Despite ad hoc and fragmented investments in the region, Beijing’s diplomatic presence has consistently grown, writes Graeme Smith

Criticism follows #UberFiles investigation by leading international news outlets

Report comes in as US President Joe Biden vows issue will be on agenda as he visits Israel, Saudi Arabia next week

Former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt launches bid, with ex-finance minister Rishi Sunak deemed frontrunner

This follows banks in Henan province freezing cash withdrawals, sparking public anger against local authorities

Cops say 12 killed on scene, with two more later succumbing to injuries

Tehran views proposal as threat to national, regional security, as American president to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia next week

Both are key figures in Republican’s party’s shift over past decade to target aggrieved working class

Washington also calls for prosecution of those involved in any protest-related violent incidents

Reports say 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami approached former PM from behind, fired two shots from distance of about 10m

Police chief of region where murder took place admits problems with former leader’s security

Ranil Wickremesingh says he will resign as prime minister, make way for all-party government

As police launch investigation, little is known about suspect identified as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami