Ebola is spreading faster than health responders can track in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. As of May 21, authorities reported 83 confirmed infections, 746 suspected cases, and 1,603 identified contacts. However, health workers managed to follow up with only 342 contacts that day—approximately 21 percent of those under monitoring—highlighting significant challenges in contact tracing efforts.
A gas explosion at Liushenyu Coal Mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi Province, killed 90 workers on Friday evening, marking China's deadliest mining disaster in over a decade. The blast occurred around 7:30pm when 247 workers were underground. As of Saturday afternoon, 123 survivors were hospitalized, including two in critical condition, while 33 others returned home. The mine had issued a carbon monoxide alert prior to the explosion.
SpaceX successfully launched its most powerful Starship variant on Friday from southern Texas, marking the 12th test flight of the mega rocket. The upgraded vehicle carried 20 mock Starlink satellites for deployment halfway around the world. NASA plans to use this rocket for lunar landings, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently announced the company's plans to go public.
Russian President Putin's visit to China failed to yield a major pipeline agreement. As geopolitical instability in the Strait of Hormuz threatens energy shipments, China, a major fossil fuel consumer, urgently seeks alternative energy sources and transport routes. Despite Middle Eastern imports remaining significant, structural barriers including geography continue to limit Russia-China energy cooperation expansion.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as chairman of the Federal Reserve on Friday, taking the helm of the US central bank at a critical juncture for monetary policy and the American economy. Warsh's selection was elevated by his broad criticism of current Fed officials, his advocacy for rate cuts, and his ties to President Donald Trump. He now faces significant challenges in managing inflation and economic stability.
Ebola is spreading faster than health responders can track in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. As of May 21, authorities reported 83 confirmed infections, 746 suspected cases, and 1,603 identified contacts. However, health workers managed to follow up with only 342 contacts that day—approximately 21 percent of those under monitoring—highlighting significant challenges in contact tracing efforts.
A gas explosion at Liushenyu Coal Mine in Qinyuan county, Shanxi Province, killed 90 workers on Friday evening, marking China's deadliest mining disaster in over a decade. The blast occurred around 7:30pm when 247 workers were underground. As of Saturday afternoon, 123 survivors were hospitalized, including two in critical condition, while 33 others returned home. The mine had issued a carbon monoxide alert prior to the explosion.
President Donald Trump's public statement that he was not looking to have "somebody go independent" following his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping has reignited debate in Taiwan about whether the US is hardening its stance on the island. Many analysts in Taipei drew comparisons to the George W. Bush administration, which publicly cautioned Taiwan against moves toward formal independence. Trump's remarks have raised questions about the consistency of US policy toward Taiwan.
Russian President Putin's visit to China failed to yield a major pipeline agreement. As geopolitical instability in the Strait of Hormuz threatens energy shipments, China, a major fossil fuel consumer, urgently seeks alternative energy sources and transport routes. Despite Middle Eastern imports remaining significant, structural barriers including geography continue to limit Russia-China energy cooperation expansion.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a new policy requiring foreign nationals temporarily in the United States to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency (green cards), except in extraordinary circumstances. Officials stated the measure aims to ensure the immigration system functions as intended by law and prevents exploitation of procedural loopholes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in India on Saturday for a four-day visit covering Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi. Expected to brief Indian officials on the Xi-Trump summit, Rubio's appointment had generated optimism in New Delhi given his pro-India, anti-China Senate record. However, the visit occurs amid strained relations marked by transactional politics, structural deadlock and growing strategic concerns over Washington's recent policies.
The US Justice Department announced Friday the indictment of two Chinese nationals, Ruhuan Zhen and Hongce Wu, on charges of conspiracy to launder money for drug cartels. They allegedly concealed the source of illegally obtained funds for various cross-border criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). Both remain at large. The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence, announced her resignation on Friday, citing her husband's diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. She informed President Trump of her intention to step down during an Oval Office meeting, with her resignation effective June 30. This marks the latest personnel change in Trump's cabinet.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered military preparations for retaliation against Ukraine for an alleged drone attack on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, Luhansk region. The attack reportedly killed six people, wounded dozens, and left 15 unaccounted for. Putin claimed Kyiv's military must have known the target. Ukraine's military denied the accusations.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Friday that Alberta is essential to Canada's future, following the province's advancement toward an independence referendum. Separatists in the western province spent months collecting signatures and submitted their petition to provincial officials on May 4, claiming they gathered sufficient signatures to trigger a binding October vote on secession.
China is developing methods to extract critical metals including lithium, gallium, and germanium from coal waste, leveraging its advanced extraction technology and industrial infrastructure. Coal mining and combustion generate substantial waste such as coal gangue and fly ash, traditionally used only as low-value cement additives while creating environmental and land-use problems. This approach aims to improve resource efficiency.
China's State Council announced new measures on Friday to ease residency restrictions on social insurance applicants. Analysts believe this policy will help unlock positive long-term economic growth. The new measures allow workers to enroll in social insurance programs in cities where they are employed, regardless of their official household registration status, as part of China's broader effort to create a unified national market by removing barriers to capital and talent mobility.
Embattled Chinese property developers are diversifying into semiconductor production to revitalize their struggling businesses. Several listed real estate companies have seen their share prices surge by hundreds of percent following announcements of chipmaking investments. This strategic diversification has triggered a buying frenzy among retail investors in mainland China's A-share market, with chip-themed stocks becoming the new favorites among individual investors.
Since the Middle East conflict began on February 28, twenty-seven countries have activated crisis instruments to access World Bank funding, according to an internal World Bank document reviewed by Reuters. Three countries have already approved new financing tools. The World Bank has not disclosed the specific countries involved or the total amount of funds being sought, and declined to comment further.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as chairman of the Federal Reserve on Friday, taking the helm of the US central bank at a critical juncture for monetary policy and the American economy. Warsh's selection was elevated by his broad criticism of current Fed officials, his advocacy for rate cuts, and his ties to President Donald Trump. He now faces significant challenges in managing inflation and economic stability.
Hong Kong's first astronaut will operate a locally developed imaging observatory aboard the Tiangong space station to monitor key sources of greenhouse gas emissions on Earth. The equipment can pinpoint the location and intensity of emissions, providing data to reduce carbon sources in the Greater Bay Area and mainland China. Professor Li Jia of Lingnan University confirmed the project was developed by local research teams.
Scientists in Shanghai have successfully created the world's first laboratory-grown sinoatrial node using stem cells. The tiny organoid, capable of autonomous beating, represents a breakthrough that could transform cardiac disease research and drug screening. The sinoatrial node, located within the right atrial chamber, is essential for the heart's continuous and rhythmic beating.
The United States and China are competing to develop space as a computing platform, converting satellites into data processing centers. This new competition continues the legacy of Cold War-era space rivalry, from the Soviet Union's 1957 Sputnik launch to the 1969 US moon landing. Both superpowers now focus on leveraging space for commercial and military computing, marking a new phase in space competition.
Southeast Asian tech firm Zetrix AI plans to onboard 1 million users of its AI assistant Avatar by year-end. The autonomous agent handles routine tasks like form completion and assists influencers with thousands of social media messages. While the region chases the global AI boom, it faces challenges including talent shortages, unclear regulations, and data privacy concerns, requiring balance between innovation and risk management.
SpaceX successfully launched its most powerful Starship variant on Friday from southern Texas, marking the 12th test flight of the mega rocket. The upgraded vehicle carried 20 mock Starlink satellites for deployment halfway around the world. NASA plans to use this rocket for lunar landings, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently announced the company's plans to go public.
A Cathay Pacific Airways flight from Brisbane to Hong Kong experienced severe turbulence on Saturday, injuring ten passengers and crew members. A passenger described the sudden altitude drop lasting approximately two seconds as feeling like free-falling from a drop tower, with screams and items flying through the cabin. The incident occurred two hours before the expected landing time as flight attendants were preparing to serve economy class meals.
Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first astronaut, will launch on a space mission this weekend. Her postgraduate supervisor, Chow Kam-pui, an honorary associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, praised her meticulous nature, patience, and exceptional communication skills—qualities he identified years ago that make her ideal for working on a space station hundreds of kilometres above Earth.
