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Israel

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

Capital

Jerusalem

Head of State

President Isaac Herzog

Head of Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Oil tankers anchor off Muscat, Oman, on March 7. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia

Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia

Singapore said it would not be appealing to Iran for access to the strait as transit through crucial trade waterways was a right.

17 minutes agovideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to roll out subsidies, fee waivers for transport sector amid fuel crisis

37 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Global renewable-energy pivot amps up as Hormuz uncertainty shatters security

4 hours ago

Middle East

Israel hammers Lebanon with strikes, killing scores on deadliest day of war

Israel carries out its most violent strikes on the capital Beirut after saying the US-Iran truce doesn’t apply to Lebanon.

5 hours ago

Firefighters and first responders amid smouldering debris in Beirut on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

MPF growth streak breaks as assets fall 6 per cent in March

Average pension savings fell HK$20,071 in March, leaving members HK$4,556 lower for the quarter.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:30AM

War and conflict

Editorial | World cannot afford a breakdown in US-Iran ceasefire talks

Eleventh-hour pause in hostilities and global instabilities leave no room for any miscalculation that heightens distrust.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

United States

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

5 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump has a ceasefire with Iran. But a confrontation with Congress looms

Two-week truce with Tehran leaves Trump mere days to finalise a deal before a legal cut-off triggers a high-stakes clash with US Congress.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Why the US-Iran ceasefire is seen as a failure for Donald Trump

As the two sides prepare to meet in person in Pakistan, analysts identify American leader’s miscalculations leading to weaker footing.

9 Apr 2026 - 12:59AMvideocam

US-China relations

US-China ties are critical in dangerous new ‘might-is-right world order’: Dalio

Billionaire investor urges Chinese and US elites to ‘rise above ourselves’ and safeguard global well-being amid a changing world order.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, speaks at The Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival in May 2024. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump lauds Beijing role in Iran truce, but clouds ceasefire with tariff threat

Markets rise on fragile pause in fighting, as Tehran keeps Hormuz shut and warns it may abandon deal if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue.

9 Apr 2026 - 5:11AMvideocam

US officials have accused Chinese firms of supplying dual-use materials that could support Iran’s missile and drone programmes. Photo: Reuters

Thailand

Thailand confirms deaths of 3 cargo ship crew in Gulf attack

The Thai-flagged ship was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway.

8 Apr 2026 - 7:40PM

France

French detainees back in Paris after ‘terrible ordeal’ in Iran

The pair had been under house arrest at the French embassy in Tehran ever since being freed from more than three years in prison in November.

8 Apr 2026 - 7:28PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel says battle in Lebanon continues despite Iran war truce

Hezbollah pauses attacks, sources say, but Israel says operations in Lebanon will go on.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:43PMvideocam

An Israeli strike in Tyre, Lebanon on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

China’s military drills

PLA troops facing Taiwan Strait and Japan simulate response to nuclear attack

Eastern Theatre Command, which has several nuclear power plants within its geographic coverage, holds decontamination drill.

8 Apr 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

An Eastern Theatre Command exercise has tested responses to a nuclear contamination incident. Photo: CCTV

China trade

China enforces new supply chain security rules as Iran war shakes markets

The new regulation makes protecting China’s supply chains a national security issue – and allows Beijing to punish any entities that threaten them.

8 Apr 2026 - 5:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump acknowledges China help in Iran ceasefire deal

A 14-day ceasefire in the war on Iran paves the way for a reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.

8 Apr 2026 - 5:01PM

China-Australia relations

‘Neighbours matter’: China, Australia vow more contact amid global tension

Premier Li Qiang says ‘Beijing is willing to import more high-quality Australian products, expand and upgrade bilateral trade’.

8 Apr 2026 - 3:26PMvideocam

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and China’s Premier Li Qiang spoke by phone on Tuesday ahead of Li’s planned visit to Australia later this year. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

Middle East

Abducted US journalist released by Iraqi armed group, Rubio says

Iran-backed militia frees Shelly Kittleson with a warning that the move ‘will not be repeated’.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:25AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Russia and China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

Beijing and Moscow blocked Gulf-backed resolution hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

8 Apr 2026 - 8:57AM

The 15-member Security Council voted 11 in favour of the resolution presented by Bahrain, with two against - China and Russia - and two abstentions. Photo: Lev Radin/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:13PM

Portraits of Cecile Kohler (left) and her partner Jacques Paris along with a placard reading “Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris arbitrarily detained in Iran for over two years in appalling conditions” outside the Palais Bourbon, France’s National Assembly in 2025. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:28AMvideocam

234

War and conflict

As I see it | Why Donald Trump now needs a ‘forever war’

The US president and America are starting to understand you can’t go fascist at home and imperialist abroad halfway.

