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Africa
Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Sudanese army members film themselves inside the presidential palace in Khartoum on Friday, as the army says it has taken control of the building. Photo: Screenshot from social media video, via Reuters
Sudan

‘The palace is back’: Sudan’s military retakes presidential compound

The fighting has caused a massive humanitarian crisis, killing thousands, forcing millions to flee and leaving some families eating grass.

IOC

Kirsty Coventry elected IOC president: first woman, African to land role

Science

China’s rare earth dominance could crumble in 10 years, CAS study forecasts

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Banking & finance

Exclusive | Hong Kong key to StanChart’s US$200 billion new money target: CEO Winters

Bank is developing over 200 use cases for AI, including fraud detection and prevention, anti-money-laundering screening and new products.

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Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters, at SCMP office in Causeway Bay on 17 March 2025. Photo: Jonathan Wong
SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong Labubu’s origin, China’s US$1 trillion reserve fund: 5 weekend reads

From China’s US$1 trillion reserve fund to Hong Kong Labubu’s origin, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Banking & finance

Standard Chartered sees key role for Hong Kong amid evolving global trade

Jose Vinals to bid adieu at the bank’s annual general meeting in May after nine years at the helm.

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European Union

Explainer | A look at some of the worst fires at nightclubs and music venues

Tragically, there have been many fatal nightclub and music venue fires, including one that killed almost 500 people.

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People hug as they wait in lines to light candles in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Trump cut off aid to South Africa. Will it tilt the balance in China’s favour?

Washington’s ‘self-centred foreign policy’ may push Pretoria and others closer to Beijing, observer says.

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China-Africa relations

As Chinese gas investments in Africa take off, oil imports sink

While China’s oil trade in Africa has dropped over recent years, there is another fuel that investors cannot get enough of.

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US-China relations

G7 slams China’s ‘dangerous’ moves in South China Sea, strongly backs Ukraine

Statement by foreign ministers gathered in Canada also highlights importance of ‘maintaining peace and stability’ across Taiwan Strait.

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(From left) French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in La Malbaie, Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians from war-torn Gaza

US and Israel explore resettling more than 2 million Palestinians in Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland.

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The rubble of destroyed buildings at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters
Space

‘Blood Moon’ to bathe Earth with red light in total lunar eclipse

It is the first total lunar eclipse since 2022, but there will be another this September.

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Science

Why is China quietly helping Africa build a Great Green Wall across the Sahara?

‘This battle can be won’: desert expert reveals how China’s technology, funding and strategies aid ambitious environmental project.

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China-Africa relations

China still leads the pack in Africa’s critical minerals race as US falls behind

Beijing has spent years – and billions – investing in Africa’s mining sector, and it is now paying off, experts say.

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China has spent billions investing in African critical minerals, such as this copper and cobalt mine in the DRC, leaving the US in its dust in the global rare earths race. Photo: AFP
Global South

Opinion | How the Global South can rise above the fray as the West fractures

Countries must seize this moment to promote an open, inclusive world order grounded in common interests and mutual respect.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Digital currencies

Hong Kong’s dollar peg seen as advantage amid stablecoin growth

Stablecoin transactions are now a fifth of all cryptocurrency transactions, and they make it easier to transact in US dollar-backed assets.

War and conflict

Sudan accuses UAE of ‘complicity in genocide’ amid civil war

The United Arab Emirates has long been accused by Sudan and others of supporting the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

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Two Sessions 2025

China pledges to help Africa develop as ‘land of hope for the 21st century’

Foreign Minister Wang Yi stresses support for an African ‘voice in international affairs’ as ‘crucial to the shared destiny of humanity’.

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Workers from Niger and China work on an oil pipeline, one of the scores of Chinese-funded projects across the continent. Photo: AFP
Food and Drinks

Arabica, robusta ... excelsa? Rare coffee bean in the spotlight

There’s a coffee crisis due to climate change. It’s ravaging harvests. A coffee variety native to Africa and grown in Asia may be a saviour.

Business of climate change

China miners accelerate overseas buying spree

Last month, MMG said it would buy British miner Anglo American’s nickel business in Brazil.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China is ready to be an anchor in a brave new multipolar world

What seems clear from Munich Security Conference talk is an evolution towards a pluralistic world order. We need an effective governance framework.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China technology

Opinion | China’s AI push in the Global South is not just about technology

By providing AI-powered products, infrastructure, governance tools and data-driven insights, China aims to reshape the global digital order.

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People stand next to a humanoid robot from Unitree Robotics during the Global Developer Conference, organised by the Shanghai AI Industry Association, in Shanghai on February 21. Photo: AFP
DeepSeek

As Africa races towards its AI revolution, China is with it each step of the way

While DeepSeek is helping African nations leapfrog development milestones, there are still challenges ahead, experts say.

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United Nations

Sudan civil war: famine and inflation eclipse Ramadan

The war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than 12 million and cut off crucial supply routes across the country.

Aviation accidents

Sudan military plane crash death toll rises to 46

Aircraft crashes are common in Sudan, which has a poor aviation safety record.

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A Sudanese army soldier mans a machine gun on top of a military pickup truck outside a hospital in Omdurman. The death toll from a Sudanese military aircraft crash in the city of Omdurman increased to at least 46 people. Photo: AFP
DR Congo

Mystery disease kills over 50 in DR Congo after children ate bat and fell ill

Many of the patients died 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding.

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A researcher swabs a bat’s mouth at Sai Yok National Park, west of Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2020. There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

Why China is working so hard to boost military ties in Africa’s Sahel region

The appointment of China’s new defence attaché to Niger signals a larger move by Beijing to fortify security in Africa, experts say.

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Tourism

Want to write like an award-winning author? This Moroccan masterclass might help

A writing masterclass in Morocco provides insights into both Marrakech’s ancient medina and the secrets behind good storytelling.

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