A retired pilot recruited an Air Force captain to collect and leak classified information about Taiwan's Hsiung Sheng missile to China. The retired pilot received 2.1 million yuan in bribes while the captain received over 220,000 yuan. The captain was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by the Taichung District Court, with the sentence upheld on appeal and finalized by the Supreme Court.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in today as the new chair of the Federal Reserve at the White House. He committed to leading a reform-oriented U.S. central bank with policy adjustments ahead. This marks a significant leadership transition at the Fed, with Warsh now overseeing the critical role of shaping American monetary policy.
Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated at a Senate hearing that the Trump administration has suspended a $14 billion military sales package to Taiwan to prioritize ammunition supplies for the ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision reflects the administration's strategic focus on ensuring adequate military resources for the Iran situation.
Kevin Warsh, appointed by President Trump, was formally sworn in as the new Federal Reserve Chair on the 22nd, replacing Jerome Powell. Taking office amid high inflation, rising oil prices, and market expectations for rate increases, Warsh faces multiple economic pressures. Trump emphasized Warsh's independence while hinting he should not hinder economic expansion, placing the new chair in a challenging position between political and economic demands.
The University of Michigan reported US consumer confidence fell to 44.8 in May, marking a historic low below market expectations and the initial reading of 48.2. Rising oil prices and living costs driven by Iran tensions deepened concerns about inflation and economic outlook. Consumers expect inflation at 4.8% over the next year and 3.9% over five to ten years, with worries that high oil prices may spread to other goods and services.
U.S. President Trump held a meeting with senior national security officials on the 22nd to discuss the Iran war situation. According to sources who have spoken directly with Trump, unless negotiations achieve a breakthrough at the last moment, Trump is seriously considering launching a new round of military strikes against Iran.
U.S. federal law enforcement revealed that an Iraqi national trained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate 44-year-old Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Trump. The suspect's alleged motive was revenge for the 2020 U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani. Federal authorities have secured evidence and apprehended the suspect.
President Trump held an Iran policy meeting Friday with Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Hegseth, CIA Director Ratcliffe, and other senior officials. If diplomatic negotiations fail to achieve breakthroughs, the U.S. may reconsider military action against Iran. The meeting reviewed progress in Iran negotiations and assessed potential scenarios if talks collapse.
Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Chao-hsieh stated that Taiwan's intelligence shows China has deployed over 100 vessels near the First Island Chain in recent days, following the Beijing summit. Wu emphasized that China is the sole source of regional instability and threat to peace in the area, actively disrupting the status quo.
Energy analyst Rapidan Energy warns that if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked through August, global Brent crude supply will deteriorate significantly, potentially doubling oil prices and recreating 2008 financial crisis scenarios. The firm was founded by Bob McNally, former energy advisor to President George W. Bush.
US President Trump cancelled weekend plans and his son's wedding to remain at the White House and convene national security officials to discuss military options. Iran subsequently closed most of its western airspace and threatened a "3.0 version" counterresponse if attacked, targeting global energy and shipping infrastructure. Bilateral relations have rapidly deteriorated.
Negotiations over Iran's nuclear program face significant obstacles. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei stated on the 22nd that serious and broad disagreements exist between the US and Iran, with no agreement in sight. Simultaneously, the Trump administration convened senior national security officials including the Defense Secretary and CIA Director to discuss military options against Iran. Current negotiations focus solely on ceasefire issues, with nuclear matters excluded from discussions.
President Trump convened his national security team on the 22nd to seriously consider launching a new round of military operations against Iran should diplomatic negotiations ultimately break down. According to reports from Axios and CBS, Trump is inclined to use large-scale military action to end the conflict, though no final decision has been made yet.
A gas explosion occurred at Liushenyu coal mine operated by Tongzhou Group in Shanxi Province on the evening of the 22nd. By the 23rd, the death toll reached 90 people, making it the deadliest mining disaster in China since the 2009 Xinxing coal mine disaster in Heilongjiang Province.
As the Iran conflict enters its 13th week, Rapidan Energy Group warns that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed through August, global crude oil inventories will decline further, potentially triggering an economic crisis similar to 2008 with cascading financial impacts.