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/ location

Bahrain

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bahrain. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Manama

Head of State

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

Head of Government

Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launches a rocket during a military drill in the Strait of Hormuz in a photo released on Tuesday by the IRGC‘s official website. Photo: EPA/Sepah News

China energy security

What would blocking the Strait of Hormuz mean for global oil and LNG shipments?

Tehran temporarily and partially closed the strategic waterway during a military drill, prompting speculation over an extended blockade.

20 Feb 2026 - 5:15PM

Iran

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

17 Feb 2026 - 10:54PMvideocam

Middle East

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

14 Feb 2026 - 9:22PM

China-South Korea relations

Why South Korea poses a major challenge to China’s Middle East arms export drive

Both neighbours hope to expand exports to the region, but the Koreans may be better placed due to systems integration and political concerns.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:48AMvideocam

Fashion

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

The awards honoured MENA designers, drew celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, and were hosted by Queen Latifah.

24 Nov 2025 - 11:22AM

Israel-Gaza war

Trump says Gaza ‘war is over’ as he heads to Middle East on high-stakes peace trip

US president to address Israel’s Knesset and attend a peace summit in Egypt as Gaza captives are set to return, Palestinian prisoners go free.

13 Oct 2025 - 1:13PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s Gaza deal forged by diplomacy blitz, help from Arab and Muslim allies

Senior US officials say Hamas viewed the hostages as a liability - while the US seized on regional fury with Israel to secure first phase deal.

10 Oct 2025 - 11:38AM

A child watches a person wearing a mask depicting US President Donald Trump as relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages celebrate in Tel Aviv after the announcement of a deal. Photo: AP

Middle East

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

4 Sep 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

Israel

UAE says Israeli annexation of West Bank ‘red line’ for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s warning is its strongest criticism of Israel since the start of the Gaza war, and raises concerns about the Abraham Accords.

3 Sep 2025 - 8:54PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine eases wartime ban on men aged 18-22 from travelling abroad

Since the start of the war, Ukrainian men have required authorisation to leave Ukraine to ensure enough conscripts to fight Russia’s invasion.

27 Aug 2025 - 8:13AM

Ukrainian recruits training in a sunflower field in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine. Photo: Ukraine’s 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP

Middle East

At least 76 dead, dozens missing after migrant boat sinks off Yemen

Yemeni security forces were conducting operations to recover a ‘significant’ number of bodies.

4 Aug 2025 - 4:45PM

Fishing boats in the Gulf of Aden. Dozens of migrants died when a boat carrying around 150 people sank off Yemen’s coast in bad weather on Sunday. File photo: Shutterstock

Asean

Asian Angle | Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation

Malaysia’s history as a global bridge drives this new trilateral forum, mirroring historical trade routes from China to the Middle East.

28 Jul 2025 - 10:05AMvideocam

Hong Kong stock exchange

Opinion | Hong Kong must spread its wings and look beyond mainland Chinese IPOs

If Hong Kong wants to lead Asia’s next capital markets cycle, it needs to become the top choice for the whole region, not just the mainland.

21 Jul 2025 - 9:34AMvideocam

Asean

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

22 Jul 2025 - 4:20PM

Asean and Gulf officials join hands for a group photo at the second Asean-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27. Photo: AFP

China-Middle East relations

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

10 Jul 2025 - 4:59PMvideocam

China could step up investment and imports of oil and gas from Iran under a 25-year cooperation agreement signed in 2021. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Iran conflict

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

30 Jun 2025 - 8:45AM

Asean

Asian Angle | Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?

The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.

28 Jun 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore Airlines in Gulf flight freeze amid US-Iran escalation

British Airways also cancelled flights and diverted planes mid-journey after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites raise fears of retaliation.

23 Jun 2025 - 4:53PMvideocam

A Singapore Airlines plane at Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

US bases in the Middle East under threat as Iran vows retaliation

The US has thousands of troops deployed on bases across the Middle East - and Iran says they could be legitimate targets.

23 Jun 2025 - 11:16AM

Middle East

Gulf states urge maximum restraint following US strikes on Iran

Home to multiple US military bases, Gulf leaders called for maximum restraint as strikes on Iran raise the possibility of wider war.

22 Jun 2025 - 11:03PM

China travel

Explainer | 5 ways to enter mainland China without a visa

China has rapidly expanded its visa-free entry schemes in recent years to boost its tourism sector. Here is how the systems work.

16 Jun 2025 - 9:31PMvideocam

A Chinese immigration officer assists an American tourist entering China using the visa-free transit policy. Photo: Xinhua

China travel

China expands visa-free entry

Passport holders from 46 countries can visit China for 30 days visa-free under Beijing’s loosened entry policy.

