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Middle East

Middle East

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

Damaged military vehicles, reportedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen. Photo: AFP

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port over weapons shipment and warns UAE

Riyadh targets weaponry in Mukalla as tensions between Gulf allies strain over separatist advances in Yemen.

1 hour ago

Made in China 2025

Chinese firms flock to Dubai free zones to navigate trade barriers, expand reach

30 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

54 minutes ago

‘World stands at a crossroads’: UN chief issues grim New Year message

Antonio Guterres laments US$2.7 trillion global arms race and urges leaders to choose ‘people and planet over pain’ in 2026.

6 hours ago

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Photo: AFP

Bondi Beach attack hero wanted to protect ‘innocent people’

Recovering from gunshot wounds, Syrian Ahmed al Ahmed says he ‘saved lots’ but mourns the 15 victims of the tragedy.

29 Dec 2025 - 6:52PMvideocam

Banking & finance

OCBC, Bangkok Bank, First Abu Dhabi join US$14 billion offshore yuan scheme

Leading banks from Southeast Asia and the Middle East are taking part in the programme, underscoring the city’s push as an offshore yuan hub.

29 Dec 2025 - 6:30PM

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Israel-Gaza war

Trump and Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan during US visit

Israel’s prime minister is making his fifth visit to see Trump in the United States this year.

29 Dec 2025 - 4:29PM

A displaced Palestinian looks at a rainbow in Gaza on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Sectarian tensions flare and turn deadly in Syria after mosque bombing

Clashes erupt between protesters from the Alawite religious minority and counterdemonstrators after a mosque attack in Homs.

29 Dec 2025 - 12:40PM

Iran launches 3 satellites into space from Russia

Iran’s space programme and related entities have been targeted by US sanctions, but Iran insists the satellites are intended for ‘observation’.

29 Dec 2025 - 12:31PM

China-Middle East relations

Why Saudi Arabia might not fulfil its US spending pledge, and the China factor

Analysts say Riyadh’s investment target of nearly US$1 trillion may not be feasible – and it’s more about optics than a binding commitment.

28 Dec 2025 - 6:19PM

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets US President Donald Trump in Washington on November 18. They announced that Riyadh had pledged investments of nearly US$1 trillion in the US. Photo: TNS

Israel-Gaza war

Israel seals off Palestinian village in West Bank after deadly attack

The army imposed a lockdown on Qabatiya after a local resident killed a 68-year-old man and an 18-year-old girl in northern Israel on Friday.

28 Dec 2025 - 5:55AM

Palestinian men after being released by Israeli troops during a military operation in the Palestinian village of Qabatiya, near the West Bank city of Jenin on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Italy arrests 9 suspected of funding Hamas via charities

Among those arrested was the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who reportedly funnelled funds to Hamas’ military wing.

27 Dec 2025 - 9:21PM

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland enrages Somalia, African Union

Several other countries also condemned Israel’s decision and Trump stated his opposition to US recognition of the breakaway state.

27 Dec 2025 - 10:14AM

War and conflict

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

27 Dec 2025 - 12:45AMvideocam

The aftermath of the explosion inside Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs. Photo: SANA/AFP

Indian rice could become costlier for US amid Trump’s tariff threat

Experts warn of wider repercussions, including efforts by importers to divert shipments and renewed strain in US-India trade talks.

26 Dec 2025 - 8:06PM

A worker gathers rice grain with a broom in a grain market at Mansa in the northern state of Punjab, India, in November. Photo: Reuters

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

26 Dec 2025 - 2:34PM

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese SUV maker Jetour pushes localised offerings to hasten go-global drive

Jetour is already present in more than 100 countries and regions after seven years in operation.

25 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

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Israel-Gaza war

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

25 Dec 2025 - 10:59AM

People celebrate in Manger Square in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on December 24. Photo: AFP

India’s gem exports defy US tariffs as Asia, Middle East demand grows

Shipments rose 19.64 per cent year on year to US$2.51 billion in November, reflecting a successful diversification push, analysts say.

24 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs arrests 5 in suspected HK$8.9 billion ‘phantom trading’ racket

Suspects laundered crime proceeds over four-year period in first ‘phantom trading’ fraud involving fake shipping websites uncovered by authorities.

23 Dec 2025 - 9:14PM

Benjamin Netanyahu

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

23 Dec 2025 - 1:18PM

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in October. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong world’s No 1 IPO venue as fundraising crosses US$35 billion: HKEX

Four companies that raised funds in Hong Kong, including CATL, featured in the world’s top 10 IPOs this year.

22 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM

HKEX CEO Bonnie Chan Yiting with the senior management of Ningbo Joyson Electronic, Pony AI, Vigonvita Life Sciences and WeRide during these companies’ listing ceremony on November 6 this year. Photo: Nora Tam

Australian PM Albanese booed as Bondi Beach attack victims honoured

Tens of thousands attended Sunday’s memorial. The Sydney event was heavily guarded by police, including snipers on rooftops and police boats.

22 Dec 2025 - 12:25PMvideocam

Jews worldwide urged to ‘come home’ to Israel after Bondi massacre

Gideon Saar says ‘Jews are being hunted across the world’ following the December 14 Isis-inspired shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:40AM

Macron announces new aircraft carrier for France

Replacing the Charles de Gaulle by 2038, the nuclear-powered vessel will be far larger than the current flagship.

22 Dec 2025 - 1:44PMvideocam

A Rafale fighter aircraft takes off from the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 2015. Photo: AFP

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

A key hurdle hampering the progress of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is the lingering uncertainty over Gaza.

21 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi (left) and then US President Joe Biden attend the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and India-Europe-Middle East Corridor meeting on September 9, 2023.
Photo: Indian Press Information Bureau/EPA-EFE

Israel-Gaza war

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices in Bethlehem as peace returns to Gaza

Palestinians are flocking again to Manger Square, bringing much-needed revenue to the city after two years of fighting.

20 Dec 2025 - 3:33PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Man executed in Iran for spying for Israel tortured to confess: rights group

The 27-year-old, arrested while taking pictures of a military headquarters, was accused of executing over 200 similar assignments for Mossad.

20 Dec 2025 - 2:57PM

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