7 Apr 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Malaysia

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

The move signals Tehran’s use of access to Hormuz as leverage, analysts say, while drawing scrutiny over Malaysia’s oil transfers.

7 Apr 2026 - 7:52PMvideocam

A tanker shown in an image posted by Iran’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which said it was the first Malaysian-linked vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: x / iraninmalaysia

India

India kicks off crucial state elections for Modi’s BJP amid Iran war turmoil

The ruling BJP is looking to break into opposition strongholds, especially in West Bengal, and secure dominance across India.

7 Apr 2026 - 7:20PM

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to his supporters during an election meeting in Barpeta on Monday ahead of the Assam state election on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

1 dead after gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

The two other assailants were captured with injuries.

7 Apr 2026 - 8:48PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:46PMvideocam

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Israel

Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia

Singapore said it would not be appealing to Iran for access to the strait as transit through crucial trade waterways was a right.

Hong Kong to roll out subsidies, fee waivers for transport sector amid fuel crisis

Global renewable-energy pivot amps up as Hormuz uncertainty shatters security

Israel hammers Lebanon with strikes, killing scores on deadliest day of war

Israel carries out its most violent strikes on the capital Beirut after saying the US-Iran truce doesn’t apply to Lebanon.

MPF growth streak breaks as assets fall 6 per cent in March

Average pension savings fell HK$20,071 in March, leaving members HK$4,556 lower for the quarter.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | World cannot afford a breakdown in US-Iran ceasefire talks

Eleventh-hour pause in hostilities and global instabilities leave no room for any miscalculation that heightens distrust.

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

Trump has a ceasefire with Iran. But a confrontation with Congress looms

Two-week truce with Tehran leaves Trump mere days to finalise a deal before a legal cut-off triggers a high-stakes clash with US Congress.

Why the US-Iran ceasefire is seen as a failure for Donald Trump

As the two sides prepare to meet in person in Pakistan, analysts identify American leader’s miscalculations leading to weaker footing.

US-China ties are critical in dangerous new ‘might-is-right world order’: Dalio

Billionaire investor urges Chinese and US elites to ‘rise above ourselves’ and safeguard global well-being amid a changing world order.

Trump lauds Beijing role in Iran truce, but clouds ceasefire with tariff threat

Markets rise on fragile pause in fighting, as Tehran keeps Hormuz shut and warns it may abandon deal if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue.

Thailand confirms deaths of 3 cargo ship crew in Gulf attack

The Thai-flagged ship was struck on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway.

French detainees back in Paris after ‘terrible ordeal’ in Iran

The pair had been under house arrest at the French embassy in Tehran ever since being freed from more than three years in prison in November.

Israel says battle in Lebanon continues despite Iran war truce

Hezbollah pauses attacks, sources say, but Israel says operations in Lebanon will go on.

PLA troops facing Taiwan Strait and Japan simulate response to nuclear attack

Eastern Theatre Command, which has several nuclear power plants within its geographic coverage, holds decontamination drill.

China enforces new supply chain security rules as Iran war shakes markets

The new regulation makes protecting China’s supply chains a national security issue – and allows Beijing to punish any entities that threaten them.

Trump acknowledges China help in Iran ceasefire deal

A 14-day ceasefire in the war on Iran paves the way for a reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.

‘Neighbours matter’: China, Australia vow more contact amid global tension

Premier Li Qiang says ‘Beijing is willing to import more high-quality Australian products, expand and upgrade bilateral trade’.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

Abducted US journalist released by Iraqi armed group, Rubio says

Iran-backed militia frees Shelly Kittleson with a warning that the move ‘will not be repeated’.

Russia and China veto UN resolution aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz

Beijing and Moscow blocked Gulf-backed resolution hours before the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

Trump says China helped get Iran to the negotiating table for ceasefire deal

Washington receives ‘10-point proposal from Iran’ with US president claiming it could serve as ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate’.

As I see it | Why Donald Trump now needs a ‘forever war’

The US president and America are starting to understand you can’t go fascist at home and imperialist abroad halfway.

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

The move signals Tehran’s use of access to Hormuz as leverage, analysts say, while drawing scrutiny over Malaysia’s oil transfers.

India kicks off crucial state elections for Modi’s BJP amid Iran war turmoil

The ruling BJP is looking to break into opposition strongholds, especially in West Bengal, and secure dominance across India.

1 dead after gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

The two other assailants were captured with injuries.

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

Editorial | World cannot afford a breakdown in US-Iran ceasefire talks