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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on United Arab Emirates (UAE). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Head of State

President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Rouble Nagi, known for her slum learning centres and murals, won the US$1 million Global Teacher Prize in Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Handout

India

Indian activist wins US$1 million prize for transforming slum schools through art

Rouble Nagi wins the 2026 Global Teacher Prize for opening 800 slum centres and using art to provide free education across India.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:50PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong property back as a top choice for foreign investors, study says

5 Feb 2026 - 11:26AM

IPO

Morgan Stanley sees another record year for Hong Kong IPOs as pipeline hits 450

5 Feb 2026 - 7:35AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia wrap ‘productive’ first day of US-backed peace talks

The negotiations in Abu Dhabi focused on Moscow’s territorial demands and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

5 Feb 2026 - 4:18AM

Flames are seen at an apartment building following a Russian air attack in Kyiv early on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Iran

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

4 Feb 2026 - 10:11PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine left freezing as Russia bombs energy grid before peace talks

Largest barrage of the year hits Kyiv and Kharkiv, damaging power plants. Zelensky says Moscow chose terror over diplomacy as talks loom.

3 Feb 2026 - 6:02PM

Ukraine war

Russian drone strike on bus in Ukraine kills 12 miners as more peace talks loom

Ukraine’s first deputy PM condemns ‘targeted’ attack on energy workers as Zelensky says next trilateral peace talks to be February 4-5.

2 Feb 2026 - 9:53AM

A bus that was hit by a Russian drone in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine. Photo: Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office via AP

China-Africa relations

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Ras Al Khaimah turns to Hong Kong to promote landmark UAE resort

Delegation promotes resort development – the UAE’s first casino project – to be operated under the brand of Hong Kong-listed Wynn Resorts.

30 Jan 2026 - 8:04PM

International Property

Ras Al Khaimah eyes Chinese, Hong Kong investors as UAE-China ties deepen

The emirate aims to more than double tourist arrivals by 2030 and is pitching opportunities in property, green and digital projects.

28 Jan 2026 - 6:06PM

Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli, RAK Properties CEO Sameh Muhtadi and Ras Al Khaimah ruler’s advisor Alma Au Yeung pose for pictures during a delegation visit in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Highlights

Okinawa loses longevity crown, Malaysian athlete threatened: 7 Asia highlights

From longevity in Japan’s Okinawa to proxy wars in Middle East, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

27 Jan 2026 - 3:27PM

Japanese women in Okinawa show off vegetables freshly picked from their garden. Photo: Getty Images

US-Iran tensions

US aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East amid Iran tensions

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out a military intervention as the US ‘armada’ reaches the region.

27 Jan 2026 - 12:24PM

India

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

A potential defence partnership agreement between India and the UAE has fuelled speculation of more rival blocs emerging in the region.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:28PMvideocam

Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Yemeni separatists wave South Yemen and UAE flags during a protest against Saudi Arabia in Aden on December 30. Photo: EPA

Ukraine war

US-brokered Ukraine peace talks end with no deal, as Russian strikes continue

More talks are expected, however, with a US official saying ‘I don’t think we’re so far away’ from a Putin-Zelensky meeting.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:31AM

A Ukrainian serviceman stands next to a truck equipped with a machine gun during an air raid alert in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

Why Thailand, a US treaty ally, is stocking up on Chinese weapons

Bangkok’s recent purchases of Chinese military hardware include tanks, missiles and ships, while a submarine deal is back on track.

24 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

Ukraine war

‘Cynical’: Russia hits Ukraine in huge strike as negotiators try to end war

Ukraine’s foreign minister says Putin’s missiles ‘hit not only our people, but also the negotiation table’.

24 Jan 2026 - 8:14PMvideocam

US-China relations

Who are the owners of the new TikTok US entity?

Private equity firms, tech giants and existing ByteDance backers make up the investor group behind the newly created US venture.

24 Jan 2026 - 7:09AMvideocam

A new investor-backed US entity will operate TikTok’s American business following years of political and legal uncertainty. Photo: Kyodo

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine sit for tense talks on thorny territorial issue

The Abu Dhabi negotiations are the first trilateral meetings involving Ukrainian and Russian envoys and US mediators since the war began.

24 Jan 2026 - 6:02AM

Hong Kong transport

Air travellers are being urged to ditch power banks. Here’s why

Hong Kong tour operator says it has asked its clients to bring charging cables instead.

23 Jan 2026 - 8:43PM

Ukraine war

Putin meets US envoys for midnight talks as Ukraine hinges on key issue

US, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators to meet in UAE for security talks as territory remains a sticking point.

23 Jan 2026 - 8:08PM

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters

South Korea

Dubai chewy cookie: K-pop post sparks viral South Korean snack frenzy

South Korea’s highly interconnected culture has fuelled a series of viral food crazes, the latest being a chocolate-loaded cookie known locally as ‘dujjonku’.

23 Jan 2026 - 2:59PMvideocam

“Dubai-style” chewy chocolate cookies have taken off in Seoul, South Korea, drawing long lines. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Trump sends message to Putin ‘war has to end’ after ‘good’ meeting with Zelensky

Trump’s comments come after crucial Davos talks with Ukraine’s leader, as peace efforts intensify amid fresh strikes and high-stakes diplomacy.

22 Jan 2026 - 11:03PM

Middle East

Yemen’s leaders meet in Saudi Arabia after defeat of UAE-backed group

Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of smuggling an opposing leader to Abu Dhabi through Somalia, after the Saudi-backed government charged him with treason.

18 Jan 2026 - 11:53PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel objects to composition of Trump-led Gaza ‘board of peace’

PM Netanyahu says the unveiling of the board was not coordinated with Israel and contradicted his government’s policy.

18 Jan 2026 - 2:05AM

Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war in Gaza City on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Brics

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

The first naval exercises under the ‘Brics plus’ banner saw Brazil, Egypt, China, Russia and South Africa take part. India did not.

17 Jan 2026 - 12:00PM

A Russian corvette ship is seen near Cape Town, South Africa, on January 9. The Will For Peace exercise brings together navies from Brics-plus countries. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong passport ranks 15th globally, rising 3 places in visa-free access index

Hongkongers improve in travel mobility, with visa-free access to 171 destinations, but still trail leader Singapore, as well as Japan and South Korea.

17 Jan 2026 - 1:31AM

Pakistan

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

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