US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 5,000 additional troops to Poland. The move comes after Washington cancelled an earlier planned deployment amid pressure on Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities. Trump attributed the decision to his relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist ally whom he said he was proud to endorse in last year's elections.
As the Iran conflict disrupts global oil and chemical supplies, China is leveraging its coal-chemical sector to offset energy shocks. Xinjiang's Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, one of China's four major modern coal-chemical production bases, plays a crucial role in this strategic shift. The transition reflects China's efforts to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern oil through domestic coal-to-chemical conversion technology.
Iran tensions have disrupted oil and fertilizer supplies, intensifying global inflationary pressures. As inflation diverts capital from financial markets to the real economy, bond yields are rising worldwide. Analysts warn that if yields increase by more than one percentage point before year-end, the resulting capital shift could be substantial enough to deflate the AI stock bubble.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope Thursday for progress in ending the war with Iran, as Pakistan's army chief prepares to visit the Islamic republic for talks. Field Marshal Asim Munir's expected visit comes one day after President Trump warned that negotiations were on the borderline between reaching a deal and resuming military strikes. Pakistan is serving as a mediator in these discussions.
Following criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro, President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio characterized Cuba as a growing national security threat with ties to China and Russia, while simultaneously advocating for negotiated political transition. The statements intensified tensions between Washington and Beijing, as China criticized the US charges against Castro and accused the United States of political manipulation.
Tsinghua University has awarded German Gref, CEO and chairman of Russia's Sberbank, the title of distinguished visiting professor. Gref is subject to US sanctions. The honor follows a partnership agreement signed between Tsinghua and Russian institutions on innovative development, highlighting deepening academic cooperation between the two sides.
Dr. Evan Medeiros, a professor of Asia studies at Georgetown University, suggests that current stability between China and the United States may not be sustainable long-term. Medeiros previously served as director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia at the National Security Council under President Obama and held senior positions advising on Asia-Pacific policy.
A fire broke out Thursday night in a 62-year-old building in Jordan, Hong Kong, resulting in one death and four injuries. The Fire Services Department deployed 20 fire engines, 10 ambulances, and 106 personnel, extinguishing the blaze by 11:53pm. The fire occurred in a subdivided flat within a building undergoing renovation, prompting the evacuation of approximately 300 residents.
Former US Ambassador to China Max Baucus describes the recent Beijing summit between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump as marking a new phase of cautious "constructive stability." He notes that both sides are focused more on preventing crises and escalation rather than building trust or meaningfully resetting their relationship. The summit serves as a guardrail against breakdown while revealing the limits of mutual confidence.
US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 5,000 additional troops to Poland. The move comes after Washington cancelled an earlier planned deployment amid pressure on Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities. Trump attributed the decision to his relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist ally whom he said he was proud to endorse in last year's elections.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope Thursday for progress in ending the war with Iran, as Pakistan's army chief prepares to visit the Islamic republic for talks. Field Marshal Asim Munir's expected visit comes one day after President Trump warned that negotiations were on the borderline between reaching a deal and resuming military strikes. Pakistan is serving as a mediator in these discussions.
Following criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro, President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio characterized Cuba as a growing national security threat with ties to China and Russia, while simultaneously advocating for negotiated political transition. The statements intensified tensions between Washington and Beijing, as China criticized the US charges against Castro and accused the United States of political manipulation.
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has postponed signing a planned executive order on artificial intelligence regulation, citing concerns that it could undermine America's competitive advantage over China in the field. Trump stated in the Oval Office that the US currently leads China and other nations, and he does not want to take actions that would jeopardize this position. The signing ceremony originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon has been delayed.
The United Nations expressed grave concern on Thursday regarding a new marriage separation law issued by Afghanistan's Taliban government, which includes provisions on child marriage. The UN states the decree further entrenches discrimination against women and girls. The Taliban government rejected the accusations, claiming the decree follows Islamic law and asserting that Afghanistan has already banned forced marriage of girls.
