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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.

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

Spain signs deals with Brazil as Sanchez builds anti-Trump bloc

Africa

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

Believers slept overnight on mats to hear the address from the pontiff, who has drawn Trump’s ire with his anti-war comments.

Pope Leo arrives in procession to celebrate mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday. Photo: AP
Pope Leo arrives in procession to celebrate mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday. Photo: AP

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.

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.

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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.

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Palestinian women and girls elbow their way to receive cooked rice from a charity kitchen in Gaza City. Photo: AFP
Palestinian women and girls elbow their way to receive cooked rice from a charity kitchen in Gaza City. Photo: AFP

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.

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: EPA

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.

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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
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.

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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.

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Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, on March 11. Photo: AP

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
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Henry Wong

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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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

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Henry Wong

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
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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
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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)
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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.
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Video

Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire

Trump announces Israel and Lebanon agreement to 10-day ceasefire
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The Iran war is going to hurt your skincare routine

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