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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
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania at the Kennedy Centre for the opening night of the musical Chicago on March 31. Oil trades spiked by half a billion dollars minutes before Trump posted a pause on the US attack on Iranian energy sites. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Banking & finance

Opinion | From the US to Hong Kong, there’s no excuse for insider trading

Far from a victimless crime, insider trading steals from the rest of us by unfairly using knowledge that is available only to the privileged.

US military

Hegseth ousts army’s top uniformed officer, even as US wages war on Iran

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: music and barbecues in Tehran despite Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threats

China-Latin America relations

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Paris last month. Photo: Reuters
Pam Bondi

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US attorney general, amid Epstein files furore

The US president was also reportedly frustrated that she was not moving quickly enough to prosecute his critics and foes.

US-China trade war

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, US-China direct trade continues to shrink

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

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Middle East

Immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz demanded at 40-nation talks

Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage via its blockade of the waterway, said the UK’s foreign minister, who hosted the meeting.

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British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (right) gives her opening remarks as she hosts a virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of the signatory countries on securing the Strait of Hormuz in London on Thursday. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

With no truce in sight, American forces might be preparing for a short, sharp option, analysts say.

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China-Middle East relations

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

From a China-Israel call on Iran to an unlikely nuclear deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in March 2026.

Iran

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

Crude prices had been inching back towards US$100 per barrel before Trump’s Wednesday address in which he promised more strikes on Iran.

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A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell in New York on Thursday. Wall Street stocks tumbled early Thursday on the latest jump in oil prices as tough rhetoric between the United States and Iran reduced hopes of a Middle East war resolution. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

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US Navy sailors load onto an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli on March 26. The Tripoli arrived in the Middle East last week. Photo: Handout
Middle East

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

War and conflict

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

States like China and Russia that can provide energy, industrial inputs, strategic reassurance or room for manoeuvre are gaining weight.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

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US President Donald Trump, seen here at the White House on Wednesday, said attacks on Iran could continue for the next two to three weeks. Photo: AP
China's military weapons

PLA upgrades ageing tanks with protection system for potential Taiwan operation

Type 96A main battle tanks from Eastern Theatre Command now have APS to counter drones and anti-tank missiles, according to state media.

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Type 96A main battle tanks equipped with the GL-6 active protection system were seen in video footage released by state media on Sunday. Photo: Weibo/China Youth Daily
Fame and celebrity

Meet Logan Marshall-Green, who plays Cal on Yellowstone spin-off Marshals

Before working with Taylor Sheridan, Marshall-Green appeared on Law & order, The O.C. and Sex and the City spin-off And Just Like That … – but theatre is his first love.

TV shows and streaming video

‘Like a TikTok trend’: how micro dramas leave big studios in their dust

The head of a Chinese micro drama company shares how studios behind short-form shows for phones use data to keep viewers hooked.

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South China Sea

Why China and Vietnam are shifting from confrontation to calm in South China Sea

Disagreements continue, but the two sides are showing notable restraint in contrast with Beijing’s fierce exchanges with Manila.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, in Hanoi on March 17. They co-chaired a meeting on bilateral cooperation. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump sends crude surging as Iran speech fails to allay war concerns

Oil prices shot up and stocks fell as US President Donald Trump failed to set a clear end date for the war on Iran during his address to the nation.

Central banks

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

Central banks cannot pump oil into the global economy in the same way they can flood the financial system with liquidity.

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China GDP

‘False proposition’: state media hits ‘China shock’ as cover for Western anxiety

The state-run Economic Daily says the real problem with the global economy is not China’s strong exports, but rising protectionism.

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Large numbers of cars and containers are stacked at a port waiting for export in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
IPO

Countdown starts for Chinese rocket maker CAS Space’s Shanghai listing

China’s commercial rocket champion plans to raise US$600 million on the Star Market after its listing application is accepted.

CAS Space’s Lijian-2 Y1 rocket with three satellites onboard blasts off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, on March 30, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong stock market

China’s onshore traders add Hong Kong stocks for third straight month

Mainland Chinese investors bought US$7.8 billion of stocks through the connect scheme in March.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s CLP Power hands out HK$100 shopping coupons to 600,000 customers

Energy firm says it hopes coupons can help stimulate local spending, unleash potential consumption and accelerate economic growth.

Asean

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

Granting Southeast Asian vessels safe passage through the strait allows Iran to come across as a diplomatic good guy, analysts say.

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An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10. Photo: Reuters
Australia

Australian PM says Iran war goals met, asks what more is left to achieve

The remarks come after Trump said the conflict is ‘very close’ to completion, while signalling plans for fresh attacks in the coming days.

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Smoke rises from the site of a strike in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Science

‘Impossible for Chinese’: Yale scientist Zhang Kai leaves US for China

Pioneering work involves observing proteins inside the body during exercise, effectively capturing their activity in a natural state.

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US-Venezuela conflict

US lifts sanctions on Venezuela’s acting president, who praises Trump

The US continues to gradually ease measures on Caracas after its military captured leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3.

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