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Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister. Photo; Reuters

Europe

Zelensky proposes appointing First Deputy PM Fedorov as Ukraine defence minister

In big government shake-up, Zelensky also said he is appointing spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as head of the presidential office.

Owner of Swiss bar where New Year fire killed 40 insists safety norms followed

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Earthquake with 6.5 magnitude rattles southern and central Mexico, killing 2

Middle East

Angelina Jolie visits Egyptian side of Gaza’s Rafah crossing

‘What needs to happen is clear: the ceasefire must hold and access must be sustained, safe and urgently scaled up,’ the actress said of Gaza.

American actress and film producer Angelina Jolie greets Red Crecent workers during her visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza on Friday. Photo: AP
American actress and film producer Angelina Jolie greets Red Crecent workers during her visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza on Friday. Photo: AP

United States & Canada

FBI says it disrupted potential New Year’s Eve attack inspired by Islamic State

Christian Sturdivant, 18, allegedly planned to stab up to 20 victims ‌and attack police at a North Carolina supermarket and restaurant.

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Boxing

Driver in fatal Anthony Joshua car crash charged with dangerous driving

Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode was driving the British boxer and 2 of his friends when their car crashed on Monday, killing Joshua’s friends.

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Europe

Champagne sparklers blamed for Swiss inferno that killed 40 people

Witnesses saw a candle in a bottle ignite the ceiling at Le Constellation bar. Officials say the flashover trapped revellers in the basement.

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The entrance to Le Constellation bar is seen on Friday, a day after a deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: AFP
The entrance to Le Constellation bar is seen on Friday, a day after a deadly New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: AFP

United States & Canada

China’s BYD dethrones Tesla as world’s top electric vehicle maker

A customer revolt against Musk’s right-wing politics contributed to a 9 per cent sales drop, allowing BYD to overtake Tesla as the top EV maker.

Middle East

7 dead as Saudi jets strike UAE-backed forces in ‘peaceful’ Yemen operation

Separatists report 7 air strikes minutes after pro-Saudi forces announced a ‘peaceful’ bid to retake camps, accusing Riyadh of deception.

Europe

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

Swiss officials say it may take days to identify victims of the Le Constellation fire, as many young revellers suffered severe burns.

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People comfort each other outside Le Constellation bar on Friday, a day, after a fire and explosion killed dozens of people in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters

Europe

Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues in past decades, where celebrations turned to tragedy in seconds.

The Mountain B pub in Thailand after it was ravaged by fire in 2022. Photo: AP
The Mountain B pub in Thailand after it was ravaged by fire in 2022. Photo: AP

Europe

Dozens dead, 115 hurt in Swiss bar fire during New Year’s celebration

It is not yet clear what started the blaze at the Crans-Montana resort, a popular international ski and golf destination.

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Middle East

Trump and Iran official exchange threats after protests turn deadly

Trump says US will come to their rescue if ‘peaceful protesters killed’ while Iran’s ex-parliament speaker blames US and Israel for unrest.

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China

China’s record hypergravity machine, Nepal’s ‘bride buying’ probe: 7 highlights

From Beijing defending Taiwan drills to a Chinese snack stall drawing crowds of support, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

A view of the core of the CHIEF1300. The latest CHIEF1900 was built by Shanghai Electric Nuclear Power Group and shipped to Zhejiang University last week for installation. Photo: Xinhua

Middle East

Saudi-UAE rivalry explodes into view after strike in war-torn Yemen

Gulf powers Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are at odds over rival factions and a deepening struggle for regional pre-eminence.

Damaged military vehicles, allegedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen on December 30. Photo: AFP
Damaged military vehicles, allegedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen on December 30. Photo: AFP

Americas

Maduro open to talks with US on drugs and oil, but silent on CIA strike

Venezuela’s leader sidesteps questions about a reported US land attack while offering to talk ‘seriously’ about cooperation.

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.

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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.

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, and his previously reported MRI was actually a CAT scan.

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.

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US President Donald Trump spoke about China’s military drills around Taiwan during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
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Open Questions series

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

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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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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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

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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OPINION
Andrew Sheng

Opinion | Can Europe survive its crippling paralysis?

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David Dodwell

Outside In | 2025 was the year of denial. What now?

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Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | What to expect from Chinese stocks in 2026

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Wang Huiyao

Opinion | Key lessons from China’s ascent over the past 25 years

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5
Edward Ding

Opinion | Why Donald Trump will focus on the Fed in 2026

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Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

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MULTIMEDIA
Video

As bear attacks rise in Japan, diners bite back

Hunter Katsuo Harada, 84, holds the skull of the bear that attacked him more than 20 years ago, during an interview with Reuters at his home in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan October 15, 2024. (Reuters/Sakura Murakami)
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Video

Claw machines take over arcades in Japan

In this picture taken on November 22, 2025, stuffed toys are seen inside claw crane game machines inside a shop at Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. As school and work wraps up, crowds gradually fill Tokyo’s many bustling arcade halls —- not to battle it out in fighting games, but to snag plush toys from claw machines. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) / TO GO WITH ‘JAPAN-ANIMATION-GAME-ARCADE, FOCUS’ BY MATHIAS CENA
02:53
Video

World ushers in New Year with dazzling fireworks display

People celebrating new year in Brazil
Video

Former Bangladesh leader Khaleda Zia dies

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