TOPIC

/ location

Portugal

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Portugal. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Lisbon

Head of State

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Head of Government

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro

The Austrian delegation celebrate their result. Photo: dpa

United Nations

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:39PM

International Property

Spain’s property market sees boost as Hongkongers, others, depart UK and Canada

31 May 2026 - 9:30AM

New Openings

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Manteigaria to Avalon

25 May 2026 - 8:00AM

France

Mother arrested in Portugal after young sons blindfolded and abandoned

Two French boys, aged 4 and 5, were left by a remote road with backpacks of food but no identity documents.

22 May 2026 - 9:19AM

Portuguese police have taken into custody the mother and stepfather of two young French children who were allegedly abandoned in central Portugal. Photo: Getty Images

China-EU relations

China’s firms in Europe chose to save on legal services. Will it cost them?

Chinese companies, often reluctant to pay for legal services, are encountering greater compliance issues as they expand into a stricter EU.

19 May 2026 - 9:02AMvideocam

Yuan

Editorial | Why China’s yuan is gaining appeal

More countries find yuan financing attractive. Even without full convertibility, the Chinese currency offers something invaluable.

19 May 2026 - 7:15AM

Singapore

Knives out: sea robbery fears stalk Southeast Asia’s busiest straits

Opportunistic nighttime raids in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are testing security in a vital maritime chokepoint.

21 May 2026 - 12:16PMvideocam

Vessels are seen at anchor in the Singapore Strait as a drone flies on April 21. Photo: AFP

Gun violence in the US

Brown University shooter targeted symbolic victims tied to grievances: FBI

Claudio Neves Valente appeared to target places and people he associated with personal failure, missed opportunity and perceived injustice.

30 Apr 2026 - 6:14AM

US, Israel war on Iran

China is poised to reap rewards as energy shock heats up the race for renewables

The US war on Iran may have inadvertently triggered a global transition that will favour Beijing’s green leadership, analysts predict.

26 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

21 Apr 2026 - 8:36PMvideocam

Workers operate on a production line at an assembly workshop of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive in China’s Hunan province. Photo: Xinhua

Global monetary policy

Editorial | Chinese yuan slowly but surely cutting into US dollar dominance

Kazakhstan’s issuance of yuan-denominated debt shows developing nations can use ‘panda bonds’ as stepping stones into global capital markets.

20 Apr 2026 - 7:15AM

An employee counts 100-yuan notes at a bank in Beijing on November 14, 2024. Photo: AFP

Africa

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

First American pontiff recalls centuries of ‘suffering’ at site originally built by Portuguese colonisers.

20 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM

China technology

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Like every advancing society in the past, it sees the future by seizing new energy sources and their associated technologies.

19 Apr 2026 - 9:42PM

China technology

Letters | Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO’s victory more than a sporting achievement

Readers discuss ZXMOTO’s wins in the WorldSSP class of the Superbike World Championship, and the connection between competition for oil and the space race.

19 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Riders Valentin Debise (right) and Federico Caricasulo (left) pose with Zhang Xue, founder of Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia on February 20, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, finance ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria ‘stand united’ and call for action.

4 Apr 2026 - 7:10PMvideocam

A pump jack and drilling rig in Texas. File photo: Reuters

Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:04AM

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao launches 10-day celebration

As the city hosts the 10-day celebration, its centuries-old fusion cuisine is embracing a new wave of global chefs and bold ideas.

Supported by

Macau Government Tourism Office

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

The young English YouTubers bringing Korean food diplomacy to Macau

Known for their viral ramen videos and visiting Buckingham Palace with Blackpink, the British duo are bringing their brand of food diplomacy to Macau.

Supported by

Macau Government Tourism Office

Josh and Ollie of Korean Englishman are the keynote speakers at this year’s International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao. Photos: Handout

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

Young chefs are turning food traditions into tools for global change

Flora Igoe of the Youth Culture Programme is mobilising young chefs to safeguard food heritage and drive agrifood systems transformation.

Supported by

Macau Government Tourism Office

US, Israel war on Iran

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Woman’s body found in her Portugal flat 2 years after death

Woman’s body was discovered in her bed surrounded by rubbish; residents say they alerted city officials months after she vanished in late 2023.

24 Feb 2026 - 11:46AM

The Portuguese city of Porto, where an elderly woman lay dead in her flat for two years. Photo: Porto Convention and Visitors Bureau via TNS

Indonesia

The bitter choice for Indonesian sailors abandoned off Africa

The crew must decide: return home to their families empty-handed or stay on their ship to hopefully get months of unpaid wages.

9 Feb 2026 - 1:05PM

Crew members of the tuna longliner fishing vessel at the Porto Grande port in Mindelo. Photo: AFP

Extreme weather

Portugal’s Seguro wins presidency in a landslide

Antonio Jose Seguro scored a convincing win over Andre Ventura in Portugal’s run-off.

9 Feb 2026 - 8:54AM

Spain

Fatal floods strike Spain and Portugal, thousands evacuating

Both countries have issued warnings over the potential fresh floods, after inundations blocked hundreds of roads and disrupted trains.

7 Feb 2026 - 10:36PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s chip breakthrough, Tang Dynasty armour restored: 7 science highlights

From PLA developing quantum weapons to China’s dark matter breakthrough, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

28 Jan 2026 - 3:37PM

A fibre integrated circuit is a novel electronic device that is as thin as a strand of human hair. Photo: Handout

Spain

Spain busts cocaine trafficking ring that used ‘floating bases’ at sea

Spain seizes 10 tonnes of drugs and arrests 105 suspects, while Portugal intercepts a record haul from a ‘narco-sub’.

27 Jan 2026 - 1:17PM

A semi-submersible craft carrying cocaine that was intercepted off the Azores archipelago by Portuguese authorities. Photo: Forca Aerea Portuguesa via AFP

History

His mother stuffed zebras. He broke the biggest story in Macau’s history

Having moved from colonial conflicts in Africa to the mean streets of the Pearl River Delta, Gonçalo César de Sá has witnessed Macau’s modern history.

28 Jan 2026 - 2:58PM

My Life

He planned to only stay in Macau for a year. Now he runs the literary festival

The Mozambique-born journalist once chose Stanley Ho for his magazine’s cover instead of Gong Li, and later bought the Portuguese Bookshop.

28 Jan 2026 - 5:20PM

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Portugal

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

Spain’s property market sees boost as Hongkongers, others, depart UK and Canada

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Manteigaria to Avalon

Mother arrested in Portugal after young sons blindfolded and abandoned

Two French boys, aged 4 and 5, were left by a remote road with backpacks of food but no identity documents.

China’s firms in Europe chose to save on legal services. Will it cost them?

Chinese companies, often reluctant to pay for legal services, are encountering greater compliance issues as they expand into a stricter EU.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Why China’s yuan is gaining appeal

More countries find yuan financing attractive. Even without full convertibility, the Chinese currency offers something invaluable.

Knives out: sea robbery fears stalk Southeast Asia’s busiest straits

Opportunistic nighttime raids in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are testing security in a vital maritime chokepoint.

Brown University shooter targeted symbolic victims tied to grievances: FBI

Claudio Neves Valente appeared to target places and people he associated with personal failure, missed opportunity and perceived injustice.

China is poised to reap rewards as energy shock heats up the race for renewables

The US war on Iran may have inadvertently triggered a global transition that will favour Beijing’s green leadership, analysts predict.

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

Editorial | Chinese yuan slowly but surely cutting into US dollar dominance

Kazakhstan’s issuance of yuan-denominated debt shows developing nations can use ‘panda bonds’ as stepping stones into global capital markets.

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

First American pontiff recalls centuries of ‘suffering’ at site originally built by Portuguese colonisers.

My Take | Is China just an emerging electro-state or an electro-civilisation state?

Like every advancing society in the past, it sees the future by seizing new energy sources and their associated technologies.

Letters | Chinese motorcycle brand ZXMOTO’s victory more than a sporting achievement

Readers discuss ZXMOTO’s wins in the WorldSSP class of the Superbike World Championship, and the connection between competition for oil and the space race.

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, finance ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria ‘stand united’ and call for action.

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao launches 10-day celebration

As the city hosts the 10-day celebration, its centuries-old fusion cuisine is embracing a new wave of global chefs and bold ideas.

The young English YouTubers bringing Korean food diplomacy to Macau

Known for their viral ramen videos and visiting Buckingham Palace with Blackpink, the British duo are bringing their brand of food diplomacy to Macau.

Young chefs are turning food traditions into tools for global change

Flora Igoe of the Youth Culture Programme is mobilising young chefs to safeguard food heritage and drive agrifood systems transformation.

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

Woman’s body found in her Portugal flat 2 years after death

Woman’s body was discovered in her bed surrounded by rubbish; residents say they alerted city officials months after she vanished in late 2023.

The bitter choice for Indonesian sailors abandoned off Africa

The crew must decide: return home to their families empty-handed or stay on their ship to hopefully get months of unpaid wages.

Portugal’s Seguro wins presidency in a landslide

Antonio Jose Seguro scored a convincing win over Andre Ventura in Portugal’s run-off.

Fatal floods strike Spain and Portugal, thousands evacuating

Both countries have issued warnings over the potential fresh floods, after inundations blocked hundreds of roads and disrupted trains.

China’s chip breakthrough, Tang Dynasty armour restored: 7 science highlights

From PLA developing quantum weapons to China’s dark matter breakthrough, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Spain busts cocaine trafficking ring that used ‘floating bases’ at sea

Spain seizes 10 tonnes of drugs and arrests 105 suspects, while Portugal intercepts a record haul from a ‘narco-sub’.

His mother stuffed zebras. He broke the biggest story in Macau’s history

Having moved from colonial conflicts in Africa to the mean streets of the Pearl River Delta, Gonçalo César de Sá has witnessed Macau’s modern history.

He planned to only stay in Macau for a year. Now he runs the literary festival

The Mozambique-born journalist once chose Stanley Ho for his magazine’s cover instead of Gong Li, and later bought the Portuguese Bookshop.

Editorial | Why China’s yuan is gaining appeal

International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao launches 10-day celebration