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United States
United States
The latest breaking news and stories on the United States (US), a country in North America known as a federal republic, and the world’s largest economy. Also covering US-China relations, plus commentary and updates on US economy, politics, society, healthcare, military and crime.
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Head of State
President Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Head of Government
President Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Demonstrators hold a banner demanding the release of all political prisoners during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela on January 9. On Friday, the prisons authority said it had released 99 prisoners. Photo: AFP
Venezuela

Venezuela ‘frees 99 prisoners’ detained after 2024 election protests

Rights groups said the number released ‘does not correspond to reality’ despite growing pressure from Washington on President Maduro.

US-China relations

Deal breaker? Record Taiwan arms deal complicates Trump’s 2026 Beijing visit

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Israel

Israel is first country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent state

Ukraine war

Zelensky brings ‘90% ready’ peace plan to Trump in Florida

Leaders will discuss security guarantees and a 20-point plan on Sunday, even as conflicting demands over territory persist.

US President Donald Trump (left) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in October. Photo: dpa
China-Latin America relations

Trump’s Venezuela gambit: power play with eye on China or weakness?

Hesitation does not equal lack of courage, observers caution, citing legal and domestic constraints and a likely pivot to ‘risk avoidance’.

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US-China relations

My Take | State capacity will decide who is the winner in Chinese-American rivalry

A degraded government in Washington today is a far cry from its once-feared global leadership.

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Banking & finance

Opinion | To harness crypto ingenuity, financial threat must first be neutralised

Future of money must be shaped by competition between private ingenuity and public purpose, not by rent seeking and speculative bubbles.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
India

Indian rice could become costlier for US amid Trump’s tariff threat

Experts warn of wider repercussions, including efforts by importers to divert shipments and renewed strain in US-India trade talks.

TikTok

China’s stance on TikTok deal seen as acceptance, not approval: analysts

In 2020, a similar arrangement between ByteDance, Oracle and Walmart fell apart after China revised its export control list.

Artificial intelligence

Shanghai to double down on open-source AI amid push for tech self-sufficiency

Shanghai is headquarters for AI model developers MiniMax and SenseTime, as well as AI chip developers such as Biren Technology and Enflame.

Crowds at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 28, 2025. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

China bolsters e-cigarette regulations to smoke out non-compliance

The draft policy would cut down on excess capacity within e-cigarette sector and tighten enforcement of standards in production and export.

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China, producer of most of the world’s e-cigarettes, has introduced new regulatory guidelines for the industry. Photo: Getty Images
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

China’s return as Apec chair is an opportunity to show that both the organisation and its message of multilateralism are as relevant as ever.

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Ukraine war

Inside Chernobyl: Ukraine races to repair radiation shield as war drags on

While engineers scramble to patch drone damage at Chernobyl, Ukraine’s president holds ‘substantive’ talks with US envoys.

SCMP Highlights

China’s reusable rocket failure, PLA growth leaves US ‘vulnerable’: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s crowded border at Christmas to jailed ex-Malaysian PM’s request rejected, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The Chinese military’s nuclear missile formation takes part in a parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: Xinhua
Open Questions series

Open Questions | Political scientist Ivan Krastev on Europe’s ‘China shock’, US snub

China’s challenge to Europe’s industrial might and the end of coalition with US has plunged continent into crisis. Can it recover, asks Bulgarian expert Ivan Krastev.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
North Korea

‘Maximum deterrence’: why North Korea just revealed its new nuclear submarine

The unprecedented transparency from the normally secretive country shows a shift in North Korean defence strategy, analysts say.

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Africa

US launches strike on Islamic State targets in Nigeria, Trump says

US strikes targeting militants were carried out in cooperation with the Nigerian government.

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US-China relations

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

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US President Donald Trump announces plans for a new class of warships bearing his name at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Inside Alo, the ‘secret gym’ favoured by Hollywood A-listers

Besides Hailey Bieber, the invitation-only facility counts Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Tate McRae and Glen Powell among its celebrity clients.

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Donald Trump

Jimmy Kimmel takes aim at Trump in ‘alternative Christmas message’ to UK

Talk show host and Trump foe Kimmel tells UK TV that ‘tyranny is booming’ in the US.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | Why Wall Street remains bullish on China amid economic slowdown

Just because fund managers were too bearish on China doesn’t mean their concerns were misplaced – economic fundamentals matter.

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People walk across a bridge with a display showing the latest stock exchange and economic data in Shanghai, on November 28. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak attends the verdict of his house arrest bid at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

Coupang’s massive data leak probe ignites US-Seoul diplomatic firestorm

Some Republicans said Seoul’s investigation into the e-commerce firm was an attempt to favour China.

Extreme weather

Southern California drenched by powerful Christmas storm, flash flooding

Governor declares state of emergency amid deaths, rescues, evacuations, floods and potential mudslides.

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Singapore

Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms

Passionate online discussions have revealed concerns about power, accountability and how the country sees itself.

A still from a social media video shows a submerged car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Social media users hailed migrant workers for their quick response in saving the driver. Photo: X/HaggerDarren
Gold in Hong Kong

Golden era: prices surge as rally on track for US$5,000 in 2026, analysts say

Rate cuts, geopolitical tensions and central banks’ buying spree push gold prices up by 72 per cent in 2025 – the biggest annual jump ever.

Gold prices break through the US$4,500-per-ounce mark for the first time. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

South Korea is taking steps to cool tensions – from moving to opening joint military drills to consultations to easing up on immediate denuclearisation demands.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Trump’s Justice Department says may have found a million more Epstein files

After missing the deadline for releasing Epstein-related records, the US Justice Department says it may need a ‘few more weeks’.

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