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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

China is pursuing port and power agreements in Sudan through a peace-through-development approach, say experts. Photo: Shutterstock Images

China-Africa relations

China bets on early Sudan deals to secure post-war economic edge

Lack of leverage by army-backed government in Khartoum may allow Chinese firms to secure favourable investment terms.

13 Sep 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran, UAE leaders discuss de-escalation as oil supply worries spike

12 Sep 2026 - 10:57PMvideocam

Brics

Under Trump’s shadow, Brics takes step towards de-dollarisation

12 Sep 2026 - 9:45PM

Brics

Internal splits threaten to slow Brics’ progress as bloc marks 20th anniversary

The grouping has emerged as a strong champion of the Global South, but analysts warned that major challenges still lie ahead.

12 Sep 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

This year’s Brics summit is being hosted by India, one of the founder members. Photo: AFP

Thailand

Data centres sprouting in Thailand fuel fears of public health impact

The discovery of a data centre in Bangkok that was illegally storing 200,000 litres of oil prompted authorities to close a legal loophole.

11 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Taiwan

Trump threat to Taiwan’s Washington office sparks debate over island’s US policy

Ahead of expected Xi-Trump summit, some in Taiwan question whether Taipei’s funding of American think tanks has become a political liability.

10 Sep 2026 - 9:00PM

South Korea

Caught between US and Iran, South Korea weighs Hormuz role

Seoul is sending a fact-finding mission to the UAE as it balances Washington’s security requests with warnings of Iranian retaliation.

9 Sep 2026 - 6:47PM

Vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Monday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

US targets Iran’s airlines with sweeping new sanctions

The US Treasury is aiming to ground Mahan Air and other firms in a sharp escalation of Trump’s economic pressure campaign.

9 Sep 2026 - 4:19AM

Middle East

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia ignite fires at oil facilities, wound dozens

Operations halted at southern facilities as Iranian-backed rebels target border cities in a major escalation.

8 Sep 2026 - 6:32PM

Banking & finance

Standard Chartered doubles down on China wealth opportunities despite tax pivot

Lender says it plans to add more luxury wealth centres, hire more talent and invest in technology platforms in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan.

7 Sep 2026 - 4:34PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran plans new ‘exclusion zone’ outside Hormuz after ship attacks

Iranian security chief threatens sanctions on transit ships as US blockade and tanker strikes escalate tensions.

7 Sep 2026 - 10:16AM

A motorboat passes a general cargo ship anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran on Sunday. Photo: AP

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to propel belt and road market expansion, finance chief says

Paul Chan’s pledge comes ahead of 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong this week.

6 Sep 2026 - 8:14PM

Hong Kong society

Middle East war drives 35% rise in Hongkongers’ overseas help requests

‘The rise mainly came from the military conflict in the Middle East earlier this year. Of the rest, half involved lost identity documents,’ immigration chief says.

5 Sep 2026 - 9:32PM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific extends Dubai and Riyadh flight suspension through November

Hong Kong flag carrier says extension due to situation in Mideast, with services to both cities cancelled up to and including November 30.

4 Sep 2026 - 9:31PM

Cathay Pacific Airways has delayed the resumption of passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh until December at the earliest. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong society

CNBC to close Hong Kong operations, scrap international shows in major overhaul

CNBC spokesman says programming from Hong Kong ended on Wednesday and ‘small number of employees’ had been affected by the closure.

3 Sep 2026 - 7:30PM

CNBC's decision was communicated to staff on Wednesday in an internal memo from the company’s executive management. Photo: Getty Images

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets US bases in Kuwait despite warnings from Trump

Iran launches missiles and drones at Gulf neighour following US strikes that killed at least 19.

3 Sep 2026 - 10:08PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US carries out new strikes on Iranian targets as hostilities flare

Iran targets American interests in Gulf states after US forces attack Iranian air defence sites, radar systems and maritime assets.

2 Sep 2026 - 4:56PM

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

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

Hong Kong national security law

Letters | Don’t take peaceful days in Hong Kong as a given

Readers discuss the security of the city, a China-Nepal early-warning mechanism, and AI boot camps.

29 Aug 2026 - 11:30AM

US-China relations

US Treasury sanctions Hong Kong-based firm over Iran money laundering ties

Kameng Trading Ltd allegedly acted as front company to help Iran’s Pedram Pirouzan Exchange House access international financial system.

1 Sep 2026 - 3:51AMvideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast” on Monday, which expanded secondary sanctions on entities in jurisdictions deemed to support Tehran. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Malaysia

Why Malaysia’s push for 15 million Muslim tourists is no sure thing

With disruption to long-haul flights, Malaysia may not draw more Muslim visitors at the expense of the travel hubs in Dubai and Doha.

28 Aug 2026 - 8:00PM

A view of Kuala Lumpur’s city skyline. Photo: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

Crypto slump, AI boom overshadow CZ’s bullish pitch at Hong Kong’s Bitcoin Asia

Capital, talent and public attention have moved from crypto to AI, leaving the digital asset industry feeling ‘smaller’, says organiser.

27 Aug 2026 - 8:30PM

India

Why South Asian students are rethinking Western university education

Rising costs, visa restrictions and better regional choices drive a shift towards domestic undergraduate study before going abroad.

