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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

Portraits of Cecile Kohler (left) and her partner Jacques Paris along with a placard reading “Freedom for Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris arbitrarily detained in Iran for over two years in appalling conditions” outside the Palais Bourbon, France’s National Assembly in 2025. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

29 minutes ago

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran near brink of escalation as Trump deadline for deal looms

18 minutes agovideocam

War and conflict

As I see it | Why Donald Trump now needs a ‘forever war’

3 hours agovideocam

Malaysia

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

The move signals Tehran’s use of access to Hormuz as leverage, analysts say, while drawing scrutiny over Malaysia’s oil transfers.

4 hours agovideocam

A tanker shown in an image posted by Iran’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which said it was the first Malaysian-linked vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: x / iraninmalaysia

India

India kicks off crucial state elections for Modi’s BJP amid Iran war turmoil

The ruling BJP is looking to break into opposition strongholds, especially in West Bengal, and secure dominance across India.

4 hours ago

Middle East

1 dead after gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

The two other assailants were captured with injuries.

3 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Donald Trump heightens Iran threats: ‘a whole civilisation will die tonight’

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

22 minutes agovideocam

US President Donald Trump, alongside Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, speaks about the conflict in Iran at the White House in Washington on Sunday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump steps up Iran threats as deadline approaches

US President Donald Trump said that Iran must reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz as part of any peace deal.

6 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran calls for ‘human chains’ around its power plants before US deadline

Tehran defiant after the US president warned the ‘entire country can be taken out in one night’.

6 hours ago

Japan

Japan confirms release of second citizen held in Iran

The person, believed to be the NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, is one of two Japanese nationals who had been detained in Iran.

7 Apr 2026 - 3:04PMvideocam

NHK’s Tehran bureau chief Shinnosuke ‌Kawashima is believed to be the person released on bail on Monday. Photo: Handout

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Damage control’? Behind France, Germany’s bid to contain Iran war oil fallout

The European powers are leading calls for de-escalation but analyst notes ‘the age of soft power as a substitute for hard capacity is over’.

7 Apr 2026 - 7:45AMvideocam

Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, last month. Iran has effectively closed the waterway through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply is transported. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Keep bombing’: Trump claims Iranians want more US strikes for ‘freedom’

US leader said he was unsure if the war was escalating or easing, but warned of sweeping strikes if no deal is reached by Tuesday at 8pm EST.

7 Apr 2026 - 5:06PMvideocam

Taiwan

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

US strengths and strains offer Beijing a playbook, but key differences limit how far the conflict can guide future military strategy.

7 Apr 2026 - 2:20AMvideocam

Thailand

Oil smugglers in Thailand worsen supply crisis as Anutin warns of tough times

Police are investigating alleged oil hoarding in southern Thailand and reselling to nearby countries, citing ‘abnormal’ vessel movements.

6 Apr 2026 - 8:04PMvideocam

A Thai farmer refuels diesel into an oil drum at a gas station in Ayutthaya province on Wednesday. Thai farmers are struggling with shortages of diesel, fertiliser and insecticides amid the ongoing Iran war. Photo: EPA

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

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran rejects ceasefire, wants permanent end to the war

Mediators had proposed ⁠a ceasefire plan and peace settlement. Iran will only accept ‘end of the war’ with guarantee of no further attacks.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:57PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s Takaichi seeks urgent summit with Iran as Trump’s Hormuz deadline looms

Japan has been bearing the brunt of the Iran war as the resource-poor nation relies on the Middle East for most of its crude oil imports.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:32PM

United States

US court reinstates US$656 million judgment against PLO and Palestinian Authority

Following a 2025 Supreme Court ruling, judges revive a decade-old verdict for American victims of terror attacks in Israel.

6 Apr 2026 - 11:32AM

The Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse on Foley Square, New York, where the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals is headquartered. Photo: AP

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

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump draws criticism with fiery, foul-mouthed message threatening Iran

US president appears to extend deadline to Tuesday for Iran to ‘make a deal’ or he’s ‘blowing everything up’.

6 Apr 2026 - 4:58PMvideocam

Middle East

Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon, Israel announces ‘security buffer’

Israel said it intends ‌to control a ‘security zone’ as deep as 30km into Lebanon and has issued evacuation orders for around 15 per cent of Lebanese territory.

6 Apr 2026 - 7:45AM

Smoke and dust from an Israeli airstrike on the streets of the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

Religion

Pope Leo calls for peace, dialogue amid Ukraine, Iran wars in Easter mass

Leo addressed some 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square and quoted his predecessor, who reminded the faithful of the ‘great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day’.

