Mayor of California city resigns over charges of being a foreign agent of China Eileen Wang, 58, mayor of Arcadia, agreed to plead guilty over the felony count brought by the US justice department The Guardian - US · May 12
US issues new sanctions over Iran's oil shipments to China The U.S. has imposed sanctions on three individuals and nine companies, including entities in Hong Kong and the UAE, for facilitating Iran's oil shipments to China. This move aims to disrupt funding for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its weapons programs. The sanctions follow previous actions and precede a… The Economic Times · May 12
Former California mayor secretly worked for China? Ex-Arcadia mayor Eileen Wang pleads guilty in propaganda case tied to Beijing Eileen Wang: Former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent for the Chinese government. She secretly worked with Chinese officials between 2020 and 2022, using a website called "U.S. News Center" to spread propaganda and promote China's messaging. The Economic Times · May 12
The big questions hanging over the Trump-Xi meeting in China Taiwan, tariffs and the strait of Hormuz are on the meeting’s agenda for Beijing – but will the US president be forced to ask for help in ending his war with Iran? The Guardian - UK · May 11
Who Is Going With Trump To China And What He Wants From Xi President Donald Trump is heading to China this week with a smaller-than-expected group of U.S. corporate executives, hoping to turn a tense summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping into a show of economic strength, trade progress, and diplomatic control at a moment when Beijing may have more leverage than Washington… Latin Times · May 11
Automatic nuclear strike if Kim Jong-un targeted — North Korea revises policy North Korea has revised its nuclear policy to authorise an automatic nuclear attack if leader Kim Jong-un is assassinated or immobilised in a foreign attack, according to reports of South Korean intelligence officials. The Times of India · May 11
Europe should behave more like China does if it wants to survive this age of chaos Instead of obsessing over rules that have ceased to matter, we must consider giving Beijing a dose of its own medicine, says Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations The Guardian - UK · May 11
Bangladesh can be a referee between India, China, but not football: Tarique aide DHAKA: Bangladesh will not be a “football” between India and China, PM Tarique Rahman’s foreign affairs adviser Humaiun Kobir has said, stressing on a ‘Bangladesh first policy’, maintaining ties with major global powers, including India, China and the US. His remarks come as Dhaka looks at balancing bilateral relations with… The Times of India · May 11
Trump to visit China on May 13: Trade, Taiwan and more — what’s on the table President Donald Trump is set to visit China from May 13-15 for talks with President Xi Jinping, focusing on easing trade tensions and discussing Iran. Broader issues like tariffs and Taiwan are also on the agenda. The visit aims to rebalance the relationship, prioritizing reciprocity and fairness for American economic… The Times of India · May 11
US, China eye rebalancing economic ties during upcoming Trump-Xi talks US President Donald Trump is set to embark on his three-day visit to China with the objective of rebalancing trade, safeguarding US economic strength and national security. Senior US officials said that topics expected between the two sides include continued work on a US-China Board of Trade and Board of… The Times of India · May 11
What was hidden inside the Great Wall for 400 years: Secrets buried beneath centuries of silence unearthed For centuries, the Great Wall of China has stood like a silent scar across mountains and deserts, carrying stories most people will never hear. Tourists see the stone paths and steep watchtowers. Historians see dynasties, wars, and empires. But deep inside one rugged section near Beijing, archaeologists have now uncovered… The Times of India · May 10
North Korea prepares nuclear dead man's switch North Korea has amended its constitution, mandating an automatic nuclear strike if leader Kim Jong-un is assassinated or incapacitated by foreign adversaries. This revision, prompted by concerns over recent decapitation attacks in Iran, formalizes retaliatory procedures. The move underscores Pyongyang's heightened security fears amid evolving geopolitical threats. The Times of India · May 10
Tehran, Taiwan, trade … what are the hazards facing Trump on Xi summit tightrope? US leader enters talks with superpower rival from vulnerable position, but will be hoping for economic wins amid turbulent backdrop The Guardian - UK · May 10
U.S. Sanctions Nine Chinese and Hong Kong Entities for Arming Iran — Days Before Trump's Summit With Xi Whether Trump raises the sanctions directly with Xi next week — or whether Beijing uses them as a negotiating chip — may say more about the true state of U.S.-China relations than any summit communiqué. International Business Times · May 9
International Business Times · May 9 Trump-Xi Beijing Summit To Focus On Iran Conflict, Trade Tensions US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet in Beijing later next week, but the focus of the summit is likely to remain on the Iran war.
The Economic Times · May 9 Congress seeks discussion in Parliament on China's 'support' to Pak in Operation Sindoor Congress has demanded a parliamentary debate following China's admission of providing technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The party questions the Modi government's approach to China, citing loosened trade curbs and increased industrial dependency. This development follows China's state broadcaster airing an interview confirming engineer involvement with Pakistan's air…
The Economic Times · May 8 India between empires: A reality check India's rich history flourished through trade and collaboration rather than illusionary dominance. In the current geopolitical landscape, with tensions alongside China and the US, genuine independence hinges on nurturing economic, intellectual, and military strengths. Embracing our interconnected world is essential; dismissing it only feeds false narratives about our identity.
The Independent UK · May 8 Oil tanker arrives in South Korea after passing through the Strait of Hormuz in mid-April A South Korean refinery says a tanker carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil arrived off South Korea’s west coast after passing through the Strait of Hormuz in mid-April
The Independent UK · May 8 Asian stocks fall and oil prices climb after attacks imperil the ceasefire with Iran Asian stocks have retreated and oil prices climbed as the fragile ceasefire with Iran was strained by missile and drone attacks that prompted U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iranian military facilities
The Guardian - UK · May 8 Former China defence ministers convicted of corruption in latest purge of military leaders Ex-defence ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, among the most severe sentences in a years-long purge
The Independent UK · May 8 North Korea will deploy new artillery guns targeting Seoul and commission its 1st destroyer North Korea says it’ll deploy new long-range artillery systems capable of striking the capital region of rival South Korea this year and commission its first naval destroyer in coming weeks
The Independent UK · May 7 Two Chinese former ministers handed suspended death sentences in latest Xi purge Xi has used anti-corruption as a way to consolidate political loyalty and control among the political elite
The Independent UK · May 7 New data on 2022 China plane crash suggests cockpit struggle and fuel cut Newly released data suggests that someone intentionally cut off the fuel to both engines of a China Eastern Airlines jet and there was a struggle over the controls before the plane slammed into a mountain in 2022
The Independent UK · May 7 UK border official and former Hong Kong cop convicted of assisting Chinese spy agency in Britain A U.K. border official and a former Hong Kong police officer have been convicted of assisting China’s spy agency by conducting “shadow” policing operations in Britain
The Times of India · May 7 UK: Border force officer convicted in Chinese intelligence spying case A Border Force officer has been convicted in London for aiding Chinese intelligence in spying on Hong Kong dissidents in the UK. Chi Leung “Peter” Wai used confidential immigration data to identify and monitor activists, operating as part of a "shadow policing" network. He was found guilty under the National…