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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

China’s military mouthpiece said AI-driven warfare was at a “turning point”. Image: Shutterstock

Artificial intelligence

Iran war shows ‘strategic value’ of AI for China’s military, PLA Daily says

Commentary calls it ‘inevitable’ and necessary for PLA to embrace artificial intelligence to gain the advantage in future warfare.

4 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 3 weeks

6 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

23 Apr 2026 - 4:28PM

Middle East

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

23 Apr 2026 - 3:41PM

Destroyed houses in the southern Lebanon village of Beit Lif. Photo: Xinhua

Malaysia

US intercepts Iranian tankers near India, Malaysia amid Hormuz tensions

The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway.

23 Apr 2026 - 10:27AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran latest: Trump has ‘no time frame’ to end war as world waits for peace talks

Iranian president says blockade, threats ‘main obstacles’ to negotiations; and Iran reopens its airspace with some China flights to resume.

23 Apr 2026 - 12:18PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

Given cybersecurity risks in critical software, Mythos has sparked debate about whether its capabilities should be shared with China.

22 Apr 2026 - 4:16PM

Donald Trump

Video | Trump reads Bible days after Jesus image controversy

The US president has faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing a meme in which he appears as a Jesus-like healer.

22 Apr 2026 - 3:19PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

22 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

The incidents are among several that have occurred since a 10-day Lebanon ceasefire came into effect last Thursday.

22 Apr 2026 - 3:10PM

Coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire are carried on a truck past mourners during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Taiwan

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Taiwanese military tanks are stationed along a roadside on Beigan Island, Matsu archipelago, on March 16, amid combat readiness drills. Photo: Reuters

Pacific nations

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Pacific nations are the most reliant on diesel for power generation worldwide. They imported about 2.2 million tonnes of fuel in 2025.

22 Apr 2026 - 9:37AM

China shipbuilding

The Iran war’s unlikely winner: China’s shipyards

China already dominates global shipbuilding orders – and the Strait of Hormuz crisis appears to be boosting demand.

22 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

China-Asean relations

Exclusive | China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

Jaime FlorCruz says both sides want stable ties, but closer economic relations must not be used as ‘leverage’ in the South China Sea dispute.

22 Apr 2026 - 11:44AMvideocam

Jaime FlorCruz said relations should be “stable and predictable”. Photo: Handout

Lebanon

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

Both the soldier who smashed the sculpture with a sledgehammer and the one who photographed the act will receive military detention.

22 Apr 2026 - 1:28PM

An Israeli soldier damages the head of a statue of Jesus, in Debel, Lebanon. Photo: Social media 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.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:24PMvideocam

Singapore

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

Together, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the world’s busiest corridor for crude oil and petroleum liquids by volume.

21 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

China stock market

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

Resilience shown since start of Middle East war likely to continue amid haven demand, according to fund managers and investment banks.

21 Apr 2026 - 1:15PM

People walk near a screen showing stock exchange and economic data in Shanghai on April 20, 2026. Photo: EPA

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’.

21 Apr 2026 - 4:03PMvideocam

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.

21 Apr 2026 - 7:41PM

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke to the Saudi crown prince on Monday. Photo: Reuters

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, Philippines trust Japan. But Indonesia’s more cautious

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

22 Apr 2026 - 9:48AMvideocam

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

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Israel

Iran war shows ‘strategic value’ of AI for China’s military, PLA Daily says

Commentary calls it ‘inevitable’ and necessary for PLA to embrace artificial intelligence to gain the advantage in future warfare.

Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to extend ceasefire by 3 weeks

How Iran responded to Trump’s claimed role in saving 8 women from execution

Lebanon to confront Israel over demolition of homes since ceasefire

Lebanese officials plan to raise the issue of widespread demolitions at a new round of talks Thursday in Washington.

US intercepts Iranian tankers near India, Malaysia amid Hormuz tensions

The vessels were ordered to move away from their positions as Washington and Tehran intensify their stand-off over the waterway.

Iran latest: Trump has ‘no time frame’ to end war as world waits for peace talks

Iranian president says blockade, threats ‘main obstacles’ to negotiations; and Iran reopens its airspace with some China flights to resume.

Anthropic’s Mythos is stoking cybersecurity fears. What does it mean for China?

Given cybersecurity risks in critical software, Mythos has sparked debate about whether its capabilities should be shared with China.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Trump reads Bible days after Jesus image controversy

The US president has faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing a meme in which he appears as a Jesus-like healer.

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

The incidents are among several that have occurred since a 10-day Lebanon ceasefire came into effect last Thursday.

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

Pacific Islanders skip food, medicine amid global fuel shortage from Iran war

Pacific nations are the most reliant on diesel for power generation worldwide. They imported about 2.2 million tonnes of fuel in 2025.

The Iran war’s unlikely winner: China’s shipyards

China already dominates global shipbuilding orders – and the Strait of Hormuz crisis appears to be boosting demand.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador

Jaime FlorCruz says both sides want stable ties, but closer economic relations must not be used as ‘leverage’ in the South China Sea dispute.

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

Both the soldier who smashed the sculpture with a sledgehammer and the one who photographed the act will receive military detention.

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

Together, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the world’s busiest corridor for crude oil and petroleum liquids by volume.

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

Resilience shown since start of Middle East war likely to continue amid haven demand, according to fund managers and investment banks.

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, Philippines trust Japan. But Indonesia’s more cautious

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.

Video | Trump reads Bible days after Jesus image controversy

Exclusive | China and Philippines taking ‘baby steps’ towards better relations: ambassador