https://www.scmp.com/rss/519176/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters France suspects a pro-Iranian group known as HAYI to be behind a foiled attack on Bank of America’s Paris offices, its anti-terrorism prosecutor said on Wednesday, while stressing the link has not yet been formally established. HAYI, which stands for Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyya, or ‌Movement of the Companions of the Right Hand of Islam, had posted a video on social media on March 23 targeting Jewish interests and communities in France and Europe, the prosecutor’s office said in a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348711/france-suspects-link-pro-iranian-group-foiled-paris-bomb-plot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348711/france-suspects-link-pro-iranian-group-foiled-paris-bomb-plot?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:30:19 +0000 Khushboo Razdan Khushboo Razdan Washington’s top trade negotiator suggested on Tuesday that, in a break from usual practice, members of US President Donald Trump’s cabinet will not visit Beijing ahead of the expected mid-May summit with President Xi Jinping to prepare or discuss deliverables. “I don’t think we’re going to need to do that,” Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television when asked about meeting his Chinese counterparts soon, ahead of the much-anticipated leaders’... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3348590/trump-xi-summit-us-trade-chief-casts-doubt-pre-meeting-beijing-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3348590/trump-xi-summit-us-trade-chief-casts-doubt-pre-meeting-beijing-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:19:16 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words The White House announced last week that US President Donald Trump’s visit to China has been delayed to mid-May, citing the conflict in Iran. Beijing’s response has been muted: the Foreign Ministry noted only that the two sides “have remained in communication” over the... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348393/unfinished-business-delay-trumps-china-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3348393/unfinished-business-delay-trumps-china-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 03:30:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press French authorities are investigating a suspected link to Iran after thwarting a bomb attack outside a Bank of America building in Paris at the weekend, the interior minister said on Monday. The authorities suspect a link to Iran due to similarities to other recent attempted attacks in Europe which a pro-Iran group claimed responsibility for, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said. On Saturday morning, Paris police officers spotted two suspects carrying a shopping bag near the Bank of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348451/france-investigates-possible-iran-link-after-bomb-attack-foiled-outside-bank-america?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348451/france-investigates-possible-iran-link-after-bomb-attack-foiled-outside-bank-america?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:31:44 +0000 Reuters Reuters French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation into a suspected attack targeting Bank of America’s Paris headquarters after the reported overnight arrest of a man who allegedly tried to ignite an improvised explosive ‌device outside the US bank’s premises. In an emailed statement to reporters, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said the investigation involves the suspected attempted destruction by fire or other dangerous means in connection with a terrorist plot, as... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348307/french-prosecutors-open-terror-probe-after-bank-america-attack-attempt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348307/french-prosecutors-open-terror-probe-after-bank-america-attack-attempt?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:45:58 +0000 Xinlu Liang Xinlu Liang As one of the biggest targets of wartime looting in centuries past, China is now positioning itself as a global pioneer in repatriating lost cultural artefacts. In this article, the second in a two-part series, Xinlu Liang looks at how China is wielding law, diplomacy and a Global South coalition to rewrite the rules of restitution, filling a void left by a retreating US. In January, as the United States was withdrawing from a raft of heritage and science bodies around the world, China was... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348243/how-china-stepping-cultural-repatriation-void-left-retreating-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348243/how-china-stepping-cultural-repatriation-void-left-retreating-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse French police stopped an apparent bomb attack outside a US bank in Paris early on Saturday when they arrested a man about to set off a homemade explosive device, officials and sources close to the case said. The incident occurred around 3.30am in front of a Bank of America building in the chic 8th arrondissement, a couple of streets from the Champs-Elysees. Police grabbed the man just after he placed a device, made of five litres of liquid (1.3 gallons), believed to be fuel, and an ignition... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348268/french-anti-terror-prosecutors-probe-foiled-paris-bomb-plot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348268/french-anti-terror-prosecutors-probe-foiled-paris-bomb-plot?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:42:47 +0000 Khushboo Razdan Khushboo Razdan As US President Donald Trump heads to a delayed, high-stakes mid-May summit with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, he is already claiming victory, touting on Friday past trade talks with Xi as a win for American farmers, a crucial electoral bloc battered by his tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran. “Thanks to our trade deals, you’re now sending over US$40 billion in American soybeans to China,” Trump said on Friday, telling farmers and ranchers at the White House he personally secured the... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3348219/trump-pitches-china-trade-win-us-farmers-ahead-xi-meeting-midterms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3348219/trump-pitches-china-trade-win-us-farmers-ahead-xi-meeting-midterms?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:21:27 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Beijing has launched two trade barrier investigations into the United States in response to a pair of Section 301 probes that allege unfair trade practices by China and other economies and could pave the way for Washington to reimpose higher tariffs. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the investigations would focus on US measures deemed harmful to global industrial and supply chains, including those that obstruct trade in green products. The ministry said in a statement on Friday that... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348193/china-launches-investigations-us-trade-practices-why-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348193/china-launches-investigations-us-trade-practices-why-now?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:30:08 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines is seeking broader defence cooperation with Nato’s European members, even as US President Donald Trump remains critical of the transatlantic security alliance’s lack of involvement over the Middle East war. While some observers say the move dovetails with the long-standing security partnership between the Philippines and the United States, Nato’s dominant member, others argue that Manila could face a “strategic dilemma” if its ties with the 32-member alliance are contrary to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348203/why-philippines-may-face-strategic-dilemma-over-nato-partnership-us-demands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3348203/why-philippines-may-face-strategic-dilemma-over-nato-partnership-us-demands?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:29:06 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday it was reintroducing testing for gender to determine eligibility to compete in the female category, preventing transgender women from competing. The screening will mean Olympic women’s sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Games will be limited to biological females, which would also rule out those with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing. The IOC is abandoning rules it brought in in 2021 which allowed individual federations... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3348045/olympic-womens-sport-be-limited-biological-females?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3348045/olympic-womens-sport-be-limited-biological-females?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:44:48 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang US President Donald Trump is expected to aim for an “economic deal” with China when he is in Beijing, according to a former senior diplomat who served under the American leader during his first term. However if Beijing were to drag out trade negotiations with Washington for too long, it could risk Trump taking a much tougher turn against China, warned Stephen Biegun, who served as US deputy secretary of state from 2019 to 2021. “The president wants a deal, an economic deal, specifically,” he... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348020/trump-eyes-china-deal-dragging-out-talks-risks-backlash-warns-former-diplomat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3348020/trump-eyes-china-deal-dragging-out-talks-risks-backlash-warns-former-diplomat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:00:13 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre One of the most influential players in the art world, Pearl Lam is also known for her impeccable taste and personal style. Based between Shanghai and London, the Hong Kong-born founder of Pearl Lam Projects has recently made a foray into podcasting with The Pearl Lam Podcast, where she interviews artists, writers, designers and cultural figures. Before the opening of a new exhibition at her Hong Kong gallery for Art Basel 2026, she took some time to talk about her most treasured products and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3347849/style-according-pearl-lam-hong-kong-born-founder-pearl-lam-galleries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3347849/style-according-pearl-lam-hong-kong-born-founder-pearl-lam-galleries?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:12 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Roger Vivier is one of the most celebrated shoemakers of the 20th century. The late founder of the eponymous label, now helmed by Italian designer Gherardo Felloni, was responsible for iconic creations such as the Belle Vivier and the Virgule, or comma, heel. Roger Vivier: Heritage and Imagination, a monograph published by Rizzoli, celebrates that storied legacy by highlighting five thematic “salons”: Le Salon de l’Héritage, Le Salon des Formes, Le Salon de l’Ornement, Le Salon de la Célébrité... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3347526/shoemaker-roger-viviers-forward-looking-vision-celebrated-monograph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3347526/shoemaker-roger-viviers-forward-looking-vision-celebrated-monograph?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Swiss Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan was sentenced on Wednesday to 18 years in prison by a Paris criminal court for the rape of three women. The verdict marks the latest fall from grace for the former Oxford University professor, who faces a string of rape allegations in Switzerland and France and has already been convicted in the former. A charismatic yet controversial figure in European Islam, Ramadan has always maintained his innocence. While he had been on trial in Paris since March 2 for... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347919/french-court-finds-swiss-islamic-scholar-ramadan-guilty-rape?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347919/french-court-finds-swiss-islamic-scholar-ramadan-guilty-rape?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:27:48 +0000 Teresa Mo Teresa Mo Of the world’s nepo babies, few are as proudly glamorous as heiress Lara Cosima (full name: Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck). The model and socialite’s life is as chic as it is opulent, and she has garnered more than 800,000 followers on Instagram and over 1.2 million on TikTok. Her Parisian apartment is fit for a modern-day royal, and in 2023, she was one of the most highly anticipated attendees at Le Bal des Débutantes, an exclusive debutante ball for the children of the world’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3347874/meet-lara-cosima-who-just-got-engaged-kering-heir-francois-pinault-jr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3347874/meet-lara-cosima-who-just-got-engaged-kering-heir-francois-pinault-jr?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:21 +0000 Connor Mycroft,Kevin Li Connor Mycroft,Kevin Li Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways’ extended suspension of its Middle Eastern flights is likely to have a limited financial impact on its passenger operations as its expanded European services should help offset losses, aviation experts have said. But they warned of broader effects on its cargo business, given the loss of the Middle East as a historically cost-effective transit route and the upwards pressure on fuel and insurance prices due to the war. The airline announced on Tuesday... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347766/cathays-european-services-could-offset-middle-east-losses-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347766/cathays-european-services-could-offset-middle-east-losses-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:30:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press French financial prosecutors said on Tuesday that searches were carried out at several locations, including the Paris arm of Swiss private bank Edmond de Rothschild, as part of an investigation tied to revelations from the files on Jeffrey Epstein. France’s national financial prosecutor’s office said searches were carried out last Friday as part of a preliminary investigation opened last month. Investigators are examining suspicions of bribery involving a foreign public official and complicity... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347767/french-authorities-search-paris-arm-swiss-bank-epstein-linked-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347767/french-authorities-search-paris-arm-swiss-bank-epstein-linked-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:37:53 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Socialist candidate Emmanuel Gregoire won the Paris race Sunday, succeeding fellow party member Anne Hidalgo as the French capital’s mayor, as results of the final round of municipal elections showed clear gains for the traditional left and right, and one major win for the far-right in the French Riviera city of Nice. French voters returned to the polls Sunday in about 1,500 communes. The vote was seen as a test of the balance of power on France’s local political map before the 2027 presidential... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347515/emmanuel-gregoire-becomes-new-mayor-paris-succeeding-fellow-socialist-anne-hidalgo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347515/emmanuel-gregoire-becomes-new-mayor-paris-succeeding-fellow-socialist-anne-hidalgo?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:16:14 +0000 The Star The Star Flights are cancelled, schedules are in chaos and scores of European tourists are still waiting to go home, three weeks after the United States and Israeli attack on Iran. Some of them, like retiree John Williams, 61, and his wife Gillian, 60, from the United Kingdom, are making good use of their “extended” time in Malaysia. “We’re sort of stranded, but frankly we are in no hurry. We are spending a few days in Penang and will explore other ways to get home later,” Williams said. “We saw that... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3347253/some-tourists-malaysia-make-most-mideast-flight-mess-others-scramble-get-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3347253/some-tourists-malaysia-make-most-mideast-flight-mess-others-scramble-get-home?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:36:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Precision strike: China targets US, Japan stranglehold on photoresist supply China’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency is shifting from broad aspiration to a precision strike on chokepoint materials, with photoresist – the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3347234/china-us-end-trade-talks-paris-chip-self-sufficiency-drive-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3347234/china-us-end-trade-talks-paris-chip-self-sufficiency-drive-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:34:07 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem As war rages in the Middle East thousands of miles from the Philippines, a senior military official has urged Manila to reflect on its own vulnerabilities, stressing that military modernisation should not be mere “lip service”. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr earlier this week called on the country to strengthen its air defences, particularly systems capable of intercepting missiles from hostile states, stressing that Manila should ensure its security suppliers meet demand in the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347163/philippines-urged-seriously-address-defence-gaps-counter-aerial-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3347163/philippines-urged-seriously-address-defence-gaps-counter-aerial-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:17:00 +0000 Zhang Shidong,Yulu Ao Zhang Shidong,Yulu Ao The prospect of a meeting between President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump has become a focal point for investors seeking some reassurance on growth and stability as the conflict in the Middle East dampens appetite for risk. Investors are awaiting clarity on the summit, viewing it as a potential sign of cooperation that could steady mainland China and Hong Kong equities. The meeting had been scheduled for the end of the month, but the White House said it would be postponed by five or... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346991/investors-eye-xi-trump-summit-direction-hong-kong-china-stocks-shaken-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3346991/investors-eye-xi-trump-summit-direction-hong-kong-china-stocks-shaken-conflict?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:59:48 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Washington’s request to reschedule US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing reflects the reality that the war in Iran has not followed the script. It was anticipated that superior American power would result in a quick victory over Iran, which China considers a strategic partner and oil supplier, well ahead of a summit with President Xi Jinping. The United States has done all the running in the preparations for the visit, including announcing the dates of March 31 to April 2. China had made... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3346909/china-policy-stay-course-despite-delay-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3346909/china-policy-stay-course-despite-delay-xi-trump-summit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Xiaofei Xu,Kandy Wong Xiaofei Xu,Kandy Wong With US President Donald Trump’s trip to China postponed and the countries’ recent trade negotiations in Paris ending with no apparent breakthroughs, analysts said the world’s two largest economies are likely to hold another round of talks before Trump touches down in Beijing. “We can see this as more of a pause than a breakthrough overall. This resembles ‘unfinished business’ between both sides,” said James Downes, director of the Europe-Asia programme at the Centre for Explanatory Research and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346908/trumps-china-trip-limbo-further-trade-talks-loom-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346908/trumps-china-trip-limbo-further-trade-talks-loom-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:00:13 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings US President Donald Trump’s reported threat that he may postpone a long-awaited visit to China – unless Beijing helps unblock the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz – may put the current trade talks in Paris at risk by sidelining earlier priorities and potential deals, analysts say. As the US-Israeli war in Iran enters its third week and disrupts global energy markets, Trump has reportedly urged Beijing to send warships to help reopen the strait and ease oil shipments. About 20 per cent of the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346784/why-trumps-push-china-help-reopen-strait-hormuz-may-hurt-trade-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346784/why-trumps-push-china-help-reopen-strait-hormuz-may-hurt-trade-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:30:11 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu China and the US ended the first day of trade talks in Paris on Sunday without any major developments. Talks will continue tomorrow when the US delegation is set to leave. The Chinese delegation will stay one more day before leaving on Tuesday. The first day of the sixth round of trade talks between the world’s two biggest economies – led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – was rather uneventful for journalists waiting outside the venue, the headquarters... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346687/us-china-trade-talks-low-key-start-negotiations-after-first-meeting-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346687/us-china-trade-talks-low-key-start-negotiations-after-first-meeting-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:33:25 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Trade talks between China and the United States in Paris this weekend are likely to focus on setting the scene for the Beijing summit between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump later this month, analysts said, downplaying the prospects of any significant breakthroughs. Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are expected to discuss potential deals on tariffs, investment, and trade in soybeans and rare earths, which would be presented as deliverables for the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346505/us-china-trade-talks-what-expect-senior-officials-meet-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346505/us-china-trade-talks-what-expect-senior-officials-meet-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Anteprima showcased its latest collection during Milan Fashion Week, drawing on nostalgia and artistry in its fall/winter 2026 range. Showing at Milan Fashion Week, Anteprima continued its long-running approach to fashion as art with its new collection, created in collaboration with contemporary Japanese artist Aiko Miyanaga. Known for installations that give form to the intangible – time, memory, transformation – Miyanaga often uses ephemeral materials, like salt and naphthalene, in her works,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3346194/style-edit-anteprima-and-atsuro-tayama-unveiled-nostalgic-artistry-during-fashion-month?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3346194/style-edit-anteprima-and-atsuro-tayama-unveiled-nostalgic-artistry-during-fashion-month?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 02:00:09 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Two of the biggest shows of the season – Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu – took place on the last day of Paris Fashion Week. With fewer shows on schedule in both Milan and Paris and not as many designer debuts as last season, this was a slightly subdued fashion month. Fashion obviously doesn’t operate in a vacuum and, over the last couple of weeks, it felt quite jarring to attend a fashion show after receiving yet another news alert about the conflict in Iran, but the show – or shows, in this case –... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3346165/paris-fashion-week-2026-louis-vuitton-miu-miu-and-tributes-nature-and-mindfulness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3346165/paris-fashion-week-2026-louis-vuitton-miu-miu-and-tributes-nature-and-mindfulness?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:42:00 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim The US war against Iran may have handed Beijing some fresh rare-earths leverage over Washington, with roughly three weeks until US President Donald Trump’s expected visit to China. Washington’s heavy reliance on the Chinese minerals for its advanced weapon systems means China could dictate how long US strikes on Iran can go on, according to sources and analysts. Sources told the South China Morning Post, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, that Washington had only... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346123/could-chinas-rare-earth-supplies-dictate-how-long-us-strikes-iran-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3346123/could-chinas-rare-earth-supplies-dictate-how-long-us-strikes-iran-go?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:00:09 +0000 Natasha Tang Natasha Tang Paris’ dining scene spans Michelin temples to market-fresh bistros. One night, you’ll chase truffle-infused classics near the Louvre; the next, fusion plates in a Marais atelier or natural wines by the canal. Whether you’re here for Paris Fashion Week, art museum exhibitions, long strolls by the Seine or garden escapes, seek out these under-the-radar spots for a real taste of the city. Jaja This courtyard spot sits at the back of a quiet Marais passage, part historic town house, part... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3346077/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-and-drink-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3346077/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-and-drink-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Matthieu Blazy has already shown four collections for Chanel since joining the house as artistic director, but his first creations for the label only arrived in boutiques last week. His fashion shows have received stellar reviews from media and industry insiders. The ultimate judges, however, will be luxury clients – both long-time Chanel customers and those new to the label – who seem to be already snapping up Blazy’s first collection, at least according to social media. Meanwhile, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3346032/paris-fashion-week-2026-matthieu-blazy-constructs-playful-chanel-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3346032/paris-fashion-week-2026-matthieu-blazy-constructs-playful-chanel-revolution?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:45:34 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre It was a busy weekend at Paris Fashion Week, with shows from brands ranging from LVMH-owned Loewe and Celine to powerhouse Hermès. Here is what you need to know about what’s been happening so far on the Paris runways. A tailored black coat paired with a matching hat opened the Celine fall/winter 2026 show. The streamlined garment was decorated with a pin badge on the left shoulder emblazoned with the words “bienvenue chez Celine” (welcome to Celine in English). After almost two years at the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3345916/paris-fashion-week-2026-celine-loewe-hermes-balenciaga-givenchy-and-more-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3345916/paris-fashion-week-2026-celine-loewe-hermes-balenciaga-givenchy-and-more-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:43:58 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet is the front runner to take home the golden statuette for Marty Supreme – but he definitely has not won fans in the ballet and opera worlds. In a town hall discussion late last month with Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey hosted by CNN and Variety, the 30-year-old Chalamet was discussing the future of movie theatres and whether the advent of streaming will spell doom for cinemas. “If people want to see it – like Barbie, like Oppenheimer – they’re going to go see it... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345840/timothee-chalamet-faces-music-saying-no-one-cares-about-opera-and-ballet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345840/timothee-chalamet-faces-music-saying-no-one-cares-about-opera-and-ballet?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 18:45:24 +0000 Wynna Wong,Jess Ma Wynna Wong,Jess Ma Airfares from Hong Kong to European, South American and even some Asian destinations have surged amid the latest geopolitical tensions, according to industry insiders, especially on routes that typically transit through Middle Eastern aviation hubs. A check by the South China Morning Post found that airfares to such destinations had roughly tripled from Tuesday, days after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran, triggering retaliatory action from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345571/sky-high-jump-airfares-hong-kong-europe-americas-even-asian-cities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3345571/sky-high-jump-airfares-hong-kong-europe-americas-even-asian-cities?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:49:24 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Chinese and US trade officials will meet in Paris at the end of next week, laying the groundwork for President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead discussions on trade and investment deals, the South China Morning Post reported, citing unidentified sources. Trump is due to arrive in Beijing on March 31, for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Tariffs, investments, soybeans and rare earths will all be... https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3345416/iran-war-leaves-china-foreign-policy-divide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3345416/iran-war-leaves-china-foreign-policy-divide?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:16:14 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Paris Fashion Week got off to a great start, weather included. Clear skies and unseasonably high temperatures greeted buyers, editors and celebrities descending on the French capital for the fall/winter 2026 shows. Brands ranging from Chanel to Louis Vuitton and Hermès are showcasing their latest collections at a time when the luxury market is dealing with global uncertainty. Tensions in the Middle East and a prolonged slowdown in luxury spending in China – where a much-awaited recovery has yet... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3345341/paris-fashion-week-2026-diors-floral-inspirations-and-saint-laurents-structural-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3345341/paris-fashion-week-2026-diors-floral-inspirations-and-saint-laurents-structural-elegance?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:56:58 +0000 Xiaofei Xu,Khushboo Razdan,Ji Siqi Xiaofei Xu,Khushboo Razdan,Ji Siqi China and the United States will hold a new round of high-level trade talks in Paris at the end of next week, according to sources from both sides, as preparations press on for US President Donald Trump’s visit to China. Led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, the two delegations will meet in the French capital to discuss trade and investment deals – including on tariffs, investment, soybeans and rare earths – that would be presented as deliverables... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345336/china-and-us-hold-high-level-trade-talks-paris-trumps-beijing-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345336/china-and-us-hold-high-level-trade-talks-paris-trumps-beijing-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:25:27 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s death is “historically significant” but will not “automatically” lead to the fall of the Iranian system, the widow of the country’s last shah said in an interview on Tuesday. “The passing of a man – however central he may be to the architecture of power – does not automatically mean the end of a system,” said Farah Pahlavi, three days after US-Israeli strikes on Iran killed Khamenei. The attacks on Iran have thrown the Middle East into turmoil and raised... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345324/iran-will-not-automatically-fall-after-khameneis-death-shahs-widow-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3345324/iran-will-not-automatically-fall-after-khameneis-death-shahs-widow-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:07:30 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A French court on Monday reduced on appeal the prison sentences of three men convicted over the 2020 jihadist beheading of a teacher who showed a class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Samuel Paty, 47, was murdered in October 2020 by Abdoullakh Anzorov, an 18-year-old radical Islamist of Chechen origin, in an act that horrified France. Anzorov was killed in a shoot-out with police. Two friends of Anzorov, French national Naim Boudaoud and Azim Epsirkhanov, a Russian of Chechen origin, had their... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3345192/french-court-slashes-prison-terms-3-people-involved-2020-teacher-beheading?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3345192/french-court-slashes-prison-terms-3-people-involved-2020-teacher-beheading?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:14:07 +0000 Orange Wang Orange Wang China has doubled down on its hard line against any nuclear escalation in Ukraine and called for restraint following Russia’s claims that Britain and France are planning to give Kyiv nuclear weapons. Asked on Wednesday about Moscow’s accusation towards the two European nations, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning urged all sides to avoid actions that could cause misunderstandings or escalate tensions. “We call on relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid any moves... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344689/china-affirms-no-nukes-position-amid-claims-european-plan-arm-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344689/china-affirms-no-nukes-position-amid-claims-european-plan-arm-ukraine?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Louvre Museum’s director resigned on Tuesday after months of pressure following the October theft of the French crown jewels, as the world’s most visited museum faced widening scrutiny over security failures, labour unrest and a suspected ticket fraud scheme. Laurence des Cars quit after a punishing year for the former royal palace - the high-profile jewels heist from the Apollo Gallery, a mid-February burst pipe near the Mona Lisa, water leaks damaging priceless books, staff walkouts and a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344518/louvre-museum-director-resigns-wake-brazen-crown-jewel-heist-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344518/louvre-museum-director-resigns-wake-brazen-crown-jewel-heist-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:39:56 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press He is known as the French Banksy – or simply JR. Now the artist, popular across France for his large-scale projects ranging from photographs to graffiti and street art, wants Parisians to do something unusual on the city’s arguably most famous bridge: stop. In June, he plans to transform the bustling Pont Neuf, which dates back to the 17th century, into a walk-through “cave”. The temporary, monumental public artwork will cover the stone arches with a rocky illusion and invite visitors to cross... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344412/how-french-banksy-jr-plans-turn-famous-paris-bridge-massive-cave?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3344412/how-french-banksy-jr-plans-turn-famous-paris-bridge-massive-cave?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:15:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The Paris prosecutors' office on Thursday said that nine people were being detained as part of an investigation into a suspected decade-long, €10 million (US$11.8 million) ticket fraud scheme at the Louvre, the world’s most visited museum. The arrests took place on Tuesday as part of a judicial investigation opened after the Louvre filed a complaint in December 2024, the prosecutors’ office said. The loss for the museum over the past decade is estimated to exceed €10 million, it said. Those... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343382/9-arrested-over-louvre-ticket-fraud-scheme-involving-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343382/9-arrested-over-louvre-ticket-fraud-scheme-involving-chinese-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:56:20 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu A growing debate in France over raising tariffs on China heated up on Monday, with a senior minister calling for a targeted approach even as a government planning agency proposed a blanket 30 per cent duty on all Chinese imports entering the European Union. Finance Minister Roland Lescure said China’s large trade surplus with Europe was “unsustainable”, but insisted there was no “one-size-fits-all answer” on tariffs and that Paris would need to continue engaging with Beijing to make... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3343041/french-finance-minister-urges-caution-paris-agency-proposes-30-china-tariff?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3343041/french-finance-minister-urges-caution-paris-agency-proposes-30-china-tariff?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:00:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit said on Friday she “deeply regretted” her friendship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the embarrassment it has caused the royal family. A commoner who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Mette-Marit’s name appears in new Epstein documents released a week ago by the US Justice Department. The documents revealed an unexpectedly close friendship between the two and raised questions in Norway about whether Mette-Marit can become queen. “I deeply... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342728/norways-crown-princess-apologises-over-epstein-ties-amid-royal-embarrassment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342728/norways-crown-princess-apologises-over-epstein-ties-amid-royal-embarrassment?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:12:00 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The fashion set might be gearing up for New York Fashion Week, which kicks off on February 11, but we’re still not over the stunning designs showcased at Paris Haute Couture Week for spring/summer 2026. Matthieu Blazy’s avian-inspired Chanel haute couture debut at the event was one of the buzziest shows at the French capital – even more so because of the diversity of models the French designer sent down the runway. View this post on Instagram A post shared by... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342474/meet-stephanie-cavalli-49-year-old-model-who-opened-chanels-paris-haute-couture-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342474/meet-stephanie-cavalli-49-year-old-model-who-opened-chanels-paris-haute-couture-show?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:01:53 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing and artificial intelligence arm of Alibaba Group Holding, has unveiled a suite of AI-powered tools for the Milano Cortina Winter Games, marking the first time a large language model (LLM) will be embedded into the Olympics’ digital infrastructure. The partnership between Alibaba Cloud, Olympic Broadcasting Services and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was announced on Wednesday. Alibaba’s Qwen model will power “Olympic AI Assistants”, a digital system... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3342418/chatbots-replays-alibaba-rolls-out-ai-suite-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3342418/chatbots-replays-alibaba-rolls-out-ai-suite-2026-winter-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:41:13 +0000 Agencies Agencies French police raided the Paris offices of social media platform X on Tuesday as prosecutors summoned its owner Elon Musk for questioning over a widening investigation into alleged offences, including the spread of child pornography and deepfakes. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the search was part of a probe opened in January last year by its cybercrime unit, conducted in coordination with the EU police agency Europol. In a major escalation of the legal scrutiny facing the platform... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342267/france-raids-x-offices-summons-elon-musk-over-child-pornography-and-deepfake-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342267/france-raids-x-offices-summons-elon-musk-over-child-pornography-and-deepfake-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:49:50 +0000