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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

Children play next to motionless Irinjadapilly Raman, a robotic elephant, at Irinjadapilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, in May. Photo: AP

India

In some Indian temples, robotic elephants draw crowds and controversy

The animatrons, crafted from fibreglass, iron and rubber, are intended to take the place of live elephants in Hindu temples.

6 hours ago

Singapore

Is super-ageing Singapore headed for population decline?

4 Jul 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Scams and swindles

Fake Dubai prince scam: how AI deepfakes love-bomb victims to steal hearts and money

3 Jul 2026 - 1:36PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf states in a bind over Iran’s grip on Hormuz, US troop removal talks

Analysts say GCC members face an uncertain ‘new normal’, prompting them to expand outreach to Tehran for long-term peace.

2 Jul 2026 - 9:47PMvideocam

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near Musandam, Oman, last month. Photo: Reuters

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific to resume Middle East passenger flights from September

Daily passenger flights to Dubai in UAE and four-times-weekly services to Riyadh will resume on September 1.

2 Jul 2026 - 6:41PM

China Railway

UAE debuts first passenger train network built by Chinese contractors

The whole 11-city network, including the global financial hub Dubai, is due to be completed in March, according to state media.

2 Jul 2026 - 5:30PM

China-Middle East relations

Wang Yi reaffirms support for Mideast talks in meeting with top Saudi diplomat

Chinese foreign minister calls for dialogue and tells counterpart that Beijing is ready to work with Riyadh to ease tensions in the region.

1 Jul 2026 - 5:22PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) meets his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

India

How a potential UAE deal could reshape India’s arms export ambitions

A UAE order for BrahMos missiles would ‘validate Indian weapons in a highly competitive market’, analysts say.

1 Jul 2026 - 5:10PM

Binance

UK investors sue Binance and founder Zhao Changpeng for US$200 million

Nearly 1,700 UK users have alleged that the world’s largest crypto exchange offered risky products without regulatory approval.

1 Jul 2026 - 6:32AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran pause strikes as Hormuz tests interim deal, Doha talks loom

Efforts to reopen the Strait without Iran’s oversight have sparked days of crossfire.

29 Jun 2026 - 8:49PM

Cargo ships wait off the coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal along the Gulf of Oman. Commercial shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz has faced severe disruptions. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

28 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Eurosam’s SAMP/T NG on display at the Eurosatory defence fair in Paris. Photo: Seong Hyeon Choi

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US hit Iran again, may be ‘forced to militarily complete the job’

If that happened, the Islamic Republic would ‘no longer exist’, Trump warned, after reports that a tanker had been struck in Hormuz.

28 Jun 2026 - 7:51AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

27 Jun 2026 - 7:25AMvideocam

United States

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

Defeated by asymmetric warfare and spurned by allies, the US has ended up boosting China’s economy and standing instead.

29 Jun 2026 - 9:31AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump arrives to deliver a speech at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania, on June 23. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

United States

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

Some regional economies are assessing the possibility of the US and Iran resuming hostilities before committing to buy Iranian oil.

26 Jun 2026 - 2:23AM

Middle East

US’ Rubio wraps up Gulf tour as allies share concerns over Iran peace accord

Rubio did not discuss a US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran that is part of the peace proposal.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:26PM

China's military weapons

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

25 Jun 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

At Summer Davos in China, Mideast firms look to next generation to save the Gulf

At World Economic Forum meeting in Dalian, observers see regional self-reliance and economic needs as motivators for change after Iran war.

24 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

The meeting of the New Champions in Dalian is known as Summer Davos and expected to bring together more than 1,700 participants from more than 90 countries and regions. Photo: Xinhua

Aviation

Airbus to inspect 16 A380 planes after cracks found on wings

European aviation safety officials order urgent structural beam checks on jets flown by Emirates and Qantas.

24 Jun 2026 - 11:05AM

Thailand

Thailand auctions US$18 million superyacht linked to supersized fraud

Nearly US$700 million in assets have been seized in Thailand so far, an example of the amount of dirty money sloshing through the economy.

23 Jun 2026 - 12:18PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump threatens US tolls on Hormuz after Iran says strait is closed

Peace talks in Switzerland could be off to a rough start, with Tehran warning that Israel’s attacks in Lebanon must stop.

21 Jun 2026 - 4:43AMvideocam

The Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, a small town in northern Oman. Photo: Xinhua

CATL

China leads charge in energy storage, powered by battery progress

Battery-based grid storage is set for 150 per cent growth in China, as Beijing prioritises energy security and firms eye global markets.

20 Jun 2026 - 6:14AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Vance calls Iran deal a ‘win-win’ as Trump lashes out at ‘fools’ who oppose it

US Vice-President also claims Iran will not receive money or sanctions relief unless it meets the obligations outlined in agreement.

19 Jun 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Who pays for Iran’s recovery? US$300 billion fund a flashpoint in ceasefire deal

Ambiguity fuels concern that Gulf countries may be expected to finance a post-war effort for a conflict in which they had limited say.

