Minimalist News

South China Morning Post

1. Yemen prepares ‘biggest offensive ever seen’ against Houthi rebels with US support scmp.com 2 hours ago by Tom Hussain

   Yemen is reportedly launching an offensive against Houthi rebels to reclaim key ports and diminish the influence of the Iranian-aligned group.

2. ‘Simple’ funeral for Pope Francis becomes way to see Trump scmp.com 2 hours ago by Bloomberg

   The attendance of the US president at the Vatican has turned the farewell service into a stage for international diplomacy at a time of major …

3. Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew’s accuser in Epstein sex trafficking scandal, dies at 41 scmp.com 3 hours ago by Bloomberg

   Mother-of-three Giuffre, a key figure in Jeffrey Epstein’s downfall, took her own life ‘after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex …

4. A world economy on the brink could use some win-win cooperation scmp.com 5 hours ago by Anthony Rowley

   With a global financial crisis looming, governments are left with few options beyond bracing for what’s to come and working together.

5. Pope Francis’ funeral: ‘pope among the people’ laid to rest, world celebrates his legacy scmp.com 7 hours ago by Ng Kang-chung

   The pope died on Monday, aged 88. Royalty, world leaders and a legion of faithful paid their last respects to him at the Vatican on Saturday.

6. Why are European luxury brands caught in China-US trade war crossfire? scmp.com 8 hours ago by Xiaofei Xu

   Amid US-China trade war, videos showcasing China’s manufacturing prowess went viral but also drew controversy.

7. Congo and Rwanda aim for peace as US eyes mineral deals scmp.com 11 hours ago by Reuters

   The two African countries signed an agreement towards a draft peace deal by May 2 in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

8. UN’s WFP says all Gaza food stocks depleted amid Israel’s aid block scmp.com 13 hours ago by Agence France-Presse

   The World Food Programme says its kitchens are expected to ‘fully run out of food in the coming days’.

9. Where will Trump sit during Pope Francis’ funeral? It’s complicated scmp.com 14 hours ago by Reuters

   Kings and presidents will be among the VIPs, but detailed rules and the whims of the French alphabet will determine who’s in the front row.

10. US launches secretive ‘Dark Eagle’ hypersonic missile scmp.com 17 hours ago by Tribune News Service

    The test comes a day after the weapon received its official name, in reference to the national bird of America.

11. Trump hardens China tariffs stance, says US must get ‘something substantial’ for rollback scmp.com 19 hours ago by Zhao Ziwen

    US president also calls another 90-day pause in levies directed at imports from most other countries ‘unlikely’.

12. Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty as US prosecutors seek death penalty for CEO killing scmp.com 20 hours ago by Reuters

    Some Americans have cheered the suspect, saying he shone a spotlight on steep US healthcare costs and the power of health insurers.

13. ICE reversing termination of legal status for international students in US, lawyer says scmp.com 20 hours ago by Associated Press

    The Trump administration has faced numerous court challenges after over 1,200 students suddenly lost legal status or had visas revoked.

14. Ex-US congressman George Santos sobs as he’s jailed for over 7 years for fraud scmp.com 20 hours ago by Associated Press

    The former Republican lawmaker came under the spotlight when it was revealed that he had fabricated much of his life story.

15. FBI arrests US judge, accusing her of helping migrant evade authorities scmp.com 21 hours ago by Reuters

    Hannah Dugan allegedly refused to turn the man over to agents who showed up at her courtroom, instead letting him exit through a jury door.

16. Brics countries eye multilateral mechanism to help global economy: Brazilian official scmp.com a day ago by Igor Patrick

    Plan would follow World Bank agency’s guarantee model and help developing nations lure foreign direct investment amid Trump’s US tariffs.

17. UN to reduce Sudan food support to millions over shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Seven million people are at risk, with the agency saying it has a shortfall of US$698 million out of the nearly US$800 million it needed to co…

18. Trump wants a great monetary reset. Where can the world hide? scmp.com a day ago by Andrew Sheng

    As the US tries to reset the dollar-dominated monetary order, those seeking safety should consider a historical alternative to the dollar.

19. China’s ‘stability’ vow, graft-buster warns ‘no one is untouchable’: SCMP daily highlights scmp.com a day ago by SCMP

    From Beijing’s vow to stabilise the economy amid the trade war to its fight against corruption, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

20. Tens of thousands pay final respects to Pope Francis at Vatican ahead of funeral scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Since the pope’s death on Tuesday, about 150,000 people from all over the world have bid farewell to him, the Vatican said.

21. Senior Russian officer killed near Moscow when parked car explodes scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Several high-ranking military figures have been assassinated since the war in Ukraine began, in operations blamed by Moscow on Kyiv.

22. ‘Not fair’: Ukraine may have to temporarily cede land for peace, says Kyiv mayor Klitschko scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    ‘One of the scenarios is … to give up territory. It’s not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary,’ Vi…

23. Malaysia vows to buy more US goods in break from united Asean front on Trump’s tariffs scmp.com a day ago by Joseph Sipalan

    Malaysia is looking for ways to reduce its US$25 billion trade surplus with the US in a bid to ease the pain of a proposed 24 per cent levy.

24. Why the next pope may be Asian or African scmp.com a day ago by David Dodwell

    The centre of faith is moving away from the West, a shift that could add impetus to the late pope’s reforms.

25. China’s exporters face domestic challenges amid intensifying trade war, low demand scmp.com a day ago by Mia Nulimaimaiti

    Beijing has announced measures to support firms hurt by US tariffs, but businesses warn of challenges in domestic market.

