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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

Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Grand Complication High Jewellery – Moon Dust; Sir David Beckham is knighted while Lady Victoria Beckham sports a Patek Philippe haute joaillerie watch; GPHG announces winners in Geneva. Photos: Handout/Xinhua

Timepieces

November’s hottest watch moments, from awards to celebrity wrist candy

Victoria Beckham picked a special watch for Sir David Beckham’s knighting, and Chopard and Vacheron Constantin unveiled exciting new creations.

6 Dec 2025 - 2:00PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

5 Dec 2025 - 7:29PM

Middle East

Opinion | Why Gulf region’s dreams of aviation domination are built on sand

5 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

Smartphones

Samsung unveils its first multi-folding phone as competition set to heat up

The launch of the Galaxy Z TriFold marks Samsung’s bid to reinforce its footing in a segment where Chinese rivals have been gaining ground.

2 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM

Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone is shown during a launch event in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Zelensky ready to advance US-backed Ukraine plan as Trump softens on deadline

US president backs away from his initial November 27 peace plan deadline as he dispatches aides to see Putin and the Ukrainians.

26 Nov 2025 - 12:13PM

SCMP Highlights

China-Japan ties deteriorate; airlines cancel flights: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing-Tokyo tensions escalating to China strengthens its global drone dominance, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

24 Nov 2025 - 9:45PM

Saudi Arabia

The China factor behind Trump’s decision to upgrade Saudi air power

The deal swaps F-35 jets for ‘guardrails’ on Chinese tech in the Gulf, analysts say – with Israel assured its military edge is safe.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:30PM

Two F-35B fighter jets of the US Marine Corps fly in formation over Puerto Rico on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

China exports

China strengthens global drone dominance with record orders at Dubai Airshow

The country already dominates global patent applications for drones, one report shows, and manufacturers are rapidly expanding overseas.

24 Nov 2025 - 11:42PMvideocam

Canada

Carney: global economic ‘centre of gravity’ shifting away from US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the world can make progress on a range of issues without the US, following consensus reached at a G20 leaders’ meeting.

23 Nov 2025 - 9:03PM

India

‘Dramatic failure’: Tejas crash deals blow to India’s jet export ambitions

The mishap came as rival Pakistan signed a deal for export of JF-17 Thunder fighter, which it co-developed with China.

23 Nov 2025 - 4:28PMvideocam

India’s Tejas fighter jet performs a flying display at the Dubai Air Show on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest man over stealing credit cards on flight from Abu Dhabi

Source says man, 52, arrested at Hong Kong International Airport after two passengers filed reports with authorities.

21 Nov 2025 - 11:50PM

The suspect was arrested at Hong Kong airport, a source has said. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

China's military weapons

China’s aerospace giants ride hi-tech boost to drive sales at global air shows

Fighter jets, drones and a performance by L-15 training jets among the Chinese tech displayed at this year’s Dubai Airshow.

21 Nov 2025 - 9:53PM

India

Indian Air Force pilot dies in Tejas crash during Dubai Air Show demonstration

The pilot had flown across the site several times before the plane appeared to lose control and dive directly towards the ground.

21 Nov 2025 - 10:15PM

Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Flawed US Gaza peace plan is better than more Palestinian suffering

The US-backed resolution offers a glimmer of hope and perhaps temporary relief, but it is no solution to Israel’s illegal occupation.

21 Nov 2025 - 6:45AM

A Palestinian woman hangs clothes to dry amid the ruins of a building in Gaza City on November 18. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai

Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.

20 Nov 2025 - 8:11PMvideocam

Models of China’s J-35A and J-10CE fighter jets on display at this year’s Dubai Air Show, which opened on Monday. Photo: Handout

Africa

Trump vows to end Sudan war, in sudden pivot thanks to Saudi crown prince

The US president condemned ‘tremendous atrocities’ in the conflict, which he admitted was previously ‘not on my charts’.

20 Nov 2025 - 7:53AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai: the rise of the ‘family office triangle’

The Asian century will not be written by governments alone but by family offices that can turn opportunity into enduring prosperity.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:30PM

South Korea

Riding on jet success, South Korea chases US$15 billion UAE arms deal

Seoul showcased the fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, aiming to boost Middle East defence ties and global export ambitions.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:09PMvideocam

A KF-21 fighter jet is displayed at a defence exhibition in South Korea in 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/Yonhap

Banking & finance

Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia set to launch US$1 billion fund, Paul Chan says

A ‘major Saudi development company’ will host a roadshow in Hong Kong next month to seek strategic partners, financial secretary says.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:58PM

China's military weapons

China displays latest UAV and fighter jets at the Middle East’s largest air show

Full-scale model of Wing Loong-X UAV makes first defence exhibition appearance outside the mainland as Beijing promotes aviation products.

18 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine seeks to bring home 1,200 prisoners in Russia talks

Turkish mediation in 2022 set the rules for coordinated swaps between Ukraine and Russia, who have sporadically exchanged thousands of prisoners.

16 Nov 2025 - 5:02PM

A freed Ukrainian prisoner of war mbraces his relatives after a swap of POWs, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on October 2. Photo: Reuters

Bhutan

Can Bhutan’s Singapore-inspired ‘mindfulness city’ lure its youth back?

The Gelephu Mindfulness City, which has adopted laws from Singapore and Abu Dhabi, will help boost Bhutan’s economy, an official says.

16 Nov 2025 - 5:01PM

An artist’s impression of Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City. Photo: Facebook/Gelephu Mindfulness City

Family offices

Hong Kong’s allure for rich families rises amid mainland China’s EV, AI growth

More family offices in Asia, Europe and Middle East see city’s value as link to mainland investments, founder of Swiss firm Club Estate says.

16 Nov 2025 - 9:40AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Exclusive | Standard Chartered tailors UAE offerings for wealthy Chinese residents

The United Arab Emirates is a growing hub for people who come to work, set up family offices and start businesses, bank’s wealth CEO says.

14 Nov 2025 - 10:00AM

Middle East

US sanctions firms from China to India over Iranian weapons

The US also targeted Ma Jie, an individual based in China, who is accused of helping Iranian defence officials meet Chinese suppliers.

13 Nov 2025 - 3:49AMvideocam

Iranians visit an exhibition showcasing missile and drone achievements in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Millionaires and billionaires

Hong Kong trails Dubai, Singapore in list of destinations for the rich

City ranks highly for business environment and family infrastructure, but trails some rivals in cultural elements, Savills says.

12 Nov 2025 - 5:19PM

Victoria Harbour pictured from The Peak on August 31, 2025. Photo: Sun Yeung

Artificial intelligence

CaoCao tailgates WeRide into the UAE as flag comes down on China’s driverless race

WeRide wins UAE go-ahead for driverless taxis as CaoCao joins the race in the Middle East.

11 Nov 2025 - 8:15PM

China trade

Where are the ‘choke points’ in global trade – and can they be overcome?

Global trade growth is set to slow by 0.6 per cent in 2026, Allianz Trade says, as tariffs cut deep and major routes get congested.

10 Nov 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

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