Advertisement
Advertisement

World

United States & Canada
Europe
Middle East
Americas
Africa
Russia & Central Asia
Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, the United Arab Emirates, last month. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Iran, US say Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial vessels

Move eases oil fears, but US blockade stays; ships face Iranian routing rules as questions over enforcement, tolls and China’s role linger.

videocam
37

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

Europe

Chinese ring used 500 locations in Germany for illegal sex work: prosecutors

Five suspects are accused of organised smuggling of foreigners for their roles in operating the syndicate over the past three years.

Scores of Chinese women were smuggled into Germany for illegal sex work, with five suspects facing charges for operating the ring. Photo: Shutterstock
Scores of Chinese women were smuggled into Germany for illegal sex work, with five suspects facing charges for operating the ring. Photo: Shutterstock

United States & Canada

US Congress extends controversial surveillance law by 10 days

The short-term fix comes after a Trump-backed bid to secure a longer-term extension failed in the House.

Middle East

Israeli attacks killed over 38,000 women, girls in Gaza since October 2023: UN

About 11,000 women and girls survived the war with injuries that will result in lifelong disabilities.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Europe

UK’s Starmer faces calls to resign as Mandelson scandal reignites

Crisis deepens as the UK government admits Starmer’s former ambassador to US was appointed despite failing security vetting.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and his then-ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and his then-ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, in February 2025. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

Russia & Central Asia

Kremlin denies Putin’s isolation from Russia’s woes amid blogger’s criticism

Influencer Viktoria Bonya’s 20-million-view video sparked official response and action from Moscow.

Politics

Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’

Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.

4
Displaced people make their way back to their home on Friday crossing the bridge in Qasmiyeh linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country as a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect. Photo: Reuters

Global Economy

Iran war energy shock threatens Southeast Asia’s supply chains. A win for China?

US and European importers are shifting some orders back to China – but not everyone is optimistic.

videocam
Workers at an auto parts factory in Sihong, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on March 3. Photo: AFP
Workers at an auto parts factory in Sihong, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on March 3. Photo: AFP

China Economy

China focuses on car standards to put industry in global driving seat

New five-year plan also emphasised importance of stronger standards in boosting Chinese manufacturers’ competitiveness.

South Asia

Pakistan oil tanker becomes first to exit through Hormuz since US blockade began

Transits through the narrow waterway have been mostly in single digits since US and Israeli strikes began at the end of February.

videocam

World

China’s 3-satellite surveillance network, C919 faces ‘final exam’: 7 highlights

From Chinese AI cracking decade-old maths problem to Japan eyeing Nato partnership, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

A rendering of the Ludi Tance 4-01, the world’s first geosynchronous orbit synthetic aperture radar satellite. Photo: Handout

Diplomacy

Israel and Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire as US pushes broader deal

A pause in fighting may help ease tensions with Iran, as Trump eyes a White House meeting between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon.

22
US President Donald Trump said he had spoken to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ahead of the truce, adding the pair had agreed to the truce “in order to achieve PEACE”. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump said he had spoken to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ahead of the truce, adding the pair had agreed to the truce “in order to achieve PEACE”. Photo: AFP

Americas

Cuba’s president says island does not wish for US aggression, but ready to fight

Cuba has been bracing for a possible attack following repeated warnings from Trump after he toppled Venezuela’s leader.

Americas

IMF, World Bank say they are resuming dealings with Venezuela

The move follows the January ouster of Nicolas Maduro and could unlock billions in frozen assets for the Rodriguez administration.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Xi and Trump’s key people

Discover the power players in Xi and Trump’s teams; the key people setting the agenda on diplomacy, the military, the economy, security and science.

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s inner circles

United States & Canada

Power players: a visual guide to Trump’s team and their views on China

Discover who is in Donald Trump’s inner circle, their backgrounds, stances on China and the roles they will play in shaping the future of the US.

United States & Canada

Trump claims Jesus-like meme that caused outcry was him as a doctor

US president deletes AI image of himself as a Jesus-like figure amid a deepening feud with Pope Leo.

videocam
14

United States & Canada

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

videocam
21
Pope Leo addresses journalists during a flight to Algiers on Monday. Photo: via Reuters
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

videocam
40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

videocam
40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Neeta Lal

Opinion | Why India feels exposed by Pakistan’s diplomacy in Iran war

Neeta Lal
Gabriela Bernal

Opinion | After years of neglect, China emerges as North Korea’s ‘top priority’

Gabriela Bernal
James David Spellman

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

James David Spellman
Alex Lo

As I see it | KMT chief shows way forward to avoid blind confrontation with Beijing

Alex Lo
4
Asad Ullah

Opinion | You’re not asking the right question about the Iran war

Asad Ullah
Francis Neoton Cheung

Opinion | 4 identities Hong Kong must embrace to provide global leadership

Francis Neoton Cheung
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Myanmar frees thousands of prisoners, including former president

Released prisoners look out from a bus after it came out from Insein Prison, as relatives gather around it searching for their loved ones, during an amnesty to mark Myanmar’s new year in Yangon on April 17, 2026. More than 4,300 prisoners were slated for release on April 17 to mark Myanmar’s Thingyan new year, one of the country’s many public holidays when forgiveness orders are regularly announced. (Photo by Sai Aung MAIN / AFP)
01:32
Video

Is Japan ready for a female emperor?

A new poll shows most Japanese support a woman ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne, even as the prime minister proposes a plan that preserves the male-line succession.
02:31
Video

Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire

Trump announces Israel and Lebanon agreement to 10-day ceasefire
02:30
Video

The Iran war is going to hurt your skincare routine

fvsdfdav
02:15
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
US-China trade war
Donald Trump
US-China relations
Sexual harassment and assault
Crime
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

Men with higher IQs are less conservative, study finds

2

Cattle prices rocket as Brazil set to exhaust Chinese beef quota by May

videocam
3

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

4

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

videocam
5

‘Unprecedented in spread’: UK races to contain deadly meningitis outbreak