The US stock market held tentatively near record levels on Monday, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.1% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining 0.4%. Oil prices climbed due to uncertainty about when oil tankers can resume crossing the Strait of Hormuz and restore global crude supplies. Conflicting claims about a potential Iranian strike on a US Navy vessel heightened geopolitical tensions.
China's government blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Chinese-founded AI startup Manus last Monday. The government had previously launched an investigation and barred the company's two founders from leaving the country. While the intervention appears disruptive to Chinese firms seeking foreign capital and US companies investing in China, it reflects a new normal in China-US business relations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he must accept that US President Donald Trump holds different views to work effectively with the United States within NATO. Merz denied that his criticism of US war planning regarding Iran prompted Washington's announcement to reduce military presence in Germany by 5,000 soldiers. He emphasized no connection exists between their disagreement and the troop drawdown, reaffirming his commitment to NATO.
The World Health Organization reported three deaths from a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cabo Verde. Of six affected individuals, one case has been laboratory confirmed and five are suspected cases. Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans from rodents. The outbreak represents a rare occurrence of the disease on a cruise vessel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Rome this week to meet Pope Leo XIV, according to Vatican sources. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, aims to improve relations following recent tensions between President Trump and the pontiff over the Pope's anti-war stance. The diplomatic visit represents an attempt to thaw the strained relationship between the US administration and the Catholic Church.
A cybersecurity test of Chinese-made electric buses in an abandoned Norwegian mine has intensified EU-China regulatory tensions. Oslo's public transport authority discovered potential remote control vulnerabilities in Yutong buses during testing, prompting European regulators to implement stricter oversight measures. The incident highlights Western concerns about data security and control risks associated with Chinese manufacturing in critical infrastructure sectors.
China's Ministry of Commerce announced Saturday that domestic companies should ignore US sanctions against five oil refineries accused of purchasing Iranian crude. Beijing claims the US action violates international law and basic norms of international relations. The targeted companies include a Dalian refinery owned by Shanghai-listed Hengli Petrochemical and four independent refineries. This unprecedented pushback against American financial measures comes less than two weeks before a presidential summit.
A Chinese court has ruled that a fintech company illegally terminated a 35-year-old employee named Zhou on grounds that artificial intelligence replacement would be cheaper. The worker, who oversaw AI-generated responses in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was fired after refusing demotion and pay reduction. The ruling establishes legal limits on AI-driven job displacement and addresses widespread concerns about technology-fueled unemployment.
Malaysia's anti-corruption agency questioned former economy minister Rafizi Ramli on Monday regarding a billion-ringgit semiconductor deal with British chip designer Arm Holdings. Rafizi, a former senior figure in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's People's Justice Party, is among multiple ministers and officials being investigated in this politically sensitive inquiry that has expanded significantly in scope.
An Israeli military operation in Nablus, West Bank on Sunday resulted in one Palestinian man killed and four others seriously wounded, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The deceased, 26-year-old Nayef Firas Ziad Samaro, was identified by the Palestinian Health Ministry. Five people were struck by gunfire during the operation. The victim's wife was in labour at a local hospital when informed of his death.
China's government blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of Chinese-founded AI startup Manus last Monday. The government had previously launched an investigation and barred the company's two founders from leaving the country. While the intervention appears disruptive to Chinese firms seeking foreign capital and US companies investing in China, it reflects a new normal in China-US business relations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he must accept that US President Donald Trump holds different views to work effectively with the United States within NATO. Merz denied that his criticism of US war planning regarding Iran prompted Washington's announcement to reduce military presence in Germany by 5,000 soldiers. He emphasized no connection exists between their disagreement and the troop drawdown, reaffirming his commitment to NATO.
The World Health Organization reported three deaths from a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship traveling from Ushuaia, Argentina to Cabo Verde. Of six affected individuals, one case has been laboratory confirmed and five are suspected cases. Hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans from rodents. The outbreak represents a rare occurrence of the disease on a cruise vessel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Rome this week to meet Pope Leo XIV, according to Vatican sources. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, aims to improve relations following recent tensions between President Trump and the pontiff over the Pope's anti-war stance. The diplomatic visit represents an attempt to thaw the strained relationship between the US administration and the Catholic Church.
US President Donald Trump announced a project starting Monday to help ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. In a social media post, Trump stated that neutral countries have been affected and the US will guide their ships safely through restricted waterways. The initiative, called Project Freedom, aims to assist affected nations, though specific operational details remain limited.
The US stock market held tentatively near record levels on Monday, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.1% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining 0.4%. Oil prices climbed due to uncertainty about when oil tankers can resume crossing the Strait of Hormuz and restore global crude supplies. Conflicting claims about a potential Iranian strike on a US Navy vessel heightened geopolitical tensions.
Morgan Stanley analysts project a broad-based recovery in Hong Kong's property market as the residential segment's strong upturn spills over to struggling office and retail sectors. The bank upgraded its forecast for home price increases to 12 percent this year from 10 percent previously, and anticipates another 5 percent rise in 2027. The office property segment is expected to experience relief as the market stabilizes.
China and Indonesia have launched a new cross-border QR payment system enabling users to make retail payments in either country using domestic mobile apps like Alipay and QRIS. The initiative represents Beijing's latest effort to build a regional digital payments network, advance yuan internationalization, and reduce reliance on the US dollar.
Hong Kong's tax revenue reached HK$458.3 billion in the past financial year ending March 31, representing a 22 percent increase driven by a buoyant stock market and increased property transactions. Stamp duty jumped 61 percent to HK$102.6 billion, profits tax rose 20 percent to HK$212.6 billion, and salaries tax increased 10 percent to HK$97.7 billion, according to provisional figures announced by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.
Hong Kong's Exchange Fund, used to defend the local currency, recorded investment gains of HK$34.5 billion in the first quarter, down 56% from HK$79.2 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on Monday. Despite marking the fund's fifth consecutive quarterly gain, the result represents its smallest gain in five quarters, weighed down by Middle East crisis impacts on stock market performance.
Bai Chongen, dean of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management and vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, addresses how China can avoid "Japanification," foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and understand the "China shock 2.0" phenomenon. He previously served on China's central bank monetary policy committee from 2015 to 2018.
Hong Kong's government-backed Generative AI Research and Development Centre plans to launch its HKGAI-V3 model in the first half of this year. Built on DeepSeek V4 architecture with localization fine-tuning, the system runs entirely on Chinese-made chips. The centre aims to export its sovereign AI capabilities to overseas markets.
A five-person team led by 31-year-old Lu Yulong successfully developed and launched the Shenzhen Pioneer rocket in February in Qinghai Province. The 12-meter rocket reached an altitude of 3,700 meters, setting a new regional record for liquid rocket launches. Built in just 15 days in Shenzhen, the achievement demonstrates the viability of low-cost space exploration.
South Korean scientists have identified a new therapeutic pathway for treating ischemic stroke, a major challenge in modern medicine. The research team has developed an experimental drug to combat the disease, and Chinese medical professionals have expressed interest in partnership and collaboration. The study examines how oxidative stress-induced astrocytic collagen biosynthesis relates to glial barrier formation and neuronal death in ischemic conditions.
Judges in Shenzhen processed an average of 744 cases in 2025, up 249 cases from 2024, with the help of an AI-powered pilot system, according to the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court. The artificial intelligence-driven system will now be introduced in courts across dozens of Chinese cities, marking a significant expansion of AI technology in China's judicial system.
According to NodeFlair's salary report based on over 230,000 verified data points, software engineers with AI expertise in Singapore command a 13 to 25 percent pay premium compared to peers across all experience levels. The findings demonstrate that AI skills have become a clear salary advantage, marking a shift from 2024 when demand for AI talent continued rising.
North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC has confirmed participation in the 2025-2026 AFC Women's Champions League, marking the first time North Korean athletes will compete on South Korean soil in eight years. Despite Pyongyang's continued hostile stance toward Seoul, the development raises hopes that sports diplomacy could help ease bilateral tensions between the two nations.
A 31-year-old Hong Kong dancer paralysed after being struck by a giant screen at a Mirror boy band concert testified in District Court on Monday. The accident occurred on July 28, 2022, at Hong Kong Coliseum. The court found Studiodanz liable for compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance. Mo Li received treatment in Beijing and Thailand following the incident. The court is assessing damages to be awarded.
Zhang Jian, 24, from Shandong province, risked his life to save a truck driver from a burning vehicle in the Baotashan Tunnel while traveling home from Shanxi province. During the rescue, he called his mother to tell her he might not return. His heroic actions have moved many people online and sparked widespread admiration for his courage and selflessness.