An Ankara court on Thursday annulled the 2023 leadership election of Turkey's main opposition CHP party, according to state news agency Anadolu. The ruling invalidates the election that brought current party head Ozgur Ozel to power and orders former long-term chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who lost to Ozel, to assume interim leadership. The decision represents a significant escalation against Turkey's opposition movement.
Hong Kong International Airport Authority announced that the expanded Terminal 2 will open on May 27 next year, reinforcing the city's position as a global aviation hub. Passengers will complete check-in, immigration clearance, and security screening at Terminal 2 before proceeding to Terminal 1 for departure. The new dedicated departure concourse and boarding gates will enhance airport operational efficiency.
Hong Kong Electric announced a 20.4 per cent increase in its fuel surcharge for June, raising the charge to 31.3 HK cents per kilowatt-hour. The increase is driven by volatile oil prices resulting from ongoing Middle East tensions. The utility, which serves Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island, warned that fuel surcharges are expected to continue rising in the coming months.
Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters apologized on Friday for comments describing "lower-value" workers made during his announcement of job-cut plans. Winters announced on Tuesday a 15 percent reduction of back-office staff by 2030, stating that AI adoption would replace some "lower-value human capital." He issued a LinkedIn apology to address upset employees following the controversial remarks.
Hong Kong film producer and actor Raymond Wong Pak-ming was found guilty of disclosing insider information to his sister for share trading in 2017. The trading in Transmit Entertainment, a company he chaired, generated over HK$1 million in profits for his sister. The Eastern Court magistrate ruled Wong's explanations were absurd and illogical, confirming he knowingly tipped her to purchase shares.
China's Pinglu Canal, the country's most ambitious waterway project in centuries, has entered its final construction phase and is expected to begin trial operations as early as September. The 134-kilometer canal will connect Nanning, capital of Guangxi region, to the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin), linking China's heartlands to the Hainan free-trade port and facilitating regional trade.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg traveled to Beijing with U.S. officials to negotiate aircraft sales. However, China's purchasing focus has shifted elsewhere. Since signing a 300-aircraft agreement in 2017, Beijing has pursued an industrial program to reduce dependence on imported aircraft. The initiative has progressed slower than anticipated, reflecting the evolving complexity of U.S.-China trade relations.
The chairman of Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company, Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, announced that the new industrial park has attracted strong global interest from environmental and AI sector companies. The park plans to provide international education and accommodation facilities, with operations targeted to begin in July next year as a gift for Hong Kong's 30th anniversary of return to China.
Asia-Pacific data centre investment reached a record US$11.6 billion in 2025, largely driven by artificial intelligence demand, according to CBRE. While Hong Kong faces technical limitations in meeting AI-related requirements, the region's data centre leasing is supported by hyperscale cloud service providers, mainland Chinese technology and e-commerce companies, and financial institutions.
As the Iran conflict disrupts global oil and chemical supplies, China is leveraging its coal-chemical sector to offset energy shocks. Xinjiang's Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, one of China's four major modern coal-chemical production bases, plays a crucial role in this strategic shift. The transition reflects China's efforts to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern oil through domestic coal-to-chemical conversion technology.
Iran tensions have disrupted oil and fertilizer supplies, intensifying global inflationary pressures. As inflation diverts capital from financial markets to the real economy, bond yields are rising worldwide. Analysts warn that if yields increase by more than one percentage point before year-end, the resulting capital shift could be substantial enough to deflate the AI stock bubble.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the government will invest an additional €1 billion in quantum strategy and €550 million in the microelectronics sector, as global powers compete to lead in emerging technologies. Macron stated France has the capacity to win this technological race. The announcement follows the US Trump administration's recent unveiling of a $2 billion equity stake plan in related sectors.
Publishing in Nature has been considered the pinnacle of academic achievement in China for decades, offering fast-track opportunities for promotions, research funding, and elite talent programmes. However, a surge of academic fraud accusations over the past two months has flooded Chinese social media, targeting papers published in Nature and its subsidiaries including Nature Cancer and Nature Cell, potentially transforming the journal's prestige into a liability.
