The South Sea Bubble of 1720. Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter Don't miss the latest ...

Huge fortunes were lost. In April 1721, Sir Robert Walpole became first lord of the treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, in the wake of the South Sea Bubble financial crash of 1720.

A US surveillance plane carrying a CNN crew flies over disputed territories in the South China Sea. The mission aimed to monitor China’s island-building processes in the Spratly Islands.