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TOPIC COLLECTION

North America

Included topics:
The Artemis II crew speak to Nasa Mission Control in a video conference while en route to the moon on Thursday. Photo: Nasa/AP
United States

‘Space plumber’ to the rescue as Artemis astronauts navigate life aboard Orion

It is the first time astronauts venturing into deep space have had a real toilet on board, allowing the crew some ‘alone’ moments.

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Artificial intelligence

Competition or ‘co-opetition’: how is convergence shaping Sino-US AI race?

South Korea

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

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Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

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Illustration: Mario Rivera

Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

Aussie comedian exposes the truth about nation’s feelings towards US president, democracy and public safety.

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Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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As I see it | The twilight of US hegemony and Israeli expansionism

The war in Iran is speeding the world towards a multipolar system.

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Protesters gather in Washington on March 28 to join a massive “No Kings” demonstration against Donald Trump amid opposition to the US president’s decision to go to war against Iran. Photo: Reuters

US girl dies after being hit on head by metal water bottle, classmate arrested

Khimberly Zavaleta Chuquipa, 12, was allegedly attacked at school while trying to protect her older sister from a group of bullies.

Trump seeks US$1.5 trillion for defence in new budget request amid Iran war

If enacted, it would set military spending at its highest level in modern history, underscoring the US’ ongoing focus on defence investment.

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What 2 downed jets mean for US vulnerability in the Iran war

US launches rescue mission after F-15E downing; one crew member found, another missing in first such combat loss since war began.

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An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for a combat flight during Operation Epic Fury, on March 16, 2026. Photo: Handout

Artemis II’s moon-bound astronauts share first images of Earth’s blue beauty

The three Americans and one Canadian are on course for a lunar fly-by in their Orion capsule before heading home.

Earth is seen from inside the Orion capsule in an image released by Nasa on Friday. Photo: Nasa via AP

US adds 178,000 jobs in March but Middle East war ‘likely not incorporated’

Gains in a slumping market were about three times the forecast, thought to be linked to construction firms doing more in recent warm weather.

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China’s gravity-detecting SQUID gets closer to spotting US nuclear submarines

Device can spot objects by measuring tiny shifts in gravity, and its compact design means it can be used outside a lab.

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Beijing mandates internal ethics committees for all Chinese AI companies

Since 2022, big tech firms including Alibaba and Baidu have established internal science and technology ethics review committees.

An AI-themed display is seen at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Centre in Beijing, March 25, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

US can take Strait of Hormuz ‘with more time’, says Trump

The president spoke out online while the UAE’s largest gas plant and a key Kuwait oil refinery were among Iran’s latest targets.

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US President Donald Trump speaks in the White House on Wednesday. Photo: via TNS

Opinion | How America’s stumble in Iran upends East Asia’s security calculus

A region where US allies lose faith in Washington won’t necessarily embrace Beijing; it is a region more likely to reach for its own guns.

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China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz

Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes.

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Former KMT chairwoman calls for ‘profound mutual trust’ with mainland China

Social media post from Hung Hsiu-chu comes days ahead of sitting KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s visit to mainland.

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The Kuomintang’s then-chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, in Beijing in 2016. Photo: Xinhua

Washington launches export initiative to ensure ‘future of AI’ is led by US

Chinese competitors targeted as US companies invited to form consortiums to offer full-stack AI solutions around the world.

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China watching ‘like a hawk’ as US Artemis 2 crew embarks on moon trip

Eyeing a lunar landing by 2030, Beijing will be ‘looking attentively at everything they can glean’ from the American mission, expert says.

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New Zealand doctor invoices US embassy for rising fuel costs

Shane Dunphy asked the embassy to reimburse him for the US$1,600 spent on petrol vouchers for his staff so that they could travel to work.

A petrol station in the village of Pauatahanui, in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 27. A surge in oil prices since the start of the Middle East war has sent fuel costs spiralling. Photo: AFP

Israel strikes over 3,500 Lebanon targets in a month

Lebanon’s health ministry said on Thursday that 1,345 people have been killed and 4,040 wounded since the war began, including 125 children.

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A man with burn wounds from an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon in a hospital bed on Thursday. Photo: AP

‘Liberation Day’ anniversary, war on Iran, Taiwan’s KMT visits Beijing

This week: One year since Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’, China proposes Iran war peace plan in partnership with Pakistan, Hong Kong retains IPO crown. Next week: Taiwan’s Kuomintang leader visits mainland, Chinese airlines raise fuel surcharges, factory-gate prices may end slump, and more.

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

Despite current tensions and dim prospects for meaningful progress, Beijing should still roll out the red carpet.

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Beijing hails US cooperation as ICE returns suspected drug smuggler to China

With Xi and Trump set to meet next month, Beijing says handoff signals ‘progress in bilateral counternarcotics law enforcement’.

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A drug smuggling suspect was returned to China by US ICE via cooperation channels between the two countries, Chinese state media says. Photo: AP

Iran says shot down F-35 fighter jet with new defence system

IRGC claims ‘complete destruction’ of the advanced jet occurred over central Iran, and it is unlikely the pilot survived.

A US F-35C Lightning II landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln on March 7. Photo: US Navy via Reuters

3 Chinese nationals arrested in Malaysia over fake US visa passes

Police said investigations uncovered a syndicate supplying counterfeit documents for US entry.

US delays Japan’s Tomahawk missile supplies as Iran strikes take priority

The missiles are key to boosting Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities to deal with challenges from China and North Korea.

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North America
The latest news, analysis and opinion on North America. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.