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Turkey

Latest news and updates on the country which straddles both Europe and Asia.

Capital

Ankara

Head of State

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Head of Government

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Pakistan

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

1 Apr 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

1 Apr 2026 - 6:33PM

US, Israel war on Iran

China, Pakistan launch five-point plan to ease Iran crisis, push ceasefire

1 Apr 2026 - 2:40AMvideocam

Middle East

Video | Pakistan talks aim to end Middle East fighting

Top diplomats from key regional powers gathered in Islamabad on March 29 to discuss how to end the fighting in the Middle East.

30 Mar 2026 - 1:34PM

Pakistan

Regional diplomats gather in Pakistan for talks to end Iran war

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were taking part in the talks as the US kept up strikes on Iran.

30 Mar 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

Iran

As tensions rise, Middle Eastern money and travellers pivot to Hong Kong

Wealthy Gulf visitors are extending their stays in Hong Kong as investors from the region look to hedge risk and tap Asian markets.

29 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

Israel-Iran conflict

1 month, 2 straits, more strikes: how long will the US-Israeli war on Iran last?

With Houthi rebels entering the fray, the next maritime choke point at risk could be the Bab el-Mandeb.

28 Mar 2026 - 10:31PMvideocam

Houthis brandish their weapons as they rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Friday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel launches strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

Israeli jets hit Tehran’s missile hubs while more US troops head to the Middle East.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:45PMvideocam

Malaysia

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:49PMvideocam

Malaysia

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

Anwar in a televised address thanked Iran’s president for allowing the passage of Malaysian ships. Photo: dpa

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Turkiye Is Bankasi eyes corporate-focused Hong Kong branch, citing the city’s hub role, to complete its China coverage, sources say.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:32AM

The bank is awaiting clearance from Turkish authorities before formally approaching the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for a banking licence, sources said. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & finance

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran gave the US gift ‘worth a tremendous amount of money’

US president claims Tehran offered an ‘oil and gas related’ gift and that it was a sign talks are happening with ‘the right people’.

25 Mar 2026 - 12:49PMvideocam

Malaysia

DarkSword threatens Malaysian iOS users, exposing spread of elite spyware

DarkSword can compromise vulnerable iPhones through hacked legitimate websites and siphon off highly sensitive data, researchers warn.

24 Mar 2026 - 8:31PM

DarkSword can compromise vulnerable iPhones through hacked legitimate websites, and Apple has urged users to update their phones to stay protected. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

23 Mar 2026 - 1:22AM

The high-speed rail station at West Kowloon. Photo: Sam Tsang

Syria

Pregnant woman and 5 kids die in container fire in Turkey

The 27-year-old mother was seven months pregnant, with her husband fighting for his life after the blaze.

20 Mar 2026 - 11:18PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Severely damaged’: how the US-Israel war on Iran is decoupling Gulf security

As confidence in America’s defence guarantee erodes, Gulf states are now weighing a more multifaceted strategy, analysts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:20PM

A man walks past portraits of Russian soldiers in a St Petersburg street exhibition. Photo: AP

Pakistan

Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

The decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:43AM

Pakistan

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:43AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian women footballers return home after withdrawing Australia asylum bids

Concerns over their safety surfaced when several players were called ‘wartime traitors’ for failing to sing the national anthem at a match.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:47PM

Members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team board a bus to the Turkish-Iranian border on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran vows revenge for security chief Larijani’s killing as Israel hunts leader

Tehran’s ‘right-hand man’ dies in air strike as Israeli military spokesman issues warning for Mojtaba Khamenei.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:03PMvideocam

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani had walked openly with crowds at a pro-government rally last week in Tehran. Photo: Ali Larijani via X/Reuters

France

‘I’m not a spy’: Frenchman jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan

Prosecutors say Martin Ryan passed on secrets about Azerbaijan, as well as Russian and Chinese firms, to the French security service.

16 Mar 2026 - 8:54PM

China trade

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:02PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Letters | US has succeeded in plunging Middle East into dangerous conflict

Readers discuss the Middle East situation, helping young Hongkongers meet the AI challenge, and Hong Kong as an international city.

16 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan port in the United Arab Emirates on March 11. Photo: AP

Iran

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Oil tanker trucks stand parked near an oil storage terminal in Karachi on Thursday as global energy markets face disruptions amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

15 Mar 2026 - 11:15AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Lebanon was dragged into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

15 Mar 2026 - 1:40AMvideocam

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Turkey

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

China, Pakistan launch five-point plan to ease Iran crisis, push ceasefire

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Pakistan talks aim to end Middle East fighting

Top diplomats from key regional powers gathered in Islamabad on March 29 to discuss how to end the fighting in the Middle East.

Regional diplomats gather in Pakistan for talks to end Iran war

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were taking part in the talks as the US kept up strikes on Iran.

As tensions rise, Middle Eastern money and travellers pivot to Hong Kong

Wealthy Gulf visitors are extending their stays in Hong Kong as investors from the region look to hedge risk and tap Asian markets.

1 month, 2 straits, more strikes: how long will the US-Israeli war on Iran last?

With Houthi rebels entering the fray, the next maritime choke point at risk could be the Bab el-Mandeb.

Israel launches strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

Israeli jets hit Tehran’s missile hubs while more US troops head to the Middle East.

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Turkiye Is Bankasi eyes corporate-focused Hong Kong branch, citing the city’s hub role, to complete its China coverage, sources say.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Trump says Iran gave the US gift ‘worth a tremendous amount of money’

US president claims Tehran offered an ‘oil and gas related’ gift and that it was a sign talks are happening with ‘the right people’.

DarkSword threatens Malaysian iOS users, exposing spread of elite spyware

DarkSword can compromise vulnerable iPhones through hacked legitimate websites and siphon off highly sensitive data, researchers warn.

Amid Iran war, Hongkongers choose short-haul high-speed rail trips

With war raging in the Middle East, tickets for mainland Chinese destinations are being snapped up.

Pregnant woman and 5 kids die in container fire in Turkey

The 27-year-old mother was seven months pregnant, with her husband fighting for his life after the blaze.

‘Severely damaged’: how the US-Israel war on Iran is decoupling Gulf security

As confidence in America’s defence guarantee erodes, Gulf states are now weighing a more multifaceted strategy, analysts say.

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

The decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

Iranian women footballers return home after withdrawing Australia asylum bids

Concerns over their safety surfaced when several players were called ‘wartime traitors’ for failing to sing the national anthem at a match.

Iran vows revenge for security chief Larijani’s killing as Israel hunts leader

Tehran’s ‘right-hand man’ dies in air strike as Israeli military spokesman issues warning for Mojtaba Khamenei.

‘I’m not a spy’: Frenchman jailed for 10 years in Azerbaijan

Prosecutors say Martin Ryan passed on secrets about Azerbaijan, as well as Russian and Chinese firms, to the French security service.

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

Transits fell to zero on Saturday but vessels have clustered outside corridor, signalling expectations of reopening, analytics firm says.

Letters | US has succeeded in plunging Middle East into dangerous conflict

Readers discuss the Middle East situation, helping young Hongkongers meet the AI challenge, and Hong Kong as an international city.

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

Israel may commit ‘new genocide’ in Lebanon with Iran as pretext, Turkey warns

Lebanon was dragged into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Video | Pakistan talks aim to end Middle East fighting

Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources