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An illustration of artificial intelligence. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced a near ban on the ⁠use of generative ⁠AI tools by elementary ⁠school pupils on Friday. Photo: Shutterstock

Europe

Norway enacts near AI ban for junior school pupils, curbs use for older children

The move follows a 2024 ban on smart phones after Norway recorded a broad decline in education test ‌scores.

22 minutes ago

Israel, Hezbollah agree to truce in Lebanon after fighting flares up, killing 47

19 Jun 2026 - 10:44PM

Italian minister cancels US trip after Trump mocks Meloni

19 Jun 2026 - 8:14PM

United States & Canada

Trump unveils new Air Force One, as he plans trips to China and Turkey

The US president’s use of an aircraft – worth hundreds of millions of dollars – from Qatar has raised ethical and security concerns.

4 hours ago

US President Donald Trump exits the newly designated Air Force One presidential aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday. Photo: AP

Europe

Poland’s president strips Ukraine’s Zelensky of top award

The row began after the Ukrainian leader named a military unit after a WWII insurgent army that took part in massacres against Poles.

6 hours ago

Europe

Zelensky gives Belarus 1 week to remove equipment used in Russian attacks

‘If he doesn’t do ‌it, we’ll do it,’ the president threatened, saying that a week should be enough time for Belarus leader Lukashenko.

20 Jun 2026 - 2:41AM

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Europe

2 trains collide north of London, killing 1 and injuring dozens

One passenger says he was thrown forward by the impact then saw fellow travellers with broken bones and bloody injuries.

4 hours ago

Emergency personnel work on a train on the tracks outside Bedford, England, after two trains collided on Friday. Photo: PA via AP

Middle East

Iran floats insurance fees and asserts control over Hormuz

For many shippers and oil producers, the demand for mandatory insurance threatens to crystallise a worst-case scenario: tolls on the strait.

20 Jun 2026 - 1:13AMvideocam

Europe

UK PM Starmer braces for cabinet showdown, with Burnham ready to pounce

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has told the prime minister he should go, and more ministers could follow suit.

20 Jun 2026 - 3:01AM

Russia & Central Asia

‘This is the new reality’: Ukraine drone strike brings war to streets of Moscow

Kyiv has sent drones into Russia as far as the Urals in retaliation for Moscow bombing its cities daily.

19 Jun 2026 - 11:58PMvideocam

Muscovites go about their daily life as black smoke rises from an oil refinery following a Ukranian drone attack on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Europe

2 men jailed in UK over Starmer arson plot ordered by mystery Russian

The methods employed were ‘very similar’ to those known to be used by Russian spies acting in the UK, the counterterrorism head said.

19 Jun 2026 - 9:06PM

Police officers stand guard outside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s private home in north London after it was damaged in a suspected arson attack on May 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Iran waives Strait of Hormuz fees during 60-day peace negotiation period

A total of 25 commercial vessels crossed the newly reopened strait on Thursday, the highest number since mid-April.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:43PM

Africa

Vietnamese deported to South Sudan under Trump’s controversial scheme goes home

At least seven African nations have agreed to accept deportees who are not their own citizens as part of arrangements with the US.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:13PM

Politics

2 wars later, US-Iran nuclear diplomacy returns to square one

Analysts say the new agreement returns to a familiar trade-off: nuclear curbs in exchange for sanctions relief and oil waivers.

19 Jun 2026 - 5:01PMvideocam

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian holds a memorandum of understanding document showing his signature and that of US president Donald Trump, in Tehran on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China

US, Iran sign peace deal; China’s C919 jets face safety checks: 7 highlights

From Malaysian tourists calling Chinese ‘smelly’ to Shein’s Paris store set to close soon, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

19 Jun 2026 - 12:37PM

US President Donald Trump (centre) signs a memorandum of understanding with Iran in Versailles, France on June 17 as French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and his wife Brigitte Macron (left) look on. Photo: AFP and X/Scavino47

Europe

‘King of the North’ wins seat, setting up challenge to UK’s Starmer

Greater Manchester mayor secures a path to Parliament in by-election, but prime minister vows to fight any leadership challenge.

19 Jun 2026 - 5:49PM

Diplomacy

Vance calls Iran deal a ‘win-win’ as Trump lashes out at ‘fools’ who oppose it

US Vice-President also claims Iran will not receive money or sanctions relief unless it meets the obligations outlined in agreement.

19 Jun 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

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China

Handshakes of history: when Chinese and US leaders meet - an infographic

US President Donald Trump visited Beijing on May 13-15, 2026. Explore the meetings that have helped shape one of the world's most consequential bilateral relationships.

15 May 2026 - 3:31PM

Handshakes of history: when Chinese and US leaders meet - an infographic

China

A comprehensive visual guide to Trump’s 2026 state visit to China

Go inside Donald Trump’s 43-hour whirlwind trip to Beijing through our complete visual breakdown.

16 May 2026 - 9:34AM

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.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:39AM

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.

26 Aug 2025 - 10:25AM

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

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Open Questions series

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

8 Jun 2026 - 11:21AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

20 Oct 2025 - 11:18AM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

5 Oct 2025 - 8:13AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

4 Aug 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Illustration: Henry Wong

Economist James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’

8 Jun 2026 - 11:21AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

12 Jan 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

20 Oct 2025 - 11:18AM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

5 Oct 2025 - 8:13AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

4 Aug 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Illustration: Henry Wong

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South Korean elderly find comfort and care in AI dolls

Handout

Indonesia hits pause on free meal programme

Students eat lunch on the first day of a free-meal programme at 12 State junior high school in Cimahi, West Java, on January 6, 2025. Indonesia launched an ambitious USD 4.3 billion free-meal programme on January 6 to combat stunted growth due to malnutrition, a key election promise of President Prabowo Subianto. (Photo by Timur MATAHARI / AFP)

European Union and China in for period of tension

Bear drills in Japan as sightings increase

Web thumbnail for Japan bear drill vertical video

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