TOPIC

/ location

Turkey

Latest news and updates on the country which straddles both Europe and Asia.

Capital

Ankara

Head of State

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Head of Government

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Dubai cityscape. The trade between Hong Kong and the Middle East accounted for 1.5 per cent of the city’s total trade volume. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong minister urges long-term view, says Middle East investment unaffected

Minister Algernon Yau urges businesses to avoid short-term thinking, says Hong Kong entrepreneurs are discerning in assessing opportunities.

5 hours ago

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

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

17 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce

President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.

17 Apr 2026 - 7:49PMvideocam

Members of the UN Security Council attend a meeting at the UN headquarters on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Crime

Turkey reels as 9 die in second school shooting in as many days

A 14-year-old student armed with five guns opened fire in Kahramanmaras, just one day after a similar attack in Sanliurfa.

16 Apr 2026 - 1:53PM

Pakistan

Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume

A senior official involved in Islamabad’s diplomacy says it is trying to defuse the crisis ‘in any way we can’.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

Crime

Gunman at Turkey high school wounds 16 before killing himself

The attacker, a former student of the school, was born in 2007 and killed himself when ‘cornered by police’.

14 Apr 2026 - 7:30PM

Turkish security forces and emergency staff stand at the courtyard of a high school where an assailant opened fire, in Siverek, south east Turkey on Tuesday. Photo: via AP

Pakistan

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

11 Apr 2026 - 12:18PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran eyes China as Mideast security guarantor. Chinese analysts are not so sure

Comments from Iranian envoy to Beijing come hours after Trump’s two-week suspension of bombing campaign.

9 Apr 2026 - 6:10AMvideocam

Middle East

1 dead after gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

The two other assailants were captured with injuries.

7 Apr 2026 - 8:48PM

A police officer works at the scene, after gunfire was heard near the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

South Korea

South Korea aims to send ships to Saudi port for oil to bypass Hormuz

Special envoys will also sail to Oman and Algeria to try to secure oil via other routes, said lawmaker Ahn Do-geol.

6 Apr 2026 - 6:01PMvideocam

Cargo ships near the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Photo: Reuters

Commodities

Gold may reverse course once Iran war ends, Fed adopts policy easing

Gold has been on a wild ride this year, surging as much as 25 per cent before the war in Iran wiped out almost all the gains.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:50AM

Hungary

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:46PM

Serbian military police block a road after explosives were discovered near the international gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary. Photo: Serbia’s Ministry of Defence via EPA

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Firefighters work at a market hit by a Russian drone strike in Nikopol, Ukraine, on Saturday. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Pakistan

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

1 Apr 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

1 Apr 2026 - 6:33PM

US, Israel war on Iran

China, Pakistan launch five-point plan to ease Iran crisis, push ceasefire

Beijing backs Islamabad’s mediation push as both call for truce, Hormuz reopening and talks to restore regional stability.

1 Apr 2026 - 2:40AMvideocam

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (left) meets his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on January 4. Dar is visiting China again this week – his second trip to the country in three months. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

Video | Pakistan talks aim to end Middle East fighting

Top diplomats from key regional powers gathered in Islamabad on March 29 to discuss how to end the fighting in the Middle East.

30 Mar 2026 - 1:34PM

Pakistan

Regional diplomats gather in Pakistan for talks to end Iran war

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were taking part in the talks as the US kept up strikes on Iran.

30 Mar 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

Iran

As tensions rise, Middle Eastern money and travellers pivot to Hong Kong

Wealthy Gulf visitors are extending their stays in Hong Kong as investors from the region look to hedge risk and tap Asian markets.

29 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM

More Middle Eastern travellers are staying in Hong Kong’s hotels for longer, say hoteliers, in part driven by the US-Israel war on Iran. Photo: Jelly Tse

Israel-Iran conflict

1 month, 2 straits, more strikes: how long will the US-Israeli war on Iran last?

With Houthi rebels entering the fray, the next maritime choke point at risk could be the Bab el-Mandeb.

