SCMP highlights global news from overseas correspondents in August 2026
Quick Look
SCMP's overseas correspondents highlighted seven key global stories from August 2026, including Trump's planned meeting with Kim Jong-un, China's public tip-off campaign targeting PLA Rocket Force procurement corruption, and new US mail voting rules taking effect ahead of the November midterm elections amid state concerns over disruption.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The article summarizes select global stories from SCMP's overseas correspondents in August 2026, focusing on US-North Korea diplomacy, China's internal anti-corruption efforts in its strategic missile forces, and domestic US election preparations ahead of the November midterms.
From plans that could upend the US elections to Canada tariffs, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in August 2026
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Published: 10:00pm, 1 Sep 2026
We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Trump says he plans to meet Kim Jong-un this year, citing good relationship
US President Donald Trump said that he planned to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year, despite Pyongyang denying that the two leaders were in direct communication.
Read the full story here.
2. China seeks public tips on procurement violations in PLA Rocket Force probe
China has called for public reports of suspected procurement corruption in the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, as an anti-corruption campaign continues involving the country’s strategic missile branch.
Read the full story here.
3. Trump’s new US mail voting rules take effect as states fear midterm disruption
New US restrictions on mailed ballots took effect in August, leaving state and local election officials racing to comply – or persuade a federal judge to intervene – weeks before millions of ballots were due to be sent to voters ahead of November’s midterm elections.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Trump will meet Kim Jong-un later in 2026
Possible · Within months
State and local election officials will seek judicial intervention over new US mail voting rules
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Trump's meeting with Kim Jong-un actually take place given Pyongyang's denial of direct communication?
- How effective will China's public tip-off campaign be in uncovering procurement corruption in the PLA Rocket Force?
- Will state and local election officials successfully implement the new US mail voting rules before the November midterm elections?