Russia and North Korea are discussing a five-year military cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating Pyongyang's modernization in conventional weapons, satellite technology, and nuclear submarines. Experts suggest this could position North Korea as Russia's strategic asset in the East to counter the US-Japan-South Korea alliance, raising regional security concerns.
Hsu Chun-ying, a Chinese-born resident, faces prosecution for violating Taiwan's Counter-Penetration Act by allegedly accepting funds from mainland China to interfere in elections. Taiwan's Interior Ministry will revoke her residency status and citizenship. Her affiliated organization, the Cross-Strait Marriage and Family Service Alliance, is suspected of illegally monitoring Chinese-born residents and will be dissolved by the ministry.
A former Xinjiang police officer who sought asylum in Germany has disclosed that due to performance pressures, many released Uyghur individuals face re-detention. Based on a decade of service experience and internal documents, he alleges that torture and abuse are commonplace in detention facilities, and confirms that Chinese authorities have shifted from mass detention to comprehensive surveillance and control.
Iran proposed a three-stage, 14-point ceasefire plan seeking a 30-day truce. The US subsequently announced the "Freedom Plan" escort operation to protect stranded vessels in the strait. Iran warned that US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a ceasefire violation, with both sides maintaining opposing positions amid escalating tensions.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw more than 5,000 American military personnel from Germany within 6 to 12 months, citing disagreements over Iran policy. Trump also threatened to increase tariffs on European automobiles. Experts warn the withdrawal will weaken NATO's military capabilities, send wrong signals to Russia, and higher auto tariffs could severely damage Germany's automotive industry.
US President Trump announced the launch of Operation Freedom to deploy American military forces beginning early morning on the 4th Middle East time to guide neutral commercial vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz to safety. Simultaneously, Iran proposed a 14-point peace initiative seeking a ceasefire within 30 days, emphasizing the plan does not involve nuclear weapons issues.
Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner and Iranian journalist and women's rights activist, was transferred from prison to hospital after her December 2025 detention and sentencing. According to reports, she has severely unstable blood pressure and is currently receiving only oxygen therapy. Her family is requesting her return to Tehran for professional medical treatment, while her lawyer is calling for her immediate release.
President Trump announced a humanitarian effort beginning Monday to help guide stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that the US is engaged in 'very positive discussions' with Iran regarding the situation. The initiative aims to ensure safe passage and freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
Lebanon's health ministry reports that Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed 77 people since Thursday. The deaths occurred during an active ceasefire period, drawing international attention. Official statistics indicate significant casualties from military operations over the past several days.
President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini and signed a joint communique with the Eswatini King, while witnessing the signing of a customs mutual assistance agreement between the two countries' foreign ministers. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign nation and no country has the right to prevent Taiwan from contributing to the world, pledging Taiwan will continue strengthening its capabilities and steadily advancing on the international stage.
Mayo Clinic developed an artificial intelligence model called REDMOD that can detect pancreatic cancer signals an average of 475 days before symptoms appear on standard CT scans. Pancreatic cancer, known as the "king of cancers," has a global five-year survival rate of only about 10%, with 85% of patients already showing metastasis at diagnosis. This breakthrough research offers new hope for early detection and potentially doubling survival rates.
President Trump announced the launch of "Project Freedom" starting Monday to assist vessels trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to counter Iran's blockade of the strategic waterway. Trump described the operation as a humanitarian effort jointly conducted by the United States and Middle Eastern nations. He expressed concern about food and supply shortages aboard many vessels, threatening crew health and sanitation conditions.
Asia's heavy dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies faces risks from escalating Iran tensions. The Asian Development Bank has downgraded its economic growth forecasts for the region, warning that surging import costs could drive inflation higher and dampen economic prospects across Asia.
US President Trump announced on the 1st that he will increase tariffs on EU imported automobiles from 15% to 25%. Trump cited the EU's failure to fulfill existing trade agreements as the reason for the increase. This move is likely to further escalate trade tensions between the US and EU, affecting the competitiveness of EU automakers in the American market.
Microsoft Exchange Server's ProxyLogon vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-26855 and three related CVEs) have been exploited since late 2020 by the ToddyCat hacker group to attack enterprises, government agencies, military institutions, and contractors across Europe and Asia. Years later, these vulnerabilities continue to be actively exploited, raising cybersecurity concerns.