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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has called for urgent action over the captivity of Pakistani crew members aboard the MT Honour 25, seized by Somali pirates in April. Families protested in Karachi, reporting deteriorating conditions onboard. Pakistan's Foreign Office says it is in contact with Somali authorities.
South Korean officials say the possibility of a non-Iranian actor being behind the May 4 attack on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz appears low, though the investigation is ongoing. A technical team has been dispatched, and the foreign minister has said the findings will be disclosed once completed.
The UK economy grew 0.3% in March, defying expectations of a contraction, and expanded 0.6% in Q1 2026. However, the unemployment rate rose to 5% and wage growth slowed, painting a mixed picture amid the Iran war's impact.
Seoul has sent a technical analysis team to Dubai to investigate the May 4 strike on the HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz, which initial findings attribute to two unidentified flying objects. The vessel has been towed to a UAE port for a detailed examination as South Korea pursues diplomatic and investigative responses, with Iran denying involvement.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two-day summit in Beijing, covering trade, the war on Iran and Taiwan. The White House said the two leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, while China opposed its militarisation and any tolls, and expressed interest in buying more American oil.
US President Donald Trump is in Beijing for his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2017, with trade tensions, Taiwan, and the Iran war dominating discussions. A high-powered business delegation accompanies Trump, but observers remain cautious about concrete outcomes from the two-day state visit.
South Korean stocks opened at a record high on May 14 and remained near the historic 8,000-point milestone the next day, driven by gains on Wall Street led by tech shares. The KOSPI briefly touched 7,951.75, just a few points shy of the unprecedented level, as investors welcomed the US-China summit outcomes and strong performance from AI-related companies.
US intelligence assessments indicate that China has provided significant support to Iran's military rebuilding, including intelligence on US forces and dual-use materials, and Chinese companies have allegedly plotted clandestine arms sales to Tehran. While Iran's capability to reconstitute drone attacks could be as soon as six months, a CENTCOM chief's testimony that its military is largely eliminated appears inconsistent with these findings.
President Donald Trump posted over 50 times on Truth Social in a three-hour late-night session, accusing Barack Obama of treason and espionage, sharing altered images, and reviving false claims about the 2020 election. The posts came ahead of a high-stakes meeting with China's president, and as the administration faces economic pressures linked to the Iran conflict.
Iran has expanded its declared control zone in the Strait of Hormuz to a 'vast operational area' stretching up to 300 miles, according to a senior IRGC Navy officer. The move follows a US naval blockade imposed in April and a short-lived US effort to assist shipping. The expansion could affect global oil and LNG transit through one of the world's most critical chokepoints.
As the US and Iran remain embroiled in conflict, the city of Tucson is moving forward with preparations to host Iran's national football team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local officials express enthusiasm despite the geopolitical tensions.
Israeli officials have expressed concern that a potential US-Iran agreement being negotiated by the Trump administration may be a 'bad deal' that fails to address key threats such as Tehran's missile program and regional proxies. Jerusalem fears the deal could curb Israel's ability to act against Iranian threats, particularly in Lebanon, and is seeking to influence the negotiations.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk concluded a three-day visit to South Korea, meeting with top officials to discuss cooperation, North Korea's human rights situation, and pressing global issues like stranded sailors in the Strait of Hormuz. The visit marked the first official trip by a U.N. human rights chief in 11 years.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reduced the number of vehicles in his official motorcade to save fuel, following his public appeal for austerity amid surging energy prices. The move, reported by Indian news agencies, comes as India faces economic pressure from the Iran war and global supply disruptions.
The International Energy Agency has revised down its 2026 global oil demand forecast, now expecting a reduction of 418,000 barrels per day, a significant downgrade attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Concurrently, the agency adjusted its supply forecast upward, projecting a decline of 4 million bpd to 102.2 million bpd for the year.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of using 'unscrupulous' and 'neocolonial' methods to deter countries from buying Russian oil, aiming to force them toward more expensive US energy. He praised India for resisting such pressure and guaranteed that Russia will fulfill its energy supply agreements with the country.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the US-led aggression against Iran was aimed at preventing normalization between Tehran and Arab states, echoing past Russian proposals for a Persian Gulf security framework. He accused Western powers of using propaganda to justify the conflict and paint Iran as a pariah.
A UN Security Council draft resolution, co-drafted by Gulf states and the US, has gained 112 co-sponsors, demanding Iran halt attacks and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The move underscores global concern, though China and Russia have reservations.
Japanese snack giant Calbee is temporarily switching to black-and-white packaging for 14 product lines, citing supply instability caused by Middle East tensions. The move highlights how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is affecting daily life in Japan, even as the government assures sufficient crude oil supplies.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held two hours of talks in Beijing, with Taiwan, tariffs, rare earths, and the Middle East on the agenda. Xi emphasized Taiwan as the most important issue in bilateral relations, while analysts note the US enters from a vulnerable position. The visit is the first by a US president since 2017, with expectations of a state banquet but reduced pomp.