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WASHINGTON/BANGKOK: US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had spoken by telephone with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, who both agreed to end border hostilities and return to a ceasefire he brokered earlier this year.“I had a very good conversation this morning with the PM of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the PM of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their longrunning War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great PM of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the USA.”Trump’s remarks differed significantly from those of Thai premier Anutin hours earlier, who made no mention of an agreement to end the fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours, which raged for a fifth day on Friday. Anutin said he had asked Trump to urge Cambodia..

A California jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $40 million to two women who claimed its talc-based baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. The women testified that decades of use led to major surgeries and chemotherapy. Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal, stating the verdict is aberrant and lacks evidence. A California jury on Friday ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $40 million to two women who said decades of using the company’s talc-based baby powder led to their ovarian cancer.Kent was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, and Schultz was diagnosed in 2018. Both California residents said they used J&J’s baby powder after bathing for 40 years. Their treatments involved major surgeries and dozens of rounds of chemotherapy, they testified at the trial, Reuters reported.In closing arguments viewed on Courtroom View Network, Andy Birchfield, an attorney for the women, told the jury, “Absolutely they knew, they knew and they were doing everything they could to hide it, to bury the tr..

AdvertisementChina consumptionEconomyChina EconomyChina’s copper heartland vows to build US$28 billion empire, dominate in global marketShandong province plans to create a world-class smelting hub by 2027 to secure supply chains for the strategic metal as prices sizzle
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPKandy WongPublished: 11:00am, 13 Dec 2025A key industrial hub in eastern China is launching a push to transform itself into one of the world’s top copper-smelting bases, aiming to forge stronger supply chains for the strategic metal as prices flirt with record highs.
In an implementation plan released on Tuesday, the Shandong provincial government pledged to expand its copper industry, with the next two years seeing rapid advancements. The move comes as geopolitical tensions and the race for technological dominance shore up copper’s role as a critical asset.
“[We strive] to further enhance the resilience and security of the industrial supply chains,” the document stated. The pl..

AdvertisementHong Kong societyHong KongSocietyTowering traditions: Hong Kong’s centuries-old Kam Tin Jiao Festival returnsMassive bamboo structure takes centre stage as indigenous Tang clan hosts five-day festival honouring heritage, faith and family
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPJess MaPublished: 10:30am, 13 Dec 2025Once every decade, villagers in Kam Tin build a nearly 30-metre (100-foot) tall bamboo structure – large enough to hold almost half the capacity of the Hong Kong Coliseum – to stage rituals and Cantonese opera performances for an audience of residents, deities and spirits alike.
The colossal structure, adorned with vibrant plaques and a flag, is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong and serves as the centrepiece of the HK$20 million (US$2.6 million) Jiao Festival organised by the indigenous Tang clan of Kam Tin. The five-day, six-night celebration will begin on Saturday evening.
“Throughout the generations, [this festival] reminds us that we must repay our gra..

A gas explosion triggered a major fire in the unincorporated community of Ashland near Hayward on Thursday after an underground line was damaged by a construction crew, fire officials said. At least one home was destroyed, windows were blown out and nearby houses shook.Six people were taken to hospital for treatment, Alameda County Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Nishimoto said. Three were sent immediately with serious injuries and three others had more minor injuries, AP news agency reported.Three structures on two separate lots were severely damaged, Nishimoto said. Some of the 75 firefighters on the scene were forced to back off momentarily after feeling electric shocks from fallen power lines.The video, which came from doorbell camera footage, showed a large building engulfed in flames and debris scattered across the area.“We were sitting in the house and it just … everything shook. Stuff fell off the walls and when we looked at the camera it was like you were watching a war video,” said ..