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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.
An Israeli flag on Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel on Sunday. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Israeli army captures strategic Crusader-built castle in Lebanon

Israeli troops previously held the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle from 1982 until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.

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US-China relations

Opinion | US quietly plays the long game on energy dominance against China

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South Korea

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

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US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Artificial intelligence

Asia faces ‘costly paradox’ over divergent AI rules in US and EU

Regional countries are adapting either the US or EU legal framework, while Asian tech firms risk incurring a ‘regulatory fragmentation tax’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

In Gulf economies, lost migrant jobs and remittances risk plunging millions across Asia into crisis.

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War and conflict

Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

UN documentation of alleged abuses sparks furious denials from both nations.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has faced fierce diplomatic pushback from both Israel and Russia. Photo: Reuters
Gold in Hong Kong

World Gold Council says diversification driving China’s growing reserves

China’s gold reserves have grown for 18 straight months, country’s central bank says.

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Bonds

China’s first green bond sale in Hong Kong aims to raise US$886 million

Country looking to issue offshore sovereign green bonds and tap global capital to invest in green development.

South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

Containers awaiting export stacked at a pier in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The Bank of Korea has raised the country’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.6 per cent. Photo: EPA
Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu orders Israeli military to seize 70% of Gaza, expanding control

Israel effectively controls an estimated 64 per cent of the tiny coastal strip, bombarded to ruins by war.

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A yellow block demarcates the 'Yellow Line', which has separated the Gaza Strip’s Israeli-held and Palestinian zones since the October ceasefire. Photo: AP
Diplomacy

Editorial | PM Sharif’s visit reaffirms China-Pakistan ‘iron brother’ relationship

The visit reinforced the two nations’ commitment to international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and a multipolar world.

Lebanon

Israel launches deadly strike near Beirut as it widens offensive in Lebanon

Escalating hostilities in Lebanon strain a fragile ceasefire ahead of crucial negotiations in Washington.

US, Israel war on Iran

US boasts viable Iran deal: no nuclear weapons, Hormuz open. Will Trump agree?

US president said to be weighing proposed deal as fragile ceasefire holds after renewed strikes and Iranian retaliation.

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A man waves an Iranian flag in Tehran’s Valiasr Square as uncertainty surrounds a proposed peace deal. Photo: EPA
Diplomacy

Opinion | 3 paths to stability in a conflict-ridden world

History moves in cycles, and today’s turbulence will settle into a new order. Will the US reassert dominance, China emerge as the leader, or will we see a world with two centres?

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports surge 43% in April, driven by strong demand for AI electronics

Figure follows earlier five-year high of 35.8% growth in March, but government remains cautious and says Middle East war could cloud outlook.

US, Israel war on Iran

Gold continues decline as inflation fears outweigh hope of end to Iran war

The metal is down nearly 20 per cent from its all-time high in January as investors focus on the Federal Reserve’s plans to combat inflation.

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War and conflict

Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon ‘a combat zone’, imperilling ceasefire

Israel extends combat zone north in the first such sweeping warning since the April 16 ceasefire.

An Israeli military artillery unit drives into Lebanon after crossing the Israeli‑Lebanese border. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Israel’s Lebanon strikes challenge Trump’s Iran talks amid Hezbollah’s defiance

Israel’s offensive aimed at weakening the group complicates US-Iran peace efforts, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US reach outline ceasefire deal after latest air strikes: report

US military downs five drones and hits a ground station, triggering Iranian retaliation.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump appears to threaten to ‘blow up’ Oman, after question on Iran and Hormuz

Asked if he would accept a deal to allow Iran and US ally Oman to control the strait, Trump said the Gulf state must ‘behave’.

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US President Donald Trump points his finger during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Stamp of approval sought on HK$4.6 billion lifeline for struggling Hongkong Post

Government-owned postal service provider has recorded eight consecutive annual deficits, accumulating nearly HK$2.9 billion in losses.

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Mail volume handled by Hongkong Post decreased by an average rate of about 7 per cent a year from 2019-20 to 2024-25. Photo: Karma Lo
Drones

South Korea aims to join top tier of ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone race

Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel says it killed Hamas’ new armed wing chief in Gaza strike

Mohammad Odeh eliminated after his predecessor was killed in a similar attack this month.

China food security

China hog prices, near decade low, seen squeezing profits amid deflation risks

Ministry data reveals nine-month slump in breeding stocks while top-listed companies face big financial hits as rising fuel and grain costs erode margins.

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A pig is seen in China’s Hunan province. The price of live pigs in the country remains near a decade low. Photo: SCMP
War and conflict

Israel pounds Lebanon with heaviest bombing in weeks, expands ground operations

Strikes kill and wound dozens as Israeli forces push beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ in southern Lebanon.

Ali Salman, 12, who was injured in an Israeli strike, lies on a bed at Jabal Amel hospital in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon. Photo: AP
US-China relations

China’s Wang Yi tells UN multilateralism must be protected in swipe at US

Beijing’s top diplomat says ‘world peace and security are in great jeopardy’ and that UN Charter should be safeguarded at all costs.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran restores partial internet access after record months-long blackout

The shutdown was imposed after US and Israeli air strikes on Iranian leaders and infrastructure began in February.

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