Sohar International Bank, Oman’s second-largest lender, is expected to open a Hong Kong representative office this week, with a local team of roughly a dozen staff, a source said on Sept. 8. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s records show the office is registered and the bank’s online listings display office signage. Under Hong Kong rules for banks incorporated outside the territory, such representative offices may not carry out banking business and are limited to liaison with Hong Kong clients.

Iran's president said the country consistently opposes war and views safeguarding the people's interests and regional security as dependent on avoiding conflict. He said Iran, having defended itself against aggression to date, will continue to resist fully until aggressors regret their actions and will always defend the rights of the Iranian nation.

Ukraine foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said a US presidential envoy had just departed when Russia launched another large-scale ballistic missile attack on Kyiv, damaging residential areas and killing at least two. He urged allies not to delay and called for immediate delivery of more interceptor missiles, saying each interceptor could save lives. Sybiha also urged European governments to follow Germany in closing Russia House cultural centers and to dismantle Russian influence networks while Moscow refuses to end the war, and he pressed allies to increase pressure on Russia.