China's artificial intelligence start-ups secured over 110 billion yuan (US$16.2 billion) in funding during the first quarter, marking a 185 percent increase year-on-year. Investors are increasingly confident in large language models and embodied AI technologies, driving significant capital inflows into China's AI ecosystem.
Scientists from China and the Netherlands have developed a corn protein-based biopolymer using a process inspired by spider silk structure, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based plastics. The research team noted that while plant-derived biopolymers show promise as sustainable alternatives, their poor material performance has limited adoption. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications on May 11.
Liu Wei, a distinguished AI scientist who led Tencent's Hunyuan team for generative AI development, departed the company in late 2024 after over eight years, sparking industry speculation. His departure came just a year after Hunyuan's launch. Observers suggest that while China trails in the large language model competition, it retains opportunities to achieve breakthroughs in the broader artificial intelligence landscape.
Singapore plans to deploy advanced robots at its AI zone to perform cleaning, goods delivery, and public space patrol tasks. The government positions this as a key focus of "physical AI" development, leveraging its stable regulatory environment, robust digital infrastructure, and deployment experience to establish itself as a leading global AI hub. Future applications will expand to factories, hospitals, and residential settings.
Malaysian police arrested 35 Chinese nationals during a raid on a bungalow in Gelang Patah, Johor state on May 14 at 11:50pm. The syndicate rented the upmarket property to conduct job scams targeting victims in Spain using artificial intelligence technology and pre-made language templates. The suspects, aged 21 to 39, coordinated their fraudulent operations from the Malaysian location.
Federal prosecutors charged Cornelius Shannon, 51, and Arturo Hernandez, 20, under newly enacted legislation targeting deepfake pornography. The men allegedly used artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit videos and photos of female celebrities that garnered millions of views online. Both were arrested Tuesday and are among the earliest defendants prosecuted under the new law designed to combat non-consensual intimate imagery.
Two Indian climbers died on Mount Everest during a record-breaking period of ascents via Nepal's southern route. Sandeep Are summited on Wednesday and Arun Kumar Tiwari reached the peak on Thursday. Both fell ill while descending at high altitude. Pioneer Adventures director Nivesh Karki stated recovery efforts are underway. Experts warn overcrowding on the world's highest peak poses serious safety risks to climbers.
Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan has been named music director designate of the San Francisco Symphony, with her tenure beginning in September 2027. She will serve an initial six-year term, becoming the first woman and 13th music director in the orchestra's 115-year history. The announcement concludes months of industry speculation regarding her next permanent position.
Three Taiwanese information technology professionals were detained on suspicion of illegally exporting Supermicro AI servers equipped with NVIDIA advanced chips to China. Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs warned that such actions may violate criminal laws and trigger international sanctions. The case involves violations of US export controls on advanced technology to China.
US President Trump announced plans to speak with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, potentially marking the first high-level dialogue between the two nations in four decades. Taiwan's Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an emphasized that US-Taiwan relations remain unobstructed, with the Presidential Office and National Security Council monitoring developments. No call has been received yet, but any future conversation will be disclosed publicly.
Nvidia delivered strong Q1 earnings, with core metrics exceeding market expectations and Q2 revenue guidance of $91 billion, representing 95% year-over-year growth. Goldman Sachs maintains a buy rating, citing the sustainability of AI investment and improved capital returns. The firm raised its 12-month price target from $250 to $285, believing the AI capex upcycle is far from over.
A woman in Taichung, Taiwan is accused of unlawfully confining and abusing her 21-year-old daughter for an extended period, resulting in the daughter's death. The defendant requested trial by professional judges only, citing concerns that media coverage would compromise fair judgment. The Taichung District Court rejected the request, ruling that the case involves loss of life and domestic violence issues of significant public concern, warranting citizen judge participation.
Cisco released security updates this week to address CVE-2026-20223, a critical vulnerability in its cloud-based Secure Workload zero-trust security platform. The flaw carries a maximum CVSS score of 10.0 and resides in the product's REST API due to insufficient validation of external access requests. The vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to web resources. Secure Workload is Cisco's cloud workload protection and microsegmentation platform.
The United States has paused military operations against Iran while Israel advocates for continued strikes, creating strategic divergence between the two allies. Iran's supreme leader has ordered a ban on uranium enrichment exports, contradicting US core demands. Differing positions among parties have stalled diplomatic negotiations.
Following the Trump-Xi summit, ambiguity in US policy toward Taiwan has intensified concerns about American commitment reliability. This development impacts Taiwan's domestic politics, cross-strait relations, and international standing, while raising concerns that Taiwan could become a bargaining chip in US-China negotiations. Taiwan faces the challenge of reassessing its relationship with the US and its strategic positioning.
US President Trump issued a strong ultimatum requiring Iran to surrender all enriched uranium stockpiles for US destruction. Iran's supreme leader subsequently ordered a ban on uranium exports abroad. Tehran authorities also announced expanded control over the Strait of Hormuz and attempted to collect transit fees, drawing US condemnation as illegal.
A baseball coach at an elementary school in Taichung sexually abused 53 students over an extended period. The Control Yuan found that the school failed to verify the coach's indecent conduct record and renewed his contract despite his expired coaching certificate, overlooking risks from concentrated authority. Taichung's Education Bureau also had supervisory lapses and lacked preventive mechanisms. The Control Yuan issued corrections to both entities.
Air Force Captain Hsu Chan-cheng, who worked as an interceptor control officer at a tactical center, was recruited by mainland China and received 226,000 yuan in exchange for disclosing classified military documents, including operational details of Taiwan's domestically-produced Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles. The High Court upheld a seven-year prison sentence and five-year deprivation of civil rights, with the Supreme Court rejecting his appeal.
AMD Chairman Su Zifeng announced an investment exceeding $10 billion in Taiwan to develop rack-scale AI infrastructure, collaborating with local suppliers in advanced packaging and substrates. Su emphasized that AI applications are expanding rapidly, with the AI data center market expected to exceed $1 trillion within 3-4 years, and praised Taiwan's supply chain capabilities and production capacity planning through 2029.
A baseball coach at a Taichung elementary school sexually abused 53 students. The Control Yuan's investigation found deficiencies in the school's hiring procedures and inadequate oversight by the Taichung Education Bureau. Both institutions received corrections. The Education Bureau has disciplined eight personnel including former and current principals and staff members, pledging to strengthen personnel screening procedures.
Russia and Belarus mobilized 65,000 troops for their largest nuclear joint exercise in recent years, while allegedly using electronic interference to direct Ukrainian drones into Baltic airspace, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble. Facing heightened security pressures on NATO's eastern flank, US President Trump announced the deployment of 5,000 additional American troops to Poland, citing his strong relationship with Poland's president and commitment to supporting Polish security.
AMD Chair and CEO Su Zifeng announced plans to invest over $10 billion USD (approximately NT$3.1 trillion) in Taiwan's industrial ecosystem to meet growing AI infrastructure demands. The investment aims to expand strategic partnerships and advance next-generation technology development within Taiwan's technology sector.
The United States and Iran maintain opposing positions on Iran's uranium enrichment stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan-led mediation efforts aimed at resolving the conflict show limited progress, as both nations remain divided on nuclear policy and maritime transit rights in this strategically critical waterway.
Southeast Asia's remarkable biodiversity faces severe threats from urban expansion, agricultural development, deforestation, warming seas, and wildlife trafficking for food, traditional medicines, and pets. Javan rhinos, Sumatran rhinos, and Vietnam's Cat Ba langurs are down to dozens of individuals, while the soala in Laos may already be extinct. The International Union for Conservation of Nature warns that over 4,300 species in the region face extinction risk.