World

One suspect is in custody and the scene has been secured, the Metropolitan Police Department has announced Two US National Guardsmen have been shot in Washington, DC, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X on Wednesday. The shooting reportedly took place just blocks from the White House. DC police confirmed that a shooting took place just blocks from the …

OPINION — President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan is a humanitarian attempt to halt the killing and destruction in Ukraine, although Russia’s President Vladimir Putin may view the peace plan as an attempt to appease Russia. Since Russia’s invasion of Georgia in August 2008, the U.S. and its NATO allies have not been able to deter an aggressive Russian Federation. …

The horrific fire in Hong Kong that erupted in the Tai Po district earlier on Wednesday has killed dozens of people, with nearly 300 still missing. Hong Kong chief executive John Lee confirmed the death of 36 people in a press conference, adding tht at least 279 people remain unaccounted for. There are 29 people in hospital, seven of whom …

While Beijing has remained largely offstage during US President Donald Trump’s latest push to end the war in Ukraine, China still sees significant stakes in how any peace deal could reshape its strategic environment – from the global balance of power to post-war reconstruction opportunities, according to observers. A Trump-brokered peace plan to end the nearly four-year war, first reported …

The subdued exchange came after a planned handoff at the group’s summit fell through due to the absence of senior US officials South Africa formally handed over the G20 presidency to the United States at a low-key event held at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) on Tuesday. On Monday, the Sherpa of South Africa’s G20 presidency and …

Vladimir Putin has shared a number of bizarre snaps and offered up his “recipe for energy” in four Russian calendars for 2026. The pinups are released by the Russian Government each year, painting its leader as a strong and multifaceted “man of all seasons”, whether fishing, doing extreme sports or moonlighting as a lifestyle coach. Each month includes a new …

Tesla does not exclude suppliers based on their country of origin as the US electric-vehicle (EV) maker applies unified and rigorous standards in selecting vendors from around the globe, according to a senior official. Grace Tao, vice-president of the US company, offered a vote of confidence to the more than 400 Chinese manufacturers that supply car components from batteries to …

All three crew members were killed in the incident, a representative of the humanitarian group has said An aircraft carrying food supplies for the humanitarian group Samaritan’s Purse went down in South Sudan’s Unity State on Tuesday, Aviation Safety Network (ASN) has reported.  The aircraft crashed roughly 20km (around 12 miles) from the Leer Airstrip, in oil-producing Leer County near …

Debt levels of countries that use the Euro are not sustainable, according to the European Commission, leading to concerns about nations going bankrupt. The commission found that “immense demand on public finances” are leading to “sustainability risks”. EU fiscal rules aim to keep nations’ public deficits within 3% of annual GDP and debt-to-GDP ratios below 60%. But EU economy commissioner …

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. A major fire has broken out in Hong Kong’s Tai Po neighbourhood, with fierce flames spreading across bamboo scaffolding at a housing estate, leaving two people with severe burns, and trapping several residents. Photos circulating online showed dark smoke …