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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

Middle East

Syria was building nuclear reactor in Deir el-Zour under Assad: UN report

Under the ex-president, Syria was believed to have operated an undeclared nuclear programme that included a reactor built by North Korea.

6 hours ago

Thailand

Thailand eyes economic boost as massive US fleet nears port call

1 Sep 2026 - 2:14PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump to meet US oil executives as Iran war keeps fuel prices high

1 Sep 2026 - 11:43AM

Spain

Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for Ceuta migrant crisis’ disinformation

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also dismisses speculation on the involvement of Moroccan authorities in the crisis.

31 Aug 2026 - 11:16PM

Migrants try to make their way past Spanish police officers on August 1, following recent mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in Ceuta. Photo: Reuters

Defence

Israel and Greece sign US$3.5 billion defence deal, largest ever between the 2

Buyers favouring Israel's battle-tested weapons have helped push its defence exports to record highs.

31 Aug 2026 - 8:27PM

PetroChina

PetroChina’s first-half profit jumps 22% despite Iran war oil supply crunch

As LNG and EV adoption bite into traditional fuel sales, higher global crude prices help the state-backed giant deliver strong earnings.

31 Aug 2026 - 7:27PM

Gold in Hong Kong

In Focus | Hong Kong is trying again to be a gold trading hub. Will it succeed this time?

De-dollarisation tailwinds, ecosystem buildout and mainland China’s support plus foreign backing give city’s ambitions credible momentum.

31 Aug 2026 - 9:01AMvideocam

Iran

Open Questions | Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand

Iranian-born and Washington-based expert analyses Tehran’s leverage, China’s non-intervention strategy and shifting Persian Gulf alliances.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian launchers in first action in a month, triggering retaliation

Tehran targets American bases in Jordan; UAE intercepts drone as regional tensions spike again.

31 Aug 2026 - 8:09PM

China-Middle East relations

China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran

Gulf states are rethinking their strategy after coming under attack, but observers say Beijing does not want to commit itself too deeply.

29 Aug 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

Smoke billows over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, following an Iranian strike in June. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Temasek backs Singapore Airlines’ Air India investment

News of the funding request prompted a lawmaker from Singapore’s opposition to urge that Temasek’s funds not be used.

29 Aug 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

Office workers walk past the Temasek Holdings in Singapore. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

As Iran war hits six-month mark, Trump says he’s ‘not in a hurry’

The president’s ‘little excursion’ in the Middle East grinds on, despite his earlier promise to voters to keep the US out of ‘endless wars’.

29 Aug 2026 - 1:26AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran endures 6 months of US strikes as Trump’s policy hits ‘Desperation Day’

‘I don’t think the administration is any closer to finding a way out of this,’ an ex-diplomat says, as Tehran bets time is on its side.

27 Aug 2026 - 7:53PMvideocam

Crime

Colombia mulls locking up dangerous criminals on prison ships

Humanitarian watchdogs warn that this form of incarceration breaches human rights.

27 Aug 2026 - 8:20AM

Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US starts returning staff to some Middle East missions after war evacuations

US move signals lower risk of immediate regional escalation, though select missions will cap capacity at 75 to 85 per cent.

26 Aug 2026 - 8:59AM

The US embassy in the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq. Photo: EPA

United States

US Secret Service says it is aware of Iranian video threat to Barron Trump

Iranian state TV airs video claiming tracking of US president’s 20-year-old son and offering US$10 million bounty for his killing.

26 Aug 2026 - 9:11AM

Middle East

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

25 Aug 2026 - 8:30PM

Middle East

Israel’s strikes push Syria towards joining Mecca defence pact

Air strikes intended to curb Turkish expansion risk triggering the very encirclement Israel fears, analysts say.

25 Aug 2026 - 4:19PM

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (left) shakes hands with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Thursday. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan / AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Children were in pieces’: memories still raw 6 months after Iran school strike

Families grieve at least 155 killed in US-linked Tomahawk missile attack on Minab school during opening hours of war.

25 Aug 2026 - 3:09PM

Middle East

Netanyahu says Iran tried to kill one of his sons

Israeli leader gives no details on which son was targeted, though elder son Yair has lived under state protection in Miami.

25 Aug 2026 - 9:57AM

China-Middle East relations

China and Jordan call for Strait of Hormuz to get back to normal

The two sides also criticised Israel’s ‘dangerous escalatory actions’ following King Abdullah’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing.

24 Aug 2026 - 10:33PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts a welcome ceremony for Jordan’s King Abdullah in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

Malaysia

‘I hate Americans’: Malaysian politician’s anti-US rant draws backlash

Former PM Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz defended his anti-US rant, claiming ordinary citizens share blame for Washington’s foreign policy.

24 Aug 2026 - 3:47PM

Malaysian politician Mukhriz Mahathir in a still from a video in which he said he “hates Americans, all of them”. Photo: Facebook/MukhrizMahathirFC

Israel-Gaza war

East African troops prepare for Gaza peacekeeping role in US-backed plan

Delegations from Burundi and Uganda visited Israel to discuss joining Donald Trump’s International Stabilisation Force.

24 Aug 2026 - 2:22PM

Israel-Gaza war

Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation, Israel-Turkey tensions

A Syrian government source said Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Roman Gofman.

24 Aug 2026 - 3:13PM

Middle East

US envoy walks back comments on Golan Heights that contradicted Trump’s position

Tom Barrack had said Israel ‘still’ occupies the territory but on Sunday said that was a description of the Golan Heights’ historical status.

