Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who is 63 points behind Piastri in the championship but has won two of the past three races and finished second in the other, was asked in a news conference on Thursday in Austin whether he believed McLaren were favouring Norris.
He replied: “Absolutely.”
He laughed, and then said: “Yep.”
Leaving the news conference, he said off-microphone: “Well, there’s a headline.”
BBC Sport sought clarification from Verstappen as to whether he had been joking, and he said through a PR person that he had been.
In answer to the same favouritism question, Verstappen added: “I honestly don’t know. I don’t care also. It has nothing to do with me. They do whatever they think is right and they are doing a very good job of it being so quick.
“For me, the most important thing is we maximise our potential and as long as we do that, it is in our control.”
Piastri said: “I’m very happy that there’s no favouritism or bias.”
Red Bull’s Verstappen finished second, and McLaren’s Norris, finishing third, now has a 22-point lead in the drivers’ standings.
Published On 5 Oct 20255 Oct 2025
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George Russell of Mercedes has won the Singapore Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, as McLaren clinched the Formula One constructors’ championship.
Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen and the two McLarens were to fight it out for the other podium spots on Sunday as Briton Russell took the chequered flag under the lights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit to claim his second victory of the season.
“It feels amazing,” said Russell. “We don’t really know where this performance came from, but really, really happy.
“I was really nervous at the beginning when I saw Max on the soft [tyres], but that first stint was great from us.”
Norris put pressure on Verstappen towards the end of the race, but had to settle for third ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, the pair earning enough points to seal a second consecutive constructors’ title for the team.
“It was a tough race,” said Norris. “Max didn’t make any mistakes. I gave it my all today, and got close.
“I’m happy with today. I got forward two positions. We won as a team, the constructors’ once again.”
Piastri’s lead over Norris in the drivers’ standings was cut to 22 points, while Verstappen is 63 points behind the Australian with six races remaining in the season.
“I think second was the maximum result today,” said Verstappen.
“I think the whole race was quite difficult, more difficult than I hoped for, for a lot of different reasons.”
The celebrations for the constructors’ title in the McLaren garage might be muted, however, with Piastri fuming at the way Norris forced his way past his teammate on the opening corner.
Kimi Antonelli was a distant fifth in the other Mercedes with Charles Leclerc sixth ahead of his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Fernando Alonso was eighth for Aston Martin, while Haas driver Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz, who started at the back of the grid after the Williams cars were disqualified from qualifying, took the final points in ninth and 10th.
MAX VERSTAPPEN blasted Formula One title rival Lando Norris for getting in his way after failing to land a maiden pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix.
George Russell denied old rival Verstappen the front row seat with a lightning-quick lap of 1:29.158 – a new record at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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Max Verstappen blasted Lando Norris for getting in his way during Singapore GP qualifyingCredit: X / SkySportsF1
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Lando Norris bit back at the hot-tempered commentCredit: Getty
Verstappen, 28, is eyeing a first-ever win in Sunday’s race to complete the career set of winning at every F1 track on the 2025 calendar.
The raging Red Bull driver replied: “Yeah, that’s what happens when there’s a car two seconds in front of you cruising in front.
“So that’s noted, will be remembered as well.”
When pressed on the identity of the culprit, Verstappen replied: “Not Oscar [Piastri]. So yeah, that was a bit of a shame. Otherwise, I think it could have been close for a pole.
“It’s very exciting here in qualifying. A little bit disappointed not to be first but for us this weekend the car has been really good.
Briton Russell was delighted with his top spot, a first-ever pole for him in Singapore after a “challenging day” on Friday following a crash in FP2.
He said: “It’s good to come back and get a good result today.
“There’s a long sweaty race tomorrow but I knew there was potential in the car because Kimi [Antonelli] was doing an amazing job all weekend and I gained quite a lot from seeing what he was capable of doing.”
George Russell forced to abandon Singapore GP qualifying after smashing into barriers and mangling Mercedes
On the prospect of keeping four-time world champion Verstappen behind him going into Turn 1, Russell added: “Yeah, I mean Singapore’s not always been the kindest to me in the past.
“That’s been through my own doing the majority of the time. I’m not going to get carried away with this pole position. But it’s the best place to start.
“There’s a good pole side advantage here so I like to think I can hold the lead into Turn 1, but obviously this guy on my left is pretty good at race starts and sending it down the inside.”
Such a claim seemed off-beat considering Verstappen is 69 points behind McLaren championship leader Oscar Piastri, who scored third in Saturday’s qualifying.
Yet wins in Italy and Azerbaijan and a strong result in qualifying is threatening to split the drivers’ title race wide open despite the comparative dominance of McLaren for most of the season.
Piastri said: “I obviously would have wanted more but I don’t think we had four-tenths in it to go and get pole.”
Team-mate Norris, who will start P5 in the race, addressed Verstappen’s claim after the session.
He said: “Red Bull always complains. There was no problem with Max driving behind me. Yes, he was riding behind me. But there was such a huge distance, so no problem.”
There was early hope for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in qualifying as he topped the first session, but he ultimately ended up in P6 with team-mate Charles Leclerc in P7.
Piastri said he simply did not have the pace to compete and was 0.366secs off pole.
He said he and McLaren had expected to be able to compete at the front.
“My first lap of Q3 felt reasonable,” Piastri said. “It certainly didn’t feel 0.4secs off. We just didn’t have the pace tonight, which was a little bit of a surprise for us. We were relatively confident going in.”
Piastri’s performance, though, was a return to form for the Australian after a difficult race in Baku, where he made a series of mistakes, culminating in crashing on the first lap.
Starting two places in front of Norris, he has a good chance to extend his 25-point championship lead.
Norris said: “We weren’t quick enough., the Mercedes were quite a lot faster. I didn’t put it all together and you need to do it on a track like this.
“There’s still chances so we have to wait and see.”
Hamilton outqualified Leclerc for the first time since the British Grand Prix to underline an upturn in his form in recent races.
He was fastest in the first session and said he felt Ferrari had mismanaged the rest of qualifying.
“The pace was there,” Hamilton said. “We just didn’t optimise the sessions, Q2 onwards.