12 Sep 2025 - 12:53PM

Tourists visit the Great Wall of China. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

Xi-Trump phone call, inflation data and more

This week: Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump talk on the phone, factory activity contracts and government condemns EV price war. Next week: May trade and inflation numbers, visa-free travel for four Gulf states, Huawei smartphone debut and more.

6 Jun 2025 - 5:00PM

Asean

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

1 Jun 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

28 May 2025 - 8:15PMvideocam

Premier Li Qiang (centre) speaks during the Asean-GCC-China summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Arab leaders meet to craft counter to Trump’s Gaza plan

The US president has proposed to ‘take over’ the Palestinian territory and relocate its over 2 million residents to Egypt and Jordan.

22 Feb 2025 - 12:37PMvideocam

(From left) Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Emir of Kuwait Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, Jordan Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and UAE’s National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nahyan pose for a picture during their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. Photo: Saudi Ministry of Media via AP

Fifa

Bahrain concerns taken ‘seriously’ after death threats since Indonesia game

Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia.

19 Oct 2024 - 4:16AM

China-Middle East relations

President Xi to welcome Arab state leaders, with Palestine and trade on agenda

Leaders of Egypt, Bahrain, Tunisia and UAE to visit Beijing for meetings with Xi and ministerial conference of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum

27 May 2024 - 8:16PMvideocam

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Bahrain

What would blocking the Strait of Hormuz mean for global oil and LNG shipments?

Tehran temporarily and partially closed the strategic waterway during a military drill, prompting speculation over an extended blockade.

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Why South Korea poses a major challenge to China’s Middle East arms export drive

Both neighbours hope to expand exports to the region, but the Koreans may be better placed due to systems integration and political concerns.

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

The awards honoured MENA designers, drew celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, and were hosted by Queen Latifah.

Trump says Gaza ‘war is over’ as he heads to Middle East on high-stakes peace trip

US president to address Israel’s Knesset and attend a peace summit in Egypt as Gaza captives are set to return, Palestinian prisoners go free.

Trump’s Gaza deal forged by diplomacy blitz, help from Arab and Muslim allies

Senior US officials say Hamas viewed the hostages as a liability - while the US seized on regional fury with Israel to secure first phase deal.

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

UAE says Israeli annexation of West Bank ‘red line’ for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s warning is its strongest criticism of Israel since the start of the Gaza war, and raises concerns about the Abraham Accords.

Ukraine eases wartime ban on men aged 18-22 from travelling abroad

Since the start of the war, Ukrainian men have required authorisation to leave Ukraine to ensure enough conscripts to fight Russia’s invasion.

At least 76 dead, dozens missing after migrant boat sinks off Yemen

Yemeni security forces were conducting operations to recover a ‘significant’ number of bodies.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Asian Angle | Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation

Malaysia’s history as a global bridge drives this new trilateral forum, mirroring historical trade routes from China to the Middle East.

Opinion | Hong Kong must spread its wings and look beyond mainland Chinese IPOs

If Hong Kong wants to lead Asia’s next capital markets cycle, it needs to become the top choice for the whole region, not just the mainland.

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

Asian Angle | Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?

The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.

Singapore Airlines in Gulf flight freeze amid US-Iran escalation

British Airways also cancelled flights and diverted planes mid-journey after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites raise fears of retaliation.

US bases in the Middle East under threat as Iran vows retaliation

The US has thousands of troops deployed on bases across the Middle East - and Iran says they could be legitimate targets.

Gulf states urge maximum restraint following US strikes on Iran

Home to multiple US military bases, Gulf leaders called for maximum restraint as strikes on Iran raise the possibility of wider war.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | 5 ways to enter mainland China without a visa

China has rapidly expanded its visa-free entry schemes in recent years to boost its tourism sector. Here is how the systems work.

China expands visa-free entry

Passport holders from 46 countries can visit China for 30 days visa-free under Beijing’s loosened entry policy.

Xi-Trump phone call, inflation data and more

This week: Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump talk on the phone, factory activity contracts and government condemns EV price war. Next week: May trade and inflation numbers, visa-free travel for four Gulf states, Huawei smartphone debut and more.

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

Arab leaders meet to craft counter to Trump’s Gaza plan

The US president has proposed to ‘take over’ the Palestinian territory and relocate its over 2 million residents to Egypt and Jordan.

Bahrain concerns taken ‘seriously’ after death threats since Indonesia game

Players have faced ‘insults, slander, threats and hacking operations’ online, Bahrain’s FA alleges, since last week’s 2-2 draw with Indonesia.

President Xi to welcome Arab state leaders, with Palestine and trade on agenda

Leaders of Egypt, Bahrain, Tunisia and UAE to visit Beijing for meetings with Xi and ministerial conference of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum

Asian Angle | Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation

Explainer | 5 ways to enter mainland China without a visa