4 h. ago Chinese state media says US ‘dying’ as Beijing drafts next 5

Chinese state media has labelled the US a failed state, claiming it is “dying from within” as its global hegemony declines. The commentary published in Beijing Daily on Tuesday came as China’s policymakers prepared to outline long-term plans amid intensifying competition with Washington. Beijing on Monday began a key four-day conclave that will determine the country’s development over the next five years. The fourth plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, which runs through Thursday,...

Events

15 h. ago Doing ‘fantastic job’: Australian PM defends envoy Rudd amid Trump’s dislike

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese endorsed Australia’s ambassador in Washington as doing a “fantastic job”, describing comments by US President Donald Trump that he does not like Kevin Rudd as “lighthearted”. Australia’s main conservative opposition party has called for Rudd, a former Labor prime minister, to be sacked after Trump made the comments at a press briefing in Washington on Monday. Asked by an Australian reporter about Rudd’s past criticism of the president on social media, and told...

Politics

20 h. ago Can Trump’s gut instinct win over Xi Jinping at Apec summit?

US President Donald Trump is expected to approach his coming summit with Xi Jinping by relying on personal chemistry and his “gut”, but his ability to charm the Chinese leader will be limited at best, analysts and former government officials in Washington said on Tuesday. The first meeting in six years between the heads of the world’s two largest economies is expected to take place shortly before the October 31-November 1 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in South Korea. Among the topics...

Politics

20 h. ago Can Donald Trump’s gut instinct win over Xi Jinping at Apec summit?

US President Donald Trump is expected to approach his coming summit with Xi Jinping by relying on personal chemistry and his “gut”, but his ability to charm the Chinese leader will be limited at best, analysts and former government officials in Washington said on Tuesday. The first meeting in six years between the heads of the world’s two largest economies is expected to take place shortly before the October 31-November 1 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in South Korea. Among the topics...

Politics

33 h. ago Can Scott Bessent see China’s trade counterstrike with clear eyes?

After a video call last Saturday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng are expected to meet in Malaysia this week to hopefully ease tensions before US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping potentially meet on the sidelines of this year’s Apec summit. The meeting was in doubt when Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China, despite later relenting that it might not be sustainable. Washington blamed Beijing for the escalation,...

Events

44 h. ago Demolition begins on East Wing of the White House to build Trump’s new ballroom

The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build US President Donald Trump’s ballroom. The Washington Post shared dramatic photos of the demolition work on its website showing a backhoe tearing through the East Wing, with windows and other building parts in tatters on the ground. Some reporters watched from a park near the Treasury Department, which is next door to the East Wing. The clearing of trees and other...

Politics

60 h. ago China’s economy grows at slowest pace in a year as trade war bites

China’s economy grows at slowest pace in a year as trade war bites  The Washington Post

Events

3 d. ago Trump calls Colombia’s Petro an ‘illegal drug dealer’, says he will slash US aid

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would slash US funding to Colombia because the country’s leader “does nothing to stop” drug production, in what is the latest sign of friction between Washington and one of its closest allies in Latin America. In a social media post, Trump referred to Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug dealer” who is “low rated and very unpopular”. He warned that Petro “better close up” drug operations “or the United States will close them up for...

Events

3 d. ago Trump calls Colombia’s Petro an ‘illegal drug leader’, says he will slash US aid

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would slash US funding to Colombia because the country’s leader “does nothing to stop” drug production, in what is the latest sign of friction between Washington and one of its closest allies in Latin America. In a social media post, Trump referred to Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “an illegal drug leader” who is “low rated and very unpopular”. He warned that Petro “better close up” drug operations “or the United States will close them up for...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump threatens Colombia with tariffs and slashes aid, calls Petro a ‘drug leader’

The United States will slash assistance to Colombia and enact tariffs on its exports because the country’s leader, Gustavo Petro, “does nothing to stop” drug production, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday, escalating the friction between Washington and one of its closest allies in Latin America. In a social media post, Trump referred to Petro as “an illegal drug leader” who is “low rated and very unpopular”. The Republican president warned that Petro “better close up” drug operations “or...

