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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.

A man fills his car with petrol at a fuel station in Port Dickson, Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan. Photo: EPA

Minister warns Malaysia will enter ‘critical period’ for fuel supply by June

Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah said the government was exploring alternative materials amid global shortages and rising costs.

4 hours agovideocam

The Philippines

‘We let the soup get cold’: Filipino street food in a stew over LPG price shock

5 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Pope Leo slams ‘delusion of omnipotence’ stoking US-Israeli war on Iran

12 Apr 2026 - 11:25AMvideocam

Fish and vegetarianism major flashpoints in India’s West Bengal election

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has promoted dietary restrictions as part of its Hindu nationalist agenda.

11 Apr 2026 - 10:55PMvideocam

A labourer inspects a Hindustan Ambassador yellow taxi, transporting fish at a wholesale market on January 30, in Kolkata, West Bengal state, India. Photo: AFP

Russia and Ukraine begin 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Kyiv says it will reciprocate the Kremlin-ordered truce from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday.

11 Apr 2026 - 9:25PMvideocam

Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and HK Express cut some flights as jet fuel prices rise

Cathay reduction affects flights mainly on regional routes, along with some services to Australia, South Asia and South Africa, from May 16 to June 30.

11 Apr 2026 - 10:56PMvideocam

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US, Israel war on Iran

How the Gulf conflict recast risks for Asian investors in Dubai

Asian firms that use Dubai as a launch pad into the Middle East are weighing new threats to liquidity, logistics and confidence.

11 Apr 2026 - 3:22PMvideocam

Smoke rising from an area near the Dubai International Airport is seen after a drone attack amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran on March 16. Photo: Reuters

‘Cancelling orders’ in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing

Analysts and industry insiders say higher costs are squeezing margins, with some of China’s wary industrial heartland compelled to make day-to-day purchases.

11 Apr 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

11 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US presses Iran as talks gear up in Pakistan under fragile ceasefire

Vice-President J.D. Vance to lead negotiations in Islamabad as Tehran sets preconditions, Trump warns of military action if diplomacy fails.

11 Apr 2026 - 6:20AMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance before boarding Air Force Two on Friday en route to Pakistan for high-stakes talks with Iran. Photo: Reuters

Singapore, Australia vow uninterrupted fuel supply amid global energy shock

Both countries are also working towards a legally binding agreement on economic resilience and essential supplies.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:40PM

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong during their meeting at the Istana presidential palace in Singapore on Friday. Photo: LianHe Zaobao / Chia Ti Yan / AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Hormuz toll threat lays bare Asia’s energy vulnerability

Analysts warn that charging ships to pass through Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent for other strategic waterways and hit Asia hardest.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

‘Their affair’: Anwar on Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz

Responding to remarks by the city state’s top diplomat, Anwar said Malaysia balances regional ties with firm stands on global issues.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:39PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘I’m scared of war starting again’: fear grips Iranians ahead of US talks

Residents of Tehran face Pakistan-hosted talks with scepticism and anger, caught between a repressive regime and Trump’s threats.

10 Apr 2026 - 6:15PMvideocam

Iranians attend a rally to commemorate slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in Tehran on Thursday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks leave Gulf states on edge about the price of peace

The six GCC nations worry that the US will prioritise Tehran’s needs and leave the Gulf monarchies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:01PMvideocam

Police officers walk towards the president’s official residence in Islamabad, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza marks 6 months of ceasefire. Does it offer lessons for the Iran war?

A ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hamas since October 10, but deadly attacks have continued and limited aid is entering.

10 Apr 2026 - 5:14PM

Banking & finance

China healthcare stocks shine in Hong Kong amid Middle East turmoil

Hang Seng Healthcare Index outpaces broader market as Akeso, Innovent, Hansoh provide refuge for global investors.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:25PM

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SCMP Highlights

Dying man leaves riches to young wife; fisherman’s surprise catch: 7 highlights

From a missing elderly hiker in Hong Kong to a tragic car accident in Singapore, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

10 Apr 2026 - 1:51PM

A terminally ill Chinese man bequeathed his US$43 million fortune to his wife, who is 28 years his junior, causing outrage among his ex-wife’s family. Photo: Douyin

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong will pay diesel subsidies directly to oil firms, look out for abuse

Government will know if oil firms try to take advantage of HK$3 subsidy scheme by increasing prices, official warns.

10 Apr 2026 - 11:42PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel plans talks with Lebanon as violence imperils Iran ceasefire

Israel’s Netanyahu approves talks with Lebanon as the US plans for meeting in Washington next week.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:56AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Asian economies face ‘formidable test’ as Middle East conflict drags on: ADB

Even if oil prices stabilise in the coming months, developing Asia-Pacific countries will still take years to recover, the bank says.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:32AMvideocam

A farmer sprinkles fertiliser on crops in a field on the outskirts of Amritsar, India, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

US Vice-President J.D. Vance strikes upbeat tone en route to Iran talks

As the clock ticks down to negotiations in Islamabad, two big factors stand in the way of progress.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:38PMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance is on his way to Pakistan for discussions on Saturday with a delegation from Iran. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Is oil crisis just the start of economic pain for Hongkongers?

With diesel and petrol prices in city highest in the world, analysts warn that consumers will inevitably feel the impact in their wallets.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:36AMvideocam

Japan seeks to take back control of the world’s shipbuilding sector. Here’s how

Analysts warn higher costs, labour shortages and lost capacity will affect Japan’s bid for control in a sector now dominated by China.

10 Apr 2026 - 8:45AMvideocam

What Trump’s Iran war ‘loyalty test’ may mean for Nato’s long-standing alliance

Transatlantic allies’ refusal to back the Iran war fuels latest Trump outburst after meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte.

10 Apr 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump meets Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland, in January. The pair held a closed-door meeting in the White House on April 8. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Why Latin America is becoming indispensable to China

Latin America fits Beijing’s need for alternative partners with uncomfortable precision. That is a problem for Washington.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:18AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan (right) pose for a photo with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2025, on the sidelines of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum. Photo: EPA-EFE/Xinhua

Netanyahu corruption trial to resume on Sunday after Israel eases war restrictions

Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial for corruption.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:44AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Yuan tokens and oil-linked fees? China experts propose ‘innovative’ Hormuz tolls

Analysts warn Trump’s ‘joint venture’ plan with Iran could formalise grey zone, while Beijing balances roles as mediator, energy importer.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:56PMvideocam

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