“I’m definitely more comfortable in the car, this weekend I think I have been driving really well.
“P6 is not good. I definitely think we should have been further ahead but it was all about tyre temp today. It is every week. Tomorrow is going to be tough from where we are. There is not really much we can do from here.”
Williams, whose drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz qualified 12th and 13th, have been reported to the stewards because their rear wings were found to exceed maximum dimensions. This is likely to lead to their disqualification from qualifying.
Team boss James Vowles later confirmed the brakes had reached temperatures of over 1000 degrees before Albon was forced to retire.
But Mercedes ace Russell then sparked more chaos in FP2 as his car went straight on into the barriers at Turn 16.
As he attempted the right hander he lost the rear before the snap correction sent him flying into the wall and prompting the first red flag of the session.
It was an incident labelled “weird” by the Briton over the team radio.
Liam Lawson followed suit not long after as he hit the wall in the run off of Turn 17.
That saw his front-left go flying down the track and the plank under his car grind along the floor as his Racing Bulls drive skidded to a halt at the pit lane entrance.
And following the restart, Charles Leclerc bizarrely smashed into McLaren‘s Lando Norris in the pit lane following an unsafe release from the Scuderia mechanics.
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It features a new race in the Spanish capital Madrid. This is in addition to the event at Barcelona’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which has hosted the Spanish Grand Prix since 1991.
Barcelona’s contract runs out after next season but it is in the running to be one of the events that rotates with the Belgian Grand Prix, whose new contract sees it host races in four of the next six years.
Other events to have expressed an interest in rotating are Germany, Portugal and Turkey.
F1 is also working on finalising plans for a new race in Thailand’s capital Bangkok, perhaps from 2028.
There have been six sprints each year since 2023 and F1 has not increased that for 2026 because of the added strain on the teams as a consequence of the new chassis and engine regulations that are being introduced.
However, F1 bosses are considering increasing the number of sprint events from 2027 to as many as 12, which would mean sprints at half the races during the season.
A sprint event features a shorter race with its own qualifying session, before qualifying and the main event. A traditional grand prix weekend has three practice sessions before qualifying and the grand prix.
There are also discussions about modifying the format of sprint events, which could include trying out reverse grids.
F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: “With four competitive sessions rather than two during a conventional grand prix weekend, F1 sprint events offer more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners and for the promoters – driving increased attendance and viewership.”
Sprints also generate more income for the sport as promoters are prepared to pay a premium to host them.
Domenicali added: “The 2026 season will usher in a new era of regulations, so having three new sprint venues will only add to the drama on track.”
Singapore – On a weekday afternoon in the heart of the central business district, the BYD showroom on Robinson Road is a picture of futuristic cool.
Inside, sleek electric cars gleam under bright white lights as young professionals drift through the space.
Just a short walk away, diners mingle in a BYD-branded restaurant over craft beer and bar bites in a chic, members’ club-like setting – one of several lifestyle ventures the Chinese electric vehicle giant has rolled out across Singapore.
It is a scene that reflects a larger shift.
Once seen as cheap and functional at best, Chinese brands are fast becoming desirable – even aspirational – among Singapore’s middle class.
Shenzhen-based BYD was by far the top-selling carmaker in the city-state in the first half of 2025.
The EV maker sold almost 4,670 cars – about 20 percent of total vehicle sales – during the period, according to government data, compared with about 3,460 vehicles sold by second-ranked Toyota.
Many other Chinese brands have also made major inroads, from the tea chain Chagee to toymaker Pop Mart and electronics maker Xiaomi, shaping how Singaporeans work, rest and play.
Singapore and Malaysia had the biggest concentration of Chinese food and beverage brands in Southeast Asia last year, according to the research firm Momentum Works, with 32 China-based firms operating 184 outlets in the city-state as of June 2024.
At the same time, Chinese tech firms, including ByteDance, Alibaba Cloud and Tencent, have chosen Singapore for their regional bases.
A bartender prepares a cocktail at a BYD by 1826 cafe and car dealership in Singapore on September 7, 2023 [Edgar Su/Reuters]
Healthcare worker Thahirah Silva, 28, said she used to be wary of the “Made in China” label, but shifted her perspective after a visit to the country last year.
“They’re very self-sufficient. They have their own products and don’t need to rely on international brands, and the quality was surprisingly reliable,” Silva told Al Jazeera.
These days, Silva regularly samples Chinese food brands, often after seeing particular dishes or snacks taking off on social media.
Compared with Japanese or Korean brands, she said, Chinese chains are “creative, quick to innovate and set food trends”, though she admits it sometimes feels like they are “taking over” from local brands.
“Somehow, it made me feel there won’t be much difference visiting China, since so many of their brands are already here”, she said.
For younger Singaporeans, the old stigmas around products “made in China” are fading, said Samer Elhajjar, senior lecturer at the marketing department of the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Business School.
“Many of these brands are now perceived as cool, modern and emotionally in tune with what young consumers want. They feel local and global at the same time,” Elhajjar told Al Jazeera.
“You can walk into a Chagee and feel like you are part of a new kind of aesthetic culture: clean design, soft lighting, calming music. It is not selling a product. It is selling a feeling.”
Moulded by China’s hyper-competitive e-commerce landscape, Chinese companies have been especially adept at rolling out digitally savvy marketing strategies, Elhajjar said.
“These brands are now playing the same emotional game that legacy Western brands have mastered for decades,” he said.
Pedestrians cross a street in the Chinatown district of Singapore on January 7, 2025 [Roslan Rahman/AFP]
Singapore, where about three-quarters of the population is ethnic Chinese, is an especially attractive testbed for Chinese brands looking to expand overseas, according to analysts.
Doris Ho, who led a brand consultancy in Greater China from 2010 to 2022, said that Chinese brands have been able to succeed in Singapore with a bold, creative approach to innovation that appeals to local sensibilities.
This “new China edge”, Ho said, shows up in BYD features, such as built-in fridges and spacious, fold-flat interiors that can be used for sleeping, and hotpot chain Haidilao’s extravagant hospitality, which sees customers treated to live music performances, shoeshines, hand massages and manicures.
