US President Donald Trump stated he will fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not resign "in time." In a Fox Business interview, Trump said he has wanted to fire Powell but held back due to controversy concerns. Trump also emphasized he will not drop the Justice Department investigation into Powell.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi stated that North Korea has made "very serious" advances in nuclear weapons production capabilities, including a probable new uranium enrichment facility and increased activity at key nuclear complexes. Uranium enrichment provides an alternative and more effective pathway to weapons-grade material compared to plutonium reprocessing from nuclear reactors. Grossi made these remarks in Seoul on Wednesday.
Sudan enters its fourth year of war on Wednesday, described as an "abandoned crisis" as international focus shifts to Middle East conflicts. The war has displaced 13 million people and created the world's largest humanitarian challenge, marked by famine, massacres, and critical food shortages. Fighting between military and paramilitary forces continues with no end in sight, while Sudan faces severe displacement and hunger crises.
Following collapsed Iran negotiations, the US has imposed a blockade on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a Nomura report, Asian and European economies face significant vulnerability to Persian Gulf tensions. The strait serves as a critical global energy chokepoint, and further restrictions could substantially impact worldwide energy supplies.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss the Iran conflict, Ukraine situation, and Taiwan. China's readout of the meeting indicated growing global turmoil and instability, implicitly criticizing the United States and President Trump without naming them directly. The meeting reflects Beijing's intensified Iran diplomacy amid rising tensions with Washington.
US President Donald Trump stated he will fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not resign "in time." In a Fox Business interview, Trump said he has wanted to fire Powell but held back due to controversy concerns. Trump also emphasized he will not drop the Justice Department investigation into Powell.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi stated that North Korea has made "very serious" advances in nuclear weapons production capabilities, including a probable new uranium enrichment facility and increased activity at key nuclear complexes. Uranium enrichment provides an alternative and more effective pathway to weapons-grade material compared to plutonium reprocessing from nuclear reactors. Grossi made these remarks in Seoul on Wednesday.
Sudan enters its fourth year of war on Wednesday, described as an "abandoned crisis" as international focus shifts to Middle East conflicts. The war has displaced 13 million people and created the world's largest humanitarian challenge, marked by famine, massacres, and critical food shortages. Fighting between military and paramilitary forces continues with no end in sight, while Sudan faces severe displacement and hunger crises.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to the United States on April 27 for a four-day state visit, during which the monarch will have tea and a private meeting with President Trump. While officially marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the visit aims to leverage the British monarchy's soft power to heal a growing rift between the two allies caused by disagreements over Iran policy.
Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po killed 168 people. An independent panel investigating the causes began its 12th day of evidential hearings on Wednesday. Representatives from the Fire Services Department and police testified before the committee. The inquiry found that a woman trapped in the fire died after her 999 emergency call was not properly transferred to the fire department.
Following collapsed Iran negotiations, the US has imposed a blockade on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. According to a Nomura report, Asian and European economies face significant vulnerability to Persian Gulf tensions. The strait serves as a critical global energy chokepoint, and further restrictions could substantially impact worldwide energy supplies.
The US Navy began enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports on Monday, prompting retaliation threats from Tehran. Analysts argue the blockade aims to demonstrate American maritime supremacy over the world's most critical energy chokepoint to end the conflict, rather than pressure China regarding Iran. The US Navy currently maintains at least 15 ships in the region, including an aircraft carrier. The blockade's full enforcement capability remains uncertain.
After more than 20 hours of high-level negotiations in Islamabad, US Vice-President J.D. Vance confirmed that Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal. Iran refused to accept US terms on its nuclear programme, exposing deep strategic divides. The choice of Pakistan as the negotiation venue highlights the country's rising role in regional diplomacy, challenging India's traditional position as South Asia's most globally connected actor.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss the Iran conflict, Ukraine situation, and Taiwan. China's readout of the meeting indicated growing global turmoil and instability, implicitly criticizing the United States and President Trump without naming them directly. The meeting reflects Beijing's intensified Iran diplomacy amid rising tensions with Washington.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held rare face-to-face talks facilitated by Washington on Tuesday, with both sides agreeing to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue. Israel expressed commitment to engage in direct negotiations to resolve outstanding issues and achieve durable peace strengthening regional security, stability, and prosperity. According to a US State Department readout, Lebanon also called for negotiations to address the situation.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), China's leading EV battery manufacturer, plans to invest 30 billion yuan (US$4.4 billion) to establish a mining subsidiary. The new entity will consolidate existing mining assets and pursue high-quality mineral projects domestically and internationally, supporting CATL's long-term growth strategy in automotive and energy storage markets.
