🔥 Top Stories
The World Health Organization chief expressed concern on Tuesday about the scale and speed of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has killed approximately 131 people. The WHO has declared the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever surge an international health emergency and was expected to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to address the crisis. Currently, no vaccine or therapeutic treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for this outbreak.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level, pledging mutual support on core interests including sovereignty and national unity. His two-day Beijing visit follows shortly after US President Trump's state visit, during which Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss economic cooperation and key international and regional issues.
Argentina's government confirmed it will complete repayment of the activated portion of its currency swap with China's central bank by mid-2026. The swap mechanism, which provided crucial support during Argentina's financial crisis, has become a focal point in US-China geopolitical competition. Central bank records show Buenos Aires has repaid nearly 90% of the activated amount.
Russian President Putin visits Beijing this week, following US President Trump's recent summit with President Xi Jinping. Analysts note that China is no longer balancing between rival powers but increasingly becoming the gravitational centre of global diplomacy. These diplomatic visits represent a display of civilisational influence and strategic positioning.
US President Donald Trump announced the postponement of planned military strikes against Iran scheduled for Tuesday, following requests from leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump stated on social media that the Gulf leaders urged the US to hold off on the attack as serious negotiations are underway. The decision reflects diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region.
🏛 Politics
The World Health Organization chief expressed concern on Tuesday about the scale and speed of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has killed approximately 131 people. The WHO has declared the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever surge an international health emergency and was expected to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to address the crisis. Currently, no vaccine or therapeutic treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for this outbreak.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level, pledging mutual support on core interests including sovereignty and national unity. His two-day Beijing visit follows shortly after US President Trump's state visit, during which Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss economic cooperation and key international and regional issues.
China's military newspaper issued a rare warning that personnel may lack sufficient training to operate new weapons, including unmanned systems, despite Beijing's rapid hardware development. Some military units showed low integration between personnel and equipment, with limited system trust and weak human-technology coordination. The report cautioned that without proper integration, advanced equipment may fail to achieve its intended effectiveness.
Argentina's government confirmed it will complete repayment of the activated portion of its currency swap with China's central bank by mid-2026. The swap mechanism, which provided crucial support during Argentina's financial crisis, has become a focal point in US-China geopolitical competition. Central bank records show Buenos Aires has repaid nearly 90% of the activated amount.
Russian President Putin visits Beijing this week, following US President Trump's recent summit with President Xi Jinping. Analysts note that China is no longer balancing between rival powers but increasingly becoming the gravitational centre of global diplomacy. These diplomatic visits represent a display of civilisational influence and strategic positioning.
Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel warned Monday that an American attack would result in a bloodbath, while the US Treasury sanctioned Cuba's main intelligence agency and top officials. The escalation follows reports that Havana obtained over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and is considering using them against US targets. Diaz-Canel emphasized Cuba's right to defend itself amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
Two teenage gunmen opened fire Monday at the Islamic Centre of San Diego in California, killing three men outside the mosque, including a security guard. Both suspects were subsequently found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed the case is being investigated as a hate crime. Children attending the mosque's day school were secured safely.
US President Donald Trump announced the postponement of planned military strikes against Iran scheduled for Tuesday, following requests from leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump stated on social media that the Gulf leaders urged the US to hold off on the attack as serious negotiations are underway. The decision reflects diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region.
Congressional reactions to US President Donald Trump's China visit highlight a significant shift in Washington's political consensus on Beijing in recent years. Democrats criticized Trump for appearing too accommodating toward China, while Republicans emphasized that economic engagement should not compromise US support for Taiwan or strategic competition with mainland China. Lawmakers from both parties warned against any perceived softening of American positions on Taiwan.
Belarus announced Monday that its armed forces have begun training exercises involving Russian nuclear weapons, drawing strong condemnation from Ukraine. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed in 2023 to host Russian tactical nuclear missiles following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that Moscow retains control over their use. The exercises include practicing nuclear weapons delivery procedures in cooperation with Russian forces.
💰 Finance
The US and Chinese presidents pledged to establish a stable and constructive relationship at a Beijing summit, announcing new joint trade and investment councils. While high-level commitments and institutional progress have raised hopes for easing long-running economic tensions, historical precedent suggests substantial improvement remains unlikely, with experts maintaining cautious skepticism about future outcomes.
A recent meeting between AMD CEO Lisa Su and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng suggests possible relaxation of US semiconductor export restrictions. Analysts indicate this could lead to renewed high-end chip and AI semiconductor sales to select Chinese companies. He Lifeng reaffirmed Beijing's welcome for continued foreign investment during the Monday meeting.
