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Israel

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Israel. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Jerusalem

Head of State

President Isaac Herzog

Head of Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

People inspect the site of an American-Israeli air strike on a police station in Tehran, Iran, on March 3. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

ICBMs

China urges US ‘sincerity’ on Iran, warns of Japan’s nuclear ambitions

Beijing also outlines progress in disarmament and its long-standing policies in first such report since 2021.

37 minutes agovideocam

Singapore

Strait talking: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unite to secure safe shipping

2 hours agovideocam

China stock market

Outlook for China stocks brightens on capital flows, rebounding home prices

5 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran warn they are ready for war as clock ticks on ceasefire end

As talks remain in limbo, a key Iranian figure says the Islamic Republic is ready to ‘show new cards on the battlefield’.

2 hours agovideocam

A national flag of Iran hangs from a building in Tehran that was damaged by US-Israeli attacks. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

Defying Hezbollah, Lebanon’s president seeks end to hostilities with Israel talks

Ambassadors are set to meet in Washington on Thursday as President Aoun hopes to ‘save Lebanon’ amid a fragile ceasefire.

3 hours ago

China-Middle East relations

Xi Jinping says Strait of Hormuz should be open in call with Saudi crown prince

Chinese leader says there must be an ‘immediate and comprehensive ceasefire’ and backs diplomatic solution to crisis.

21 Apr 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran talks in the air as high-seas ship seizure reignites Hormuz tensions

Pakistan scrambles to save talks in Islamabad following the US military’s seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:57PMvideocam

Touska, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, as the USS Spruance conducts its interception. Photo: CENTCOM via Reuters

China trade

China presses IMF for quota reform, better surveillance of advanced economies

PBOC head urges IMF to ‘stand against protectionism’ amid effects from tariffs, Iran war.

20 Apr 2026 - 5:05PM

Malaysia

Delays, rising costs hit Asia’s trade as Gulf crisis spills beyond oil

Port congestion has resulted in longer vessel queues and mounting scheduling pressure, forcing Malaysian operators to tighten access.

20 Apr 2026 - 5:35PM

China energy security

China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Hormuz crisis hits energy flows

But increased shipments from Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia help to partially offset the shortfall, official data shows.

20 Apr 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm, an island in Iran, on April 18. Photo: AP

Japan

Vietnam and Philippines trust Japan. Why doesn’t Indonesia?

Analysts say Indonesia worries about its neutrality as Tokyo ramps up ties with the US and lags behind China on green investment.

20 Apr 2026 - 3:02PMvideocam

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump share a glance during remarks at White House dinner on March 19. Photo: Kyodo

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

20 Apr 2026 - 8:36PM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong reasserts role as safe haven in global finance amid Iran conflict

The city’s safe-harbour appeal for capital and investments grows as China’s support strengthens its edge while Dubai faces pressure.

20 Apr 2026 - 10:47AM

Banking & finance

Cash holdings rise amid war, but Asia remains key for wealthy: Schroders CEO

High-net-worth clients continue to seek opportunities in Asia, taking a longer-term view despite global uncertainties, Richard Oldfield says.

20 Apr 2026 - 7:30AM

Schroders Group CEO Richard Oldfield at the company’s Hong Kong office in Admiralty on April 15. Photo: Eugene Lee

Middle East

Israel entrenches hold on south Lebanon, vows to counter threats with ‘full force’

Israel’s military unveils a map of its new southern ‘forward defence line’, days after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect.

20 Apr 2026 - 6:54PM

Residents inspect damage at buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Jibchit, southern Lebanon. Photo: AP

Britain

UK police arrest 2 in connection with arson attack on synagogue in London

With 15 arrests so far, police are investigating possible cooperation between local ‘thugs for hire’ and a shadowy proxy group.

20 Apr 2026 - 5:29PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong real estate gains as Middle East tensions rattle Dubai market

Early signs of capital inflows and tenant movement emerge as Dubai property softens and investors rethink regional bets.

20 Apr 2026 - 2:04PM

Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

18 Apr 2026 - 11:42PMvideocam

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

18 Apr 2026 - 3:05PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:20PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

18 Apr 2026 - 7:47AMvideocam

A drone view shows the Malta-flagged tanker Agios Fanourios I, an oil tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, arriving in Iraq’s territorial waters off Basra, Iraq, on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli attacks killed over 38,000 women, girls in Gaza since October 2023: UN

About 11,000 women and girls survived the war with injuries that will result in lifelong disabilities.

