https://www.scmp.com/rss/268559/feed en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agencies Agencies World No 1 Elena Rybakina hailed her “amazing achievement” after securing the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in Japan on Thursday. Rybakina became the world’s top-ranked player for the first time last month in winning the US Open, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the summit, needing only one ‌more victory this year to ensure the world No 2 Belarusian could not overtake her. She ensured she would start 2027 on top after a comfortable opening match in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3372618/elena-rybakina-secures-year-end-top-rank-pan-pacific-open-win-tokyo-naomi-osaka-out https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3372618/elena-rybakina-secures-year-end-top-rank-pan-pacific-open-win-tokyo-naomi-osaka-out Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Agencies Agencies A Catholic priest died on Saturday after a heavy wooden crucifix fell from a wall and crushed him against the pulpit as he celebrated mass in the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil. Father Patricio Sanchez was conducting the service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church when the crucifix detached from the wall directly above the altar. Graphic footage of the live-streamed service, which circulated widely on social media over the weekend, showed the cross fatally striking the priest on the head as... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3371331/falling-crucifix-kills-priest-during-live-streamed-mass-ecuador https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3371331/falling-crucifix-kills-priest-during-live-streamed-mass-ecuador Sun, 18 Oct 2026 20:13:49 +0000 Agencies Agencies Jury selection took place on Monday for the ⁠trial of British actor ⁠and comedian Russell Brand over alleged ⁠historical crimes including rape and other sexual offences. Brand, 51, once one of Britain’s most high-profile broadcasters and former husband of US singer Katy Perry, faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and ‌one count of indecent assault relating to six women from 1999 to 2009. Brand has denied all the accusations. He arrived at London’s Southwark Crown Court... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3370619/uk-comedian-russell-brand-london-court-rape-trial-start https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3370619/uk-comedian-russell-brand-london-court-rape-trial-start Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:10:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Agencies Agence France-Presse,Agencies Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen withdrew on Monday from her home tournament in Wuhan, citing fatigue and a right shoulder injury. Zheng became the first Chinese player to clinch the Beijing title on Sunday by defeating reigning Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final. It was Zheng’s first WTA 1000-level triumph and her first title since winning Tokyo two years ago. “I’m very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year’s Wuhan Open,” Zheng said in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3370542/china-open-champ-zheng-qinwen-withdraws-wuhan-citing-fatigue-shoulder-injury https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3370542/china-open-champ-zheng-qinwen-withdraws-wuhan-citing-fatigue-shoulder-injury Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:07 +0000 Agencies Agencies A resurgent Zheng Qinwen charged into the China Open final on Saturday, beating Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2, and will play Mirra Andreeva for the title at her home tournament. It is another step in the Olympic gold medallist’s injury comeback, following a gritty showing at last month’s US Open, where she reached the quarter-finals. Zheng, a former world No 4, had struggled with her form since needing elbow surgery in 2025 and is a wild-card entry in Beijing. “I had a great performance tonight,” said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3370453/resurgent-home-favourite-zheng-qinwen-charges-china-open-final-mirra-andreeva https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3370453/resurgent-home-favourite-zheng-qinwen-charges-china-open-final-mirra-andreeva Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:05:07 +0000 Agencies Agencies Singapore’s Formula 1 circuit needs redesigning and lacks entertainment value for a sprint race, Saturday’s sprint winner Max Verstappen and runner-up Lewis Hamilton said after the 20-lap race involved little overtaking. Rain delayed the start of the inaugural sprint at the ‌Marina Bay Street Circuit, and with overtaking almost impossible, the only drama came in the form of collisions and a record nine retirements. “I think we shouldn’t host a sprint where you can’t pass,” Red Bull’s pole sitter... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3370448/max-verstappen-wins-singapore-grand-prix-sprint-race-george-russell-crashes-out-lead https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3370448/max-verstappen-wins-singapore-grand-prix-sprint-race-george-russell-crashes-out-lead Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:40:19 +0000 Agencies Agencies This year’s Nobel Prize in Literature has gone to Canada’s Anne Carson, an essayist and classicist who brings a modern twist to mysticism and antiquity in her writings about love, desire and despair. The 76-year-old won “for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature”, the Swedish Academy said on Thursday. Carson is widely known for her translations of classical Greek literature – which heavily influence... https://www.scmp.com/yp/trending/culture/article/3370358/poet-and-essayist-anne-carson-wins-2026-nobel-prize-literature-inventive-take-classics https://www.scmp.com/yp/trending/culture/article/3370358/poet-and-essayist-anne-carson-wins-2026-nobel-prize-literature-inventive-take-classics Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:45:41 +0000 Agencies Agencies Former UN human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The South Africa-born jurist was recognised for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement was made by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo on Friday. Pillay joked that she might “share the prize” with US President Donald Trump if people kept applauding her. “If you clap a little bit more I may share this prize with Trump,” Pillay said in a video posted to social media by the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3370342/navi-pillay-wins-2026-nobel-peace-prize https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3370342/navi-pillay-wins-2026-nobel-peace-prize Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:09:41 +0000 Agencies Agencies The winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature is Canada’s Anne Carson, an essayist and classicist who brings a modern twist to mysticism and antiquity in her writings about love, desire and despair. The 76-year-old won “for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature”, the Swedish Academy said on Thursday. Carson is widely known for her translations of classical Greek literature, which heavily... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370205/canadas-anne-carson-wins-2026-nobel-prize-literature https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370205/canadas-anne-carson-wins-2026-nobel-prize-literature Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:07:24 +0000 Agencies Agencies A massive attack involving 650 drones targeted Moscow overnight, leaving at least two dead, Russian authorities said on Tuesday. Most of the drones were destroyed by air defences at long range, including 105 intercepted as they approached the capital, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram. Russian state news agency Tass reported it was the second-largest drone attack on the capital region in the past two years. The dead included a 71-year-old man pulled from under the rubble ‌of a house... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3369888/ukraine-attacks-moscow-region-650-drones-both-sides-step-strikes https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3369888/ukraine-attacks-moscow-region-650-drones-both-sides-step-strikes Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:44:01 +0000 Agencies Agencies President Emmanuel Macron said France would send troops to defend an oil plant in Saudi Arabia as the Iran-backed Houthi militia took responsibility for new attacks on the kingdom. Macron said in a television interview Thursday with TF1 and France 2 that he would send soldiers and military support to help protect the Saudi port of Yanbu. Saudi Arabia came under attack from the Houthi militia on Thursday, with the kingdom saying it intercepted missiles fired towards the Red Sea port of Yanbu and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3368772/france-protect-key-saudi-oil-terminal-houthis-step-missile-attacks https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3368772/france-protect-key-saudi-oil-terminal-houthis-step-missile-attacks Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:03:48 +0000 Agencies Agencies At the end, when five riveting sets and one agonisingly tight tiebreak were over – and when the latest-finishing match in US Open history had concluded – Ben Shelton was not the only player smiling. Carlos Alcaraz, the player Shelton had just defeated in an entertaining, spine-tingling marathon, was smiling too. The dethroned defending champ grinned as he walked to the net to hug Shelton. And he did so again a few minutes later when he stood in a hallway surrounded by reporters, reflecting on a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3366904/ben-shelton-stuns-carlos-alcaraz-late-late-show-reach-us-open-semi-finals https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3366904/ben-shelton-stuns-carlos-alcaraz-late-late-show-reach-us-open-semi-finals Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:24:27 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agencies SCMP Sport,Agencies Yu Zidi, the 13-year-old swimming sensation, will be among a bumper 815 Chinese athletes heading to the Asian Games in Japan this month, state media said Friday. Comprising 36 Olympic champions, the squad has an average age of 24, and over a quarter of the athletes are 20 or under, with most making their Games debuts. Yu, who became the youngest medallist in swimming world championships history last year aged just 12, is part of a team comprising 404 women and 411 men who will compete in 38... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366403/swimmer-yu-zidi-among-bumper-china-team-asian-games-zheng-qinwen-misses-out https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3366403/swimmer-yu-zidi-among-bumper-china-team-asian-games-zheng-qinwen-misses-out Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:28:42 +0000 Agencies Agencies France is facing pressure to consent to the International Court of Justice taking up a decades-old territorial feud with Vanuatu, after Paris firmly reasserted its sovereignty over two strategically vital Pacific islands. Vanuatu filed an application with the UN’s top court earlier this week seeking recognition of its claim over the uninhabited Matthew and Hunter islands. However, the case cannot proceed without French consent, prompting Vanuatu to warn it would seek a UN General Assembly... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3366294/france-digs-pacific-islands-claim-vanuatu-turns-world-court https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3366294/france-digs-pacific-islands-claim-vanuatu-turns-world-court Fri, 04 Sep 2026 02:37:21 +0000 Agencies Agencies Ukraine is preparing for a new round of talks with representatives of US President Donald Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, expressing hope that diplomacy can prevent open conflict from remaining the only path forward. “There will be more details tomorrow. We will do everything we can so that war does not remain the only option for how events unfold further,” Zelensky said in a televised address. “It is important that America shares many of our views on the situation”. US-led... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3365779/ukraine-preparing-further-talks-trump-envoys-zelensky-says https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3365779/ukraine-preparing-further-talks-trump-envoys-zelensky-says Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:19:13 +0000 Agencies Agencies Residents of Malaysian villages near the Thailand border were left shaken this weekend after hearing loud booms and seeing flashes of light across the frontier, as Thai authorities confirmed more than 50 coordinated attacks on Saturday night. The blasts, heard in Kampung Lubok Gong and Kampung Tersang in Malaysia’s Kelantan state, coincided with a wave of near-simultaneous attacks across 21 districts in Thailand’s Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces beginning around 8pm local time on... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3365000/malaysian-villages-shaken-blasts-rock-southern-thailand https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3365000/malaysian-villages-shaken-blasts-rock-southern-thailand Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:27:36 +0000 Agencies Agencies Former Wimbledon finalist Nick ⁠Kyrgios was provisionally suspended from tennis on Wednesday after testing positive for cocaine, with the volatile Australian owning up to his “huge mistake” in a public apology. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the suspension of the 31-year-old following a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample taken during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high rank of 13, has been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3364578/australian-tennis-player-nick-kyrgios-admits-huge-mistake-after-failing-test-cocaine https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3364578/australian-tennis-player-nick-kyrgios-admits-huge-mistake-after-failing-test-cocaine Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:48:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies Fifa president Gianni Infantino sought support ⁠from the Trump ⁠administration amid mounting criticism ⁠after his abandoned plan to sell a stake in World Cup commercial rights, the New York Post said on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. European football body Uefa, meanwhile, has threatened football’s governing body with legal action over Infantino’s failed plan, and said any potential evidence should not be destroyed. And in more bad news for the Fifa chief, the English Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3362796/uefa-threatens-fifa-legal-action-over-world-cup-plan-infantino-sought-trumps-backing https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3362796/uefa-threatens-fifa-legal-action-over-world-cup-plan-infantino-sought-trumps-backing Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:30:06 +0000 Agencies Agencies A home-made bomb carried by a woman killed at least three people and injured 21 ‌near an upscale restaurant in central Moscow on Saturday evening, authorities said, amid unconfirmed speculation on social media that the attack may have been linked to the war in Ukraine. Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK) said an unidentified woman carrying an improvised explosive device had tried to get into the restaurant but had been stopped by a security ⁠guard. NAK said the woman, the guard and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3362666/3-dead-15-injured-explosion-near-moscow-cafe-police-say https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3362666/3-dead-15-injured-explosion-near-moscow-cafe-police-say Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:28:20 +0000 Agencies Agencies Malaysia’s Sepang circuit will host a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix in October, Formula 1 announced on Sunday. The Liberty Media-owned sport said in a statement at the Hungarian Grand Prix that the October 4 race at the circuit near Kuala Lumpur’s international airport would officially be ‌designated the “Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia”. “This is fantastic news for our fans,” said Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali of the agreement between the governments of Malaysia and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3361905/malaysia-make-formula-1-comeback-october-host-bahrain-grand-prix https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3361905/malaysia-make-formula-1-comeback-october-host-bahrain-grand-prix Sun, 26 Jul 2026 13:08:32 +0000 Agencies Agencies Chinese ⁠Premier ⁠Li Qiang on Monday extended congratulations to Andy Burnham on ‌becoming Britain’s new prime minister. Strengthening dialogue and cooperation between ⁠China and Britain will benefit ‌the two countries and “inject stability into global ‌peace”, Li said in ⁠his ⁠message, Reuters reported. “I am willing to ‌work with the prime minister ‌to strengthen exchanges, ‌enhance mutual ‌trust, promote communication and cooperation, ⁠and advance the long-term, ⁠stable comprehensive... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3361261/chinas-li-congratulates-andy-burnham-becoming-britains-new-prime-minister https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3361261/chinas-li-congratulates-andy-burnham-becoming-britains-new-prime-minister Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:09:19 +0000 Agencies Agencies Former Liverpool and England star Kevin Keegan has died aged 75 after battling cancer, his family announced on Monday. Keegan, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, was diagnosed with stage four cancer and underwent treatment in January. “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kevin Keegan has passed away at the age of 75,” a statement from Keegan’s family said. “The former England player and manager had been battling cancer and was surrounded by his wife and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3361257/kevin-keegan-legendary-ex-liverpool-england-star-and-newcastle-manager-dies-aged-75 https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3361257/kevin-keegan-legendary-ex-liverpool-england-star-and-newcastle-manager-dies-aged-75 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:58:13 +0000 Agencies Agencies French superstar Kylian Mbappe became the first player to win multiple Fifa World Cup Golden Boot awards ⁠after Spain beat Argentina ⁠1-0 in the final on Sunday. Mbappe finished with 10 goals for the tournament after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 loss to England on Saturday in the third-place match. Real Madrid forward Mbappe also won the prize with eight goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France were beaten in the final by Lionel Messi and Argentina. Messi, who was searching for his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3361147/frances-kylian-mbappe-wins-second-world-cup-golden-boot-spain-sweep-other-awards https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3361147/frances-kylian-mbappe-wins-second-world-cup-golden-boot-spain-sweep-other-awards Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:58:19 +0000 Agencies Agencies US President Donald Trump has said people in the Scottish city of Aberdeen will be “dancing in the streets” following reports Andy Burnham could back new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. The incoming UK prime minister, dubbed the “King of the North” for his work as ‌the mayor of Greater Manchester in northwestern England, has not confirmed reports that he is considering approving new fossil fuel production, particularly in the North Sea’s Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. But in a post on his... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3361123/trump-welcomes-reports-andy-burnham-could-open-north-sea-oil-drilling https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3361123/trump-welcomes-reports-andy-burnham-could-open-north-sea-oil-drilling Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:46:36 +0000 Agencies Agencies Donald Trump joked that Fifa president Gianni ‌Infantino has ‌approached him about the possibility of the US and China co-hosting a World ‌Cup in the future. The comment was among a number from President Trump about football at a Fifa World Cup reception in New York on Friday ahead of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain. The US president hailed the World Cup, also played in Mexico and Canada, as “the most successful sporting event perhaps in the history of the world” and suggested that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3361039/trump-quips-about-us-china-world-cup-bid-praises-infantino-over-balogun-red-card-reversal https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3361039/trump-quips-about-us-china-world-cup-bid-praises-infantino-over-balogun-red-card-reversal Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:43:53 +0000 Agencies Agencies Italian police raided the offices of several luxury brands including Bulgari and Chanel over suspicions they used subcontractors employing Chinese workers, a prosecutor said Thursday. The other luxury brands included Brunello Cucinelli, Etro, Goyard Italie, Jacob Cohen Company, Moncler, and Stefano Ricci, Milan prosecutor Paolo Storari said, confirming information published by business daily Il Sole 24 Ore. None of the nine companies is under investigation, and prosecutors have not sought... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3360847/italian-police-raid-luxury-brands-bulgari-and-chanel-over-exploitation-chinese-workers https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3360847/italian-police-raid-luxury-brands-bulgari-and-chanel-over-exploitation-chinese-workers Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:01:38 +0000 Agencies Agencies Linda Noskova did not pay much attention to tennis as a kid until she watched Czech compatriot Petra Kvitova win the Wimbledon final in 2011. “That is maybe one of the first moments when I realised that such a sport as tennis exists,” the 21-year-old Noskova said after playing on Centre Court at the All England Club for the first time on Thursday. More Czech kids will surely be watching on Saturday when the country is guaranteed to add another champion to its rich legacy at Wimbledon. Noskova... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3360163/martina-muchova-all-czech-wimbledon-final-continues-countrys-rich-legacy https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3360163/martina-muchova-all-czech-wimbledon-final-continues-countrys-rich-legacy Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:18 +0000 Agencies Agencies More World Cup teams, but same World Cup story. This edition in North America started with 48 teams; it is now down to eight, with six of those from Europe, with the exceptions being Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the reigning champions, and Morocco. And unless the remaining African side pulls off a series of surprising outcomes over the final two weeks, the champions will again come from Europe or South America. A tournament that has been around for almost a century – the first World Cup was in 1930... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359954/messi-morocco-and-same-old-story-europe-dominates-quarter-finals-expanded-world-cup https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359954/messi-morocco-and-same-old-story-europe-dominates-quarter-finals-expanded-world-cup Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:07 +0000 Agencies Agencies For a while on Tuesday, it appeared that the players of World Cup holders Argentina might shed a tear following their round-of-16 match against Egypt. And Argentina star Lionel Messi was seen weeping after the final whistle, but it was out of joy and relief rather than disappointment. Argentina trailed by two goals with 11 minutes to play in Atlanta, then stormed back for a stunning 3-2 victory. Rather than pack up their base camp at Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359879/teary-argentina-messi-now-face-world-cups-last-cinderella-team-quarter-finals https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359879/teary-argentina-messi-now-face-world-cups-last-cinderella-team-quarter-finals Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:11 +0000 Agencies Agencies Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni dismissed the idea that his team was feeling the pressure of being among the top favourites to win the World Cup. “This team have been playing as a favourite for several years and have always played well. But when things aren’t going your way, you fight, with grit, determination … and this team have that,” he said in a news conference on Monday. “You can play better, but if you don’t, if you don’t have that, you’re out.” Defending champions Argentina will face... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359731/coach-says-argentina-not-feeling-pressure-being-world-cup-co-favourites-messi-start https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359731/coach-says-argentina-not-feeling-pressure-being-world-cup-co-favourites-messi-start Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:00:13 +0000 Agencies Agencies Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban was suspended by Fifa on Sunday, allowing the forward to play in the United States’ World Cup round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday. Balogun, who leads the Americans with three goals, received a red card for stepping on the foot of Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday. The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump called Fifa President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to ask him to review the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359497/baloguns-ban-suspended-fifa-allowing-us-forward-play-against-belgium https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359497/baloguns-ban-suspended-fifa-allowing-us-forward-play-against-belgium Sun, 05 Jul 2026 17:53:33 +0000 Agencies Agencies The first act of pop sensation Taylor Swift’s wedding to NFL star Travis Kelce kicked off Thursday, with a rehearsal dinner for 100 guests ahead of a star-studded extravaganza at the famed Madison Square Garden. The billionaire singer and three-time Super Bowl champion, both 36, have kept fans guessing, but media reports describe an over-the-top celebration befitting one of the world’s most famous couples. The A-list festivities kicked off Thursday evening with an exclusive dinner for 100... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3359226/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-already-wed-report-says-party-could-go-till-4am https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3359226/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-already-wed-report-says-party-could-go-till-4am Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:30:17 +0000 Agencies Agencies Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will celebrate their wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the security plans. The festivities will kick off with a smaller rehearsal dinner planned for Thursday night, the official said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to publicly discuss the events. Speculation about the superstar singer and American football player’s nuptials has built to a frenzy in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3359083/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-wed-madison-square-garden-insider-says https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3359083/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelce-wed-madison-square-garden-insider-says Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:27:31 +0000 Agencies Agencies Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka continued to turn on the style at Wimbledon as she eased into the third round, while it was the end of the road at the All England Club this year for Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai. Osaka, who has won two Australian Open titles and twice at the US Open but not yet at Wimbledon, beat Russia’s Anastasia Gasanova in straight sets. In a later match, 37-year-old Zhang went down 6-3, 6-2 to the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, the 10th seed, in a match that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3359072/wimbledon-naomi-osaka-shows-new-look-easy-win-chinas-zhang-shuai-ousted https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3359072/wimbledon-naomi-osaka-shows-new-look-easy-win-chinas-zhang-shuai-ousted Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:00:06 +0000 Agencies Agencies England take on the Democratic Republic of Congo at the World Cup on Wednesday looking for a place in the last 16 while co-hosts the United States prepare for the biggest match in their football history. Two European powerhouses have already been ejected from the tournament after Germany and the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in the round of 32 by Paraguay and Morocco, respectively – and England do not want to be next. The Three Lions are aiming to end a 60-year wait to collect a major... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359035/england-face-familiar-faces-dr-congo-hurdle-usa-prepare-world-cup-spotlight https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3359035/england-face-familiar-faces-dr-congo-hurdle-usa-prepare-world-cup-spotlight Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Agencies Agencies Novak Djokovic ⁠launched his latest ⁠bid for a ⁠record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and stand-alone 25th Grand Slam crown with a battling 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over China’s plucky Wu Yibing in ‌the first round on Monday. Still fiercely competitive at the age of 39, Djokovic is looking to equal Roger Federer’s tally at the All England Club and go past Margaret Court in the all-time list ⁠of grand slam titles, and he showed flair and fight ‌to stay on track. After shedding the custom Lacoste... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3358814/djokovic-sees-inspired-wu-reach-wimbledon-second-round https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3358814/djokovic-sees-inspired-wu-reach-wimbledon-second-round Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:49:00 +0000 Agencies Agencies Keiko Fujimori is poised to become Peru’s next president after running her fourth consecutive campaign, according to figures published late Tuesday by the elections regulator after weeks of adjudicating disputed ballots. With 43,386 votes between Fujimori and leftist rival Roberto Sanchez, and no more than 39,300 votes in dispute, the conservative had enough of a margin to secure her lead. Fujimori had 50.1 per cent of the vote while Sanchez had 49.9 per cent with 99.8 per cent of ballots... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3358182/keiko-fujimori-edges-closer-winning-perus-presidency https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3358182/keiko-fujimori-edges-closer-winning-perus-presidency Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:29:47 +0000 Agencies Agencies A new Air Force One gifted by Qatar as a replacement aircraft for ferrying US presidents was unveiled on Friday by the US Air Force. “The Air Force’s VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will commence its initial commissioning flights, marking the successful delivery of a secure, modified executive platform,” the Air Force said. “The workmanship of this plane is, when you see it, you won’t believe it,” Trump said from inside the massive Andrews Air... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3357748/trump-unveils-new-air-force-one-gifted-him-qatar https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3357748/trump-unveils-new-air-force-one-gifted-him-qatar Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:00:28 +0000 Agencies Agencies Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel’s military will stay in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied up to 10km (6 miles) from the border. The remarks were his first comment since the United States and Iran signed an agreement to end the Middle East war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting the militant Hezbollah group. It was unclear what that US-Iran deal means in practice. Israel and Hezbollah are not parties to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3357629/netanyahu-rules-out-israeli-troop-withdrawal-southern-lebanon https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3357629/netanyahu-rules-out-israeli-troop-withdrawal-southern-lebanon Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:50:26 +0000 Agencies Agencies Hungary’s parliament approved a ⁠constitutional amendment ⁠on Monday that ⁠allows prime ministers to serve for a maximum of eight years, effectively barring former premier Viktor Orban from holding the role ‌again. Prime Minister Peter Magyar ousted Orban in an election in April after 16 years, gaining a two-thirds majority in parliament that allows his party to roll back or change legislation passed ⁠by Orban’s Fidesz, including the constitution. The amendment was a key campaign promise of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3357212/hungarian-parliament-rules-out-orban-return-8-year-limit-prime-ministers https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3357212/hungarian-parliament-rules-out-orban-return-8-year-limit-prime-ministers Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:31:34 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agencies SCMP Sport,Agencies After subjecting Iraq striker Aymen Hussein to a seven-hour interrogation, and denying entry to the entire Iran team except for matches, the United States has now banned referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from attending the World Cup. Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match, will not be able to train or take charge of a game at the tournament after being turned away at the border over the weekend, a Fifa spokesman said on Monday. In a statement, the world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3356435/us-rolls-welcome-mat-referee-banned-world-cup-despite-fifa-promises https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3356435/us-rolls-welcome-mat-referee-banned-world-cup-despite-fifa-promises Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:33:49 +0000 Sam Beltran,Agencies Sam Beltran,Agencies At least 35 people were killed and more than 200 injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, toppling buildings, setting off landslides and sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets. One survivor told This Week in Asia the shaking was so violent “you couldn’t stand”. The casualty count remained fluid as rescue teams fanned out across Mindanao, with disaster-response officials reporting deaths from landslides, collapsed buildings, falling debris... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3356287/magnitude-82-quake-strikes-philippines-tsunami-warning-issued https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3356287/magnitude-82-quake-strikes-philippines-tsunami-warning-issued Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:26:37 +0000 Agencies Agencies Portugal forward Rafael Leao was sent off for punching an opponent during a feisty 2-0 win over Chile in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday. Leao got into a heated altercation with Chile defender Ivan Roman after he felt he had been fouled by a different opponent. Leao was spotted throwing a punch during the mass scuffle that followed, and Roman reacted angrily and both were shown straight red cards on the stroke of half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo started the match but was taken off at the break... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3356234/portugal-and-chile-brawl-not-so-friendly-world-cup-warm-2-sent https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3356234/portugal-and-chile-brawl-not-so-friendly-world-cup-warm-2-sent Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:32:26 +0000 Agencies Agencies Hezbollah rejected a ceasefire plan agreed by the Lebanese and Israeli governments in US-mediated talks, as Israel kept up strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday and said it would not be withdrawing from the south. Israel and Lebanon agreed to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a “complete cessation” of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks in Washington on Wednesday. The two sides, which do not have formal diplomatic relations, also... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3355889/israel-and-lebanon-agree-renew-fragile-ceasefire-create-hezbollah-free-zones https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3355889/israel-and-lebanon-agree-renew-fragile-ceasefire-create-hezbollah-free-zones Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:43:46 +0000 SCMP Sport,Agencies SCMP Sport,Agencies Zheng Qinwen’s troubled tennis career took another bad turn on Monday, as she was dumped out of the French Open in emphatic fashion by qualifier Maja Chwalinska. The Polish 24-year-old, who is ranked 114 in the world, dispatched her more illustrious opponent 6-4, 6-0. A quarter-finalist in Paris last year, Zheng also won Olympic gold on the same clay courts in 2024, but has struggled to regain the form that propelled her to world No 4 after undergoing elbow surgery last year. The 23-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3354786/zheng-qinwens-woes-continue-after-losing-1st-round-french-open-match-polish-qualifier https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3354786/zheng-qinwens-woes-continue-after-losing-1st-round-french-open-match-polish-qualifier Mon, 25 May 2026 11:42:15 +0000 Agencies Agencies A ⁠number ⁠of ⁠Americans currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo are believed to ‌have had exposure to suspected cases in the country’s latest Ebola outbreak, with several deemed to ⁠have had high-risk exposures, US health news website STAT ‌News reported on Sunday. At least one of ‌these individuals may have ⁠developed symptoms, ⁠the report said. Reuters could ‌not immediately verify the report. The ‌Ebola outbreak ‌in DR Congo ⁠and Uganda has been declared a ⁠public health emergency of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3353907/americans-dr-congo-may-have-had-exposure-ebola-outbreak-us-media-reports https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3353907/americans-dr-congo-may-have-had-exposure-ebola-outbreak-us-media-reports Sun, 17 May 2026 22:50:37 +0000 Agencies Agencies Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club’s latest manager on Sunday on a four-year deal with the Spaniard tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes. Alonso replaces Liam Rosenior, who was fired last month, and will become the fifth permanent coach appointed by Chelsea’s American owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital since they bought the club in 2022. The former Real Madrid boss will take charge of the Blues from July 1 in what is his first managerial role in the Premier League. Callum... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3353872/xabi-alonso-appointed-chelsea-manager-club https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3353872/xabi-alonso-appointed-chelsea-manager-club Sun, 17 May 2026 08:26:59 +0000 Agencies Agencies A hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship off Cabo Verde has grown to seven cases, including two confirmed infections, the World Health Organization said on Monday, with three deaths among those linked to the voyage. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius is carrying 147 passengers and crew from 23 countries. Among the passengers are 17 Americans, 19 Britons and 13 from Spain. Sixty-one crew members are also on board. Of the seven cases identified, one British passenger in intensive care in Johannesburg... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3352473/deadly-hantavirus-outbreak-traps-150-cruise-ship-who-identifies-more-cases https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3352473/deadly-hantavirus-outbreak-traps-150-cruise-ship-who-identifies-more-cases Tue, 05 May 2026 07:28:22 +0000 Agencies Agencies Chloe Zhao, Demi Moore and Stellan Skarsgard are among the jurors who will decide the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, organisers announced on Monday. Just about a week before the 79th Cannes begins May 12, organisers unveiled the nine-member jury that will deliberate on the films in competition at the annual French Riviera festival. As already announced, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) is president of the jury. Moore, 63, along with Chinese filmmaker Zhao, whose... https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/3352415/chloe-zhao-stellan-skarsgard-and-demi-moore-among-cannes-film-festival-jurors https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/3352415/chloe-zhao-stellan-skarsgard-and-demi-moore-among-cannes-film-festival-jurors Mon, 04 May 2026 18:37:50 +0000 Agencies Agencies US President Donald Trump and the head of the Secret Service said on Thursday the federal agent injured during the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner had not been hit by friendly fire, as authorities released a video of the incident. Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, posted the nearly six-minute video on social media amid lingering questions over whose bullet struck the officer. Pirro noted that the security footage captured suspect Cole Tomas... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352091/trump-says-secret-service-agent-not-shot-friendly-fire-attack-video-released https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352091/trump-says-secret-service-agent-not-shot-friendly-fire-attack-video-released Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:18:44 +0000