24 Aug 2026 - 3:44AM

Tom Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria. Photo: AP

Hong Kong society

How Hong Kong beauty retail tactics echo global Dead Sea sales scams

WikiLeaks files reveal pushy sales operations for Dead Sea beauty products have been problematic in several countries for decades.

23 Aug 2026 - 11:25PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran condemns US plans to announce new sanctions

Warning that nations joining the US ‘economic war’ would be deemed enemies, Iran said the move could affect trading partners including China.

23 Aug 2026 - 6:10AM

Syria

Israel targets ‘terrorist’ in southern Syria; Damascus condemns attack

Tensions between Israel and Syria flared this week after Israel bombed an airbase, a move ‌US special envoy Tom Barrack called ‘unnecessary’.

23 Aug 2026 - 3:31AM

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Israel

Syria was building nuclear reactor in Deir el-Zour under Assad: UN report

Under the ex-president, Syria was believed to have operated an undeclared nuclear programme that included a reactor built by North Korea.

Thailand eyes economic boost as massive US fleet nears port call

Trump to meet US oil executives as Iran war keeps fuel prices high

Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for Ceuta migrant crisis’ disinformation

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also dismisses speculation on the involvement of Moroccan authorities in the crisis.

Israel and Greece sign US$3.5 billion defence deal, largest ever between the 2

Buyers favouring Israel's battle-tested weapons have helped push its defence exports to record highs.

PetroChina’s first-half profit jumps 22% despite Iran war oil supply crunch

As LNG and EV adoption bite into traditional fuel sales, higher global crude prices help the state-backed giant deliver strong earnings.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Hong Kong is trying again to be a gold trading hub. Will it succeed this time?

De-dollarisation tailwinds, ecosystem buildout and mainland China’s support plus foreign backing give city’s ambitions credible momentum.

Open Questions | Trita Parsi on why US air strikes strengthened Iran’s hand

Iranian-born and Washington-based expert analyses Tehran’s leverage, China’s non-intervention strategy and shifting Persian Gulf alliances.

US strikes Iranian launchers in first action in a month, triggering retaliation

Tehran targets American bases in Jordan; UAE intercepts drone as regional tensions spike again.

China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran

Gulf states are rethinking their strategy after coming under attack, but observers say Beijing does not want to commit itself too deeply.

Temasek backs Singapore Airlines’ Air India investment

News of the funding request prompted a lawmaker from Singapore’s opposition to urge that Temasek’s funds not be used.

As Iran war hits six-month mark, Trump says he’s ‘not in a hurry’

The president’s ‘little excursion’ in the Middle East grinds on, despite his earlier promise to voters to keep the US out of ‘endless wars’.

Iran endures 6 months of US strikes as Trump’s policy hits ‘Desperation Day’

‘I don’t think the administration is any closer to finding a way out of this,’ an ex-diplomat says, as Tehran bets time is on its side.

Colombia mulls locking up dangerous criminals on prison ships

Humanitarian watchdogs warn that this form of incarceration breaches human rights.

US starts returning staff to some Middle East missions after war evacuations

US move signals lower risk of immediate regional escalation, though select missions will cap capacity at 75 to 85 per cent.

US Secret Service says it is aware of Iranian video threat to Barron Trump

Iranian state TV airs video claiming tracking of US president’s 20-year-old son and offering US$10 million bounty for his killing.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

Israel’s strikes push Syria towards joining Mecca defence pact

Air strikes intended to curb Turkish expansion risk triggering the very encirclement Israel fears, analysts say.

‘Children were in pieces’: memories still raw 6 months after Iran school strike

Families grieve at least 155 killed in US-linked Tomahawk missile attack on Minab school during opening hours of war.

Netanyahu says Iran tried to kill one of his sons

Israeli leader gives no details on which son was targeted, though elder son Yair has lived under state protection in Miami.

China and Jordan call for Strait of Hormuz to get back to normal

The two sides also criticised Israel’s ‘dangerous escalatory actions’ following King Abdullah’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing.

‘I hate Americans’: Malaysian politician’s anti-US rant draws backlash

Former PM Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz defended his anti-US rant, claiming ordinary citizens share blame for Washington’s foreign policy.

East African troops prepare for Gaza peacekeeping role in US-backed plan

Delegations from Burundi and Uganda visited Israel to discuss joining Donald Trump’s International Stabilisation Force.

Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation, Israel-Turkey tensions

A Syrian government source said Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Roman Gofman.

US envoy walks back comments on Golan Heights that contradicted Trump’s position

Tom Barrack had said Israel ‘still’ occupies the territory but on Sunday said that was a description of the Golan Heights’ historical status.

How Hong Kong beauty retail tactics echo global Dead Sea sales scams

WikiLeaks files reveal pushy sales operations for Dead Sea beauty products have been problematic in several countries for decades.

Iran condemns US plans to announce new sanctions

Warning that nations joining the US ‘economic war’ would be deemed enemies, Iran said the move could affect trading partners including China.

Israel targets ‘terrorist’ in southern Syria; Damascus condemns attack

Tensions between Israel and Syria flared this week after Israel bombed an airbase, a move ‌US special envoy Tom Barrack called ‘unnecessary’.

In Focus | Hong Kong is trying again to be a gold trading hub. Will it succeed this time?

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?