Geopolitics

South Korea tracked the missile for more than 700 kilometres. Hypersonic weapons can manoeuvre at high speed, making them difficult for conventional defences to intercept.

Saudi-backed forces claim control of a vital Red Sea shipping route, but the Houthis deny the advance and neither account has been independently verified.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards had named the base a target after US strikes on Iranian missile sites. The Pentagon has not explained the withdrawal.

The French president used his farewell address to propose a moratorium on strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and condemned the complete lack of humanitarian corridors in Gaza.

The two leaders established a bilateral communication channel for artificial intelligence incidents and agreed on tariff relief for US$30 billion of goods, leaving Taiwan and rare earth exports unresolved.

The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly one-fifth of global oil exports and serves as the sole seaborne outlet for several major Gulf producers.

Two Royal New Zealand Navy vessels made Wellington's first frigate transit of the Taiwan Strait since 2017 on 18 September, prompting Beijing to warn it remains vigilant against threats to its sovereignty.

Operation Epic Fury has cost American taxpayers 132 billion dollars and pushed Brent crude above 100 dollars a barrel this month, while Iranian commanders dismiss the threat of strikes.