“When they innovate, they don’t follow the same lines you’d expect. It’s their way of looking at something and coming out with a completely surprising answer,” Ho told Al Jazeera.
For Chinese brands, Singapore offers “a sandbox with real stakes” as a compact, ethically diverse and globally-connected market, Elhajjar said.
Because Singapore is seen as sophisticated, efficient and forward-looking, success in the city-state “sends a powerful message”, he said.
The rise of Chinese brands has coincided with Singapore’s growing reliance on China’s economy.
China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner since 2013, with bilateral trade in goods last year reaching $170.2bn.
As Western firms scaled back or paused expansion, Chinese brands moved in, with many effectively propping up Singapore’s property sector and entrenching themselves in the country, said Alan Chong, senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).
Singapore’s government has also actively courted Chinese firms amid the uncertainty from US President Donald Trump’s arrival on the geopolitical scene, Chong said.
“You see the positive image of the United States slipping quite consistently,” Chong told Al Jazeera.
“The US has acted in a miserly, resentful sort of way with ongoing trade tariffs, whereas China remains a factory of the world – seen as an economic benefactor – so there will be a swing in terms of looking at China favourably.”
Chong said that Singapore has also become a virtual second home for some middle-class Chinese nationals, many of whom own property in the city-state.
High-rise private condominiums in Singapore [File: Roslan Rahman/AFP]
Singaporean universities have also made a concerted effort to attract Chinese students, with some even introducing programmes taught in Mandarin Chinese.
In a report released earlier this year by China’s Ministry of Education and the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, Singapore was ranked the second-most popular destination for Chinese students after the United Kingdom.
Some analysts have observed the rise of “born-again Chinese” (BAC) – people of Chinese descent outside China, especially in Singapore and Malaysia, who embrace a strong pro-China identity, despite limited cultural or linguistic ties.
Donald Low, a lecturer at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has defined so-called BACs as those who adopt an “idealised, romanticised” idea of a China that is “inevitably rising” and “stands heroically against a hegemonic West”.
The success of Chinese brands in Singapore has not been without some pushback.
Some Singapore residents have felt alienated by stores that operate mainly in Mandarin Chinese, Elhajjar said, given that the city-state has one of the world’s largest immigrant populations, as well as large minorities of native-born Malays and Indians.
There have also been concerns raised about homegrown brands being priced out of the market by the arrival of large firms with deep pockets.
Rising rents resulted in the closure of 3,000 F&B businesses in 2024, the highest number since 2005, Channel NewsAsia reported in January.
In a recent white paper, the Singapore Tenants United for Fairness, a cooperative representing more than 700 business owners, called for curbs on “new and foreign players”.
Leong Chan-Hoong, the head of the RSIS Social Cohesion Research programme, cautioned against blaming Chinese enterprises for social tensions or rising rents, describing the inroads made by some brands as part of the natural cycle of a market-driven economy.
“As a global city-state, we are always at the forefront of such transitions,” Leong told Al Jazeera.
A woman sells Labubu plush toys to visitors during the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, known as ChinaJoy, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China, on August 4, 2025 [Hector Retamal/AFP]
Indeed, for many residents in Singapore, the growing presence of Chinese brands is simply an unremarkable part of daily life.
Ly Nguyen, a 29-year-old Vietnamese migrant working in tech sales, said she started collecting Labubu, the globally popular gremlin-like toys created by Pop Mart, after being captivated by their “ugly but fun” aesthetic.
“Labubu represents independent creativity and a newfound confidence in Chinese-designed memorabilia,” Nguyen told Al Jazeera.
For Nguyen, the popularity of Labubu dolls, which have been spotted with celebrities such as Rihanna and BLACKPINK’s Lisa, points to a generational shift in how Chinese cultural exports are viewed.
“The more familiar people become with these brands, the more likely younger generations will have a new, much more favourable perception towards China as a cultural power,” she said.
Singapore– As Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations draw to a close on Saturday night, a huge fireworks display will illuminate the city’s extraordinary skyline.
The numerous skyscrapers and futuristic buildings stand as a tribute to the country’s remarkable development after separating from Malaysia in 1965.
This tiny Southeast Asian state, with a population of just over six million people, has one of the highest rates of wealth per capita in the world. Its advanced economy also attracts workers from across the globe.
The financial hub is famed for its stability, high standard of living, forward-thinking approach and infamous for its centralised style of governance.
While Singapore will bask in some success this weekend, once the flags are taken down and the SG60 merchandise is removed from the shelves, the island-nation will get back to work and begin contemplating its future.
Plans are already in motion to continue Singapore’s growth, with its most famous landmark – Marina Bay Sands – set to house a new fourth tower of hotel rooms in 2029, while a 15,000-seat indoor arena will also be built at the site.
Changi international airport, which was ranked this year as the world’s best for the 13th time, will also gain a fifth terminal by the mid-2030s.
Residents of the “Lion City” clearly have plenty to look forward to, but the road ahead may also contain some potholes.
Al Jazeera has been taking a look at some of the challenges that Singapore could face in the next 60 years and how they might be tackled.
Singapore’s iconic Merlion statue with the business district in the background in 2019 [File: Vincent Thian/AP Photo]
Climate change
As a low-lying island, sitting just north of the equator, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to the threat of a changing climate. The country’s former prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, once described it as a matter of “life and death”.
Rising seas and increased rainfall could lead to flooding, with extreme weather events set to be a more common occurrence.
While the city-state has so far dodged the kind of weather disruption that plagues many of its neighbours, the government is preparing for the worst.
Rising sea levels are of particular concern, with alarming estimates that the waters around Singapore could rise by more than a metre (3.2ft) by 2100.
To counter the threat, plans are being considered to build three artificial islands off the country’s east coast. These areas of reclaimed land would be linked by tidal gates and sit higher than the mainland, acting as a barrier.
Benjamin Horton, former director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, said the country could come to a standstill if catastrophic rain were to combine with a high tide.
“If it flooded a lot of the infrastructure in Singapore, closing down MRTs [mass rapid transit], shutting down emergency routes, flooding a power station and the electricity went down – Singapore would be crippled,” Horton said.
The already-sweltering Southeast Asian financial hub will also have to cope with even hotter conditions.
Pedestrians shield from the sun with an umbrella as they walk in front of the parliament building in Singapore in May 2025 [File: Vincent Thian/AP Photo]
A 2024 government study found that the daily average temperature could rise by up to 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century.
Horton, who is now dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, said this could impact the country’s economic productivity.
“Singapore is always developing and is reliant on immigrant labour that works outside during the day. Climate change is going to impact that significantly,” he said.
Yet, Singapore, Horton said, has “the potential to be the lead in how you adapt to climate change and to be the leader in coastal protection”.
Demographic time bomb
Singapore’s population is ageing at a rapid rate.
By 2030, it’s estimated that almost one in four citizens will be aged 65 and above.
The life expectancy for a Singaporean born today is a little under 84 years, with residents benefitting from a high quality of life and a world-class healthcare system.
But this demographic shift is set to challenge the city-state over the next six decades.
An ageing population will inevitably require more investment in the medical sector, while the country’s workforce could face shortages of younger workers.
Older Singaporean women practice Tai Chi, a Chinese form of meditative exercise, in 2013 [File: Wong Maye-E/AP]
“The resulting strain will not only test the resilience of healthcare institutions but also place significant emotional, physical, and financial pressure on family caregivers,” said Chuan De Foo, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
While the authorities are looking to expand and strengthen healthcare facilities, they are also urging citizens to make better lifestyle choices in order to stay healthier for longer. New marketing campaigns encourage regular health check-ups, allowing for early intervention, while new technology is also being utilised.
“AI-driven tools are being developed to support mental wellbeing, detect early signs of clinical deterioration and assist in diagnosis and disease management,” Foo told Al Jazeera.
Fewer babies
Alongside living longer, Singaporeans – like many advanced Asian economies – are also having fewer babies, adding to the country’s demographic woes.
The fertility rate, which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, fell below 1.0 for the first time in 2023 and shows little sign of increasing.
That figure is even lower than Japan’s fertility rate of 1.15. This week, Japan reported its 16th consecutive year of population decline, with nearly a million more deaths than births in 2024.
Kalpana Vignehsa, a senior research fellow at NUS’s Institute of Policy Studies think tank, said the Singapore government is “swimming against a cultural tide” in its efforts to reverse the decline in births.
“Now is the time for expansive action to make parenting less expensive, less stressful, and most importantly, a highly valued and communally supported activity,” said Vignehsa.
Children in Singapore pass by an OCBC bank branch in 2020 [File: Edgar Su/Reuters]
An unstable world
Singapore is renowned for its neutral approach to foreign policy, balancing strong ties with both China and the United States.
But as relations between the world’s two biggest superpowers become increasingly strained, the Lion City’s neutrality could be challenged.
Any pivot towards Washington or Beijing is likely to be subtle, said Alan Chong, senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
He said that this situation occurred during the COVID pandemic, when Washington was not forthcoming with assistance for Asian economies.
“Almost all of Southeast Asia, including Singapore, tilted towards Beijing for economic support without announcing it,” said Chong.
US President Donald Trump’s punitive tariff policy has also caused consternation in the Southeast Asian business hub, which relies heavily on global trade.
Despite the threat from Washington’s increasingly protectionist policies, Chong believes that Singapore is prepared to weather the storm after signing a trade pact in 2020.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was agreed between 15 mainly Southeast Asian countries, plus major North Asian economies including China, Japan and South Korea.
“It’s a huge insurance against any comprehensive global trade shutdown,” said Chong.
Stability at home
While the international outlook appears increasingly troubled, Singapore’s domestic political scene is set for more stability over the coming years.
The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has been in power since the country was formed and shows no signs of losing control.
In May’s election, the PAP, led by new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, won all but 10 seats in parliament with just over 65 percent of the vote.
While the country’s leaders are likely to stay the same in the near-term, Teo Kay Key, research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, said younger Singaporeans will soon want a different style of politics, one that is more open and more participatory.
“They are more likely to favour discussions and exchange of views,” she said.
“There is also a growing trend where the preference is to conduct open discussions, with a more democratic exchange of ideas,” she added.
Singapore declared independence from Britain in August 1963. It joined the Federation of Malaysia in September 1963 after the 1962 Merger Referendum of Singapore.
Singapore left the federation two years later and gained its own sovereignty on August 9th 1965 when Yusof bin Ishak was sworn in as the first President of Singapore.
Singaporeans begin celebrations during the last weeks of July and they will continue throughout August. These celebrations will include concerts, carnivals, and many other festivities.
The largest event among the celebrations is the annual National Day Parade. The parade is held in Singapore’s National Stadium in front of 60,000 people and is nationally televised.
The parade features performances from military and school bands, a 400-piece drum ensemble, solo vocalists, professional dance routines, and displays by the Singapore Armed forces, which include free-fall parachute displays, tower repelling, vehicle shows, a presidential gun salute and a national flag fly-by
Cristhian Mosquera is flying to Singapore to join up with Arsenal on their pre-season tour as the Gunners move closer to completing a deal for the Valencia defender.
The 21-year-old has been given permission by the Spanish club to join up with Arsenal, having already agreed personal terms.
The Spain Under-21 defender will provide competition for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
He can play at both centre-back and right-back and will fill the gap in the squad left by the departure of Takehiro Tomiyasu, who mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
Mosquera has made 90 appearances for Valencia and was a regular last season, playing the full match in 37 of the club’s 38 La Liga games.
Arsenal face AC Milan in Singapore in the National Stadium on Wednesday before taking on Newcastle at the same venue on Sunday.
They then travel to Hong Kong to play Tottenham Hotspur before returning to London.
Hanging laundry on balconies or windows without using designated drying areas is prohibited in Singapore, so make sure you think twice before you get those garments up there
Think twice before you dry(Image: Connect Images via Getty Images)
Tourists visiting popular destinations should always familiarise themselves with local regulations, especially when it comes to seemingly harmless habits like drying laundry.
In Singapore, hanging clothes outside windows or on balconies in public housing estates, known as HDB flats, can lead to unwitting visitors being slapped with fines. Hanging laundry on balconies or windows without using designated drying areas is prohibited. This applies to both residents and tourists staying in such accommodation. The aim is to prevent cluttered façades and avoid safety hazards caused by falling items.
First-time violations typically result in warnings or fines of up to SGD 300 — roughly £180. Repeat offenders risk heavier penalties and further enforcement measures, such as the removal of unauthorised drying racks.
Different countries have different laundry practices (Image: Viktoriya Dikareva via Getty Images)
Ski Vertigo, a travel expert, recently highlighted the importance of understanding these rules before travelling. A statement from the company read: “These rules are designed to prevent safety hazards, such as items falling from heights, and to maintain the city’s clean, orderly environment. Improper laundry drying can cause damage to buildings and obstruct views, which is why enforcement is strict.
“In places like Singapore, it is crucial to read accommodation rules carefully. Small details, such as laundry drying, can have big consequences. Tourists should respect local customs and regulations to ensure a smooth stay.”
Laundry habits may seem trivial when travelling, but local laws vary widely, and breaking them can result in unexpected penalties. Improperly hung laundry can also cause disputes with neighbours or building management, potentially spoiling a holiday.
There have been cases where tourists were fined or warned simply because they were unaware of local rules. Disputes arising from laundry drying in prohibited areas have led to complaints to housing authorities, creating avoidable conflict.
A separate piece of research by Ski Vertigo found that nearly 30% of British holidaymakers receive at least one fine during their trip each year. Often caused by unfamiliar local rules or simple mistakes, these fines can quickly turn an enjoyable holiday into an expensive ordeal.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the number of Brits who head there each year and the country’s love of rules, Spain is the place where UK tourists are currently getting fined the most.
Fines in Spain often relate to issues such as littering, smoking in prohibited areas, parking violations, and failure to follow beach rules. Many tourists unintentionally break these regulations because they differ significantly from what is allowed in the UK.
Here are some of the laws in Spain you might find yourself accidentally breaking, and the fines you’ll face if you do:
Leaving rubbish in public spaces: fines up to €600 (£520)
Smoking near children or in no-smoking zones: fines range from €30 to €600 (£26 to £520)
Parking in restricted areas or without proper permits: fines start at €80 (£70)
Ignoring local signage about behaviour on beaches or in parks: fines vary, but can be as much as €200 (£175)
Throwing away bus tickets before reaching the destination: €100 (£87) in destinations such as Madrid and Barcelona
Drinking in public places: fines vary based on location, but can reach €600 (£521)
Pet restrictions: many public spaces have limitations on pets; fines can exceed €500 (£430) for violations
Wildlife protection: disturbing wildlife or disrupting protected areas can also result in substantial penalties
Police say the suspects have sent more than a dozen babies to Singapore for adoption.
Police in Indonesia have arrested 12 people after uncovering a human trafficking ring that has sent more than a dozen babies to Singapore for adoption.
The West Java police told reporters on Tuesday that the case was discovered after a parent reported an alleged baby kidnapping, which led them to a suspect who admitted to trading 24 infants.
Surawan, the police’s director of general criminal investigation, who goes by one name, said the perpetrators took most of the infants from their biological parents in West Java province.
They are accused of moving the babies to Pontianak city on Borneo island and then sending more than a dozen of them onwards to Singapore.
“Based on documents, 14 [babies] were sent to Singapore,” he said.
“The age range is clearly under one year old, with some three months old, five months old, and six months old.”
Authorities managed to rescue five babies in Pontianak and one in Tangerang, a city near the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. They also arrested a dozen suspects across Jakarta, Pontianak and the Javan city of Bandung.
“They are a syndicate, a baby trafficking syndicate. They each have their own roles,” said Surawan.
Some of the suspects were allegedly tasked with finding the babies, he said, while others cared for them, sheltered them or prepared civil registration documents, such as family cards and passports.
The police officer added that the infants were to be sold for 11 million Indonesian Rupiah ($676) to 16 million Indonesian Rupiah ($983) to buyers for adoption in Singapore.
The syndicate had been in operation since 2023, he said, based on suspect statements.
Police said they sought out “parents or mothers who refuse to care for their children” in return for money.
Surawan said the parent who reported a kidnapping “actually had an agreement” with the smugglers before their child’s birth, but reported them when they did not receive payment afterwards.
He added that police in Indonesia intend to coordinate with Interpol to “locate possible trafficked infants in Singapore”.
Human trafficking is also a domestic problem across Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, a sprawling nation of more than 17,000 islands.
In one of the worst cases in recent years, at least 57 people were found caged on a palm oil plantation in North Sumatra in 2022.
China has agreed to sign a Southeast Asian treaty banning nuclear weapons, Malaysia’s and China’s foreign ministers confirmed, in a move that seeks to shield the area from rising global security tensions amid the threat of imminent United States tariffs.
The pledge from Beijing was welcomed as diplomats gathered for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers’ meeting, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also due to meet regional counterparts and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan told reporters on Thursday that China had confirmed its willingness to sign the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty – an agreement in force since 1997 that restricts nuclear activity in the region to peaceful purposes such as energy generation.
“China made a commitment to ensure that they will sign the treaty without reservation,” Hasan said, adding that the formal signing will take place once all relevant documentation is completed.
ASEAN has long pushed for the world’s five recognised nuclear powers – China, the United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom – to sign the pact and respect the region’s non-nuclear status, including within its exclusive economic zones and continental shelves.
Last week, Beijing signalled its readiness to support the treaty and lead by example among nuclear-armed states.
Rubio, who is on his first visit to Asia as secretary of state, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday amid a cloud of uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy, which includes new levies on six ASEAN nations as well as key traditional allies Japan and South Korea.
The tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, include a 25 percent duty on Malaysia, 32 percent on Indonesia, 36 percent on Cambodia and Thailand, and 40 percent on Laos and Myanmar.
Japan and South Korea have each been hit with 25 percent tariffs, while Australia – another significant Asia Pacific ally – has reacted angrily to threats of a 200 percent duty on pharmaceutical exports to the US.
Vietnam, an ASEAN nation, along with the UK, are the only two countries to have signed separate trade deals with the US, whose administration had boasted they would have 90 deals in 90 days.
The US will place a lower-than-promised 20 percent tariff on many Vietnamese exports, Trump has said, cooling tensions with its 10th-biggest trading partner days before he could raise levies on most imports. Any transshipments from third countries through Vietnam will face a 40 percent levy, Trump said, announcing the trade deal on Wednesday. Vietnam would accept US products with a zero percent tariff, he added.
Reporting from Kuala Lumpur, Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride says Southeast Asian nations are finding themselves at the centre of intensifying diplomatic competition, as global powers look to strengthen their influence in the region.
“The ASEAN countries are facing some of the highest tariffs from the Trump administration,” McBride said. “They were also among the first to receive new letters announcing yet another delay in the imposition of these tariffs, now pushed to 1 August.”
Family photo of the attendees of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference with Russia during the 58th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on July 10, 2025 [Mohd Rasfan/AFP]
The uncertainty has pushed ASEAN states to seek alternative trade partners, most notably China. “These tariffs have provided an impetus for all of these ASEAN nations to seek out closer trade links with other parts of the world,” McBride added.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been in Kuala Lumpur for meetings with ASEAN counterparts, underscoring Beijing’s growing engagement.
Meanwhile, Russia’s top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, has also been holding talks in Malaysia, advancing Moscow’s vision of a “multipolar world order” – a concept backed by China that challenges what they see as a Western-led global system dominated by the US.
“Lavrov might be shunned in other parts of the world,” McBride noted, “but he is here in Malaysia, meeting with ASEAN members and promoting this alternative global structure.”
At the same time, Rubio is aiming to counter that narrative and ease tensions. “Many ASEAN members are traditional allies of the United States,” McBride said. “But they are somewhat nervous about the tariffs and recent US foreign policy moves. Rubio is here to reassure them that all is well in trans-Pacific relations.”
As geopolitical rivalry intensifies, ASEAN finds itself courted from all directions, with the power to influence the future shape of international alliances.
US seeks to rebuild confidence in ASEAN
Rubio’s presence in Kuala Lumpur signals Washington, DC’s intention to revive its Asia Pacific focus following years of prioritising conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
The last meeting between Rubio and Russia’s top diplomats took place in Saudi Arabia in February as part of the Trump administration’s effort to re-establish bilateral relations and help negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Analysts say Rubio faces a difficult task of rebuilding confidence with Southeast Asian countries unnerved by the US’s trade policies. Despite the economic fallout, he is expected to try and promote the US as a more dependable alternative to China in terms of both security and long-term investment.
According to a draft communique obtained by Reuters, ASEAN foreign ministers will express “concern over rising global trade tensions and growing uncertainties in the international economic landscape, particularly the unilateral actions relating to tariffs”.
Separately, a meeting involving top diplomats from Southeast Asia, China, Russia and the United States will condemn violence against civilians in war-torn Myanmar, according to a draft statement seen Thursday by AFP.
ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to end Myanmar’s many-sided civil war sparked by a military coup in 2021.
Travel and health experts have warned anyone taking weight-loss jabs to check before they go on holiday as they are banned or restricted in some countries. Mounjaro has been released for use as a weight-loss jab on the NHS in the UK and other jabs are available to buy privately.
But while weight-loss medication is legal in the UK, other countries have not approved it – meaning it could be confiscated or you could be held by the authorities if you try to import it.
Travel and health experts have explained what you need to do if you want to take your weight-loss jabs abroad this summer.
Weight-loss jabs are approved for use in the UK
NHS GP Dr Asimah Hanif said: “There are countries where weight loss injections are restricted or banned – unlike the UK where they are more widely accepted. For example, if you were to go to the UAE, you would need pre-approval from the Ministry of Health. Or if you were to go to Japan, you would require an import certificate.
“In Singapore – you would need approval from the health services authority before travel. There are many ways you can prepare yourself according to the country you’re travelling to. This will ensure a smooth journey and also allow you to continue administering your weight loss injections.”
The jabs are often used for their original purpose – managing diabetes – as well as being taken for weight loss. This can mean there is an even more urgent need to keep talking them.
You should not try to keep the jabs in carry-on bags, experts say
GP Dr Ola Otulana said: “At the moment weight loss injections such as semaglutide are widely prescribed in the UK for diabetes management and now more recently for weight management. However people may not realise that rules can differ significantly abroad as in some countries (in Asia and the Middle East), medications like semaglutide can be heavily regulated or banned entirely if they are not licensed for weight loss there.
“Even in places where they are legal, carrying injectable medications without a letter from a doctor and proof of prescription can raise issues at customs, which may lead to items being confiscated.
“If you are prescribed a weight loss injection in the UK and are planning to travel, the safest approach is to check the embassy website of your destination country in advance to confirm the rules on your medication. You should also carry your prescription, a formal letter from your GP explaining the indication and dosing, and also keep the medication in its original packaging. Some countries require you to declare any injectable or controlled medications when you arrive. Prepare and bring any necessary documentation to avoid stress while travelling / abroad and talk to your GP or pharmacist before travelling.”
You will need to get through security checks in some countries
Travellers say they have come across a number of countries where the jabs – and other medication – can land you in trouble.
Isheeta Borkarm co-owner of Travelicious Couple, said: “Weight-loss injections like Wegovy are legal and widely used in the UK, but they’re not allowed everywhere else. We’ve come across a few countries where bringing them in could actually get you into serious trouble.
“For example, Japan has extremely strict rules around medication import. Even certain asthma inhalers are banned, so bringing in injectable weight-loss medication, especially with a needle, without prior approval could lead to confiscation or worse.
Singapore requires prior authorisation for any injectable medication. We’ve heard in Thailand even prescription drugs can be flagged at customs if the paperwork isn’t clear.”
Five steps to take if travelling with weight loss jabs:
1. You should check embassy websites for the latest information 2. Carry your prescription and a letter from your doctor (ideally stating dosage and medical necessity). 3. Declare it at customs. 4. Avoid packing injectables in carry-ons. Use the original packaging and keep medication with their official labelling. 5. Some of these medications need refrigeration. Call hotels in advance to ensure they had a minibar fridge.
A pharmacist has urged holidaymakers to check the rules on taking a drug which is popular in the UK, but regulated or banned in other countries
This medication can be bought over the counter, while stronger versions are available with a prescription(Image: RealPeopleGroup via Getty Images)
A pharmacist has issued a stark warning to the millions of Brits who regularly take a medicine that is either banned or heavily regulated in several countries, including Greece and France. Co-codamol, which is a mixture of paracetamol and codeine, can be purchased in shops and is also prescribed to 3.5 million people.
The medicine is available in three strengths, the lowest of which contains 8g of codeine to 500mg of paracetamol and can be purchased without a prescription. Higher doses (those with 15g and 30g of codeine) are available only with a doctor’s authorisation.
Despite its popularity in the UK, the drug is considered illegal in Greece and is obtainable only with a prescription. It is entirely prohibited in Ethiopia, and possession of it in the United Arab Emirates or China could land you in prison.
In Thailand, it is classified as a category 2 narcotic. In Indonesia, Qatar, Singapore and Japan, it is either regulated or banned without specific licences or forms. Even with a prescription, bringing co-codamol into Mexico is forbidden, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Since 2018, the drug has required a prescription in Australia and also necessitates one in France, Italy, India, Romania, Ireland, Canada, the US and Germany.
A number of EU countries permit low-dose over-the-counter codeine (up to roughly 12 mg per unit), but only under the supervision of a pharmacist: these include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.
Peter Thnoia, superintendent pharmacist at online pharmacy PillTime, issued a stark warning for holidaymakers, saying: “Know the rules of the country you’re travelling to, because you’d be surprised how many everyday tablets are banned or regulated abroad.
“For example, co-codamol is available over the counter and in supermarkets here in the UK. But in Greece, the codeine element is treated as a controlled drug – so you can only bring it into the country with a prescription and a doctor’s note.
Co-codamol is considered a controlled drug in some countries(Image: Clubfoto via Getty Images)
“If you’re unsure on whether your medication is under restricted use in the country you’re travelling to, then check the official embassy website for your destination. It will explain exactly what you can – and can’t – bring into the country.
“It’s always best to be safe and check before you travel, so that you have all the essential medication you need to make sure your holiday is as enjoyable as possible.”
Peter also offered guidance on how to transport medications when flying: “Always keep your medication in your hand luggage, in its original packaging with the prescription label intact. Security staff may need to verify it, especially if it’s liquid or regulated.
“If you’re unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a supporting letter. This can be especially helpful when travelling with larger quantities.”
The virus has been detected at a number of holiday destinations and one government has issued an alert
Masks may be needed for some travel this summer
The government in a UK holkiday hotspot has urged people to wear masks, wash their hands, get vaccinated and avoid activity that could spread Covid as a new variant sends cases rocketing, The World Health Organisation has issued a warning over the new variant, NB.1.8.1, which has seen cases soar in countries including Egypt, the Maldives and Thailand.
The new strain, which is said to be more infectious than previous variants, has also been found in the US and the UK. Now the government in Thailand has issued a warning after 257,280 cases of Covid and 52 deaths.
The latest outbreak has been worst in the capital Bangkok and in Chonburi Province. Deputy government spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak said international travel and the oncoming rainy season, could accelerate the outbreaks and the Ministry of Public Health will monitor the situation closely.
The 69-meter tall giant Buddha statue of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple in Bangkok
Anukool said people should ‘limit activities that increase the risk of infection, wash their hands regularly, wear masks in crowded places, get booster vaccinations when due, and seek medical attention promptly if experiencing symptoms’
Cases of the virus have been surging since mid-February and are now at their highest rate since last June. The WHO says there are higher levels of Covid in 73 countries – including the Caribbean.
The WHO has designated the new strain NB.1.8.1 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ amid concern about the sharp rise in cases. By late April 2025, NB.1.8.1 comprised roughly 10.7% of all submitted sequences – up from just 2.5% four weeks before. It is already the dominant strain in Hong Kong and China. Lara Herrero Associate Professor and Research Leader in Virology and Infectious Disease, at Griffith University said thanks to multiple mutations the new strain ‘ may infect cells more efficiently than earlier strains’.
Traditional Thai dancers wearing facemasks perform at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok
“But importantly, the WHO has not yet observed any evidence it causes more severe disease compared to other variants. Reports suggest symptoms of NB.1.8.1 should align closely with other Omicron subvariants.
“Common symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and nasal congestion. Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur in some cases.”
The new strain is being found in large numbers in the Eastern Mediterranean, an area including the tourist destination of Egypt. It is also being found in South East Asia – including in Thailand and the Maldives.
Masks are being encouraged for people in Thailand
The WHO said recent increases have also been observed in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The report reads: “WHO recommends that countries remain vigilant, adapt to evolving epidemiological trends, and leverage COVID-19 management strategies to strengthen systems for all respiratory disease threats. Member States should continue offering COVID-19 vaccines in line with WHO recommendations.
“Based on the current risk assessment of this event, WHO advises against imposing travel or trade restrictions.”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that China is preparing to invade Taiwan. Hegseth made the comments at a global defence meeting in Singapore. Chinese officials rejected the allegations as ‘defamatory’.
Singapore – Of the many military officials darting across the lobby of Singapore’s Shangri-La Hotel this weekend, there has been one significant absence.
China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun skipped the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security forum, with Beijing sending a delegation of lower-ranking representatives instead.
It was the first time since 2019 that China has not dispatched its defence minister to the high-level dialogue on regional defence, except when the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beijing’s decision raised eyebrows in Singapore, coming at a time of heightened tensions between China and the United States – the world’s two biggest superpowers.
Dong’s absence meant there was no face-to-face meeting with his US counterpart, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, who had the floor to himself on Saturday when he told the defence forum that the military threat posed by China was potentially imminent.
“It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific,” Hegseth told delegates in Singapore.
Pointing to China’s regular military drills around Taiwan as well as increasingly frequent skirmishes in the South China Sea, Hegseth said Beijing was proactively harassing its neighbours.
“There’s no reason to sugar-coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” Hegseth said.
He also pointed to China’s growing military assertiveness as a reason for Asian nations to boost their defence spending, pointing to Germany, which has pledged to move towards spending 5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.
