Iran and the United States announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and operational for commercial vessels after nearly seven weeks of blockade. The closure had stranded hundreds of ships and caused global energy prices to surge. US President Donald Trump announced the development on social media, marking an apparent de-escalation in the standoff between the two nations.
A UN Women report released Friday documented that Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip killed more than 38,000 women and girls between October 2023 and end of 2025. Palestinian health authorities estimate total deaths reached just over 71,000 by end of 2025, rising to over 72,000 by mid-April as Israel continued sporadic attacks despite ceasefire with Hamas. UN analysis indicates women and girls comprised over half of all Gaza casualties during this period.
Property tycoon Pan Shiyi issued a rare critique from the United States, describing China's real estate development model as a Ponzi scheme and calling for industry integrity and homebuyer protection. His comments came shortly after the founder of China Evergrande, a $300 billion debt-laden company, pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Evergrande's 2021 collapse triggered a systemic property market meltdown in China.
Myanmar's newly elected president Min Aung Hlaing has pardoned former president Win Myint and reduced the prison sentence of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi through a comprehensive amnesty program. Win Myint, who served as president from 2018 to 2021 before being ousted in a military coup, has been released. The amnesty resulted in the release of 4,335 prisoners in total, marking a significant development in Myanmar's political situation.
US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire effective at 5pm EST Thursday. Trump stated the agreement followed excellent conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanese President Aoun. The ceasefire aims to reduce regional tensions and could ease strain on Washington's temporary truce with Tehran.
Iran and the United States announced Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and operational for commercial vessels after nearly seven weeks of blockade. The closure had stranded hundreds of ships and caused global energy prices to surge. US President Donald Trump announced the development on social media, marking an apparent de-escalation in the standoff between the two nations.
A UN Women report released Friday documented that Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip killed more than 38,000 women and girls between October 2023 and end of 2025. Palestinian health authorities estimate total deaths reached just over 71,000 by end of 2025, rising to over 72,000 by mid-April as Israel continued sporadic attacks despite ceasefire with Hamas. UN analysis indicates women and girls comprised over half of all Gaza casualties during this period.
Myanmar's newly elected president Min Aung Hlaing has pardoned former president Win Myint and reduced the prison sentence of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi through a comprehensive amnesty program. Win Myint, who served as president from 2018 to 2021 before being ousted in a military coup, has been released. The amnesty resulted in the release of 4,335 prisoners in total, marking a significant development in Myanmar's political situation.
South African opposition party leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years in prison for violating firearm laws by firing a rifle at a political rally in 2018. He was released pending appeal. If the conviction and sentence are upheld, Malema will be disqualified from Parliament, as South African law prohibits anyone convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment from serving as a lawmaker.
A senior US congresswoman called on Peru's incoming government to reclaim the Chinese-controlled Chancay deepwater port, describing it as a direct military threat to the Western Hemisphere. Maria Elvira Salazar, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, stated during a congressional hearing that Washington would assist Peru in taking back the megaport. Peru will elect a new government in June.
Decades-long negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct may conclude this year. China, the Philippines, and other parties involved have expressed confidence in reaching a final agreement on the proposed rules for the contested waterways within coming months. Beijing signalled in March its hope of concluding negotiations with ASEAN by year-end, while Manila has repeatedly expressed its commitment to advancing the talks.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer requested additional funding during a budget hearing to support the Trump administration's trade policies toward China, stating the US will not be constrained by Beijing's retaliatory tactics. Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on May 14-15.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure to resign following revelations that former US ambassador Peter Mandelson failed security vetting before his appointment. The government confirmed that officials overruled the vetting recommendation, though Starmer and cabinet ministers claimed they only learned of this decision earlier this week. The decision was made by officials independently.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr announced that Zaldy Co, a key suspect in a corruption scandal, has been arrested in the Czech Republic. Co, a former House of Representatives member who resigned in September following allegations of financial irregularities in flood control projects, was detained by Prague authorities. Repatriation efforts are underway.
US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire effective at 5pm EST Thursday. Trump stated the agreement followed excellent conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanese President Aoun. The ceasefire aims to reduce regional tensions and could ease strain on Washington's temporary truce with Tehran.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has proposed reducing the share trading settlement cycle from the current T+2 to T+1, where trades settle one business day after transaction. The bourse operator released a consultation paper Friday, targeting implementation in Q4 2027. The new system would apply to equities and exchange-traded products, aiming to enhance market efficiency and liquidity while strengthening Hong Kong's financial competitiveness.
Hong Kong authorities plan to raise HK$220 million from the private sector for a national manufacturing innovation centre in Yuen Long, with total investment of HK$440 million. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced the initiative in February's budget, aiming to establish the first such centre outside mainland China with ambitious performance benchmarks.
Property tycoon Pan Shiyi issued a rare critique from the United States, describing China's real estate development model as a Ponzi scheme and calling for industry integrity and homebuyer protection. His comments came shortly after the founder of China Evergrande, a $300 billion debt-laden company, pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Evergrande's 2021 collapse triggered a systemic property market meltdown in China.
VietJet Air, a Vietnamese budget carrier, has agreed to lease up to 10 Chinese-made C909 regional passenger jets through an operating lease agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. The deal supports Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) in its goal to compete with Airbus and Boeing in the international civil aviation market.
Asian oil refiners are increasingly turning to US crude as an alternative to Middle Eastern supply amid geopolitical tensions. Buyers from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand purchased May-loading cargoes in early May, with at least 60 million barrels of US Gulf crude secured. This shift aims to ensure stable fuel supplies and prevent shortages that could impact the broader economy.
Manycore Tech, a design software developer recognized as one of Hangzhou's 'Six Little Dragons', debuted on Hong Kong's stock exchange Friday. Shares opened at HK$20.70, a 172% increase from the offer price of HK$7.62, raising approximately HK$1.09 billion in its IPO. The company positions itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the physical world.
Australia will import 250,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser from Indonesia to address supply shortage concerns affecting agricultural production. As a major global exporter of wheat, barley, and canola, Australia depends on fertiliser imports threatened by Middle Eastern supply disruptions linked to regional tensions. Urea prices have risen significantly. The agreement aims to stabilise domestic crop production and food security.
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank announced Thursday they have resumed dealings with Venezuela, paused since 2019. This move enables the IMF's first comprehensive economic assessment of Venezuela in approximately 20 years and could unlock billions of dollars in frozen special drawing rights funding. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated the Fund is guided by the views of a majority of its members.
During a US Congressional advisory committee hearing on Thursday, experts testified that American economic sanctions and restrictions on access to US-led banking systems, while powerful tools, may paradoxically threaten the dollar's international dominance. As the world's largest commodity buyer, China is developing alternative mechanisms to reduce dollar dependence. Experts suggest US policy itself poses the greatest risk to dollar supremacy.
Industry estimates indicate that China's heavy-duty cargo traffic is on track to become nearly 100 percent electric, a transition that could halve the country's road transport oil consumption. Liang Linhe, chairman of Sany Truck, stated at a Beijing forum on April 11 that China's heavy truck sector could eventually be almost entirely electrified, though he did not specify a timeline for this transformation.
China's state broadcaster CCTV announced Friday that three astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station will extend their stay by approximately one month. The Shenzhou-21 crew launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on October 31 and was originally scheduled to return to Earth at the end of this month after a standard six-month mission. A crack discovered in the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft window in November prompted the previous crew to also extend their stay.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang cautioned on a podcast that if Chinese AI startup DeepSeek optimizes its models using Huawei chips, it would be a "horrible outcome" for the US. Huang stated that if future AI models are optimized differently from the American tech stack and Chinese standards diffuse globally, China could surpass the US in AI development.
Chinese tech companies have pursued open-source AI models as a core business strategy to reduce costs and deliver global benefits, as stated by Alibaba's chairman. However, with intensifying market competition, these firms may be adjusting their approach, and the next phase of development remains uncertain.
Researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created a diamond-copper composite material that significantly improves cooling efficiency in AI data centres by up to 80 percent. The material has already been deployed in an AI computing node in Zhengzhou, Henan province. This innovation addresses critical thermal management challenges in the rapidly expanding global AI computing industry.
Dubai has completed its first purpose-built electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi station, with commercial operations expected to launch by year-end. Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed visited the facility, which represents a significant milestone in the emirate's urban air mobility development and positions Dubai as a leader in innovative transportation infrastructure.
An international research team has measured the instantaneous power of jets from a black hole for the first time. The jet power from Cygnus X-1, located 7,200 light-years away, equals approximately 10,000 suns. The jets travel at roughly 540 million km/h (355 million mph), approximately half the speed of light. This breakthrough measurement provides crucial data for black hole physics research.
Ukrainian authorities reported on the 16th that Russia conducted one of its largest air operations this year, firing 659 drones and 44 missiles at major Ukrainian cities. The attacks killed at least 18 people, including a child, and wounded 118 others. Multiple buildings were damaged and caught fire across the country. Russia later stated the strikes were in retaliation for earlier Ukrainian attacks.
The U.S. State Department announced that Israel and Lebanon have reached a ceasefire agreement today. Under the accord, the Lebanese government commits to preventing the militant organization Hezbollah from launching attacks against Israel. The agreement aims to ease tensions along the border between the two nations, with the United States serving as a witness to the accord.
US President Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which includes Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Trump stated that the US and Iran are close to reaching a peace agreement, marking significant progress in Middle East tensions.
US President Trump announced on the 16th that Israel and Lebanon will implement a ten-day ceasefire beginning at 5 PM Eastern Time on the same day. CNN reported that this ceasefire agreement may represent a significant step toward achieving a peace accord involving the US, Iran, and North Korea.
US President Trump announced on the 16th that after discussions with Lebanon's president and Israel's prime minister, both sides agreed to a 10-day ceasefire beginning at 5 PM Eastern Time. Trump stated he will invite both leaders to the White House for talks to advance the peace process.
US President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ten-day ceasefire beginning at 5 PM Eastern Time, following his mediation efforts. The agreement marks a temporary de-escalation in regional tensions, with further details and implementation pending.
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure stated that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen, but emphasized it cannot come at any cost. The Group of Seven is preparing to address potential economic impacts from the strait's blockade, including disruptions to energy supplies and global trade.
A tragic case of fatal child abuse occurred in Tainan, where a man, his wife, and his sister jointly abused an infant under five months old, resulting in the child's death. The three suspects then disposed of the body wrapped in plastic bags in a drainage ditch beneath the Sicao Bridge. After investigation, prosecutors charged all three and requested severe sentences from the court.
Benefiting from strong AI demand, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has raised its full-year revenue growth forecast to exceed 30%. To meet customer needs, the company will simultaneously expand 3-nanometer production capacity across Taiwan, the United States, and Japan—a rare occurrence. The 2-nanometer process is scheduled for mass production in 2025, while the A14 process is planned for 2028.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ten-day ceasefire brokered by the United States. Under the agreement, Lebanon commits to preventing Hezbollah attacks on Israel. US President Trump stated that peace negotiations with Iran are progressing well, aiming to achieve long-term stability in the Middle East region.
Israel and Lebanon reached a ten-day ceasefire agreement effective from early morning on the 17th. U.S. President Trump announced plans to invite leaders from both sides to the White House for face-to-face talks within one to two weeks. The international community, including Iran, welcomed the agreement, though Lebanese citizens hope for permanent peace. Reports emerged of Israeli military violations continuing attacks on Lebanon after the ceasefire took effect.
Iran announced on the 17th that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open to commercial vessels, signaling a potential de-escalation in tensions with the United States and Israel. Following this announcement, international crude oil and natural gas prices fell approximately 10%, reflecting market expectations of reduced geopolitical risk in the region.
Following the breakdown of an Easter ceasefire, Ukraine and Russia resumed hostilities. Russian forces deployed approximately 700 drones and dozens of missiles within 24 hours, attacking Kyiv and multiple cities, killing at least 17 people. Ukraine announced its first unmanned robot assault operation, successfully capturing multiple Russian positions without infantry participation, marking a new combat milestone.
Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah have reached a ceasefire agreement. This development may increase prospects for achieving a permanent resolution between the US and Iran. The ceasefire marks a significant turning point in Middle Eastern tensions and could advance regional stability and peace efforts.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pushing for rapid nuclear advances, with the country's main nuclear site showing increased activity. While international attention remains focused on Iran's nuclear situation, North Korea is accelerating its weapons development program, raising regional security concerns.