28 Mar 2026 - 10:31PMvideocam

Houthis brandish their weapons as they rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Friday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel launches strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

Israeli jets hit Tehran’s missile hubs while more US troops head to the Middle East.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:45PMvideocam

Malaysia

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

27 Mar 2026 - 4:49PMvideocam

Malaysia

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:21PMvideocam

Anwar in a televised address thanked Iran’s president for allowing the passage of Malaysian ships. Photo: dpa

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Turkiye Is Bankasi eyes corporate-focused Hong Kong branch, citing the city’s hub role, to complete its China coverage, sources say.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:32AM

The bank is awaiting clearance from Turkish authorities before formally approaching the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for a banking licence, sources said. Photo: Shutterstock

Banking & finance

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran gave the US gift ‘worth a tremendous amount of money’

US president claims Tehran offered an ‘oil and gas related’ gift and that it was a sign talks are happening with ‘the right people’.

25 Mar 2026 - 12:49PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Turkey

Hong Kong minister urges long-term view, says Middle East investment unaffected

Minister Algernon Yau urges businesses to avoid short-term thinking, says Hong Kong entrepreneurs are discerning in assessing opportunities.

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

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

‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce

President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.

Turkey reels as 9 die in second school shooting in as many days

A 14-year-old student armed with five guns opened fire in Kahramanmaras, just one day after a similar attack in Sanliurfa.

Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume

A senior official involved in Islamabad’s diplomacy says it is trying to defuse the crisis ‘in any way we can’.

Gunman at Turkey high school wounds 16 before killing himself

The attacker, a former student of the school, was born in 2007 and killed himself when ‘cornered by police’.

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

Iran eyes China as Mideast security guarantor. Chinese analysts are not so sure

Comments from Iranian envoy to Beijing come hours after Trump’s two-week suspension of bombing campaign.

1 dead after gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

The two other assailants were captured with injuries.

South Korea aims to send ships to Saudi port for oil to bypass Hormuz

Special envoys will also sail to Oman and Algeria to try to secure oil via other routes, said lawmaker Ahn Do-geol.

Gold may reverse course once Iran war ends, Fed adopts policy easing

Gold has been on a wild ride this year, surging as much as 25 per cent before the war in Iran wiped out almost all the gains.

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

China, Pakistan launch five-point plan to ease Iran crisis, push ceasefire

Beijing backs Islamabad’s mediation push as both call for truce, Hormuz reopening and talks to restore regional stability.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Pakistan talks aim to end Middle East fighting

Top diplomats from key regional powers gathered in Islamabad on March 29 to discuss how to end the fighting in the Middle East.

Regional diplomats gather in Pakistan for talks to end Iran war

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were taking part in the talks as the US kept up strikes on Iran.

As tensions rise, Middle Eastern money and travellers pivot to Hong Kong

Wealthy Gulf visitors are extending their stays in Hong Kong as investors from the region look to hedge risk and tap Asian markets.

1 month, 2 straits, more strikes: how long will the US-Israeli war on Iran last?

With Houthi rebels entering the fray, the next maritime choke point at risk could be the Bab el-Mandeb.

Israel launches strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

Israeli jets hit Tehran’s missile hubs while more US troops head to the Middle East.

Iran crisis bites into Malaysia’s supply chain as fuel subsidy cap falls

The quota cut for subsidised petrol reflects how the distant war is affecting Malaysia, with the food industry also sounding the alarm.

Iran to allow Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait of Hormuz: Anwar

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim said he talked with Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources

Turkiye Is Bankasi eyes corporate-focused Hong Kong branch, citing the city’s hub role, to complete its China coverage, sources say.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Trump says Iran gave the US gift ‘worth a tremendous amount of money’

US president claims Tehran offered an ‘oil and gas related’ gift and that it was a sign talks are happening with ‘the right people’.

Video | Pakistan talks aim to end Middle East fighting

Exclusive | Turkish private bank plans Hong Kong entry amid Middle East tensions: sources