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Israel

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Israel. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Jerusalem

Head of State

President Isaac Herzog

Head of Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Cathay Pacific

Editorial | Cathay Pacific must remain vigilant to navigate new turbulence

War in the Middle East is causing significant disruption, but a focus on regional routes can help ensure the airline’s solid recovery continues.

2 hours ago

US, Israel war on Iran

As I see it | Trump and Netanyahu’s Iran quagmire is wrecking the global economy

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran lets 2 India-flagged gas tankers sail through Strait of Hormuz: insiders

3 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz has become Iran’s ultimate lever against US. Will Trump ‘blink first’?

By choking the world’s energy artery, Tehran is betting it can endure longer than a far stronger enemy.

13 Mar 2026 - 11:15PMvideocam

The Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree on fire after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Royal Thai Navy

US-China trade war

US-China trade talks: what to expect as senior officials meet in Paris

Both sides have short-term incentives to maintain their ‘trade truce’ so they can focus on dealing with domestic issues, analysts say.

6 hours agovideocam

United States

US economic growth slumps to 0.7% in fourth quarter, stoking inflation worries

The figure was significantly lower than the initial estimate of 1.4 per cent for the October to December period.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:49PMvideocam

Science

Deadly strike on Iran primary school raises questions about AI use in war

While cutting-edge technologies process vast amounts of data, human decisions remain the focal point when systems fail, observers say.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Coffins for children killed in a February 28 missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh primary school in Minab, southern Iran, are prepared for a mass funeral on March 3. Photo: AFP

War and conflict

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill to rise more than fourfold as Iran war drags on

The government will spend about US$812.8 million a month to maintain the price of subsidised petrol and diesel in the short term.

13 Mar 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

More illegal refuelling complaints as Hong Kong grapples with rising oil prices

City receives 221 reports of illegal petrol stations in January and February, or more than four times 2025’s monthly average.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:27PM

Hong Kong Fire Services Department officers crack down on an illicit petrol station at Yick Fung Building in To Kwa Wan, where three 1,000-litre containers were used for unauthorised storage and refuelling operations. Photo: Dickson Lee

Australia

Australia walks ‘very fine line’ with Gulf deployment amid Iran war

Analysts say the defensive deployment reflects Canberra’s attempt to balance alliance pressure with fears of deeper involvement in the conflict.

13 Mar 2026 - 4:43PMvideocam

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft (top left) flying over airspace in the Northern Territory of Australia. Photo: Australian Defence Force/AFP

Hong Kong transport

Greater Bay Airlines to raise fuel surcharges, joining Hong Kong rivals

Surcharge on flights originating from Hong Kong for all destinations except mainland China and the Maldives will increase by 104 per cent.

13 Mar 2026 - 5:34PMvideocam

Cathay Pacific

Swire sells part of Cathay stake for HK$1.8 billion to boost working capital

Group sold 153.05 million shares on Thursday at HK$11.74 each, but still holds 45.12 per cent of airline’s stock.

13 Mar 2026 - 10:52PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Netanyahu threatens Iran’s new supreme leader, defends joint assault with US

‘I ‌will not detail the actions ‌we are taking. We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime,’ the Israeli PM said.

13 Mar 2026 - 5:31AMvideocam

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and US President Donald Trump. Photo: Getty Images / TNS

Science

Israel’s 90 nuclear warheads make any strike on Iran ‘really dangerous’: expert

Policy head of Nobel Peace Prize-winning group sounds alarm over possible intentional or accidental use of weapons.

12 Mar 2026 - 9:11PMvideocam

Experts estimate Israel has a nuclear arsenal of 90 warheads, though its plutonium stores could theoretically fuel double that amount. Photo: Getty Images.

Iran

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

Many Asean firms are tied into the global network in the Gulf, Europe and the US, facing the risk of cyberattacks linked to the war.

12 Mar 2026 - 6:06PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

It’s been 2 weeks since war broke out in Iran. Is there an end in sight?

Chinese analysts weigh the US president’s shifting signals and global oil risks, reject talk of any benefit to China.

12 Mar 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

Middle East

Letters | US war with Iran underscores need for global governance of AI

Readers discuss military use of artificial intelligence, the deaths of children as the conflict escalates, and the UN’s role.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:30AM

People inspect the site of a strike on a police station in Tehran, Iran, on March 3, amid the US and Israel’s bombing of the country. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:09AM

North Korea

Iran may team up again with North Korea to defy ‘gangster-like’ US. Here’s why

North Korea has long been suspected of supplying missile technology to Iran and providing technical help on uranium enrichment.

12 Mar 2026 - 5:42PM

US, Israel war on Iran

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

Mourners wave Iranian flags during the funeral procession for senior military officials and civilians killed during the US-Israel campaign in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AP

China trade

As Iran war hits trade hubs, China’s logistics firms rush for alternatives

Disrupted Middle East transit routes squeeze sector, pushing freight costs higher and pressuring supply chains.

12 Mar 2026 - 5:56AMvideocam

About half of China’s oil comes from the Middle East, underscoring the importance of the Strait of Hormuz (pictured, with anchored LPG gas tanker on Wednesday), which also serves as a crucial trade corridor for the country’s exports. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran warns of US$200 oil as countries reach for emergency reserves

US president declares ‘we won’ the war as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz sends shock waves through energy markets.

12 Mar 2026 - 1:25PMvideocam

Germany

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands ‘ready’ to act

The latest announcement came as G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:29PMvideocam

Science

Chinese firm claims it intercepted B-2 radio signal during US strike on Iran

Defence technology company says its Jingqi monitoring system detected communications after bombing mission.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

A United States Air Force B-2 stealth strategic bomber. Photo: Handout

Malaysia

Malaysia tightens borders to fight fuel smuggling amid global energy crisis

The move comes amid concern that rising fuel prices abroad could make it more profitable to smuggle subsidised fuel out of Malaysia.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:07PM

Fuel pump nozzles are pictured at a petrol station in Kuching, Sarawak. Malaysia will keep subsidised petrol prices unchanged despite the global increase in crude oil costs. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Mystery surrounds health and whereabouts of Iran’s new supreme leader

Speculation over the health of Mojtaba Khamenei grows amid reports he was wounded in US-Israeli attacks.

11 Mar 2026 - 8:33PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Iran war shows US defence gaps; professor returns to China: 7 science highlights

From creating a bamboo-winged drone to efforts in “taming” typhoons, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

11 Mar 2026 - 3:30PM

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Israel

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Cathay Pacific must remain vigilant to navigate new turbulence

War in the Middle East is causing significant disruption, but a focus on regional routes can help ensure the airline’s solid recovery continues.

As I see it | Trump and Netanyahu’s Iran quagmire is wrecking the global economy

Iran lets 2 India-flagged gas tankers sail through Strait of Hormuz: insiders

Hormuz has become Iran’s ultimate lever against US. Will Trump ‘blink first’?

By choking the world’s energy artery, Tehran is betting it can endure longer than a far stronger enemy.

US-China trade talks: what to expect as senior officials meet in Paris

Both sides have short-term incentives to maintain their ‘trade truce’ so they can focus on dealing with domestic issues, analysts say.

US economic growth slumps to 0.7% in fourth quarter, stoking inflation worries

The figure was significantly lower than the initial estimate of 1.4 per cent for the October to December period.

Deadly strike on Iran primary school raises questions about AI use in war

While cutting-edge technologies process vast amounts of data, human decisions remain the focal point when systems fail, observers say.

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill to rise more than fourfold as Iran war drags on

The government will spend about US$812.8 million a month to maintain the price of subsidised petrol and diesel in the short term.

More illegal refuelling complaints as Hong Kong grapples with rising oil prices

City receives 221 reports of illegal petrol stations in January and February, or more than four times 2025’s monthly average.

Australia walks ‘very fine line’ with Gulf deployment amid Iran war

Analysts say the defensive deployment reflects Canberra’s attempt to balance alliance pressure with fears of deeper involvement in the conflict.

Greater Bay Airlines to raise fuel surcharges, joining Hong Kong rivals

Surcharge on flights originating from Hong Kong for all destinations except mainland China and the Maldives will increase by 104 per cent.

Swire sells part of Cathay stake for HK$1.8 billion to boost working capital

Group sold 153.05 million shares on Thursday at HK$11.74 each, but still holds 45.12 per cent of airline’s stock.

Netanyahu threatens Iran’s new supreme leader, defends joint assault with US

‘I ‌will not detail the actions ‌we are taking. We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime,’ the Israeli PM said.

Israel’s 90 nuclear warheads make any strike on Iran ‘really dangerous’: expert

Policy head of Nobel Peace Prize-winning group sounds alarm over possible intentional or accidental use of weapons.

Southeast Asia faces spillover cyber risk from Iran war as ‘blast radius’ widens

Many Asean firms are tied into the global network in the Gulf, Europe and the US, facing the risk of cyberattacks linked to the war.

It’s been 2 weeks since war broke out in Iran. Is there an end in sight?

Chinese analysts weigh the US president’s shifting signals and global oil risks, reject talk of any benefit to China.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | US war with Iran underscores need for global governance of AI

Readers discuss military use of artificial intelligence, the deaths of children as the conflict escalates, and the UN’s role.

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

Iran may team up again with North Korea to defy ‘gangster-like’ US. Here’s why

North Korea has long been suspected of supplying missile technology to Iran and providing technical help on uranium enrichment.

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

As Iran war hits trade hubs, China’s logistics firms rush for alternatives

Disrupted Middle East transit routes squeeze sector, pushing freight costs higher and pressuring supply chains.

Iran warns of US$200 oil as countries reach for emergency reserves

US president declares ‘we won’ the war as chaos in the Strait of Hormuz sends shock waves through energy markets.

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands ‘ready’ to act

The latest announcement came as G7 leaders were set to discuss the widespread economic fallout from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Chinese firm claims it intercepted B-2 radio signal during US strike on Iran

Defence technology company says its Jingqi monitoring system detected communications after bombing mission.

Malaysia tightens borders to fight fuel smuggling amid global energy crisis

The move comes amid concern that rising fuel prices abroad could make it more profitable to smuggle subsidised fuel out of Malaysia.

Mystery surrounds health and whereabouts of Iran’s new supreme leader

Speculation over the health of Mojtaba Khamenei grows amid reports he was wounded in US-Israeli attacks.

Iran war shows US defence gaps; professor returns to China: 7 science highlights

From creating a bamboo-winged drone to efforts in “taming” typhoons, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Editorial | Cathay Pacific must remain vigilant to navigate new turbulence

Letters | US war with Iran underscores need for global governance of AI