5 Apr 2026 - 7:35PM

Pope Leo XIV gestures from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after delivering his ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (To the city and the world) message, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvoes over Iran’s accusation that its neighbours allow US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:03AM

Indonesia

Indonesia lays to rest peacekeepers killed in Lebanon, Prabowo condemns attacks

Another blast took place at a UN facility in southern Lebanon on Friday, injuring three more Indonesian blue helmets.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:18PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:48PMvideocam

Ukrainian experts work at the site of a Russian drone strike on a residential area in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Friday. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

5 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

Police clash with activists during a protest against the arrest of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 29. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong tourists choose safety, affordability with trips to mainland China

Travel industry leader says rise in airlines’ fuel surcharges and Mideast conflict have dampened Hongkongers’ desire to travel long distances.

5 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:56PMvideocam

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Israel

Iran allows 2 French former detainees to leave country

The green light for them to leave Iran, long sought by France, signalled how Iran is differentiating between nations amid the Iran war.

US and Iran near brink of escalation as Trump deadline for deal looms

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Why Donald Trump now needs a ‘forever war’

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

The move signals Tehran’s use of access to Hormuz as leverage, analysts say, while drawing scrutiny over Malaysia’s oil transfers.

India kicks off crucial state elections for Modi’s BJP amid Iran war turmoil

The ruling BJP is looking to break into opposition strongholds, especially in West Bengal, and secure dominance across India.

1 dead after gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul

The two other assailants were captured with injuries.

Donald Trump heightens Iran threats: ‘a whole civilisation will die tonight’

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

Trump steps up Iran threats as deadline approaches

US President Donald Trump said that Iran must reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz as part of any peace deal.

Iran calls for ‘human chains’ around its power plants before US deadline

Tehran defiant after the US president warned the ‘entire country can be taken out in one night’.

Japan confirms release of second citizen held in Iran

The person, believed to be the NHK’s Tehran bureau chief, is one of two Japanese nationals who had been detained in Iran.

‘Damage control’? Behind France, Germany’s bid to contain Iran war oil fallout

The European powers are leading calls for de-escalation but analyst notes ‘the age of soft power as a substitute for hard capacity is over’.

‘Keep bombing’: Trump claims Iranians want more US strikes for ‘freedom’

US leader said he was unsure if the war was escalating or easing, but warned of sweeping strikes if no deal is reached by Tuesday at 8pm EST.

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

US strengths and strains offer Beijing a playbook, but key differences limit how far the conflict can guide future military strategy.

Oil smugglers in Thailand worsen supply crisis as Anutin warns of tough times

Police are investigating alleged oil hoarding in southern Thailand and reselling to nearby countries, citing ‘abnormal’ vessel movements.

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.

Iran rejects ceasefire, wants permanent end to the war

Mediators had proposed ⁠a ceasefire plan and peace settlement. Iran will only accept ‘end of the war’ with guarantee of no further attacks.

Japan’s Takaichi seeks urgent summit with Iran as Trump’s Hormuz deadline looms

Japan has been bearing the brunt of the Iran war as the resource-poor nation relies on the Middle East for most of its crude oil imports.

US court reinstates US$656 million judgment against PLO and Palestinian Authority

Following a 2025 Supreme Court ruling, judges revive a decade-old verdict for American victims of terror attacks in Israel.

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.

Trump draws criticism with fiery, foul-mouthed message threatening Iran

US president appears to extend deadline to Tuesday for Iran to ‘make a deal’ or he’s ‘blowing everything up’.

Israeli strikes kill 11 in Lebanon, Israel announces ‘security buffer’

Israel said it intends ‌to control a ‘security zone’ as deep as 30km into Lebanon and has issued evacuation orders for around 15 per cent of Lebanese territory.

Pope Leo calls for peace, dialogue amid Ukraine, Iran wars in Easter mass

Leo addressed some 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square and quoted his predecessor, who reminded the faithful of the ‘great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day’.

UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait lose water, energy infrastructure to Iran strikes

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvoes over Iran’s accusation that its neighbours allow US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

Indonesia lays to rest peacekeepers killed in Lebanon, Prabowo condemns attacks

Another blast took place at a UN facility in southern Lebanon on Friday, injuring three more Indonesian blue helmets.

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

Hong Kong tourists choose safety, affordability with trips to mainland China

Travel industry leader says rise in airlines’ fuel surcharges and Mideast conflict have dampened Hongkongers’ desire to travel long distances.

Iran attacks Kuwait, Israel after Trump set deadline for deal

Kuwait and Israel say their air defences are responding to the latest attacks from Iran.

As I see it | Why Donald Trump now needs a ‘forever war’