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Ukrainian service members fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system towards Russian troops in the Donetsk region on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Russia & Central Asia

Trump says Zelensky ‘doesn’t have anything until I approve it’ ahead of talks

The two leaders are expected to discuss issues like the future of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

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Israel’s recognition of Somaliland enrages Somalia, African Union

Trump says he ordered Nigeria strike delay to ‘give a Christmas present’

United States & Canada

US airlines cancel more than 1,000 flights due to winter storm Devin

An additional 4,685 flights faced delays in the northeast as the National Weather Service warned of heavy snow and ‘hazardous conditions’.

The control tower at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Heavy snowfall is expected to disrupt air travel in the northeast of the United States. Photo: EPA
The control tower at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Heavy snowfall is expected to disrupt air travel in the northeast of the United States. Photo: EPA

Europe

Police arrest suspect after man stabs 3 women in separate attacks on Paris Metro

Due to the ‘very high level’ of ‘terrorist threat’, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez asked officials to strengthen security across France.

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Europe

The Cure guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

Bamonte, who became a full member of The Cure in 1990, was initially part of the British Goth rock band’s road crew from 1984.

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United States & Canada

Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola is being sued for defamation by her sister

Ewa Sokola said Kaja’s false claims of collusion with Weinstein’s defence team are damaging her reputation as a cardiologist in Poland.

Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola arrives at Manhattan criminal court in New York in May. Photo: AP
Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola arrives at Manhattan criminal court in New York in May. Photo: AP

Americas

Venezuela ‘frees 99 prisoners’ detained after 2024 election protests

Rights groups said the number released ‘does not correspond to reality’ despite growing pressure from Washington on President Maduro.

Europe

Zelensky brings ‘90% ready’ peace plan to Trump in Florida

Leaders will discuss security guarantees and a 20-point plan on Sunday, even as conflicting demands over territory persist.

Middle East

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

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The aftermath of the explosion inside Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs. Photo: SANA/AFP

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.

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A missile is launched from a military vessel at an unidentified location, in a screen grab obtained from a video released by the Department of War on December 25, 2025. Photo: US Department of War via Reuters
A missile is launched from a military vessel at an unidentified location, in a screen grab obtained from a video released by the Department of War on December 25, 2025. Photo: US Department of War via Reuters

United States & Canada

Jimmy Kimmel takes aim at Trump in ‘alternative Christmas message’ to UK

Talk show host and Trump foe Kimmel tells UK TV that ‘tyranny is booming’ in the US.

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Politics

Israel’s rising air defence sales become its ‘most potent’ foreign policy weapon

With more countries increasingly turning to Israel for their air defence systems, they cannot afford to isolate the Middle East power.

Africa

The brutal life of child recruits under a shadowy African rebel group

Kidnapped, drugged and forced to loot, survivors detail life inside the ADF’s hidden forest camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A charred wreckage of a truck following an attack by Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces rebels, in the town of Ntoyo in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in September. Photo: Reuters

Europe

Inside Chernobyl: Ukraine races to repair radiation shield as war drags on

While engineers scramble to patch drone damage at Chernobyl, Ukraine’s president holds ‘substantive’ talks with US envoys.

The damaged cover after a drone attack in February. Photo: AFP
The damaged cover after a drone attack in February. Photo: AFP

China

China’s reusable rocket failure, PLA growth leaves US ‘vulnerable’: 7 highlights

From Hong Kong’s crowded border at Christmas to jailed ex-Malaysian PM’s request rejected, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Europe

Pope calls for end to all wars in first Christmas as pontiff

‘May the clamour of weapons cease … and may the parties involved find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue’.

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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 flew on Epstein jet 8 times in the 1990s, according to prosecutor email

US government releases nearly 30,000 pages of additional records from the Epstein files, some which contain multiple Trump references.

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United States & Canada

Trump announces new class of ‘battleships’ named after himself

According to Trump, the ships, the first of which will be named the USS Defiant, will be substantially larger than existing US destroyers.

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The new class of ship will become the centerpiece of Donald Trump’s ‘Golden Fleet’ programme. Photo: 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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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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93
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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MULTIMEDIA
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At least 15 injured in knife and chemical attack in Japan

Japan stabbing rampage leaves 15 injured at Yokohama rubber factory - thumbnail
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Disgraced ex-Malaysian PM Najib guilty in final 1MDB case

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Japan’s ‘laughing ritual’ draws thousands

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Kim Jong-un visits new resort with daughter

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae attended opening ceremonies for the country’s lavish new mountain resort on December 20, 2025.
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