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United States
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
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak attends the verdict of his house arrest bid at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

South Korea

Coupang’s massive data leak probe ignites US-Seoul diplomatic firestorm

Extreme weather

Southern California drenched by powerful Christmas storm, flash flooding

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Singapore

Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms

Passionate online discussions have revealed concerns about power, accountability and how the country sees itself.

A still from a social media video shows a submerged car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Social media users hailed migrant workers for their quick response in saving the driver. Photo: X/HaggerDarren
Gold in Hong Kong

Golden era: prices surge as rally on track for US$5,000 in 2026, analysts say

Rate cuts, geopolitical tensions and central banks’ buying spree push gold prices up by 72 per cent in 2025 – the biggest annual jump ever.

Diplomacy

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

South Korea is taking steps to cool tensions – from moving to opening joint military drills to consultations to easing up on immediate denuclearisation demands.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Trump’s Justice Department says may have found a million more Epstein files

After missing the deadline for releasing Epstein-related records, the US Justice Department says it may need a ‘few more weeks’.

A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the US Capitol in Washington in November. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Trump hits out at ‘dead man walking’ Colbert in late-night blast

US president calls on CBS to ‘put to sleep’ Stephen Colbert’s show now, before its scheduled end in May 2026.

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European Union

Explainer | Trump vs EU: the European laws curbing big tech and irking US

The US is challenging EU digital regulations, accusing them of censorship and targeting American tech firms.

SCMP Highlights

China, Russia clash with US at UN; Taipei mayor visit: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing accusing Washington of violating international law to a study on animal fats, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a Security Council briefing on threats to international peace and security in New York on Tuesday. Venezuela requested a Security Council meeting, citing escalating tensions resulting from “US aggression” against the country. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

China vows to retaliate against ‘unreasonable’ US semiconductor tariffs

Beijing has pledged to ‘take corresponding measures’ in response to the levy, which Washington says is designed to counter economic threat.

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The new tariffs are due to take effect in 18 months’ time. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

AI-for-Science start-up DP Technology raises US$114 million in Series C round

The Beijing-based AI-for-Science firm said the Series C round would fund hiring and R&D, as interest grows in using AI to speed up scientific discovery.

Donald Trump

Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa fee upheld by judge, as lottery system ends

The US awards 85,000 H-1B visas annually via lottery, with Indian nationals accounting for nearly three-quarters of recipients.

China’s military drills

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

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Screen shows red and blue opposing unit “indicators”, represented by aircraft and ships, manoeuvring near the coasts of Cuba and Mexico in footage recorded at a PLA wargaming event held in China’s Henan province. Photo: CCTV
Yuan

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

A customer makes a payment using China’s digital currency, or e-CNY, at a store in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images
South Korea

US to grant Seoul exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

Seoul to formalise right to build nuclear-powered submarines via Aukus-style waiver requiring approval from Trump and US Congress.

Ukraine war

Zelensky details US-backed 20-point peace plan for Russia and Putin

Zelensky weighs land concessions to Putin in a US-backed deal, seeking a ceasefire and a demilitarised zone in Donetsk to end Russia’s war.

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South Korea

South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae

Critics say the romantic comedy ‘Princess Goes to School’ risks softening perceptions of North Korea’s regime.

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Left: The cover image for Princess Goes to School, a South Korean webtoon on Naver. Right: Kim Jong-un walks with his daughter Kim Ju-ae in April. Photos: Naver, EPA-EFE
India

India’s gem exports defy US tariffs as Asia, Middle East demand grows

Shipments rose 19.64 per cent year on year to US$2.51 billion in November, reflecting a successful diversification push, analysts say.

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SCMP Highlights

7 scientists, mathematicians, physicists and experts who moved to China in 2025

From a world-leading statistician to a mathematics luminary, here are some experts who made the move.

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Timepieces

9 top moments in watches in 2025: Trump tariffs, Urban Jürgensen and more

Taylor Swift announced her engagement wearing a Cartier Santos Demoiselle, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named Omega’s new brand ambassador.

From left: Watches and Wonders; GPHG caps off the year by announcing winning watches in Geneva; Urban Jürgensen was relaunched. Photo: Handout
Greenland

Does the US want to conquer Greenland? Trump’s new envoy weighs in

Jeff Landry appears at odds with the US president’s past suggestions of taking over the Arctic territory from Denmark.

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Members of the Danish armed forces in military drills in Greenland in September. Photo: Reuters
Science

China urged to sue over Japanese royal’s role in Unit 731 crimes

Emperor Hirohito should be held accountable, according to scholars who say the wartime ruler was shielded from prosecution by US policy.

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Social media

US hits 5 Europeans with visa bans in ‘censorship’ row

Former EU commissioner is among those barred as the US targets individuals it says are involved in censoring US social media platforms.

US-China relations

Pentagon says Chinese aircraft carriers, 6th-gen fighters make US ‘vulnerable’

Report adds that Americans’ security is threatened by Beijing’s development of its ‘historic military build-up’, including nuclear arsenal.

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The Chinese military’s nuclear missile formation takes part in a parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rise as Wall Street rally boosts confidence in earnings growth

Investors shrug off weaker US Federal Reserve easing hopes and bet on resilient corporate profits into 2026.

Chipmaker SMIC leads the gainers in Wednesday’s trading session. Photo: Shutterstock
Climate change

As I see it | China is now the good guy in climate change

The US is playing down global warming and pushing its oil and gas on the world while China is helping others to adopt renewables.

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China stock market

Chinese ETFs investing in US stocks cap subscriptions as they run out of quotas

GF Fund and E Fund have capped daily subscriptions at 10 yuan, while China Asset Management has stopped accepting new subscriptions.

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