“It doesn’t make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies in Asia spend less on defence in the face of an even more formidable threat,” Hegseth said.
The defence chief also looked to reassure Asian allies that Washington was committed to Asia Pacific security despite strained ties in recent months as US President Donald Trump targeted some close allies with hefty trade tariffs.
“America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific, and we’re here to stay,” he said, opening his speech.
Some analysts were quick to play down the severity of Hegseth’s warnings about China.
“Short of a very few countries, not many in this part of the world see China as an imminent threat and would up their [defence] spending,” said Dylan Loh, assistant professor in the public policy and global affairs programme at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.
China tight-lipped on defence chief’s absence
In previous years, the Shangri-La Dialogue had provided a rare platform for meetings between Chinese and US officials in the more informal surroundings that the summit could offer.
The structure of the schedule also allowed Beijing’s military chiefs to directly respond to the keynote speech from the US defence secretary and to present their narrative to other members of the Asia Pacific.
Beijing has remained tight-lipped on the reason for Defence Minister Dong’s absence from the forum, fuelling an information void that has been filled by speculation.
One theory is that China did not want to send a high-profile delegate to the event at such a sensitive time as Beijing navigates the tariff war with the Trump administration.
“Any sort of faux pas or comments that may go off script can be picked up and picked apart or misconstrued,” said Loh, of Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.
“So the question is why take the risk when US-China relations are at a very delicate point at this moment,” Loh told Al Jazeera.
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun attends the Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China in September 2024 [Florence Lo/Reuters]
The Shangri-La Dialogue weekend has not always been the easiest occasion for Chinese defence ministers. In recent years, they have faced difficult questions from their counterparts in other countries, who are unhappy with Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the Asia Pacific region.
Loh said this could be another factor in Dong’s absence from the high-profile event.
“Any Chinese defence minister coming to Singapore now will be exposing himself and the country to political risk,” he said. “Themes like the South China Sea and possibly Taiwan will emerge, which makes China a convenient target,” Loh added.
Dong was appointed as China’s defence minister in late 2023, after his predecessor, Li Shangfu, was removed from office.
Less than a year into the job, there was speculation surrounding Dong’s new position following media reports that he was under investigation as part of a wider investigation into corruption in the Chinese military. Beijing denied the reports, with the minister continuing to maintain a public profile despite the allegations.
There has also been intense scrutiny of China’s military, following reports of an apparent purge of top-level officials by President Xi Jinping.
One of Beijing’s most senior generals, He Weidong, was missing from a high-profile political meeting in April, adding to rumours surrounding a possible restructuring in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Ian Chong, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie China research centre, said such speculation could be a factor in Dong’s no-show in Singapore.
“Because of the domestic turmoil with China’s senior military, they perhaps don’t want to, or the PLA itself feels that it’s not in a position to send somebody senior,” Chong told Al Jazeera.
Announcing Dong’s absence at a news conference before the summit, Chinese military spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang maintained that communication channels were still open between defence officials in Washington and Beijing.
“China places great importance on US-China military ties, and is open to communication at different levels,” Zhang said.
The Finnish Aviation Union has announced three strikes among workers at Helsinki Airport over the coming weeks, with Finnair the airline most impacted by the industrial action
Young Asian businesswoman sad and unhappy at the airport with flight canceled.
Finnair has grounded 110 flights, impacting 8,000 customers, on a single day of a three-day strike.
Brits flying to Finland are facing travel chaos yet again, as the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) has announced three fresh strikes on May 30, June 2, and June 4 at Helsinki Airport. This is Finland’s seventh aviation strike in under a month.
The industrial action is predicted to impact just shy of 30 UK flights across the three days. As the summer getaway kicks off, this latest wave of strikes will have ripple effects across Europe. The IAU, representing ground handling, baggage, catering, maintenance, and customer service staff, will strike over wage disputes with PALTA in 4-hour staggered shifts, leading to full-day disruptions.
Finnair has had to cancel more than 100 flights(Image: No credit)
According to the IAU, the average earnings of Finnair Group employees rose by 6.4 percent between 2020 and 2023. During that same period the national average increase across all sectors was 10.4 percent.
The strikes are designed to maximise disruption, with union officials organising the walkouts at strategic times across a six-day window. The result is a wave of residual disruption: cancelled flights one day, incomplete baggage delivery the next, and last-minute rerouting throughout.
Palta, which represents employers, has argued that most employee groups were ready to accept the mediator’s proposed increases, Helsinki Times reports. It has said that the IAU is demanding adjustments beyond what others have asked for.
The cancelled direct flights from the UK will see nearly 5,400 passengers affected. Since Helsinki is a direct transit hub for Brits flying to Asia, the Baltics and Northern Finland. According to Air Advisor, 11,400 UK passengers will be affected.
Key UK routes likely to be impacted include London Heathrow to Helsinki, Manchester to Helsinki, and Edinburgh to Helsinki.
The IAU strikes are not the only ones impacting European aviation customers this week. The May 30 to June 4 strikes align with Italy’s May 28 aircrew/taxi strikes, creating a rare “Nordic-Mediterranean Disruption Corridor”, disrupting Helsinki, Milan, and Rome hubs. This will strain Frankfurt and Amsterdam connections, adding excessive pressure on these hubs.
Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor, said: This is no longer a strike story, it’s a system failure story. Helsinki has now had more strikes in 30 days than most countries have in a year. This represents something far more serious than a few cancelled flights: they signal a system on the brink. Helsinki Airport, once considered one of the smoothest hubs in Europe, is now suffering from chronic unpredictability. For UK passengers, this isn’t just about Finland, it’s about how a local dispute can derail an entire travel experience across Europe.
“The most worrying aspect is the deliberate spread of these strikes. By placing them days apart, IAU is stretching airline operations beyond recovery: think of aircraft out of position, bags not making it to destinations, and crew timing out. It matters because this kind of disruption doesn’t stay in Finland; it ripples across hubs like London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, making it even more chaotic.”
Affected passengers should check the airline’s website and mobile app for alternative flight options and manage their bookings accordingly. Finnair has told impacted customers that they will be supported with rebooking options to minimize inconvenience.