The US-Israeli military operations against Iran and shipping blockades through the Strait of Hormuz may impact China's first-quarter economic performance. Analysts believe Beijing authorities are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach with limited likelihood of immediate stimulus measures, though first-quarter GDP growth is still expected to remain solid.
Hong Kong's sole legal betting operator, the Jockey Club, had allocated HK$1 billion and hired 180 staff to develop a basketball wagering system. However, the government announced this week it is halting the rollout plans. The Jockey Club has already invested HK$400 million in preparatory work, including establishing a dedicated basketball betting platform. The company will now redirect its investment strategy toward combating illegal football gambling activities.
Indian scientists have achieved criticality at the Kalpakkam prototype fast breeder reactor in Tamil Nadu state, marking a defining moment for the country's nuclear energy programme. The breakthrough enables self-sustaining nuclear chain reactions and represents a significant step toward energy self-reliance. The programme aims to harness India's abundant thorium reserves, which constitute approximately 25 per cent of global deposits, advancing the nation's energy independence.
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) has agreed to purchase six floors at The Center for approximately HK$2.62 billion (US$334 million), marking the city's largest office transaction this year. The bank acquired the 32nd, 36th, 37th, 56th, 62nd, and 76th floors, with the deal completed last month and registered on Tuesday. The purchase adds 151,934 square feet of gross floor area to the bank's Hong Kong operations.
HSBC Holdings and a Standard Chartered-led joint venture became the first entities to receive stablecoin issuer licenses from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. HSBC plans to introduce stablecoins in the second half of this year, enabling PayMe's 3.3 million users to conduct everyday transactions such as purchasing coffee or splitting bills using digital currency, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong's digital finance development.
Brazil announced it will require foreign partners to process rare earth minerals within the country as a condition for accessing its reserves. Leonardo Durans, a senior official at Brazil's industry ministry, stated that while Brazil welcomes foreign investment, its policy position has matured. This move will reshape how Chinese and Western firms compete for resources that Brazil has historically exported in raw form.
The research vessel Haiyang Dizhi 2 completed its first deep-sea scientific mission of 2026, successfully testing an advanced deep-sea electro-hydrostatic actuator at 3,500 metres depth. The device demonstrated capability to cut underwater structures including submarine cables. The mission was announced by China's Ministry of Natural Resources.
A significant shift is reshaping global artificial intelligence competition beyond model development capabilities. The US maintains advantages in chip supply chains, while China has recognized the commercial value of inference computing and token costs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's statement that "workload is inference, tokens are commodity, and compute is revenue" reflects divergent strategic perspectives between the two nations in AI competition.
Brazil has implemented restrictions on Chinese BYD batteries, prompting industry-wide quality concerns. Meanwhile, Tesla's pure electric vehicle deliveries increased 6.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, reclaiming the global EV sales leadership for the first time since Q4 2024. The developments highlight intensifying competition in the global electric vehicle market and growing emphasis on battery quality and safety standards across nations.
Professor Zhang Kai, a leading cryo-electron microscopy researcher who spent years at Cambridge University and Yale University, chose to return to China at the peak of his scientific career. Unlike most scientists who remain silent about their repatriation, Zhang is willing to publicly share his reasons and ambitious future research goals.
At least three restaurants in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, eastern China, have recently deployed AI cooking robots to reduce operational costs. The 24 Jieqi Robot Restaurant operates eight robots handling ordering, serving, cleaning, and cooking tasks, accounting for 60 percent of kitchen staff workload. These robots can prepare up to 100 dishes and analyze diners' facial features and tongues to recommend health-focused meals, sparking significant social media discussion.
Chinese robotics companies are increasingly positioning quadruped robots as major revenue drivers. AgiBot recently spun out its four-legged robotics unit into a new subsidiary called AgiQuad, while Amap plans to launch a quadruped model. According to Qiu Heng, COO of AgiQuad, the move aims to achieve large-scale growth and prevent the unit from being overshadowed by humanoid robot giants.
Experts in Malaysia have warned that artificial intelligence is causing significant harm to content creators through deepfake nudes, voice cloning, fraudulent advertisements, and identity theft. The Freedom Film Network's second International Conference on Film & Society in Kuala Lumpur brought together creators, researchers, and advocates from Southeast Asia to discuss cultivating artistic freedom amid growing digital threats.