17 Apr 2026 - 9:42PMvideocam

Palestinian women and girls elbow their way to receive cooked rice from a charity kitchen in Gaza City. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

17 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:44PM

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:24PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks with American streamer Sneako on a wide range of issues in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: Kick/Sneako

US, Israel war on Iran

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

17 Apr 2026 - 12:26PMvideocam

Some 34 per cent of the global oil trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz last year. Photo: Reuters

United States

Video | Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire

Pause may ease tensions with Iran, with Trump eyeing White House talks, though doubts linger over prospects for a lasting peace deal.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

China food security

‘Sharp swings’: why China is warning of food security risks despite bumper crops

The country has ample grain supplies but could still face challenges if extreme weather or global conflict spark global shortages, Beijing says.

17 Apr 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

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Israel

China urges US ‘sincerity’ on Iran, warns of Japan’s nuclear ambitions

Beijing also outlines progress in disarmament and its long-standing policies in first such report since 2021.

Strait talking: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unite to secure safe shipping

Outlook for China stocks brightens on capital flows, rebounding home prices

US and Iran warn they are ready for war as clock ticks on ceasefire end

As talks remain in limbo, a key Iranian figure says the Islamic Republic is ready to ‘show new cards on the battlefield’.

Defying Hezbollah, Lebanon’s president seeks end to hostilities with Israel talks

Ambassadors are set to meet in Washington on Thursday as President Aoun hopes to ‘save Lebanon’ amid a fragile ceasefire.

Xi Jinping says Strait of Hormuz should be open in call with Saudi crown prince

Chinese leader says there must be an ‘immediate and comprehensive ceasefire’ and backs diplomatic solution to crisis.

US-Iran talks in the air as high-seas ship seizure reignites Hormuz tensions

Pakistan scrambles to save talks in Islamabad following the US military’s seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel.

China presses IMF for quota reform, better surveillance of advanced economies

PBOC head urges IMF to ‘stand against protectionism’ amid effects from tariffs, Iran war.

Delays, rising costs hit Asia’s trade as Gulf crisis spills beyond oil

Port congestion has resulted in longer vessel queues and mounting scheduling pressure, forcing Malaysian operators to tighten access.

China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Hormuz crisis hits energy flows

But increased shipments from Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia help to partially offset the shortfall, official data shows.

Vietnam and Philippines trust Japan. Why doesn’t Indonesia?

Analysts say Indonesia worries about its neutrality as Tokyo ramps up ties with the US and lags behind China on green investment.

Iran war escalates as Houthis threaten to sever Saudi oil exports

Targets reportedly include a Saudi pipeline to the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and a UAE export terminal at Fujairah, outside the Gulf.

Hong Kong reasserts role as safe haven in global finance amid Iran conflict

The city’s safe-harbour appeal for capital and investments grows as China’s support strengthens its edge while Dubai faces pressure.

Cash holdings rise amid war, but Asia remains key for wealthy: Schroders CEO

High-net-worth clients continue to seek opportunities in Asia, taking a longer-term view despite global uncertainties, Richard Oldfield says.

Israel entrenches hold on south Lebanon, vows to counter threats with ‘full force’

Israel’s military unveils a map of its new southern ‘forward defence line’, days after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect.

UK police arrest 2 in connection with arson attack on synagogue in London

With 15 arrests so far, police are investigating possible cooperation between local ‘thugs for hire’ and a shadowy proxy group.

Hong Kong real estate gains as Middle East tensions rattle Dubai market

Early signs of capital inflows and tenant movement emerge as Dubai property softens and investors rethink regional bets.

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

Iranians fear ‘pressure will 100% increase’ after US, Israeli strikes stop

Iranians are worried that an agreement with the US will free the regime to return to asserting control over its people.

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US’ Iran blockade remains amid questions over enforcement and China’s role, as Trump claims to have ended 10 wars.

Israeli attacks killed over 38,000 women, girls in Gaza since October 2023: UN

About 11,000 women and girls survived the war with injuries that will result in lifelong disabilities.

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

Cathay Pacific, HK Express passenger counts rise despite impact of Mideast war

Group attributes growth to spate of mega-events in city, such as Art Basel and Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

Europe tests ‘third way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will it work?

Coalition of more than 30 nations to meet in Paris for a summit to find a ‘credible proposal’ to restore shipping through the strait.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire

Pause may ease tensions with Iran, with Trump eyeing White House talks, though doubts linger over prospects for a lasting peace deal.

‘Sharp swings’: why China is warning of food security risks despite bumper crops

The country has ample grain supplies but could still face challenges if extreme weather or global conflict spark global shortages, Beijing says.

Video | Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire