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Middle East
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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Illustration: Henry Wong
US, Israel war on Iran

Why the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation isn’t Nato for Iran

Central Asian members in particular see bloc’s main value as preserving their sovereignty rather than enabling collective military action.

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Artificial intelligence

Asia faces ‘costly paradox’ over divergent AI rules in US and EU

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US, Israel war on Iran

Outside In | How Trump’s war on Iran is jeopardising Asia’s remittance lifeline

War and conflict

Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

UN documentation of alleged abuses sparks furious denials from both nations.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has faced fierce diplomatic pushback from both Israel and Russia. Photo: Reuters
Gold in Hong Kong

World Gold Council says diversification driving China’s growing reserves

China’s gold reserves have grown for 18 straight months, country’s central bank says.

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Bonds

China’s first green bond sale in Hong Kong aims to raise US$886 million

Country looking to issue offshore sovereign green bonds and tap global capital to invest in green development.

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South Korea

‘Transitory euphoria’: South Korea’s strong economic outlook masks key hurdles

The surge in demand for semiconductors is cyclical, while other sectors in the country are lagging, analysts say.

Containers awaiting export stacked at a pier in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The Bank of Korea has raised the country’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.6 per cent. Photo: EPA
Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu orders Israeli military to seize 70% of Gaza, expanding control

Israel effectively controls an estimated 64 per cent of the tiny coastal strip, bombarded to ruins by war.

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Diplomacy

Editorial | PM Sharif’s visit reaffirms China-Pakistan ‘iron brother’ relationship

The visit reinforced the two nations’ commitment to international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes and a multipolar world.

Lebanon

Israel launches deadly strike near Beirut as it widens offensive in Lebanon

Escalating hostilities in Lebanon strain a fragile ceasefire ahead of crucial negotiations in Washington.

The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

US boasts viable Iran deal: no nuclear weapons, Hormuz open. Will Trump agree?

US president said to be weighing proposed deal as fragile ceasefire holds after renewed strikes and Iranian retaliation.

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A man waves an Iranian flag in Tehran’s Valiasr Square as uncertainty surrounds a proposed peace deal. Photo: EPA
Diplomacy

Opinion | 3 paths to stability in a conflict-ridden world

History moves in cycles, and today’s turbulence will settle into a new order. Will the US reassert dominance, China emerge as the leader, or will we see a world with two centres?

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports surge 43% in April, driven by strong demand for AI electronics

Figure follows earlier five-year high of 35.8% growth in March, but government remains cautious and says Middle East war could cloud outlook.

US, Israel war on Iran

Gold continues decline as inflation fears outweigh hope of end to Iran war

The metal is down nearly 20 per cent from its all-time high in January as investors focus on the Federal Reserve’s plans to combat inflation.

A salesman presents gold bars at a jewellery shop inside the Gold Market at the Old Souk in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 13. Photo: EPA
War and conflict

Israel declares new swathe of Lebanon ‘a combat zone’, imperilling ceasefire

Israel extends combat zone north in the first such sweeping warning since the April 16 ceasefire.

An Israeli military artillery unit drives into Lebanon after crossing the Israeli‑Lebanese border. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Israel’s Lebanon strikes challenge Trump’s Iran talks amid Hezbollah’s defiance

Israel’s offensive aimed at weakening the group complicates US-Iran peace efforts, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, US reach outline ceasefire deal after latest air strikes: report

US military downs five drones and hits a ground station, triggering Iranian retaliation.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump appears to threaten to ‘blow up’ Oman, after question on Iran and Hormuz

Asked if he would accept a deal to allow Iran and US ally Oman to control the strait, Trump said the Gulf state must ‘behave’.

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US President Donald Trump points his finger during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Stamp of approval sought on HK$4.6 billion lifeline for struggling Hongkong Post

Government-owned postal service provider has recorded eight consecutive annual deficits, accumulating nearly HK$2.9 billion in losses.

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Drones

South Korea aims to join top tier of ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone race

Planned indigenous engine for the most complex UAV technology to support crewed fighter jets ‘a deliberate bid’ by Seoul.

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Israel-Gaza war

Israel says it killed Hamas’ new armed wing chief in Gaza strike

Mohammad Odeh eliminated after his predecessor was killed in a similar attack this month.

Mohammad Odeh and his family's funeral took place Wednesday in Gaza City, with hundreds of mourners in attendance. Photo: APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
China food security

China hog prices, near decade low, seen squeezing profits amid deflation risks

Ministry data reveals nine-month slump in breeding stocks while top-listed companies face big financial hits as rising fuel and grain costs erode margins.

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A pig is seen in China’s Hunan province. The price of live pigs in the country remains near a decade low. Photo: SCMP
War and conflict

Israel pounds Lebanon with heaviest bombing in weeks, expands ground operations

Strikes kill and wound dozens as Israeli forces push beyond the ‘Yellow Line’ in southern Lebanon.

US-China relations

China’s Wang Yi tells UN multilateralism must be protected in swipe at US

Beijing’s top diplomat says ‘world peace and security are in great jeopardy’ and that UN Charter should be safeguarded at all costs.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran restores partial internet access after record months-long blackout

The shutdown was imposed after US and Israeli air strikes on Iranian leaders and infrastructure began in February.

A woman wears a mask featuring a Wi-Fi symbol to protest against internet censorship in Iran during a demonstration in Frankfurt on May 16. Photo: dpa
Israel-Gaza war

West Bank settlers steal Palestinian family’s sheep herd ahead of Eid festival

About 4,000 head of livestock have been stolen by settlers since the start of 2026, according to Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture.

A displaced Palestinian tends to his livestock in a tent sheltering animals in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Tanker hit by explosion near Hormuz hours after US strikes on Iran

The incident, in the Gulf of Oman about 60 nautical miles east of Muscat, was an ‘external explosion’, UKMTO said.

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Hong Kong economy

CLP Power to raise electricity price for third straight month in June

Hong Kong’s main power supplier increased its fuel cost charge to 42.6 HK cents per unit of electricity, up 5.4 per cent from May.

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