Prosecutors in Kaohsiung indicted ten individuals for alleged violations of national security laws. Nine defendants are current or former military personnel spanning army, navy, air force, and coast guard units. A major in the Special Forces served as the highest-ranking defendant, receiving over five million NT dollars in compensation. Prosecutors recommended severe sentencing, marking the first espionage case to be tried under the citizen jury system.
Former legislator Chen Ou-po was convicted of defrauding assistant allowances and accepting bribes from port and car rental operators in exchange for promoting legislative amendments. His wife Xu Hui-yu was accused of misappropriating association funds. Taipei District Court sentenced Chen to 16 years imprisonment and 6 years of deprivation of political rights for abuse of office and fraud.
Following US President Trump's threat of a naval blockade against Iran, shipping activity in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman declined significantly on the first full day. Vessel traffic to and from Iranian ports decreased substantially. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transport route, saw three tankers pass through in the past 24 hours, including vessels with Iran-related operations that face US sanctions.
The United States, under President Trump's order, has implemented a naval blockade on Iran. On the first day, six merchant vessels complied with US military directives and returned. The US Central Command deployed over 10,000 military personnel, more than ten warships, and multiple aircraft to enforce the blockade covering the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. The measure applies to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports regardless of nationality, escalating Middle East tensions following failed US-Iran negotiations.
President Trump ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which took effect on the morning of the 13th (US Eastern Time). A US Navy destroyer intercepted two tankers attempting to leave Iran on the 14th and ordered them to return. Experts note the blockade is only in its second day and requires further observation to assess its actual effectiveness and long-term impact.
A New Taipei City councilor disclosed that a speech therapist surnamed Chen at a rehabilitation clinic in Banqiao is accused of sexually abusing male child patients during treatment sessions. Parents reported hearing their children struggling and crying during appointments, with some children exhibiting behavioral changes afterward. The clinic initially dismissed concerns as mood issues before parents discovered the abuse through questioning their children.
The US Central Command announced on the 14th that it has blocked Iran's maritime import and export trade. Since the 13th, the US Navy has intercepted eight tankers entering and leaving Iranian ports, instructing crews via radio to change course and return. All tankers complied with the orders. President Trump confirmed the blockade began on the 13th at 10 AM Eastern Time. British maritime intelligence firm Windward reported that some vessels continue transiting the Strait of Hormuz despite the blockade, indicating shipping has not completely ceased.
The US military utilized Palantir's Maven AI system during Iran military operations, integrating multi-source data to rapidly generate thousands of strike options and significantly reduce decision-making timelines. While enhancing operational efficiency, experts raised concerns about insufficient verification time, increased risks of mistaken strikes, and unclear accountability for final decisions.
US-Iran negotiations broke down over nuclear program and trust issues. The US subsequently blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional conflict risks. Four neighboring countries established a lobbying mechanism, seeking to restart dialogue on April 16 to ease Middle East tensions.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Grossi stated during his visit to Seoul that North Korea's nuclear weapons manufacturing capability is experiencing very significant growth. According to assessments, North Korea currently possesses dozens of nuclear warheads. This evaluation reflects the continued progress of North Korea's nuclear program, raising international concerns about regional security.
The US military reported that no vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz during its first 24-hour operation to seal off Iranian ports. Multiple tankers have stopped or altered their routes in response to the blockade. The action has potential implications for global energy supplies and regional stability in the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States is blockading the Strait of Hormuz against Iranian ports. The strait, located between Iran and Oman, is a critical global oil transportation route. The blockade aims to strengthen economic sanctions against Iran by restricting its oil exports and international trade. The measure involves US Navy military deployment and monitoring in the strait to prevent Iranian-related vessels from passing through.
The United States is enforcing a naval blockade against Iran, deploying warships, helicopters, and fighter jets with potentially thousands of military personnel involved. This operation aims to restrict Iran's maritime activities and trade, representing a significant component of U.S. sanctions policy against Iran.
A trawler carrying migrants sank in the Indian Ocean, leaving approximately 250 people missing. The United Nations reported that heavy winds, rough seas, and severe overcrowding caused the vessel to sink. The exact timing and location of the incident require further confirmation.
A second school shooting occurred in Turkey within two days, resulting in the deaths of three students and one teacher, according to the local governor. The incident marks the second tragedy of its kind in the country in as many days, raising concerns about school safety.