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Chinese academics at a Guangzhou symposium asserted that the Batanes Islands, a Philippine province, legally belong to Taiwan and therefore fall under Chinese sovereignty. The claim has prompted Philippine officials to express concern and call for vigilance over academic exchanges with China.
China has temporarily suspended helium exports, citing the need to safeguard domestic supply amid a tightening global market. The Ministry of Commerce says future export controls will be adjusted based on supply and demand, while analysts note China's heavy reliance on imported helium.
Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion warns that Europe risks repeating past mistakes by not fully embracing artificial intelligence, which could widen the economic gap with the US. He suggests focusing on AI in traditional strengths like health and proposes a European DARPA to boost research and financing.
Hundreds of BHP workers downed tools at Port Hedland in Western Australia in one of the most significant industrial disputes in the resources sector in decades. The eight-hour strike, involving unions representing nearly 400 workers, highlights tensions over pay, conditions, and union recognition, with both sides claiming success.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu arrived in Rabat for a two-day official visit, marking a key step in rebuilding ties after years of tension. The visit, accompanied by a dozen ministers, focuses on defence, security, economic cooperation, and investment, following France's 2024 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Russian agricultural exports grew by 26% in value year-on-year in the first half of 2026, surpassing $20 billion. Exports to China rose sharply, with significant increases in pork, oats, and other key commodities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Shanghai to sign an agreement making Pakistan a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO). The visit coincides with the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026, where China is expected to unveil its vision for global AI governance.
Russia aims to boost tourist arrivals from China to 5.5 million by 2030, with the Far East expected to attract 1.8 million visitors, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also highlighted double-digit growth in mutual tourism, supported by a visa-free regime that will be extended until 2027.
A coalition of 14 nations, led by the US, issued a joint statement on the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration, reaffirming that China's expansive claims are illegal. While some reports frame the statement as a reaffirmation of the rules-based order, others criticize it as geopolitically motivated and highlight China's objections based on its 2006 UNCLOS declaration.
A Pew Research Center survey found that in 25 of 36 countries, more people hold favourable views of China than the US, marking a historic shift. Views of Chinese leader Xi Jinping also surpassed those of US President Donald Trump in 22 countries, driven by declining confidence in US leadership and policies.
Hong Kong police arrested five people in raids on two independent bookshops, seizing books suspected of being seditious. The shops, Have a Nice Stay and Greenfield Book Store, face closure amid a broader crackdown on independent booksellers.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has indicated the company is ready to cut prices for its latest AI models, intensifying competition with US rival Anthropic and a wave of cheaper Chinese alternatives. The release of GPT-5.6, with three tiers, underscores an industry shift toward cost efficiency, while Chinese models like Z.ai's GLM-5.2 are closing the capability gap at a fraction of the cost.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has appointed Darline Graham Nordone, sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, to fill his seat until January 2027. The appointment, backed by President Donald Trump, maintains the Republican majority in the Senate.
The US has reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US forces have disabled vessels attempting to breach the blockade, while Iran says its control over the waterway will not be compromised.
Darline Graham has been sworn in to temporarily fill the South Carolina Senate seat of her late brother, Lindsey Graham, following his sudden death. She was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster and is due to meet President Trump at the White House. A special election to choose a new nominee is scheduled for 11 August.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement came into effect on Wednesday, removing or reducing tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the UK and 90% of UK goods imported by India. The deal is expected to boost sectors like textiles, leather, and automobiles, while US senators introduced a bill to impose 100% tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases.
ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) surged more than 470% on its Shanghai debut, becoming mainland China's most valuable listed company with a market cap of roughly 3.3 trillion yuan. The IPO raised up to 66.6 billion yuan, underscoring investor optimism about China's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency amid a global memory chip shortage.
US Commerce Department official Jeffrey Kessler told lawmakers that very few Nvidia H200 AI chips have been shipped to China despite approvals, describing the quantities as 'trivial.' Meanwhile, China plans to allow select companies like Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase limited numbers of the chips, balancing its self-sufficiency drive with immediate computing needs.
The US and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes over the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington targeting Iranian provinces and Tehran hitting Gulf states and shipping. The escalation has undermined the June 17 memorandum of understanding, while oil markets reacted with a 3.5% price rise.
President Donald Trump has abandoned his proposal to impose a 20 percent 'reimbursement' fee on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, instead seeking trade and investment deals with Gulf states. The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports has resumed, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency.