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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

Visitors at the 2026 Apsara Conference in Hangzhou on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images.

Alibaba

Alibaba Cloud set to open new data centres in Europe as overseas push gains pace

The tech giant is set to add extra capacity to help international clients deploy real-world artificial intelligence.

23 Sep 2026 - 1:32PM

China digital currency

Could Saudi Arabia’s mBridge exit dent China-led payments platform?

22 Sep 2026 - 11:00AM

China-Middle East relations

Chinese firms keen on Oman’s International Financial Centre: official

20 Sep 2026 - 2:00PM

Vladimir Putin

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin waves while boarding a plane upon his departure from India on September 13. Photo: Kremlin/Sputnik/EPA

Middle East

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

17 Sep 2026 - 3:40PM

Yemen

Who is Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the elusive commander driving the Saudi blitz?

He has transformed the Houthi group from tribal insurgency to a fighting force, threatening Riyadh and controlling the vital waterway.

16 Sep 2026 - 10:32PMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

As appetite for US rivals grows, global funds flock to China’s Moonshot: sources

Start-up draws intense international interest through offshore vehicles chasing alternatives to US systems, insiders say.

16 Sep 2026 - 7:12PM

Moonshot has seen mounting interest from overseas players ranging from European investment firms to Middle East family offices. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Price of Epic Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Pentagon inspector general offers an official accounting of the war’s costs in expended US munitions and damages.

15 Sep 2026 - 3:46PM

China trade

Kazakhstan to launch QR payments with China, expanding yuan’s reach in retail

Planned launch follows existing cooperation between super apps Alipay and Kaspi.kz, letting travellers use home-country app at certain merchants without exchanging cash.

14 Sep 2026 - 4:30PM

Transport and logistics

Qatar seeks stronger logistics ties with China amid trade disruption

Qatar logistics firm says Chinese businesses need local infrastructure and operating partners as they move into warehousing, fulfilment and sales.

14 Sep 2026 - 2:10PMvideocam

Khalifa al-Thani, co-founder and CEO of logistics solutions company WareOne, speaks during the Web Summit Qatar 2026. Photo: Sportsfile via Getty Images

Ukraine war

‘Cannon fodder’ Asians tricked to fight for Russia spur calls for intervention

A group of Indonesians was duped into fighting for Russia, Ukraine says, with other ruses involving Filipinos and Indians.

14 Sep 2026 - 5:38PM

Firefighters work at the site of a supermarket hit by a Russian air strike in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, in July. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Middle East diplomacy stalls as war spreads, Hormuz talks postponed

New attacks in Hormuz and Saudi Arabia as planned talks between Tehran and its neighbours are put off.

14 Sep 2026 - 3:35PM

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

President and crown prince meet for first time since tensions intensified after Iran hit back at US allies following US-Israeli strikes.

12 Sep 2026 - 10:57PMvideocam

Brics

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

New Delhi Declaration pushes for cheaper and faster payments system and takes aim at sanctions and unilateral tariffs.

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

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

US President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the Centre for American Progress as well as some of the think tank’s donors, including Taiwan’s representative office. Photo: EPA

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

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

A file photo shows a Houthi drone launching from an undisclosed location in Yemen. A wave of Houthi strikes targeted civilian and economic sites across southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Photo: Houthi Media Centre via EPA

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

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

Hongkongers’ requests for help from overseas jumped 35 per cent in the first eight months of 2026. Photo: Karma Lo

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

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

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Alibaba Cloud set to open new data centres in Europe as overseas push gains pace

The tech giant is set to add extra capacity to help international clients deploy real-world artificial intelligence.

Could Saudi Arabia’s mBridge exit dent China-led payments platform?

Chinese firms keen on Oman’s International Financial Centre: official

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

Saudis turn to Western, regional allies as missile defences run low

Regional officials say kingdom appeals to France, UK, Pakistan, and Egypt for help against Houthis amid US interceptor shortages.

Who is Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the elusive commander driving the Saudi blitz?

He has transformed the Houthi group from tribal insurgency to a fighting force, threatening Riyadh and controlling the vital waterway.

As appetite for US rivals grows, global funds flock to China’s Moonshot: sources

Start-up draws intense international interest through offshore vehicles chasing alternatives to US systems, insiders say.

Price of Epic Fury: Iran war’s toll on US bases, weapons and more

Pentagon inspector general offers an official accounting of the war’s costs in expended US munitions and damages.

Kazakhstan to launch QR payments with China, expanding yuan’s reach in retail

Planned launch follows existing cooperation between super apps Alipay and Kaspi.kz, letting travellers use home-country app at certain merchants without exchanging cash.

Qatar seeks stronger logistics ties with China amid trade disruption

Qatar logistics firm says Chinese businesses need local infrastructure and operating partners as they move into warehousing, fulfilment and sales.

‘Cannon fodder’ Asians tricked to fight for Russia spur calls for intervention

A group of Indonesians was duped into fighting for Russia, Ukraine says, with other ruses involving Filipinos and Indians.

Middle East diplomacy stalls as war spreads, Hormuz talks postponed

New attacks in Hormuz and Saudi Arabia as planned talks between Tehran and its neighbours are put off.

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

President and crown prince meet for first time since tensions intensified after Iran hit back at US allies following US-Israeli strikes.

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

New Delhi Declaration pushes for cheaper and faster payments system and takes aim at sanctions and unilateral tariffs.

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.

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia