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Middle East
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Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Russia & Central Asia

Putin offers to mediate Iran-Israel tensions after Trump threat

The Russian leader spoke with Israel’s Netanyahu and Iran’s Pezeshkian on Friday, offering Moscow’s help to de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said.

UK teen who praised Southport murderer jailed for possessing al-Qaeda manual

Museveni leads Uganda vote as Bobi Wine under house arrest amid violence claims

United States & Canada

Trump invests US$51 million in bonds linked to his own policy agenda

Without a blind trust, Trump builds wealth as president with bond trades in firms his policies affect, drawing scrutiny over conflicts of interest.

Donald Trump reacts to a question from a reporter after signing a series of executive orders at the White House in February 2025. Photo: TNS
Donald Trump reacts to a question from a reporter after signing a series of executive orders at the White House in February 2025. Photo: TNS

Politics

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

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Americas

Venezuela’s Machado says she ‘presented’ her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

US president praises Machado for her ‘wonderful’ gesture as he warms to Venezuela’s new leaders.

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Global Economy

Canada, China hit reset button on relations with tariff agreement

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the deal, which features a mutual reduction in tariffs on goods, including Chinese EVs.

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Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the media at Ritan Park in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the media at Ritan Park in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

US says Iran halted 800 protester executions after Trump warnings

White House cites direct pressure for the stay of executions, as Gulf allies scramble to de-escalate threats of a US military strike on Iran.

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United States & Canada

Exiled crown prince’s plan for Iran seen as mostly aimed at Trump

Experts say Reza Pahlavi’s aspirations for a post-theocratic Iran are to win White House backing.

Europe

Europeans send military personnel to Greenland in message to Trump

Initial deployments are small, but Denmark is planning a ‘larger, more permanent’ Nato presence.

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A Royal Danish Air Force plane carrying personnel in military fatigues after landing at Nuuk airport in Greenland. Photo: Reuters

World

Chinese ‘rising star’ leaves MIT, woman prays to Shrek for 4 years: 7 highlights

From Chinese solar makers facing monopoly probe to woman praying to Shrek for four years, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping the animated character Shrek. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@thetropixs
A woman in the Philippines spent four years worshipping the animated character Shrek. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/IG@thetropixs

China

China-linked hackers ‘used Venezuela-themed phishing to target US agencies’

Swiss firm says Mustang Panda leveraged US-Venezuela tensions as geopolitical lures in a malware campaign against government-related targets.

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United States & Canada

US seizes sixth sanctioned tanker as it tightens grip on Venezuela’s oil

The predawn ship raid marks the fourth seizure since the US capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

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Americas

Brazil’s Bolsonaro sent to prison with roomier cell, more perks

Ex-president moved to a detention complex five times the size of his current room, with a kitchen and a private outdoor area.

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro at his home last year. Photo: AP

United States & Canada

Minneapolis on edge as Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act and send troops

US president wants to quickly ‘put an end to the travesty’ in Minnesota where protests have flared after violent encounters involving federal agents.

US federal agents use tear gas, pepper balls and flash bangs to secure a perimeter as protests erupted after an ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. Photo: dpa
US federal agents use tear gas, pepper balls and flash bangs to secure a perimeter as protests erupted after an ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. Photo: dpa

United States & Canada

US lawmakers propose US$2.5 billion agency to boost production of rare earths

The US is moving to reduce reliance on China after Beijing used its dominance in critical minerals to gain leverage in the trade war.

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United States & Canada

Washington completes first sale of Venezuelan oil ‘in US$500 million deal’

The White House official, who did not identify the buyer, said additional sales could take place in the coming days or weeks.

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Politics

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Xi and Trump’s key people

Discover the power players in Xi and Trump’s teams; the key people setting the agenda on diplomacy, the military, the economy, security and science.

The China-US face-off: a visual guide to Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s inner circles

United States & Canada

Power players: a visual guide to Trump’s team and their views on China

Discover who is in Donald Trump’s inner circle, their backgrounds, stances on China and the roles they will play in shaping the future of the US.

Americas

Venezuela’s Machado says she ‘presented’ her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

US president praises Machado for her ‘wonderful’ gesture as he warms to Venezuela’s new leaders.

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Americas

Trump prevails in US Senate showdown over Venezuela war powers

A 51–50 vote kills war powers resolution after Trump pressure flips two key Republican defectors.

US fighter jets parked on the apron at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. Photo: Reuters
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Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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14
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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OPINION
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MULTIMEDIA
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Yoon sentenced to 5 years in 1st martial law trial

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol
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Railway power outage delays commuters in Tokyo

Passengers evacuated from a stranded train on the Keihin-Tohoku line walk to Tamachi station in Tokyo, Japan, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
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Massive fire rips through Seoul slum area

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Mass Hindu wedding in Pakistan’s Karachi

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