3 Americans, jailed for years in China, to return to US

One of them had been facing a death sentence on drug charges while the other two were imprisoned on espionage charges.

Biden to launch Gaza ceasefire drive right away: adviser

Israel-Hezbollah deal was rare boost for Biden as he prepares to leave the White House.

Jimmy Lai says he may have asked US official to sanction Beijing and Hong Kong

Lai also tries to distance himself from ‘Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong’ lobbying group, but admits he had multiple meetings with key members.

Call from European Parliament to cancel Hong Kong’s customs status over national security law trial

Lawmakers will vote on a resolution that includes proposal for ‘targeted sanctions’ on city’s leaders.

US deploys fast-attack submarine to Guam, China marks space milestone: SCMP daily catch-up

From US strengthening its power projection to an outcry over military training in Taiwan, here’s a round-up from today’s China and Economy coverage.

China extends reach into Latin America as crane exports, trade diversification pick up

China is expanding its maritime footprint in Latin America, with more exports of cranes amid rising tensions with the US.

Hong Kong tycoons not obliged to invest in Northern Metropolis, Eric Chan says

Chief Secretary Eric Chan heads delegation with tycoons to Guangdong cities, says trip “purely an introduction and opportunity for exchange”.

Under Trump 2.0, what happens to nuclear arms control?

If the New Start treaty is allowed to lapse in 2026, it will create a dangerous level of opacity around US and Russian nuclear capabilities.

China reclaims No 1 physics research spot from US as scientists fight it out: report

Research Fronts report assessing scientific activities and trends in major countries reveals intense rivalry as tech race heats up.

China’s industrial profits drop in October as property slump flows downstream

A decline in profits for China’s large firms was reported in October, with those linked to property and retail hit hardest.