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Middle East
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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Rockets fired from southern Lebanon intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region on April 11. Photo: AFP
War and conflict

Hezbollah’s cheap drones pose challenge for Israel – like ‘children’s toys’

The militant group is using devices linked to their launch site by a thin fibre-optic cable that can stretch for dozens of kilometres.

2026 Trump-Xi summit

China’s UN envoy blasts US ‘bullying’ as sanctions widen before Trump-Xi talks

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US-China trade war

US sanctions China-based operator, others over alleged Iran oil trade links

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says hostilities in Iran ‘terminated’ ahead of war powers deadline

Trump administration argues war in Iran has ended due to ceasefire, allowing White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval.

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US President Donald Trump stops to speak to reporters before boarding Marine One on Friday. Photo: pool via EPA
United States

Wall Street rises towards more records as oil prices slip

The main uncertainty for the global economy is where oil prices will go because of the Iran war.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Could a prolonged conflict between the US and Iran threaten another vital link?

While countries grapple with the perils of a continuing oil shock, essential internet cables are also at risk.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Facing 60-day deadline, Trump administration claims Iran war ‘terminated’

White House signals it will ignore Friday’s War Powers cut-off, arguing April ceasefire paused hostilities.

A protester holds a banner opposing the war with Iran during US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony in the Senate on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Singapore PM reassures workers over AI fears, vows job opportunities

The city state cannot promise there will be no disruption from the new technology but it will protect every worker, the prime minister says.

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Iran

Iran ‘dying to make a deal’, US war costs soar: here’s what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump says only a few people know the status of talks with Tehran as war enters its third month.

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China-Latin America relations

Senate vote leaves Cuba’s uncertain future at dangerous crossroads

US Democrats failed on Tuesday in another attempt to limit Donald Trump’s authority to use military force against Cuba, so what’s next?

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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has repeatedly ruled out political concessions to the US, insisting sovereignty and the country’s system of governance are non-negotiable. Photo: EPA
2026 Trump-Xi summit

US and Chinese officials air concerns in build-up to Trump’s Beijing visit

Despite the latest diplomatic initiatives, Beijing warns the US is threatening ‘hard-won stability’ with new smartphone restrictions.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
United States

US economy grows 2% in January–March; Iran war clouds outlook

The economy also recovered from last autumn’s 43-day federal shutdown.

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Pakistan

Pakistan’s IMF-backed recovery under pressure as Iran-US mediation stalls

While Islamabad continues to push for peace, the war threatens to erode its foreign exchange reserves and make financing harder to secure.

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Brics

Iran war tests India’s Brics leadership as ‘political relevance’ questions mount

With Brics members Iran and the UAE as belligerents, the bloc has failed to reach a common position on the Middle East conflict.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi chats with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the 2025 Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro last July. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Global oil price hits 4-year high on concerns Iran war could worsen

Global oil benchmark Brent hits $126.41 a barrel, amid warnings it could reach US$150 as peace talks stall.

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam in Oman on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Britain

UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’ after Jewish-targeted stabbings

UK declares an ‘antisemitism emergency’ and police probe potential Iranian proxy links to Golders Green attack.

US, Israel war on Iran

Oil surge on Trump blockade warning tests stocks’ resilience

Crude oil surged to a four-year high and stocks pared April gains after US President Donald Trump said that a US block of the Strait of Hormuz could last months.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla in international waters off Greece, detaining dozens

Organisers accuse Israel of ‘abduction’ after boats are seized nearly 1,000km from the Palestinian enclave.

Flotilla crew during an interception by Israeli forces. Photo: Global Sumud Flotilla via Reuters
South Korea

Could a ‘reckless’ Trump’s ‘destroy-and-deal’ tactics target North Korea?

A Korean-American leader said the strategy was influenced by ‘new neocons’, urging Seoul to prioritise risk management over diplomacy.

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Hong Kong economy

Industrial costs up 50% in Hong Kong since start of Mideast war: oil executive

Wah Fu Petroleum Company executive pledges to pass on subsidy to customers, while taxi union leader praises government for quick intervention.

Banking & finance

Standard Chartered’s 19% first-quarter profit jump beats estimates

Wealth management gains support earnings, but margin pressure from lower rates and rising credit costs weigh on overall performance.

The Standard Chartered logo on Tower 1 of the Marina Bay Financial Centre in Singapore. Photo: Harvey Kong
China-Australia relations

Why China’s jet fuel deal with Australia underscores Canberra’s balancing act

Meeting between top diplomats Wang Yi and Penny Wong signals continuing thaw in bilateral relationship after years of diplomatic freeze.

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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong meets her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
Sri Lanka

Elephant in room: can Sri Lanka’s ‘world’s emptiest airport’ attract investors?

Since opening in 2013, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport has failed to generate enough revenue to cover even its electricity bills.

US, Israel war on Iran

Crisis surge or lasting shift? China’s solar exports double in a month

Countries respond to massive economic pain with accelerating demand for Chinese PV products but will they maintain the pace?

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump, Putin talk Iran and Ukraine, US energy exports up: what happened overnight

The two conflicts could end on a ‘similar timetable’ US President Donald Trump has said.

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While the world remains mired in a fuel crisis with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the US is expanding its energy footprint abroad. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump may cut US troops in Germany after ‘humiliating’ Iran comment

The German chancellor has drawn the US president’s ire with his remarks about Tehran besting Washington at the negotiating table.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Interest rates

HKMA warns of interest-rate uncertainty as Fed’s trajectory remains unclear

HSBC, Standard Chartered and Bank of China (Hong Kong) keep their prime and savings rates unchanged.

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US-China relations

UN bloated, costly, but China fears to keep US involved, House committee told

Pulling out of international organisation would see Beijing expand its influence and leave Washington at major disadvantage, lawmakers say.

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