The Indonesian rupiah fell to 17,720 per US dollar on Tuesday, marking a historic low and cementing its position as one of Asia's worst-performing currencies this year. President Prabowo Subianto attempted to reassure markets about economic fundamentals, but his dismissal of currency slide concerns drew criticism from economists and social media users. The Jakarta Composite Index declined 3.46% simultaneously.
A wave of quantum computing company stock offerings suggests 2026 could be a breakthrough year for the industry. While governments and investors show enthusiasm for quantum technology's potential to reshape global structures, similar to AI's impact, experts warn the technology remains in early commercial stages. China's first dual-core quantum computer fuels optimism, yet investors should carefully assess actual progress and risks.
Moonshot AI, the Beijing-based AI startup behind the popular Kimi chatbot, has informed shareholders of plans to dismantle its offshore structure to facilitate an initial public offering, likely in Hong Kong. The company, currently held through a Cayman Islands parent entity with a variable interest entity (VIE) structure, sought investor feedback this week on the proposed restructuring.
As domestic profit margins narrow and production capacity expands, Chinese companies are aggressively pursuing overseas markets for higher returns. However, these enterprises encounter significant obstacles through multiple EU investigations during their international expansion. A planned major battery factory in Belgium's countryside would have created approximately 2,000 jobs, exemplifying the complex environment Chinese firms navigate globally.
Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has begun a five-day European tour, arriving in Paris on Monday. He met with representatives from the Association Francaise de la Gestion Financiere and the Asia Centre think tank, and visited China's ambassador to France and Monaco, aiming to attract global capital and reinforce Hong Kong's position as an international financial center.
Mainland Chinese investors reduced their US Treasury bill holdings in March, joining global institutions and central banks amid uncertainties over US-Israel tensions with Iran. The reduction reflects growing market doubts as escalating tensions fuel concerns over inflation, energy prices, and fiscal pressures, driving Treasury yields higher and reducing expectations for US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day extension allowing countries to import Russian oil already loaded in tankers at sea, aimed at mitigating oil supply shortages caused by the Iran conflict. The decision represents a policy reversal by the administration, which had previously indicated sanctions on Russian oil would resume. The temporary waiver was originally announced in early March and first renewed in April.
US prosecutors requested a judge on Monday to dismiss criminal fraud and conspiracy charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. Adani, one of the world's richest people, had been accused in 2024 of paying massive bribes to ensure the success of a major solar project in India. He faced charges including conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud related to a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy.
💻 Technology
Chinese researchers have successfully developed a wireless power transmission system capable of beaming kilowatt-level energy to multiple moving targets simultaneously. The team completed a full-chain ground verification platform in 2022 and has now demonstrated the ability to transmit power to multiple moving targets at once, marking a significant step toward establishing space-based solar power stations.
Chinese AI company DeepSeek has recruited Cui Tianyi, a former Jane Street engineer, to join its AI governance team in March. Cui previously worked for four years at TSY Capital, a Hong Kong-based quantitative trading firm he co-founded in 2022, and spent nearly nine years as a software developer and researcher at Jane Street. The hiring move reflects DeepSeek's commitment to advancing AI agent technology and maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
A Samsung Electronics adviser warned that the AI-driven memory chip super cycle may lose momentum by 2028 as Chinese chipmakers aggressively expand production and global tech firms reduce spending. The adviser noted South Korea's memory chip industry is performing strongly this year with potential improvements next year, but cautioned that 2027 requires particular attention to market conditions.
A Tsinghua University study published in Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica on April 27 investigates whether commanding AI models for engineering tasks like aircraft design differs between Chinese and English. The research suggests Chinese may have intrinsic advantages, opening new questions in the global technology competition.
Chinese EV manufacturer Xpeng has begun mass production of level 4 autonomous robotaxis powered by its own chips, positioning itself as a competitor to Tesla in the self-driving technology race. The robotaxis represent another competitive frontier between the two companies, following their rivalry in smart EVs and humanoid robots. The development reflects intensifying competition as physical AI technologies advance rapidly in the automotive industry.
A US federal jury in Oakland, California unanimously ruled against Elon Musk in his lawsuit against OpenAI on Monday, finding the AI company not liable for allegedly deviating from its original mission to benefit humanity. The jury determined Musk filed his case too late. Deliberations took less than two hours. The trial was widely viewed as a critical moment for OpenAI's future and the artificial intelligence industry.
