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Diplomacy
US urges Beijing to end military pressure against Taiwan
New Year’s Day message from the US State Department follows drill around island that saw over 30 warships deployed, according to Taipei.
4 hours ago
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US sanctions Chinese companies and tankers with Venezuela links
4 hours ago
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5
Dozens dead, 115 hurt in Swiss bar fire during New Year’s celebration
6 hours ago
United States & Canada
Trump blames bruised hand on aspirin, denies falling asleep in meetings
The US president says his hand was ‘whacked’ from a high five with Bondi, and his previously reported MRI was actually a CAT scan.
2 Jan 2026 - 12:55AM
US President Donald Trump closes his eyes during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. Photo: AP
Russia & Central Asia
Ukraine says it faked death of anti-Kremlin Russian fighter Kapustin
Kyiv says it did so to protect the Russian Volunteer Corps leader, after his assassination was ordered by Moscow’s special forces.
2 Jan 2026 - 1:23AM
Middle East
Saudi Arabia sets executions record in 2025, putting 356 people to death
The surge comes amid Riyadh’s ongoing ‘war on drugs’ and marked the first time more foreigners were executed than Saudis in a calendar year.
2 Jan 2026 - 2:01AM
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Africa
41 young men die in South Africa from circumcision procedures
The procedures were done as part of traditional initiation, a rite of passage into manhood for young men from various ethnic groups.
1 hour ago
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Boys stand in a field during traditional Xhosa male circumcision ceremonies into manhood in Qunu, South Africa, in June 2013. Photo: AP
Middle East
6 killed in Iran as cost-of-living protests turn violent
Security forces clash with demonstrators in three cities, marking the first deaths since economic unrest began in Tehran.
6 hours ago
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Diplomacy
Beijing’s Venezuela plans, Mexico-China tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads
From Brazil car factories to Beijing’s Venezuela plans, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in December 2025.
1 Jan 2026 - 11:00PM
Diplomacy
China’s Ukraine war role, EU vs Shein and Temu: 7 global relations reads
From a ‘blindsided’ Dutch minister to Brussels’ China de-risking, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in December 2025.
1 Jan 2026 - 11:00PM
Russia & Central Asia
CIA concludes Ukraine did not target Putin’s residence in drone strike
CIA findings contradict Moscow’s allegations. Kyiv calls the claim a pretext to escalate war and stall peace talks.
1 Jan 2026 - 6:27PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his traditional televised New Year’s Address on December 31, 2025. Photo: EPA/Sputnik
Middle East
Iran executions hit 35-year high with 1,500 killed in 2025: rights group
Drug offenses fuel ‘unprecedented’ surge as Tehran uses capital punishment to ‘create fear’, says rights activist.
1 Jan 2026 - 11:07PM
World
World welcomes 2026 with fireworks, lightshows and hopes for peace
From Paris to Dubai to Sydney, crowds ring in the new year with exuberant celebrations.
1 hour ago
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Americas
Bolsonaro’s house arrest bid fails, as Brazil court rejects health claims
Brazil’s Supreme Court rejected the former president’s request, citing no health decline, so the ex-leader remains in prison.
2 Jan 2026 - 2:09AM
Europe
Trump takes swipe at Clooney and France after actor gets citizenship
US president mocks film star as the French government defends granting citizenship to George and Amal Clooney.
1 Jan 2026 - 2:02PM
George Clooney and Amal Clooney have become French citizens. Photo: AFP
United States & Canada
Trump says pulling National Guard from Chicago, LA and Portland, for now
US president claims credit for falling crime in US cities as he yields to a series of major legal defeats.
1 Jan 2026 - 2:09PM
Americas
US Coast Guard searches for survivors after strike on alleged drug boats
US strike in international waters kills three people while others jumped overboard and may have survived.
1 Jan 2026 - 4:07PM
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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.
20 Mar 2025 - 2:37PM
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.
26 Aug 2025 - 10:25AM
Diplomacy
‘No worries’: Trump plays down Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan
Trump dismisses ‘routine’ drills in Taiwan Strait even as US arms sales hit record high and Pentagon repeats 2027 timeline.
30 Dec 2025 - 7:28AM
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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.
26 Dec 2025 - 4:39PM
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Open Questions series
Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky
20 Oct 2025 - 11:18AM
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Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish
5 Oct 2025 - 8:13AM
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80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter
11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AM
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18
‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended
4 Aug 2025 - 11:00AM
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Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
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US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AM
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29
Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky
20 Oct 2025 - 11:18AM
7
Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish
5 Oct 2025 - 8:13AM
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5
80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter
11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AM
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18
‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended
4 Aug 2025 - 11:00AM
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Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
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40
US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AM
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29
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OPINION
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What to expect from Chinese stocks in 2026
1 Jan 2026 - 5:27PM
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31 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM
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If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia
30 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM
6
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Amid the bad news of 2025, science cooperation has been a beacon of hope
30 Dec 2025 - 8:31PM
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Europe risks a self-fulfilling prophecy of war with Russia
29 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM
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MULTIMEDIA
Video
World ushers in New Year with dazzling fireworks display
Video
Former Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia dies
Video
Pickleball craze sparks controversy in Vietnam
01:30
Video
China hosts truce talks with Thailand and Cambodia
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