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AI summaryPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in China on a four-day official visit, kicking off with a stop in Hangzhou where he met business leaders and promoted CPEC 2.0 investment. He then travelled to Beijing for high-level engagements with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and marking 75 years of diplomatic ties.
AI summaryThree months into the US war with Iran, President Trump's strategy appears to be facing mounting challenges, with analysts questioning whether he can achieve a decisive victory. Reports suggest a possible deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump's maximalist demands and domestic unpopularity complicate the path forward.
AI summaryA gas explosion at a coal mine in Shanxi province, China, has killed at least 82 people and injured 182 others. Rescue efforts continue for two missing miners. Authorities have launched an investigation and placed a company official under control, while world leaders have offered condolences.
AI summaryUN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Angel Moratinos, speaking in interviews with TASS after attending the KazanForum, said Western Europeans need to recognize a changed world of multipolar participation. He praised Russia's interfaith relations, support for the Alliance of Civilizations, and role in countering extremism while outlining plans to engage young diplomats.
AI summaryHong Kong’s first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, launched aboard the Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station. Chief Executive John Lee praised her participation as recognition of the city’s innovation talent, while experts call for sustained support to build on the momentum.
AI summaryUS President Donald Trump is reportedly considering fresh military strikes against Iran, citing frustration with stalled negotiations. Multiple sources confirm he convened his national security team on Friday to discuss scenarios if diplomacy fails, while diplomatic efforts, including a visit by Pakistan's army chief to Tehran, continue.
AI summaryChina has launched a state-backed research institute in Beijing to develop space-based AI computing, aiming for a pilot satellite by 2028. The move intensifies the US-China tech rivalry as SpaceX reportedly plans a massive IPO to fund its own orbital data center ambitions.
AI summaryChinese President Xi Jinping's reference to the 'Thucydides Trap' during a meeting with US President Donald Trump has drawn attention from analysts, who see it as a signal of Beijing's awareness of the risks of great-power conflict. The concept, popularised by Harvard's Graham Allison, warns that a rising power and an established one may be destined for war, and Xi's use of it may indicate a shift in China's posture on the world stage.
AI summarySpaceX launched its largest and most powerful Starship rocket on a test flight from Texas, with the upper stage splashing down in the Indian Ocean as planned. The flight, the 12th for the program, came days after CEO Elon Musk announced plans for a public offering. While mostly successful, the mission experienced engine issues and a booster anomaly, according to reports.
AI summaryMore than 20,000 sailors are trapped on about 2,000 vessels in the Gulf after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, facing shortages of supplies and fear of attacks. New reports highlight the plight of Hong Kong-linked ships and calls for reopening the waterway.
AI summaryRussia has requested an extraordinary UN Security Council meeting following a drone strike on a college dormitory in Starobelsk, which Moscow says was a deliberate Ukrainian attack. Russian officials accuse Western countries of supplying intelligence for the strike, while China has expressed concern and Denmark has said it cannot independently confirm the circumstances.
AI summaryThe standoff over the Strait of Hormuz is entering a dangerous new phase as US and Iranian forces trade fire, negotiations stutter, and Tehran's oil exports fall to a six-year low. US intelligence assesses Iran can withstand the blockade for months, while diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan-led mediation, struggle to gain traction.
AI summaryChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up a three-day visit to Canada, the first by a Chinese foreign minister in a decade, and announced the resumption of high-level political and security consultations. The trip, which also included chairing a UN Security Council meeting in New York, is seen as laying groundwork for a potential state visit by President Xi Jinping to the US.
AI summaryThe Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, a proposed 2,600 km link from Russia to China via Mongolia, is moving closer to reality as contracts near finalization. With a capacity of 50 billion cubic meters per year, the project could significantly alter global energy trade, reducing China's reliance on LNG and potentially easing supply for other importers. However, analysts note hurdles remain, including pricing and geopolitical tensions.
AI summaryAs the US awaits Tehran's response to a draft peace agreement circulated by Donald Trump, control over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile remain key sticking points. Iranian officials assert the strait's strategic value, while Pakistani mediators push for a permanent ceasefire.
AI summaryBusinessman Wicknell Chivayo has withdrawn charges against his ex-wife Sonja Madzikanda and her mother Tabitha, citing forgiveness for the sake of his children. The decision follows arrests and allegations of fraud, denied access to children, and fake images, amid ongoing custody and divorce proceedings.
AI summaryRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev criticise Western policies, accusing the West of aggressive, boundless tactics, including sanctions and military intervention, and of undermining international platforms.
AI summaryChinese and Russian officials project a 50% increase in mutual tourist flows for 2026, driven by the extended visa-free regime through 2027. First-quarter data shows a 50% growth, with outbound Russians up 60% and inbound Chinese up 25%. Industry estimates vary, suggesting a 30-40% increase in outbound flow to China.
AI summaryChinese AI start-ups raised over US$16.2 billion in Q1 2026, nearly triple year-on-year, driven by investor enthusiasm for large language models and embodied AI. Separately, DeepSeek is finalizing a massive funding round at a valuation of nearly US$60 billion, marking a six-fold increase from April.
AI summaryThe Trump administration has escalated pressure on Cuba, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the island a national security threat due to ties with China and Russia, and President Trump suggesting he may be the one to act. The US has also indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro over a 1996 incident, while Cuba's government condemns the moves as political stunts.