🌏 International
U.S. President Trump announced he has ordered the military to postpone a planned attack on Iran originally scheduled for May 19, responding to requests from leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Trump emphasized that if no acceptable agreement is reached, the U.S. military will proceed with the operation as instructed. The decision comes amid stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
NextEra Energy, the largest U.S. power utility by market value, announced an all-stock acquisition of Dominion Energy for approximately $66.8 billion, marking the largest merger in the power industry's history. NextEra will exchange 0.8138 shares of its stock for each Dominion common share, valuing Dominion at approximately $75.97 per share, representing a 23% premium to the previous Friday's closing price. The deal aims to create the world's largest regulated power utility by market value and capitalize on growing electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers.
The Legislative Yuan held a recorded vote on the impeachment case against President Lai Ching-te on the 19th, marking the first such presidential impeachment vote in the Republic of China's constitutional history. Voting began at 10:07 AM and concluded at 11:05 AM, with all legislators able to cast their votes during this period. Early ballot counting would occur if voting finished ahead of schedule.
Palo Alto Networks released a security advisory on May 14 regarding a critical authentication bypass vulnerability (CVE-2026-0265) in its PAN-OS firewall operating system. When Cloud Authentication Service (CAS) is enabled, unauthenticated attackers can bypass the firewall's authentication controls through network access, posing significant security risks.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu convened security cabinet meetings on two consecutive nights following a call with US President Trump, according to Israeli media reports. Officials stated the situation is highly tense with potential military operations possibly resuming this week. Israel and the US are preparing for various scenarios and maintaining close coordination, though they have not yet reached consensus on next steps.
The United States has suspended its participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense with Canada, citing the country's failure to meet NATO defense spending targets. The move aims to pressure Ottawa to increase defense expenditures. This decision escalates tensions in trade and security relations between the two nations, adding uncertainty to bilateral cooperation.
The Iran conflict has triggered an energy crisis that threatens to drive up international oil prices as summer demand peaks. Countries have implemented emergency measures while economists warn of increased global recession risks. Corporate economic losses have reached at least $25 billion as the situation intensifies.
Russia's military launched a three-day nuclear exercise on the 19th, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops nationwide. The drills occur amid intensified Ukrainian drone attacks and during President Putin's visit to Beijing, drawing international attention.
Palo Alto Networks disclosed a PAN-OS authentication bypass vulnerability (CVE-2026-0265) last week, recommending users prioritize mitigation measures. The company noted that under specific configurations, the risk level could be reduced. However, researchers who discovered the flaw argue the official advisory may cause users to underestimate actual risks, raising industry concerns about proper vulnerability assessment.
Ukraine conducted its largest-scale unmanned drone attack on Moscow since the war began, penetrating 2,000 kilometers into Russian territory and severely damaging Russian oil and military-industrial infrastructure. With both sides suffering over one million casualties and Russian military advances stalled, the Kremlin has unusually signaled willingness for peace negotiations. However, territorial disputes remain a major obstacle to negotiations, leaving the peace outlook uncertain.
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan held a historic vote on President Lai Ching-te's impeachment today, the first presidential impeachment case in the nation's constitutional history. The Constitution requires 76 legislative seats to pass an impeachment. The vote resulted in 56 in favor and 50 opposed, falling short of the required threshold. The impeachment motion did not pass. President Lai will mark his second anniversary in office tomorrow.
A shooting at the Islamic Center in San Diego, California on the 18th resulted in three men killed. Two teenage suspects died by apparent suicide after the shooting, bringing the total death toll to five. Police initially classified the incident as a hate crime. President Donald Trump called it a "terrible incident" and stated he would review the matter seriously.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense reported that starting at 8:36 AM, 11 sorties of Chinese military aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, intruding into airspace in northern, central, southwestern and eastern Taiwan, coordinated with Chinese naval vessels conducting exercises. The ROC Air Force deployed F-16V fighters equipped with targeting pods to monitor the Chinese aircraft, while the Navy's Suao naval vessel monitored Chinese ships in the southwestern sea area.
New York City's public healthcare system disclosed a significant data breach where hackers stole personal information, medical records, and biometric scans including fingerprints from over 1.8 million individuals. The incident ranks among the largest recorded breaches of 2026, raising serious concerns about patient privacy and data security across the healthcare system.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo an international public health emergency. According to official reports, the outbreak has resulted in at least 118 deaths. The WHO's declaration indicates the severity of the situation and the need for coordinated global response efforts.