26 Aug 2026 - 7:00PM

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

Yuan

How a China gold vault network could promote the yuan’s international reach

By anchoring yuan trades to gold through Hong Kong and new global vaults, Beijing will add convertibility to its currency, report says.

25 Aug 2026 - 2:50PMvideocam

As of the end of July, China’s gold reserves stood at 76.08 million ounces, marking the 21st consecutive month of accumulation. Photo: dpa

Africa

20 sailors kidnapped by Somali pirates near Yemen on US-sanctioned ship

The hijacking comes amid a resurgence of piracy that has seen six commercial vessels seized since April across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

22 Aug 2026 - 8:17PM

Iran

Iran truce drives spike in China’s oil imports, but soaring Brent clouds demand

Purchases from the Gulf accounted for 27.6 per cent of China’s total crude imports in July, up over 10 percentage points from the month before.

20 Aug 2026 - 10:46PM

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

China bets on early Sudan deals to secure post-war economic edge

Lack of leverage by army-backed government in Khartoum may allow Chinese firms to secure favourable investment terms.

Iran, UAE leaders discuss de-escalation as oil supply worries spike

Under Trump’s shadow, Brics takes step towards de-dollarisation

Internal splits threaten to slow Brics’ progress as bloc marks 20th anniversary

The grouping has emerged as a strong champion of the Global South, but analysts warned that major challenges still lie ahead.

Data centres sprouting in Thailand fuel fears of public health impact

The discovery of a data centre in Bangkok that was illegally storing 200,000 litres of oil prompted authorities to close a legal loophole.

Trump threat to Taiwan’s Washington office sparks debate over island’s US policy

Ahead of expected Xi-Trump summit, some in Taiwan question whether Taipei’s funding of American think tanks has become a political liability.

Caught between US and Iran, South Korea weighs Hormuz role

Seoul is sending a fact-finding mission to the UAE as it balances Washington’s security requests with warnings of Iranian retaliation.

US targets Iran’s airlines with sweeping new sanctions

The US Treasury is aiming to ground Mahan Air and other firms in a sharp escalation of Trump’s economic pressure campaign.

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia ignite fires at oil facilities, wound dozens

Operations halted at southern facilities as Iranian-backed rebels target border cities in a major escalation.

Standard Chartered doubles down on China wealth opportunities despite tax pivot

Lender says it plans to add more luxury wealth centres, hire more talent and invest in technology platforms in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan.

Iran plans new ‘exclusion zone’ outside Hormuz after ship attacks

Iranian security chief threatens sanctions on transit ships as US blockade and tanker strikes escalate tensions.

Hong Kong to propel belt and road market expansion, finance chief says

Paul Chan’s pledge comes ahead of 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong this week.

Middle East war drives 35% rise in Hongkongers’ overseas help requests

‘The rise mainly came from the military conflict in the Middle East earlier this year. Of the rest, half involved lost identity documents,’ immigration chief says.

Cathay Pacific extends Dubai and Riyadh flight suspension through November

Hong Kong flag carrier says extension due to situation in Mideast, with services to both cities cancelled up to and including November 30.

CNBC to close Hong Kong operations, scrap international shows in major overhaul

CNBC spokesman says programming from Hong Kong ended on Wednesday and ‘small number of employees’ had been affected by the closure.

Iran targets US bases in Kuwait despite warnings from Trump

Iran launches missiles and drones at Gulf neighour following US strikes that killed at least 19.

US carries out new strikes on Iranian targets as hostilities flare

Iran targets American interests in Gulf states after US forces attack Iranian air defence sites, radar systems and maritime assets.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}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.

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | Don’t take peaceful days in Hong Kong as a given

Readers discuss the security of the city, a China-Nepal early-warning mechanism, and AI boot camps.

US Treasury sanctions Hong Kong-based firm over Iran money laundering ties

Kameng Trading Ltd allegedly acted as front company to help Iran’s Pedram Pirouzan Exchange House access international financial system.

Why Malaysia’s push for 15 million Muslim tourists is no sure thing

With disruption to long-haul flights, Malaysia may not draw more Muslim visitors at the expense of the travel hubs in Dubai and Doha.

Crypto slump, AI boom overshadow CZ’s bullish pitch at Hong Kong’s Bitcoin Asia

Capital, talent and public attention have moved from crypto to AI, leaving the digital asset industry feeling ‘smaller’, says organiser.

Why South Asian students are rethinking Western university education

Rising costs, visa restrictions and better regional choices drive a shift towards domestic undergraduate study before going abroad.

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.

How a China gold vault network could promote the yuan’s international reach

By anchoring yuan trades to gold through Hong Kong and new global vaults, Beijing will add convertibility to its currency, report says.

20 sailors kidnapped by Somali pirates near Yemen on US-sanctioned ship

The hijacking comes amid a resurgence of piracy that has seen six commercial vessels seized since April across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

Iran truce drives spike in China’s oil imports, but soaring Brent clouds demand

Purchases from the Gulf accounted for 27.6 per cent of China’s total crude imports in July, up over 10 percentage points from the month before.

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

Letters | Don’t take peaceful days in Hong Kong as a given