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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

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

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

US, Israel war on Iran

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

18 Apr 2026 - 3:05PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

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

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

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

A Cathay Pacific Airways plane approaches Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Eugene Lee

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

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

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

Trump announces Israel and Lebanon agreement to 10-day ceasefire

02:30

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

A worker sorts imported soybeans at a processing company in Binzhou, China, on March 6, 2025. Photo: Getty Images

North Korea

Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran

Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel and Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire as US pushes broader deal

A pause in fighting may help ease tensions with Iran, as Trump eyes a White House meeting between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon.

17 Apr 2026 - 5:25PM

China GDP

China’s economic boom masks Iran war slowdown

Growth in China accelerated in the first quarter of the year as a January-February surge offset a slower March following the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.

16 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

China retail sales missed expectations in March. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Fact-Check | This video of ‘Iran capturing US pilot’ was filmed in Pakistan

The conflict in the Middle East has led to videos being shared out of context by social media users.

16 Apr 2026 - 3:20PM

A screenshot showing scenes from a video falsely claiming to show a US pilot captured by Iran, with lines drawn through by the SCMP. Photo: Handout/SCMP

US, Israel war on Iran

Lebanon’s president refuses talks with Israel amid Trump’s peace push

The Lebanese leader said Beirut’s position is that a ceasefire should ⁠precede negotiations.

16 Apr 2026 - 11:17PM

United States

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

16 Apr 2026 - 2:12PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid escalating feud with pope

US president doubles down on religious imagery as his administration clashes with Pope Leo over the Iran war.

16 Apr 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has feuded with Pope Leo over the Iran war. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire: senior official

Senior Hezbollah official Ibrahim al-Moussawi says diplomatic efforts by Iran and other regional states could produce a ceasefire soon.

16 Apr 2026 - 12:14AM

China GDP

Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts

Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold.

16 Apr 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance arrives for talks about Iran with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11. Photo: AP

China-Russia relations

Strong China-Russia ties are stabilising force in ‘turbulent’ world: Xi Jinping

In Beijing, Chinese president tells Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ‘both sides should maintain strategic resolve’.

15 Apr 2026 - 8:35PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

Mossad says Israel will keep trying to topple Iran’s government

Mossad chief David Barnea vows continued covert operations until the ‘extremist regime is replaced’.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:00PM

Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong is the perfect complement to Dubai, not a replacement

Readers discuss the possibility of the wealthy migrating to Hong Kong from the United Arab Emirates, and the Hong Kong government’s response to war’s disruptions.

15 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Donald Trump

King Charles to charm Trump on state visit overshadowed by US-UK rift

The British king’s first US state visit later this month takes on far greater significance amid tensions between Trump and Starmer.

15 Apr 2026 - 2:01PMvideocam

Britain’s King Charles hosted US President Donald Trump for a lavish state visit in September. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pose before talks in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

After ‘wonderful’ talks with Lebanon, Israel envoy says more dialogue coming

Sides commit to more engagement as Trump urges disarming Hezbollah, but analysts warn a durable Israel-Lebanon deal remains unlikely.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:46AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Will the next round of US-Iran talks bring peace or more confrontation?

Lack of mutual trust means a strategic miscalculation could trigger renewed conflict at any moment, analysts say.

14 Apr 2026 - 10:01PMvideocam

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Israel

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

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

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.

Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran

Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.

Israel and Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire as US pushes broader deal

A pause in fighting may help ease tensions with Iran, as Trump eyes a White House meeting between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon.

China’s economic boom masks Iran war slowdown

Growth in China accelerated in the first quarter of the year as a January-February surge offset a slower March following the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Fact-Check | This video of ‘Iran capturing US pilot’ was filmed in Pakistan

The conflict in the Middle East has led to videos being shared out of context by social media users.

Lebanon’s president refuses talks with Israel amid Trump’s peace push

The Lebanese leader said Beirut’s position is that a ceasefire should ⁠precede negotiations.

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid escalating feud with pope

US president doubles down on religious imagery as his administration clashes with Pope Leo over the Iran war.

Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire: senior official

Senior Hezbollah official Ibrahim al-Moussawi says diplomatic efforts by Iran and other regional states could produce a ceasefire soon.

Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts

Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold.

Strong China-Russia ties are stabilising force in ‘turbulent’ world: Xi Jinping

In Beijing, Chinese president tells Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ‘both sides should maintain strategic resolve’.

Mossad says Israel will keep trying to topple Iran’s government

Mossad chief David Barnea vows continued covert operations until the ‘extremist regime is replaced’.

Letters | Hong Kong is the perfect complement to Dubai, not a replacement

Readers discuss the possibility of the wealthy migrating to Hong Kong from the United Arab Emirates, and the Hong Kong government’s response to war’s disruptions.

King Charles to charm Trump on state visit overshadowed by US-UK rift

The British king’s first US state visit later this month takes on far greater significance amid tensions between Trump and Starmer.

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

After ‘wonderful’ talks with Lebanon, Israel envoy says more dialogue coming

Sides commit to more engagement as Trump urges disarming Hezbollah, but analysts warn a durable Israel-Lebanon deal remains unlikely.

Will the next round of US-Iran talks bring peace or more confrontation?

Lack of mutual trust means a strategic miscalculation could trigger renewed conflict at any moment, analysts say.

Video | Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire

Fact-Check | This video of ‘Iran capturing US pilot’ was filmed in Pakistan

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail