washington to clarify its position after President Trump rejected a proposed cease-fire, according to a New York Times report citing developments around the Strait of Hormuz. The move signals mounting tension between Tehran and the U.S. administration, with diplomats seeking to understand whether negotiations over the cease-fire proposal can continue or have collapsed entirely.

Chinese authorities are considering permitting ByteDance and Alibaba to purchase new Nvidia chips, according to a report by The Straits Times. The move would mark a potential easing of restrictions on access to advanced US semiconductors for major Chinese tech firms, amid ongoing tensions over technology exports between Washington and Beijing.

Iran has signalled openness to talks with the United States over the Strait of Hormuz as both Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian prepare to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. It would be the first time the two leaders appear at the same event since Trump launched what he called 'Operation Epic Fury', raising speculation about a possible diplomatic opening between the two governments.

Singapore has proposed a United Nations framework convention on artificial intelligence safety, according to the Straits Times. The proposal would create an international treaty framework aimed at coordinating how countries manage AI risks. The initiative reflects growing calls for global governance of advanced AI, with the UN seen as the natural venue for such an agreement.

The Straits Times examines what happens when AI chatbots give harmful or inappropriate advice to children. The piece highlights the risks young users face when relying on chatbots for guidance, adding to a growing global debate about child safety in the age of generative AI and the need for stronger safeguards.

The Chinese-flagged Luqing Yuanyu 108 is reported to have collided with a cargo vessel near Singapore. The identity of the other ship, the timing and the exact location have not been independently confirmed, and it is not yet known whether anyone was injured. The Strait of Singapore is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, so any collision there draws immediate attention from maritime authorities and the shipping industry.

Malaysia's Barisan Nasional has announced it will leave its governing coalition at the next general election, according to the New Straits Times and Bloomberg. The decision signals a major shake-up of the country's politics ahead of the vote, ending an alliance that has shaped Malaysian government in recent years. The announcement is drawing attention across the region as parties begin positioning for the polls.