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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
Illustration: Craig Stephens
European Union

Opinion | An internally split Europe can never fully engage China and Asia

The Brussels effect is real but so is Europe’s strategic subordination to the US. For China, and Asia, this means proceeding with pragmatism.

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Rare earths

Trump tackles China’s rare earth grip with talks instead of tariffs

India

‘Trump’s wrath’: India’s aim to diversify trade via Iran faces tariff threat

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US Federal Reserve

Macroscope | Investors are giving Trump a free pass

Markets, especially bond markets, are meant to be a disciplining force. Their inaction will only embolden Trump to act more recklessly.

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A video of US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell plays on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on January 12. Powell has rejected the Trump administration’s claims of wrongdoing against him, calling them a pretext for punishing him for not cutting interest rates as fast as US President Donald Trump desired. Photo: AP
China-South Korea relations

South Korean leader takes ‘pragmatic approach’ to reset ties with China, Japan

The president made back-to-back trips to the neighbouring countries as tensions are running high between Beijing and Tokyo.

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2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Token gesture? Why US is spending US$45 million on Thai-Cambodian border war

Washington is looking to reposition itself as the main peacemaker in Southeast Asia following Beijing’s mediation successes, analysts say.

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Donald Trump

Man shot by US officer in Minneapolis as tensions flare over crackdown

A week after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, an agent fired ‘defensive shots’ during a struggle involving a snow shovel and three people.

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A federal agent walks through tear gas smoke after it was used on protesting community members in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks snap 4-day winning streak as Chinese tech giants falter

Online travel-booking agency Trip.com slumps 19 per cent after China opens antitrust probe into the company.

Artificial intelligence

Musk’s Grok barred from undressing AI images after global backlash

‘Spicy Mode’ feature had allowed users to create sexualised deepfakes of women and children.

India

Trump’s 500% tariff push raises risk of India-US trade freeze

Such punitive tariffs would erode India’s export competitiveness and force the country to reorient its trade elsewhere, analysts warn.

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A train carrying cargo containers rides along a railway track in Ajmer, India, in August 2025. The US is India’s largest export market, receiving about 18 per cent of its total goods exports. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong

Legal Tales | Time to end bid-rigging in Hong Kong with criminalisation, tougher enforcement

In the wake of the Tai Po fire, an all-too-common practice in building management and maintenance comes under the spotlight – and must be redressed.

The catastrophic blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court has exposed widespread bid-rigging in Hong Kong’s building management and maintenance industry. Photo: Sam Tsang
US-Venezuela conflict

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-China trade war

Trump sets 180-day deadline to counter China’s control of critical minerals

US government warns global suppliers to negotiate agreements to secure reliable, diversified supplies for the US or face new trade hurdles.

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Nasa

Astronauts splash down on Earth after first-ever medical evacuation

The crew’s mission on the International Space Station was cut short by over a month.

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In this screengrab, recovery vessels approach the SpaceX Crew-11 capsule to evacuate a crew member after a pre-dawn splashdown near San Diego on Thursday. Photo: Nasa/AP
China stock market

Hong Kong, China stocks to outpace US equities all year: analysts

Hang Seng Index poised to reach 30,000 as Chinese stocks’ valuations make them difficult for global investors to ignore, Tiger Brokers says.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on January 12, 2026. Photo: AP Photo
US-Venezuela conflict

Trump praises Venezuela’s ‘terrific’ interim president after call

After sidelining Venezuela’s opposition, the US president touts ‘tremendous progress’ on oil and security with Maduro’s former deputy.

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Artificial intelligence

OpenAI sees another ‘seismic shock’ from China as talks swirl of DeepSeek launch

There is heightened anticipation about a potential major DeepSeek release around the Lunar New Year.

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US-China relations

Biden administration decision to scrap China Initiative flawed: White House

US top science adviser Michael Kratsios says ceasing programme aimed at combating economic espionage from Beijing ‘damaging’.

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Michael Kratsios, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the Biden administration’s decision to terminate the China Initiative programme was “damaging”. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Trump administration faces backlash over Nvidia H200 AI chip sales to China

Critics warn easing export controls could boost Beijing’s military and undermine US lead in the AI race, as White House defends decision.

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Middle East

Trump claims ‘killing in Iran is stopping’, but keeps US options open

US president says that Iran hangings are off the table, and to ‘watch it and see’ about military action.

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US-China relations

Why China fears Trump’s Nvidia H200 deal is a sophisticated Trojan horse

Can Washington bind Chinese rivals to American technologies or will access to the AI chips hasten Beijing’s challenge to US dominance?

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Diplomacy

Opinion | High Seas Treaty will both boost China’s power and hold it accountable

Beijing realises that maritime leadership will be measured not just by fleets and bases but also by who protects the planet’s last great commons.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China relations

‘Wartime footing’: US Navy chief unveils Trump’s Golden Fleet shipbuilding push

John Phelan says it is essential that America matches China’s superior production capacity and manufacturing workforce.

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Donald Trump

Ford suspends worker who heckled Trump and got flipped off by US president

TJ Sabula had shouted ‘paedophile protector’ at the US president, in an apparent reference to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

FBI

FBI raids home of US journalist who reported on Trump firings

The unusual search on Hannah Natanson’s home as part of a Pentagon leak investigation sparked concerns over press freedom in the US.

An FBI seal is displayed on a podium before a news conference at the field office in Portland, Oregon, in January 2025. Photo: AP
Israel-Gaza war

Gaza entering next ceasefire phase as US pushes to disarm Hamas

Second phase of fragile ceasefire in war-torn Gaza envisages a new transitional administration and Hamas giving up arms.

A rainbow appears over tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

US halts visas for 75 countries indefinitely; China not on the list

Trump administration pauses immigrant visa processing from January 21, affecting applicants worldwide while exempting key visa categories.

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US-China relations

Brazil-China trade hits record US$171 billion in 2025 as US tariffs prompt pivot

The US is a distant second in trade volume with Brazil as Beijing helps soften the impact of Washington’s levies.

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