Politics

3 d. ago Chinese firm thanks ‘sales consultant' Trump as tariff threat spurs orders

A Chinese exporter said it has seen a sudden surge in orders as US humanoid robot makers and artificial intelligence (AI) companies – including industry leader OpenAI – rush to secure critical components amid Washington’s threat to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on goods from the country. MyActuator, a Suzhou-based manufacturer of intelligent drive modules for humanoid robots, has received more than 1,000 new orders in the past week alone, according to a person familiar with the...

Economics

3 d. ago US business leaders eye Hong Kong as ‘springboard’ to mainland China, Asia

American business leaders are looking to use Hong Kong as a “springboard” for tapping markets in China and Asia despite geopolitical tensions amid a wider reassessment of the mainland’s technological innovation, the city’s finance chief has said. Reflecting on his trip to New York and Washington last week, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po also said on Sunday that his exchanges would “lay the foundation” for further cooperation with the United States, even as Hong Kong got caught up in the...

Politics

4 d. ago Taiwan's main opposition party elects new leader in a race clouded by claims of China meddling

Taiwan's main opposition party elects new leader in a race clouded by claims of China meddling  The Washington Post

Politics

4 d. ago Iran says no longer bound by ‘restrictions’ on nuclear programme as deal ends

Iran on Saturday said it was no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as a landmark 10-year deal between it and world powers expired, though Tehran reiterated its “commitment to diplomacy”. The 2015 deal – signed in Vienna by Iran, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – saw the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic republic in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme. But the pact had already been in tatters after Washington...

Events

4 d. ago US call centre bill threatens Philippines’ US$30 billion outsourcing boom

As dusk settles over Angeles City, Justin Cunanan prepares for another long night. While the rest of the Philippines sleeps, he joins millions of his compatriots powering a global industry that is now facing threats from both Washington and Silicon Valley. For the next nine hours, the 33-year-old will field customer service calls for a company based in the United States. The night shift is gruelling, but for Cunanan, who previously worked in hospitality, the benefits of a business process...

Economics

4 d. ago After rare earth spat, Washington and Beijing agree to renew trade talks

After rare earth spat, Washington and Beijing agree to renew trade talks  Malay Mail

Politics

4 d. ago Top US and China envoys set trade talks after ‘constructive’ phone call

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a phone call on Saturday morning and stated that trade negotiators from their countries would meet next week. “This evening, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China,” Bessent wrote on social media on Friday evening in Washington. “We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions.” In a separate read-out, China described He’s...

Politics

4 d. ago Top US and China envoys set trade talks after ‘constructive’ video call

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a video call on Saturday morning and stated that trade negotiators from their countries would meet next week. “This evening, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China,” Bessent wrote on social media on Friday evening in Washington. “We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions.” In a separate read-out, China described He’s...

Politics

4 d. ago Hong Kong to navigate trade war with supply chains, says Paul Chan in US

Hong Kong will adjust to navigate lingering geopolitical tensions, welcoming new growth in supply chains, financial services and innovation, the finance chief has vowed while promoting the city’s opportunities in the United States. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po made his remarks at the end of his first in-person visit to Washington since 2019, as a fresh phase of the US-China trade war looms, with Hong Kong caught in the rivalry. “Geopolitical tensions will continue to be there for quite...

Events

4 d. ago Hong Kong to navigate trade war with new strategies, Paul Chan says in US

Hong Kong will adjust to navigate lingering geopolitical tensions, welcoming new growth in supply chains, financial services and innovation, the finance chief has vowed while promoting the city’s opportunities in the United States. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po made his remarks at the end of his first in-person visit to Washington since 2019, as a fresh phase of the US-China trade war looms, with Hong Kong caught in the rivalry. “Geopolitical tensions will continue to be there for quite...

Events