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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

A family member holds a photo of Kenyan who joined the Russian army. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

2 hours ago

US-China trade war

Washington offers US$200 million to boost US smartphone industry in Indo-Pacific

20 Feb 2026 - 7:24AMvideocam

India

India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership

19 Feb 2026 - 5:38PM

Iran

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

17 Feb 2026 - 10:54PMvideocam

Iran’s supreme eader Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/Reuters

Vietnam

‘Everyone became greedy’: how Vietnam’s crypto gold rush ended in ruins

Vietnam’s crypto boom faces a harsh winter as investors lose fortunes, bankruptcies and lay-offs roil the industry.

15 Feb 2026 - 2:26PMvideocam

Middle East

US-Iran talks to be held in Geneva next week, hosted by Oman

The son of Iran’s last shah called for US action, as Trump sends a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

15 Feb 2026 - 6:22AM

Middle East

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

14 Feb 2026 - 9:22PM

Demonstrators step on pictures of UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a protest against the UAE’s support for the RSF in Sudan, on the day of the two-year anniversary of the conflict, on April 15 last year. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

14 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 2 over HK$300,000 watch theft on inbound flight

Suspects remain in custody after passenger reports watch missing from his backpack on flight from Abu Dhabi.

13 Feb 2026 - 2:26PM

France

9 arrested over Louvre ticket fraud scheme involving Chinese tourists

The world-famous museum says it lost nearly US$12 million over the past decade as the result of tickets being reused for different visitors.

13 Feb 2026 - 12:37PM

Tourists near the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Russia launches missile, drone barrage at Ukraine as peace talks stall

Massive air assault targets energy systems and hits buildings in the capital and elsewhere, according to Ukrainian officials.

12 Feb 2026 - 8:29PM

Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian early-morning guided bomb strike on a residential area in Donetsk region on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Made in China 2025

Chinese healthcare firms expand overseas to support growing expat community

Privately owned Distinct Healthcare plans to open a clinic in Dubai, while TCM group Gushengtang eyes 50 centres in Southeast Asia.

11 Feb 2026 - 5:08PM

Yuan

China keen to realise ambitions for digital currency amid slow uptake

Despite record transactions last year, most users prefer alternatives – while Beijing likely to maintain gradual expansion, analysts say.

10 Feb 2026 - 4:08PM

Banking & finance

Will Hong Kong, Singapore capture Asia’s capital inflows? DBS CEO weighs in

The two financial hubs are best choices for global investors seeking to diversify their portfolios amid geopolitical risks, Tan Su Shan says.

9 Feb 2026 - 7:11AM

Interest rate cuts and geopolitical tensions are spurring international investors to eye faster-growing Asian markets, particularly Hong Kong and Singapore, according to DBS. Photo: Jonathan Wong

My Take

My Take | TikTok deal good for Chinese owners but terrible for users in the United States

The social media platform, now majority owned by Americans, will herald a new era of state control and corporate manipulation of US citizens.

8 Feb 2026 - 10:15PM

Russia

Russia says suspect in shooting of top general detained in Dubai

Moscow says Russian Lyubomir Korba was held in Dubai for a shooting, with two accomplices identified – one in Moscow, while one fled to Ukraine.

8 Feb 2026 - 6:31PM

India

Indian activist wins US$1 million prize for transforming slum schools through art

Rouble Nagi wins the 2026 Global Teacher Prize for opening 800 slum centres and using art to provide free education across India.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:50PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong property back as a top choice for foreign investors, study says

Commercial sector rebounds after missing top 10 a year ago, CBRE says, as Knight Frank research shows recovery in luxury residential deals.

5 Feb 2026 - 11:26AM

A view of Central district in Hong Kong on January 26, 2026. Photo: Jelly Tse

IPO

Morgan Stanley sees another record year for Hong Kong IPOs as pipeline hits 450

Mainland China’s issuers will still dominate city’s IPO market, executive says, but US and Southeast Asian companies are also joining in.

5 Feb 2026 - 7:35AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia wrap ‘productive’ first day of US-backed peace talks

The negotiations in Abu Dhabi focused on Moscow’s territorial demands and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

5 Feb 2026 - 4:18AM

Iran

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

4 Feb 2026 - 10:11PM

A satellite image taken on February 1 shows a new roof over a previously destroyed building at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear site. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters

Ukraine war

Ukraine left freezing as Russia bombs energy grid before peace talks

Largest barrage of the year hits Kyiv and Kharkiv, damaging power plants. Zelensky says Moscow chose terror over diplomacy as talks loom.

3 Feb 2026 - 6:02PM

Emergency services personnel battle to extinguish a blaze at a multi-storey residential building after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday. Photo: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP

Ukraine war

Russian drone strike on bus in Ukraine kills 12 miners as more peace talks loom

Ukraine’s first deputy PM condemns ‘targeted’ attack on energy workers as Zelensky says next trilateral peace talks to be February 4-5.

2 Feb 2026 - 9:53AM

China-Africa relations

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

1 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Ras Al Khaimah turns to Hong Kong to promote landmark UAE resort

Delegation promotes resort development – the UAE’s first casino project – to be operated under the brand of Hong Kong-listed Wynn Resorts.

30 Jan 2026 - 8:04PM

Al Marjan Island in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Handout

International Property

Ras Al Khaimah eyes Chinese, Hong Kong investors as UAE-China ties deepen

The emirate aims to more than double tourist arrivals by 2030 and is pitching opportunities in property, green and digital projects.

28 Jan 2026 - 6:06PM

Marjan CEO Abdulla Al Abdouli, RAK Properties CEO Sameh Muhtadi and Ras Al Khaimah ruler’s advisor Alma Au Yeung pose for pictures during a delegation visit in Hong Kong. Photo: Reuters

SCMP Highlights

Okinawa loses longevity crown, Malaysian athlete threatened: 7 Asia highlights

From longevity in Japan’s Okinawa to proxy wars in Middle East, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

27 Jan 2026 - 3:27PM

US-Iran tensions

US aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East amid Iran tensions

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out a military intervention as the US ‘armada’ reaches the region.

27 Jan 2026 - 12:24PM

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United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Over 1,000 Kenyans recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine war: report

Russian embassy denied Moscow’s involvement in illegally recruiting, though it said ‌foreign citizens could voluntarily join its forces.

Washington offers US$200 million to boost US smartphone industry in Indo-Pacific

India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Everyone became greedy’: how Vietnam’s crypto gold rush ended in ruins

Vietnam’s crypto boom faces a harsh winter as investors lose fortunes, bankruptcies and lay-offs roil the industry.

US-Iran talks to be held in Geneva next week, hosted by Oman

The son of Iran’s last shah called for US action, as Trump sends a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

Hong Kong police arrest 2 over HK$300,000 watch theft on inbound flight

Suspects remain in custody after passenger reports watch missing from his backpack on flight from Abu Dhabi.

9 arrested over Louvre ticket fraud scheme involving Chinese tourists

The world-famous museum says it lost nearly US$12 million over the past decade as the result of tickets being reused for different visitors.

Russia launches missile, drone barrage at Ukraine as peace talks stall

Massive air assault targets energy systems and hits buildings in the capital and elsewhere, according to Ukrainian officials.

Chinese healthcare firms expand overseas to support growing expat community

Privately owned Distinct Healthcare plans to open a clinic in Dubai, while TCM group Gushengtang eyes 50 centres in Southeast Asia.

China keen to realise ambitions for digital currency amid slow uptake

Despite record transactions last year, most users prefer alternatives – while Beijing likely to maintain gradual expansion, analysts say.

Will Hong Kong, Singapore capture Asia’s capital inflows? DBS CEO weighs in

The two financial hubs are best choices for global investors seeking to diversify their portfolios amid geopolitical risks, Tan Su Shan says.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | TikTok deal good for Chinese owners but terrible for users in the United States

The social media platform, now majority owned by Americans, will herald a new era of state control and corporate manipulation of US citizens.

Russia says suspect in shooting of top general detained in Dubai

Moscow says Russian Lyubomir Korba was held in Dubai for a shooting, with two accomplices identified – one in Moscow, while one fled to Ukraine.

Indian activist wins US$1 million prize for transforming slum schools through art

Rouble Nagi wins the 2026 Global Teacher Prize for opening 800 slum centres and using art to provide free education across India.

Hong Kong property back as a top choice for foreign investors, study says

Commercial sector rebounds after missing top 10 a year ago, CBRE says, as Knight Frank research shows recovery in luxury residential deals.

Morgan Stanley sees another record year for Hong Kong IPOs as pipeline hits 450

Mainland China’s issuers will still dominate city’s IPO market, executive says, but US and Southeast Asian companies are also joining in.

Ukraine and Russia wrap ‘productive’ first day of US-backed peace talks

The negotiations in Abu Dhabi focused on Moscow’s territorial demands and the fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

US-Iran nuclear talks set for Oman amid rising Middle East tensions

Planned talks moving from Turkey after a US jet downs an Iranian drone, though the role of regional Arab allies remains in limbo.

Ukraine left freezing as Russia bombs energy grid before peace talks

Largest barrage of the year hits Kyiv and Kharkiv, damaging power plants. Zelensky says Moscow chose terror over diplomacy as talks loom.

Russian drone strike on bus in Ukraine kills 12 miners as more peace talks loom

Ukraine’s first deputy PM condemns ‘targeted’ attack on energy workers as Zelensky says next trilateral peace talks to be February 4-5.

How China’s plan to internationalise yuan has quietly taken a step forward

Decision to repay loans and import costs directly to China in Chinese currency is practical rather than political, experts say.

Ras Al Khaimah turns to Hong Kong to promote landmark UAE resort

Delegation promotes resort development – the UAE’s first casino project – to be operated under the brand of Hong Kong-listed Wynn Resorts.

Ras Al Khaimah eyes Chinese, Hong Kong investors as UAE-China ties deepen

The emirate aims to more than double tourist arrivals by 2030 and is pitching opportunities in property, green and digital projects.

Okinawa loses longevity crown, Malaysian athlete threatened: 7 Asia highlights

From longevity in Japan’s Okinawa to proxy wars in Middle East, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

US aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East amid Iran tensions

US President Donald Trump has not ruled out a military intervention as the US ‘armada’ reaches the region.

My Take | TikTok deal good for Chinese owners but terrible for users in the United States