18 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

US-ally trade wars

Opinion | Many countries are ‘quiet quitting’ the US and China on trade

While the US and Chinese markets are essential, other countries are making deals with each other in search of more diversified trade.

18 Jun 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

The US and Iran publish their official agreement. Here’s what’s in it

The 14-point document was released following days of outcry over Trump administration’s lack of transparency regarding its details.

18 Jun 2026 - 2:28PMvideocam

A woman walks past an anti-American mural on the wall of the former US Embassy, now a museum, in Tehran. Photo: AP

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba Cloud expands in France amid Europe’s data sovereignty push

Opening of Paris hub is a response to increased demand, says the China tech giant as it looks to roll out agentic AI services across Europe.

17 Jun 2026 - 9:30PM

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

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In some Indian temples, robotic elephants draw crowds and controversy

The animatrons, crafted from fibreglass, iron and rubber, are intended to take the place of live elephants in Hindu temples.

Is super-ageing Singapore headed for population decline?

Fake Dubai prince scam: how AI deepfakes love-bomb victims to steal hearts and money

Gulf states in a bind over Iran’s grip on Hormuz, US troop removal talks

Analysts say GCC members face an uncertain ‘new normal’, prompting them to expand outreach to Tehran for long-term peace.

Cathay Pacific to resume Middle East passenger flights from September

Daily passenger flights to Dubai in UAE and four-times-weekly services to Riyadh will resume on September 1.

UAE debuts first passenger train network built by Chinese contractors

The whole 11-city network, including the global financial hub Dubai, is due to be completed in March, according to state media.

Wang Yi reaffirms support for Mideast talks in meeting with top Saudi diplomat

Chinese foreign minister calls for dialogue and tells counterpart that Beijing is ready to work with Riyadh to ease tensions in the region.

How a potential UAE deal could reshape India’s arms export ambitions

A UAE order for BrahMos missiles would ‘validate Indian weapons in a highly competitive market’, analysts say.

UK investors sue Binance and founder Zhao Changpeng for US$200 million

Nearly 1,700 UK users have alleged that the world’s largest crypto exchange offered risky products without regulatory approval.

US and Iran pause strikes as Hormuz tests interim deal, Doha talks loom

Efforts to reopen the Strait without Iran’s oversight have sparked days of crossfire.

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

Trump says US hit Iran again, may be ‘forced to militarily complete the job’

If that happened, the Islamic Republic would ‘no longer exist’, Trump warned, after reports that a tanker had been struck in Hormuz.

US strikes Iran after Trump says cargo ship attack violated ceasefire

US Central Command says missile, drone and radar sites were hit after Tehran was accused of targeting vessel in Strait of Hormuz.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

Defeated by asymmetric warfare and spurned by allies, the US has ended up boosting China’s economy and standing instead.

Asia treads cautiously on Iranian oil exports despite US sanctions waiver

Some regional economies are assessing the possibility of the US and Iran resuming hostilities before committing to buy Iranian oil.

US’ Rubio wraps up Gulf tour as allies share concerns over Iran peace accord

Rubio did not discuss a US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran that is part of the peace proposal.

Did the Iran war just prove that China’s ageing DF-15Bs are still big guns?

Military observers point to similarities with Iran’s short-range weapons that have breached US defence systems in the Middle East.

At Summer Davos in China, Mideast firms look to next generation to save the Gulf

At World Economic Forum meeting in Dalian, observers see regional self-reliance and economic needs as motivators for change after Iran war.

Airbus to inspect 16 A380 planes after cracks found on wings

European aviation safety officials order urgent structural beam checks on jets flown by Emirates and Qantas.

Thailand auctions US$18 million superyacht linked to supersized fraud

Nearly US$700 million in assets have been seized in Thailand so far, an example of the amount of dirty money sloshing through the economy.

Trump threatens US tolls on Hormuz after Iran says strait is closed

Peace talks in Switzerland could be off to a rough start, with Tehran warning that Israel’s attacks in Lebanon must stop.

China leads charge in energy storage, powered by battery progress

Battery-based grid storage is set for 150 per cent growth in China, as Beijing prioritises energy security and firms eye global markets.

Vance calls Iran deal a ‘win-win’ as Trump lashes out at ‘fools’ who oppose it

US Vice-President also claims Iran will not receive money or sanctions relief unless it meets the obligations outlined in agreement.

Who pays for Iran’s recovery? US$300 billion fund a flashpoint in ceasefire deal

Ambiguity fuels concern that Gulf countries may be expected to finance a post-war effort for a conflict in which they had limited say.

Opinion | Many countries are ‘quiet quitting’ the US and China on trade

While the US and Chinese markets are essential, other countries are making deals with each other in search of more diversified trade.

The US and Iran publish their official agreement. Here’s what’s in it

The 14-point document was released following days of outcry over Trump administration’s lack of transparency regarding its details.

Alibaba Cloud expands in France amid Europe’s data sovereignty push

Opening of Paris hub is a response to increased demand, says the China tech giant as it looks to roll out agentic AI services across Europe.

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.

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval