United States
TOPIC
 / location

United States

Related Topics:
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
A still image from video released on Tuesday shows a unit with Russia’s Oreshnik mobile missile system beginning combat duty at an undisclosed location in Belarus. Photo: EPA/Russian Defence ministry press-service
Russia

Russia’s nuclear-capable missiles enter service, heightening Ukraine tensions

After Trump-Zelensky talks, Putin projects power by deploying nuclear-ready Oreshnik missiles to Belarus as a warning to the West.

China-South Korea relations

South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung to visit China on economic and nuclear mission

videocam
France

‘No photos of kids’: George and Amal Clooney become French citizens for privacy

US-China relations

China and US need new ways to engage for stable ties: Wang Yi

Speaking at a symposium in Beijing, the foreign minister also criticised remarks Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made about Taiwan.

videocam
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives to deliver an opening speech at the annual Symposium on the International Situation and China’s Foreign Relations in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: AP
TV shows and streaming video

Meet Linnea Berthelsen, who plays Kali Prasad, aka Eight, on Stranger Things

Now in its fifth season, the Duffer Brothers’ blockbuster sci-fi Netflix original is coming to a close on the last day of 2025.

videocam
India

India overtakes Japan as world’s fourth largest economy, eyes top 3 in 2026

Government data shows India’s GDP at US$4.18 trillion, with projections it will surpass Germany by 2026 despite global trade challenges.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Extreme weather

Asia’s year of costly climate disasters spurs calls for ‘decisive action’

With Asia accounting for four of the world’s six costliest weather disasters in 2025, experts urge investment in climate resilience.

A commuter wades through floodwaters from Cyclone Ditwah in Chennai on December 2. Flooding in India and Pakistan has killed over 1,860 people and caused up to US$6 billion in damages in 2025, according to a new report. Photo: AFP
US-China tech war

China’s lagging basic research calls for core tech pivot, economic adviser urges

Wang Yiming says Beijing must innovate from the ground up to create deterrents against foreign supply cuts, citing missed R&D spending target.

videocam
Environment

As Trump taps coal to power AI, China moves on to clothe the world with it

A once-struggling Chinese coal city turns the traditional fossil fuel into nylon, manufacturing popular fashion from sportswear to lingerie.

videocam
China-Africa relations

Washington lines up health deals as US and China vie for access to Africa

Signatories must guarantee that genetic sequence data and samples from potential outbreaks are shared with the US within 5 days of detection.

videocam
6
Under the “America First Global Health Strategy”, many African countries have signed bilateral agreements to receive health financing in exchange for access to biological data and pathogen specimens. Photo: AFP
IPO

China vital to Insilico’s plan to build biotech’s AI ‘Einstein’ for new drugs

US firm, backed by Fosun and Tencent, expands research base in China as it develops an AI-powered drug-discovery tool.

Insilico is training and testing an AI-powered drug-discovery tool to enable faster, cheaper and more successful drug discovery. Photo: Handout
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Rise of China’s open source platforms will finally burst the AI bubble

Even if open source models aren’t as good as their proprietary rivals, they will still win in the marketplace as long as they can do the job.

videocam
US Federal Reserve

Trump says preferred Fed pick is ready, again teases firing Powell

US president urges Jerome Powell to resign as he considers a ‘gross incompetence’ lawsuit against the Fed leader.

US-China relations

‘No worries’: Trump plays down Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan

Trump dismisses ‘routine’ drills in Taiwan Strait even as US arms sales hit record high and Pentagon repeats 2027 timeline.

videocam
22
US President Donald Trump spoke about China’s military drills around Taiwan during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Denmark

Denmark to buy US patrol planes despite rift over Greenland

Denmark finalises a deal for three P-8A aircraft amid diplomatic tensions over Trump’s bid for Arctic island.

A Danish naval vessel patrolling near Nuuk, Greenland. Photo: AP
China-Japan relations

How Takaichi’s Taiwan comments fuelled Beijing-Tokyo row with no end in sight

Dispute over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan could ultimately hinge on the US-China-Japan triangle, analysts say.

videocam
34
China-Latin America relations

Venezuela condemns US arms sale to Taiwan, echoing Beijing’s position

Caracas says Washington’s move violates one-China principle and threatens regional stability as tensions over the island intensify.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Middle East

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Trump presses for Hamas disarmament in Gaza, warns Iran of further US action if it reconstitutes nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Reuters
Israel

Israeli president denies Trump claim Netanyahu pardon is ‘on its way’

Trump renews his call on Israel’s president to grant ally Netanyahu, who is in the midst of a corruption trial, a pardon.

Iran

Iran’s president urges dialogue as currency plunge sparks protests

Anger over Iran’s worsening economic situation pushes people onto the streets in Tehran and other cities.

Ukraine war

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin residence, but Zelensky denies it

Ukraine denies accusation as a fabrication after Trump said he was ‘angry’ when Putin told him about the alleged attack.

Satellite imagery from 2023 shows Vladimir Putin’s residential complex in Roshchino, Novgorod, Russia. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters
Ukraine war

Zelensky asked Trump for ‘historic’ 50-year guarantee against Russia

The Ukrainian president is seeking extended US security guarantees, exceeding the 15-year plan under discussion as part of peace talks.

9
US President Donald Trump (right) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida on Sunday. Photo: EPA/Presidential Press Service
Taiwan

Taiwan’s leader seeks T-Dome ‘connectivity’ to fend off Beijing attack

William Lai Ching-te outlines ‘layered defence’ fusion of satellite, radar and drone data to create backbone for security shield.

videocam
4
China trade

China has logged a US$1 trillion trade surplus. Where is all that money going?

Trade surplus growth has not been matched in foreign exchange reserves – a gap analysts said can be explained by private sector outflows.

39
Ukraine war

Opinion | Europe risks a self-fulfilling prophecy of war with Russia

The EU should secure its future through fair contributions to Nato and a lucrative transatlantic defence market, not conflict with Moscow.

videocam
8
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-Latin America relations

China protests to Panama over destruction of memorial to Chinese labourers

The monument was removed on the weekend without notice or consultation, Beijing’s envoy says.

videocam
20
Police tape surrounds the area where a monument to the Chinese community once stood in Panama City, Panama. Photo: EPA
United Nations

‘Adapt, shrink or die’: US pledges US$2 billion for UN aid in humanitarian cut

Trump administration’s latest aid pledge is a small fraction of what the US has contributed in the past.

SCMP Highlights

Tariffs, truces and Trump: key developments in US-China trade war in 2025

From Trump’s stiff tariffs and China’s response to high-level trade talks, here’s a selection of SCMP stories covering the major milestones.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement