China's population is expected to decline by approximately 60 million over the next decade, equivalent to France's entire population, according to analyst reports. This demographic shift threatens economic activity in wealthier coastal provinces and increases pressure on the public pension system in a nation of 1.41 billion people.
Chinese AI company DeepSeek announced substantial price reductions for its models, with the new V4 costing 97% less than OpenAI products. The company reduced API users' input cache hit pricing to one-tenth of original levels, bringing minimum input costs to approximately US$0.14 per million tokens, potentially sparking competitive pricing in the AI market.
Signatories of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty convened at the United Nations in New York to address escalating nuclear arms race concerns. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that humanity remains vulnerable to nuclear annihilation due to miscalculation, as atomic powers remain divided over safeguard measures and non-proliferation strategies.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. The annual black-tie event brings together journalists and politicians. If convicted, Allen could face a life sentence. He appeared in Washington federal court two days after authorities reported foiling the attack.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Monday following mediation efforts in Islamabad. The diplomatic engagement coincides with US President Donald Trump convening his senior national security team to evaluate a fresh Iranian peace proposal delivered via Pakistan, aimed at resolving the Middle East crisis and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysia's Negeri Sembilan state has descended into political crisis after Barisan Nasional (BN), a key coalition partner of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, announced it has secured a simple majority to form a new state government with the opposition. This development represents the most significant state-level challenge to Anwar's fragile ruling alliance, occurring less than two years before the next national election. BN, the former ruling coalition led by Umno, previously governed Malaysia for decades.
The upcoming summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump offers opportunities to stabilise bilateral relations through trade agreements. However, former diplomats and business leaders have urged the two leaders to extend discussions beyond commerce. At a forum held by the Centre for China and Globalisation in Beijing, analysts and former officials called for addressing healthcare, climate change, technological decoupling, and artificial intelligence.
Signatories of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty convened at the United Nations in New York to address escalating nuclear arms race concerns. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that humanity remains vulnerable to nuclear annihilation due to miscalculation, as atomic powers remain divided over safeguard measures and non-proliferation strategies.
The Philippines-hosted Balikatan 2026 military exercise aims to reassure allies and deter adversaries, but reveals a troubling reality: the Indo-Pacific is trapped in a security logic where deterrence multiplies risk rather than containing it. Each stability measure invites countermeasures, creating a cycle of escalation rather than equilibrium. Experts emphasize that diplomacy must return to the centre of regional strategy to break this dangerous spiral.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. The annual black-tie event brings together journalists and politicians. If convicted, Allen could face a life sentence. He appeared in Washington federal court two days after authorities reported foiling the attack.
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in the United States on Monday for a four-day state visit, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The visit, the most significant of Charles' reign, occurs amid tensions between the allies over Iran and following the White House Correspondents' dinner shooting. This represents the first state visit to the US by a British monarch in recent years, underscoring the importance of Anglo-American relations.
Lebanon's social affairs minister Haneen Sayed stated that disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah is a demand of her government and people and must happen. She emphasized the process requires time and a political settlement before implementation. Sayed characterized Hezbollah as a community organization rather than merely a militant group, acknowledging implementation challenges.
Two trains collided outside Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday evening, killing at least five people and injuring dozens. A long-distance train struck a stationary commuter train, prompting extensive rescue operations. First responders continued working at the scene in early Tuesday hours, with officials reporting four people still trapped in the wreckage.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Monday following mediation efforts in Islamabad. The diplomatic engagement coincides with US President Donald Trump convening his senior national security team to evaluate a fresh Iranian peace proposal delivered via Pakistan, aimed at resolving the Middle East crisis and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
NATO is considering discontinuing its recent practice of holding annual summits, according to six sources who spoke with Reuters. The move aims to avoid potentially tense encounters with US President Donald Trump during his final year in office. Trump's administration has repeatedly criticized many of NATO's 31 other member states, most recently rebuking some for insufficient support of US military operations against Iran.
Despite policy opposition from the Trump administration, the American Clean Power Association projects US clean energy installations will reach another record in 2026, adding approximately 60 gigawatts of solar, battery storage, and wind capacity. This represents a 20 percent increase from over 50 gigawatts in 2025, with renewables accounting for the vast majority of new power sector additions.
China's leading EV manufacturer BYD reported a significant decline in first-quarter net profit, reaching approximately 4.09 billion yuan (US$590 million), down 55% year-over-year. Revenue fell 11.8% to 150.2 billion yuan. Despite growing exports, weakness in the domestic market offset international sales gains, resulting in substantially lower profitability for the quarter.
Moody's Ratings upgraded China's sovereign credit outlook from negative to stable this week, expressing confidence in the world's second-largest economy. The move comes as energy shocks from the US-Israel conflict in Iran heighten concerns about global economic trajectory. The agency had previously downgraded China's sovereign rating from Aa3 to A1 in 2017, marking its first downgrade for the country.
India and New Zealand have finalized a free-trade agreement after 15 years of negotiations, marking a regional effort to reduce dependence on major powers. The deal gained momentum as Indian exporters face supply chain disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz closure and elevated U.S. tariffs. New Zealand aims to decrease its reliance on China as its primary trading partner through this strategic pact.
Hong Kong's exports reached HK$618.4 billion in March, up 35.8% year-on-year, marking the sharpest increase in more than five years. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the growth was driven by strong global demand for AI-related electronic products. Imports also rose 41.2% in the same period, reflecting robust global trade activity despite ongoing trade disruptions.
A study warns that medical claims paid by Hong Kong insurers could double within a decade, raising sustainability concerns. Data shows total medical claims in the city increased by over 60 percent between 2019 and 2023, driven largely by surging inpatient bills, particularly for day procedures. If the increase continues at the current rate, it will threaten the affordability of private health insurance for employers and employees alike.
An accounting clerk has admitted to helping a fraud syndicate withdraw HK$31 million from a Hong Kong brokerage five years ago. After being informed of an investigation by Beijing's national security authorities, she authorized ten illicit transactions. The High Court convicted her on Tuesday of ten counts of money laundering after she confessed to acting on instructions from someone she believed represented the Office for Safeguarding National Security.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort reported a 36% drop in net profit to HK$536 million (US$68 million) for the fiscal year ending September, attributed to higher operating costs, increased outbound travel by residents, and weather disruptions. Despite the decline, management highlighted that earnings remain the second-highest on record and the theme park has achieved debt-free status. Revenue decreased 1.35% year-on-year to HK$8.69 billion.
Hong Kong completed its first green methanol bunkering operation last month, supporting global shipping's decarbonization transition. As the maritime industry accelerates its shift toward cleaner fuels, Hong Kong leverages blue economy development—the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and environmental health—to maintain competitiveness. The blue economy has transcended environmental discussions to become a global priority.
China's population is expected to decline by approximately 60 million over the next decade, equivalent to France's entire population, according to analyst reports. This demographic shift threatens economic activity in wealthier coastal provinces and increases pressure on the public pension system in a nation of 1.41 billion people.
Hong Kong's MTR Corporation has deployed augmented reality (AR) technology at Kwu Tung station to expedite construction of a new station serving the Northern Metropolis megaproject, ensuring on-time opening next year. The power supply has been connected, and the AR inspection system enables workers to simulate future scenarios and perform assembly work accurately, accelerating project progress.
Chinese scientists are testing a prototype nuclear reactor that can be transported on a truck. Developed over several years, the reactor is described as the world's first 10-megawatt vehicle-mounted nuclear power unit. The development team is seeking opportunities to deploy it operationally. The reactor's output is sufficient to power a medium-sized AI data centre, representing an innovative application of next-generation nuclear energy systems.
DeepSeek founder and CEO Liang Wenfeng has not made a public appearance for over a year, while a potential new company spokesman has sparked intrigue. The Hangzhou start-up released its V4 model in collaboration with Huawei Technologies, leveraging remarkably low prices to attract attention. However, the launch did not generate the same impact as the company's breakthrough moment a year earlier, leaving questions about leadership visibility and company direction.
A fast-charging technology competition triggered by BYD and CATL intensified at the Beijing Auto Show. Battery suppliers including CALB Group, EVE Energy, and Sunwoda unveiled products capable of charging from 10 percent to 70 percent in approximately ten minutes. Fast-charging technology has become a dominant focus at the 10-day automotive exhibition.
Thalassaemia is the world's most common genetic blood disorder, with 30 million gene carriers in China and 350 million globally. Severe patients require regular blood transfusions, organ transplants, and face premature death risks. When two carriers marry, their children have a 25 percent chance of developing the disease. China's latest original therapy integrating gene-editing technology offers new treatment hope for patients.
A remarkable medical case was shared by Dr. Lu Xiao, an emergency physician at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, on social media. A 40-year-old man experienced cardiac arrest with no detectable heartbeat despite multiple defibrillation attempts, yet miraculously regained consciousness after 40 hours. The case sparked online discussion about advanced life-saving medical techniques.
German biochemist Hartmut Michel, 77, who won the 1988 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for revealing how photosynthesis works at the molecular level, has taken a full-time professorship at Jilin University in Changchun, northeastern China. He will work at the university's First Hospital as part of the institution's talent recruitment strategy.
Chinese AI company DeepSeek announced substantial price reductions for its models, with the new V4 costing 97% less than OpenAI products. The company reduced API users' input cache hit pricing to one-tenth of original levels, bringing minimum input costs to approximately US$0.14 per million tokens, potentially sparking competitive pricing in the AI market.
Archaeologists at Pompeii have used artificial intelligence for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a victim from the AD 79 Mount Vesuvius eruption. The digital portrait depicts an older man who was discovered attempting to flee toward the coast during the volcanic disaster. This breakthrough offers new insights into understanding one of history's most significant natural catastrophes.
Chen Li-ming, a former TSMC engineer who joined Tokyo Electron, conspired with TSMC colleagues to steal advanced semiconductor manufacturing secrets including 2-nanometer and 14-angstrom processes. The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court sentenced Chen to 10 years imprisonment and ordered Tokyo Electron to pay TSMC 100 million NT dollars in compensation plus 50 million NT dollars to Taiwan's national treasury. The court found the case jeopardized Taiwan's industrial competitiveness and economic security.
A shooting incident occurred at the White House Correspondents dinner in Washington DC where President Trump was attending. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from California, has been charged with attempted assassination of Trump. According to Reuters and AFP, if convicted, he faces serious criminal charges.
China's foreign investment security review mechanism has prohibited Meta from acquiring Manus, a Chinese AI company, and ordered the cancellation of the transaction. State media Global Times published an editorial stating the decision is reasonable, legal, and necessary, representing the government's regulatory responsibility and aligning with international practices of strengthening security reviews in strategic technology sectors. Manus, launched in March 2025, is a universal AI intelligent agent.
Analysts indicate that North Korea is leveraging global instability to conduct frequent missile tests and enhance nuclear weapons production capacity, aiming to accelerate its nuclear arsenal development and consolidate its nuclear deterrence posture. The International Atomic Energy Agency estimates North Korea possesses dozens of nuclear warheads.
Deutsche Telekom's red team has disclosed Pack2TheRoot, a critical security vulnerability affecting PackageKit package manager across Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and other Linux distributions. Unprivileged attackers can install or remove system packages without authorization, potentially gaining root privileges on affected systems or compromising computers through alternative attack vectors.
Cole Allen, a 31-year-old from California, appeared in Washington federal court on the 27th facing at least three charges, including attempted assassination of the president. Allen allegedly entered the White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington carrying a rifle and knife, endangering President Trump and other government officials. The most serious charge carries a potential life sentence if convicted.
The United Arab Emirates announced today through its official news agency (WAM) that it will formally withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+ on May 1. As a major oil-producing nation, the UAE's departure is expected to significantly impact global oil markets. The withdrawal stems from policy disagreements within OPEC as the UAE seeks greater independence in energy policy decisions.
A major train accident occurred in Indonesia on the 27th evening. A commuter train stopped on the tracks after hitting a taxi and was struck by a long-distance train behind it, causing severe deformation of the last car designated for female passengers. The 12-hour rescue operation resulted in 14 deaths and 84 injuries. President Prabowo has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
A 31-year-old California man has been charged in connection with a shooting incident at a Washington dinner event. Investigators indicate the suspect intended to cause casualties among multiple high-level officials. The case is under investigation with ongoing law enforcement efforts.
The United Arab Emirates announced its decision to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), reflecting long-standing frustrations over production quota allocations within the group. This move significantly impacts global oil markets and highlights ongoing internal tensions within OPEC regarding production distribution disputes.
State prosecutors told the court that police discovered an almost completed bomb during a search of the suspect's residence. The man has admitted to involvement in planning an attack on the Taylor Swift concert scheduled in Vienna, Austria.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that a suspect has been charged with three counts, including attempted assassination of President Trump, after attempting to force his way into a dinner event in Washington where Trump was present and firing a weapon. The suspect has been arrested and made his initial court appearance.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California, has been charged with attempting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. The annual black-tie event brings together journalists and politicians. If convicted, Allen could face a life sentence. He appeared in Washington federal court two days after authorities reported foiling the attack.
Six Iranian oil tankers were forced to return due to US sanctions, according to vessel tracking data. The incident highlights the impact of US-Iran tensions on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil export route. This disruption could affect global energy supply and oil price volatility.
Ineffable Intelligence, founded by David Silver, former head of reinforcement learning at Google DeepMind, announced a $1.1 billion seed round, setting a European record for largest seed investment. The company, valued at $5.1 billion, received backing from Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed as lead investors, with participation from Nvidia, DST Global, Index Ventures, Google, and the UK Sovereign AI Fund, demonstrating accelerating capital interest in artificial superintelligence.