TOPIC

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on United Arab Emirates (UAE). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Head of State

President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Smoke rises behind the Azadi Tower in Tehran following a US-Israeli military strike on Iran in early March. Photo: ISNA/AP

US, Israel war on Iran

No victory, no defeat: Iran war pauses with a fragile freeze

Thousands dead, hundreds of billions lost and an agreement many analysts expect to collapse. The Iran ceasefire, explained.

16 Jun 2026 - 1:25PMvideocam

China energy security

Strait of Hormuz still eerily quiet as doubts remain over ‘fragile’ peace deal

15 Jun 2026 - 4:52PM

Business of climate change

Abu Dhabi to tap Chinese tech to scale up green economy, energy chief says

15 Jun 2026 - 8:03AM

China-Middle East relations

Why China is attracting wealthy Gulf families in search of opportunity

Growing interest in China’s tech sector is reshaping Gulf travel to the world’s second-largest economy.

14 Jun 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

In the winter of 2025, Lilian Liu, at Middle East-focused tour operator UFOX Travel, hosted a group of more than 40 students from a private high school in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UFOX Travel

Donald Trump

Trump to discuss Strait of Hormuz demining efforts at G7

Trump also plans to meet on the sideline of the summit with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and UAE to discuss efforts to wind down the Iran war.

14 Jun 2026 - 12:48AM

US, Israel war on Iran

India summons US diplomat again in rare display of anger over sailors’ killings

US military says the tanker ignored repeated warnings before being disabled for violating the Iran blockade.

12 Jun 2026 - 10:58PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

In latest about-face, Trump calls off ‘very hard’ attack on Iran

After warning of imminent military action, US president says an agreement may be days away in a repeat of claims made in recent weeks.

12 Jun 2026 - 9:13AM

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly predicted a breakthrough with Tehran, even as fighting persisted and negotiations faltered. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are drawing closer

As Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its financial partnerships and deepen engagement with China, Hong Kong’s offerings stand out.

9 Jun 2026 - 4:08AM

US, Israel war on Iran

How Iran war allows residents to indulge in opulence at Dubai’s luxury hotels

The lavish hotels, once exclusive to rich visitors, now attract locals with enticing staycation offers amid a tourism slump.

7 Jun 2026 - 11:49AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

Do China-Russia trade payment frictions show limits of de-dollarisation?

The threat of US sanctions is slowing cross-border payments as Chinese banks tighten compliance checks and route transactions through intermediaries.

5 Jun 2026 - 9:15PM

An employee counts Chinese 100 yuan banknotes at a branch of China Merchants Bank in Hefei, Anhui province. Photo: Reuters

Banking & finance

China sees revival of foreign investors through IPOs, convertibles: UBS

The trend is part of a broader recovery of interest in Chinese assets from investors overseas.

5 Jun 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

A terrace in Beijing’s central business district in China. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong courts

Editorial | New international commercial court will boost Hong Kong as a legal hub

Such tribunals are rapidly growing around the world. Hong Kong cannot afford to be left behind.

5 Jun 2026 - 7:15AM

Banking & finance

Macau taps into Project mBridge digital currency platform

Project mBridge is seen as part of Beijing’s push to establish alternatives to traditional, US-dollar-centric payment networks.

2 Jun 2026 - 6:08PM

China trade

‘Unsustainable’: firms face huge spike in shipping costs amid Hormuz crisis

Shipping lines say they have no choice but to pass on steep cost rises, as the Iran war sparks a fuel crisis that could last well into next year.

1 Jun 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

A container ship is moved into position at a port in China’s eastern Shandong province. Photo: AFP

India

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

31 May 2026 - 10:51AM

India’s BrahMos missile system (left) takes part in the country’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi last year. Photo: AFP

Middle East

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

In Gulf economies, lost migrant jobs and remittances risk plunging millions across Asia into crisis.

29 May 2026 - 4:30PM

Islamic State

Man jailed for 15 years over foiled Taylor Swift concert attack plot in Austria

Austrian court convicts 21-year-old over planned 2024 bombing that forced the cancellation of concerts.

29 May 2026 - 3:13PM

India

As Marco Rubio visits New Delhi, what could it mean for US-India ties?

The US secretary of state’s trip aims to mend bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, defence and Quad unity.

26 May 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during their meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US hits Iran with fresh strikes amid negotiations to end war

Marco Rubio insists a deal with Iran remains within reach after the US military claimed its attacks were in ‘self-defence’.

26 May 2026 - 9:34PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

26 May 2026 - 8:42AM

Pakistan

UAE deports Pakistani Shiites: jobs lost and savings frozen amid Iran war

Over one hundred deported Pakistanis said they were unable to retrieve their luggage or savings before being placed ‌on deportation flights.

25 May 2026 - 4:39PM

A Pakistani Shi’ite Muslim man, who was working as a building security officer in the UAE, speaks with reporters in his village after being deported along with many others following the US-Israeli war against Iran, in Chakwal, Pakistan on May 5. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong transport

Exclusive | Hong Kong airport set for volume shift after flights rejigged amid fuel crisis

Some airlines say they will operate all scheduled flights beyond June after initial consolidation efforts to offset higher jet fuel prices.

25 May 2026 - 1:41PM

According to data from analytics company Cirium, the aviation industry managed disruptions through capacity changes made months in advance rather than opting for last-minute cancellations. Photo: Elson Li

US, Israel war on Iran

Israel thrusts a reluctant UAE into the open over defence ties

Disclosures about Iron Dome batteries and secret meetings have exposed ties analysts say the UAE would rather handle ‘more discreetly’.

23 May 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

With Trump warning of renewed strikes, Pakistan’s army chief is expected in Tehran for ‘talks and consultations’.

22 May 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China breaks ground on Gulf aviation megaproject in shadow of Iran war

A state-owned firm has launched work on a massive aviation complex, signalling continued confidence amid regional conflict.

21 May 2026 - 7:00PM

China Railway Construction Corporation chairman Dai Hegen (third from right) and Emirates Airline and Group chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum (fourth from right) attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a major aviation complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

South Korea

What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza.

21 May 2026 - 5:18PM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog (right) attend a memorial service in Meitar, Israel, in January. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

20 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces ‘locked and loaded’

Vice-President J.D. Vance said US and Iran are working together positively; however, military campaign will restart if negotiations collapse.

20 May 2026 - 7:28AMvideocam

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

No victory, no defeat: Iran war pauses with a fragile freeze

Thousands dead, hundreds of billions lost and an agreement many analysts expect to collapse. The Iran ceasefire, explained.

Strait of Hormuz still eerily quiet as doubts remain over ‘fragile’ peace deal

Abu Dhabi to tap Chinese tech to scale up green economy, energy chief says

Why China is attracting wealthy Gulf families in search of opportunity

Growing interest in China’s tech sector is reshaping Gulf travel to the world’s second-largest economy.

Trump to discuss Strait of Hormuz demining efforts at G7

Trump also plans to meet on the sideline of the summit with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and UAE to discuss efforts to wind down the Iran war.

India summons US diplomat again in rare display of anger over sailors’ killings

US military says the tanker ignored repeated warnings before being disabled for violating the Iran blockade.

In latest about-face, Trump calls off ‘very hard’ attack on Iran

After warning of imminent military action, US president says an agreement may be days away in a repeat of claims made in recent weeks.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are drawing closer

As Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its financial partnerships and deepen engagement with China, Hong Kong’s offerings stand out.

How Iran war allows residents to indulge in opulence at Dubai’s luxury hotels

The lavish hotels, once exclusive to rich visitors, now attract locals with enticing staycation offers amid a tourism slump.

Do China-Russia trade payment frictions show limits of de-dollarisation?

The threat of US sanctions is slowing cross-border payments as Chinese banks tighten compliance checks and route transactions through intermediaries.

China sees revival of foreign investors through IPOs, convertibles: UBS

The trend is part of a broader recovery of interest in Chinese assets from investors overseas.

Editorial | New international commercial court will boost Hong Kong as a legal hub

Such tribunals are rapidly growing around the world. Hong Kong cannot afford to be left behind.

Macau taps into Project mBridge digital currency platform

Project mBridge is seen as part of Beijing’s push to establish alternatives to traditional, US-dollar-centric payment networks.

‘Unsustainable’: firms face huge spike in shipping costs amid Hormuz crisis

Shipping lines say they have no choice but to pass on steep cost rises, as the Iran war sparks a fuel crisis that could last well into next year.

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

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

In Gulf economies, lost migrant jobs and remittances risk plunging millions across Asia into crisis.

Man jailed for 15 years over foiled Taylor Swift concert attack plot in Austria

Austrian court convicts 21-year-old over planned 2024 bombing that forced the cancellation of concerts.

As Marco Rubio visits New Delhi, what could it mean for US-India ties?

The US secretary of state’s trip aims to mend bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, defence and Quad unity.

US hits Iran with fresh strikes amid negotiations to end war

Marco Rubio insists a deal with Iran remains within reach after the US military claimed its attacks were in ‘self-defence’.

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

UAE deports Pakistani Shiites: jobs lost and savings frozen amid Iran war

Over one hundred deported Pakistanis said they were unable to retrieve their luggage or savings before being placed ‌on deportation flights.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Hong Kong airport set for volume shift after flights rejigged amid fuel crisis

Some airlines say they will operate all scheduled flights beyond June after initial consolidation efforts to offset higher jet fuel prices.

Israel thrusts a reluctant UAE into the open over defence ties

Disclosures about Iron Dome batteries and secret meetings have exposed ties analysts say the UAE would rather handle ‘more discreetly’.

US voices hope for Iran deal as Pakistan mediator seeks breakthrough

With Trump warning of renewed strikes, Pakistan’s army chief is expected in Tehran for ‘talks and consultations’.

China breaks ground on Gulf aviation megaproject in shadow of Iran war

A state-owned firm has launched work on a massive aviation complex, signalling continued confidence amid regional conflict.

What Lee’s Netanyahu ‘war criminal’ remark means for South Korea’s diplomacy

The president criticised Israel for ‘going too far’ in detaining two South Koreans who were at sea trying to send aid to Gaza.

Aluminium supply crunch threatens Asia’s clean energy push amid Iran war

Key Gulf plants have been hit by Iranian missiles, causing a drop in output of the metal used in making solar panels and wind turbines.

Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces ‘locked and loaded’

Vice-President J.D. Vance said US and Iran are working together positively; however, military campaign will restart if negotiations collapse.

Opinion | Why Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are drawing closer

Exclusive | Hong Kong airport set for volume shift after flights rejigged amid fuel crisis