26. Trump calls Harvard a ‘liberal mess’ in fresh attack on university scmp.com a day ago by Agence France-Presse

    The US president is seeking unprecedented levels of government control over the inner workings of the prestigious school.

27. Trump’s ‘anxious’ tariff remark, Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental makeover: SCMP’s 7 highlights scmp.com a day ago by SCMP

    From China unveiling a stealth jet advance to Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental hotel’s makeover, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

28. Yemen’s Houthis down Reaper drones worth US$200 million as Pentagon losses mount scmp.com a day ago by Associated Press

    The US president has pledged to use ‘overwhelming lethal force’ until the rebels stop attacking Red Sea ships.

29. Advanced digital cockpits give Chinese EVs ‘overwhelming advantage’ in Russia, vendors say scmp.com a day ago by Daniel Ren

    With large screens and high-quality audio systems, Chinese cars are ready to run infotainment software Russian drivers favour, vendor says.

30. US to press Russia’s Putin to drop Ukraine demilitarisation demand as part of peace deal scmp.com a day ago by Bloomberg

    Washington also wants Moscow to return the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which it seized in 2022.

31. North Korean hackers set up fake firms in US to target cryptocurrency developers scmp.com a day ago by Reuters

    Blocknovas and Softglide used malware to access cryptocurrency wallets, passwords and credentials, cybersecurity researchers say.

32. China could build its own model of soft power in Africa through NGOs scmp.com 2 days ago by Joseph Cui

    Unlike the West’s approach, China’s aid is mostly state-led. The lack of a strong grass-roots presence leaves it open to misconceptions.

33. ‘Trump 2028’ merch for sale on US president’s store scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    Along with red caps for US$50, the web shop is also selling T-shirts that say ‘Rewrite the Rules’.

34. Trump’s Africa policy zeroes in on minerals and militarism scmp.com 2 days ago by Chenjie Song

    As China tightens mineral export controls, the US is recalibrating its approach towards resource-rich African nations.

35. China-backed actors ‘stand out’ in threatening US energy infrastructure, panel hears scmp.com 2 days ago by Zhao Ziwen

    Beijing said to plot long-term strategy to incapacitate America’s power grid to ‘create options’ for mainland authorities and ‘sow chaos’.

36. US at tipping point for return of endemic measles scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    Low vaccination rates mean the disease, which was declared eradicated in the US, could go back to spreading at high levels, researchers warn.

37. Vatican unveils details of Pope Francis’s marble tomb scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    The tombstone will bear a simple inscription and be made of material from the Italian region that was home to the pontiff’s ancestors.

38. Trump denies China’s statement about no trade talks with US, says they met ‘this morning’ scmp.com 2 days ago by Reuters

    The US president declined to say who was involved in the discussions while doubling down on comments suggesting there had been engagement.

39. Trump to be interviewed by Atlantic editor who exposed ‘Signalgate’ chat scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a group chat in which top US officials shared secret military strike plans.

40. Unpredictable Donald Trump leaves China struggling to respond to US foreign policy scmp.com 2 days ago by Mark Magnier

    American leader’s erratic approach to Ukraine and Middle East means challenges for stability-fixated Beijing amid its shifting Moscow ties.

41. Ukraine war: Trump tells Putin ‘STOP!’ attacks on Kyiv, in rare criticism of Russian leader scmp.com 2 days ago by Associated Press

    The US president’s frustration is growing as a Washington-led peace effort has not made progress.

42. China dismisses Trump’s ‘fake news’, Shenzhou-20 blasts off: SCMP daily highlights scmp.com 2 days ago by SCMP

    From China denying it contacted US about trade talks to Japan’s upgraded electromagnetic rail gun, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

43. As the new cold war thaws, UK and China look set for warmer ties scmp.com 2 days ago by Ruairidh Brown

    Economic reasons aside, Britain has little reason to prioritise the US alliance when Trump shows few signs of defending previously shared valu…

44. Why Trump’s attacks on the Fed cannot be taken lightly scmp.com 2 days ago by Nicholas Spiro

    The erosion of governance standards in the US shows advanced markets have more consequential political risks than many emerging economies.

45. ‘Fake news’: China dismisses claims of US trade talks scmp.com 2 days ago by Ji Siqi

    Government ministries say trade negotiations not being considered after US President Donald Trump suggested the two countries have been in con…

46. Russians doubt Trump can end Ukraine war: ‘I can’t trust him’ scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    ‘How many promises were there from Trump, but nothing changes. Only words,’ a resident in the Russian town of Vereya says.

47. ‘It’s crazy’: EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas grapples with Trump’s upheaval scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    The foreign policy chief strives to bolster Europe’s geopolitical influence as the US president becomes increasingly hostile to the bloc.

48. Oasis fans lose US$2.7 million to ticket scams in UK ahead of comeback tour scmp.com 2 days ago by Agence France-Presse

    Lloyds bank said most scams occurred on Facebook as fraudsters targeted the reunion tour.

49. Days before Canada’s election, Trump says country would ‘cease to exist’ if not for US scmp.com 3 days ago by Associated Press

    The US president’s threats to its neighbour’s economy and sovereignty are on voters’ minds going into the polls.

50. US defence chief Pete Hegseth asked for make-up studio in Pentagon, report says scmp.com 3 days ago by Tribune News Service

    The former Fox News host, who does his own make-up, wanted an area where he could freshen up before appearing on camera.