Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Beijing to mark the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The visit follows a long history of close ties between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who have described each other as best friends. Despite the ceremonial tone, analysts note that the relationship is increasingly unequal, with China setting most of the terms due to its stronger economy and global position.

Experts cited in the report describe Russia as being heavily influenced by China, particularly in trade, technology, and energy, as Western sanctions have pushed Moscow closer to Beijing. China remains Russia’s largest trading partner, while Russia supplies vital energy resources and military technology. The two countries avoid criticizing each other on human rights or political issues, maintaining a pragmatic partnership based on shared opposition to Western dominance.

Although the partnership is asymmetrical, analysts believe it remains stable in the short term. Both sides see continued cooperation as essential, given limited alternatives and mutual strategic benefits, especially in energy and defense sectors.

Hollywood actress Hannah Einbinder, known for her role in the comedy-drama series 'Hacks', reaffirmed her support for Palestinian rights during the 'Kering Women in Motion Talks' at the Cannes Film Festival. She said she would continue to speak out for Palestinians despite potential professional risks, emphasizing that fear of being blacklisted would not silence her. Einbinder described speaking up as a responsibility, stating that her career could never outweigh a human life.

She expressed pride in being part of the ongoing voices of Palestinians and their allies, adding that artists have a duty not only to entertain but also to stand against injustice. At Cannes, her new film 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' premiered in the 'Un Certain Regard' section and received a six-minute standing ovation. In the film, she plays 'Chris', an independent filmmaker exploring themes of sexuality, body discomfort, identity, and desire.

Einbinder also reflected on the emotional end of 'Hacks', noting her sadness at saying goodbye to her character Ava. Her outspoken stance on social and political issues continues to distinguish her in Hollywood.

Several countries have condemned Israel after its navy intercepted the Gaza-bound humanitarian convoy known as the 'Global Sumud Flotilla' in international waters. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved the detention of multiple ships and activists, sparking a joint statement led by Jordan that labeled the action a violation of international law and human rights.

According to Jordan’s foreign ministry, Jordan, Indonesia, Spain, Pakistan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Turkey, Colombia, Libya, and the Maldives jointly denounced Israel’s move. The statement expressed deep concern over the attack on the flotilla and the detention of its participants, urging the immediate release of all detained personnel and respect for their rights and dignity.

The ministry further stated that repeated attacks on peaceful humanitarian missions reflect Israel’s ongoing disregard for international law and freedom of navigation. The leaders called on the international community to take effective measures in response to the incident.

Global health experts have warned that the world’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks is weakening. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) issued a report on Monday stating that outbreaks are becoming more frequent and severe, while investments in pandemic preparedness are failing to keep pace with rising risks. The warning came amid ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The report highlighted that climate crises, armed conflicts, and geopolitical divisions are worsening the threat of disease spread, while global cooperation is being undermined by political and commercial interests. The World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency scientific consultation to guide vaccine and treatment research. WHO officials also reported shortages of protective equipment in Kinshasa, with aid groups such as the International Rescue Committee and Médecins Sans Frontières assisting response efforts.

The GPMB urged world leaders to finalize a pandemic treaty ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments and to establish a permanent independent monitoring system. It warned that continued erosion of trust and cooperation could leave every country more vulnerable to the next pandemic.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to mark a major technological shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) at its core. Hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 48-team tournament will begin on June 11 and feature 104 matches. Each team will have its own AI model capable of analyzing opponents’ strategies through video clips, 3D avatars, and real-time data. Coaches will be able to preview potential outcomes of tactical changes, while players will receive detailed performance analyses.

Developed by Lenovo, the “Football AI Pro” system processes hundreds of millions of FIFA data points across more than 2,000 indicators. Analysts suggest this could reduce the technological gap between rich and smaller teams, making competition more balanced. AI will also enhance offside decisions through instant 3D body scans, improving VAR accuracy and transparency for fans.

Beyond the pitch, each stadium will feature a digital twin to monitor crowds, safety, and player health in real time. The tournament is expected to generate over 90 petabytes of data, with autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots assisting in transport and stadium operations.

A Reuters analysis published on Monday reported that global companies have suffered losses of at least $25 billion due to the ongoing war situation surrounding Iran. The report stated that listed firms across the United States, Europe, and Asia cited rising energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and interruptions to trade routes caused by Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz as major factors behind the losses.

According to the analysis, at least 279 companies identified the conflict as a key reason for implementing defensive measures aimed at minimizing financial damage. The report highlights how the instability in the region has affected international trade and corporate operations across multiple sectors.

The findings underscore the widespread economic impact of the Iran conflict on global markets, particularly through energy and logistics channels, as companies continue to adjust their strategies to mitigate further risks.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Tunisia and Turkey have officially announced the start of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah and the dates for Eid al-Adha celebrations. According to Indonesia and Malaysia, Dhul Hijjah will begin on May 18, making May 27 the day of Eid al-Adha in both countries. Tunisia and Turkey have also confirmed May 27 as the date for Eid celebrations.

Brunei, however, reported that the moon for Dhul Hijjah was not sighted, meaning May 18 will be the last day of the previous month, Dhu al-Qa'dah. As a result, Dhul Hijjah will begin there on May 19, and Eid al-Adha will be observed on May 28.

The report also noted that several other Gulf countries are expected to announce their moon-sighting results soon, which will determine their own Eid al-Adha dates.

Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, has warned that the United States and Israel appear to be repeating their past mistakes. His comment came on Saturday in response to a New York Times report claiming that Washington and Tel Aviv are preparing for renewed military strikes against Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Ulyanov said that if the report is accurate, it shows both countries have failed to learn from their previous strategic errors. The New York Times report noted that US President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision but has been presented with several options. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last week that the United States has plans ready to escalate the situation if necessary.

The statements highlight growing tensions surrounding potential military action against Iran, with Russia publicly cautioning against what it views as a repeat of earlier missteps.

Tunisia and Turkey have officially announced the date for Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant Islamic festivals. Both countries stated that the celebration will take place on May 27, following the start of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah on May 18. According to Islamic tradition, Eid al-Adha is observed on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah.

Gulf News reported that Tunisia became the first country in the world to formally declare the date of Eid al-Adha this year. Turkey, meanwhile, determined the date based on astronomical calculations rather than moon sighting, continuing its long-standing practice of using scientific methods to set Islamic months and religious observances.

Separately, the International Astronomy Center in Abu Dhabi indicated that the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah might be visible on May 17 in parts of East Asia, South Africa, and South America, suggesting that most countries could also celebrate Eid al-Adha on May 27.

International experts have called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the climate crisis a global public health emergency. The appeal came through a report by the independent Pan-European Commission on Health and Climate, which warned that without swift and coordinated action, millions more people could face premature death and severe health risks. The report will be presented to European ministers on Sunday, ahead of the WHO World Health Assembly starting Monday.

The commission stated that climate change has reached a stage requiring classification as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). It cited the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, heatwaves, floods, food insecurity, and air pollution as major threats. The report also urged an end to fossil fuel subsidies, noting that fossil fuels cause about 600,000 premature deaths annually in Europe while receiving €444 billion in subsidies.

Commission leaders emphasized that climate change poses a direct threat to human survival and health. They called for stronger climate-health assessments, combating misinformation, and making hospitals more resilient and environmentally sustainable.

China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has strongly criticized a Bahrain-sponsored and US-backed draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz at the UN Security Council. He stated that both the content and timing of the proposal were inappropriate and that passing such a resolution would not be helpful. The draft calls on Iran to halt attacks and the laying of mines in the strategic waterway.

Diplomats indicated that if the proposal is formally tabled, both China and Russia may again exercise their veto powers. The two countries had vetoed a similar US-supported resolution last month, citing claims of bias against Iran. In a short interview clip published by the UN-focused news portal PassBlue, Fu Cong emphasized the need for sincere and serious dialogue between all parties instead of adopting resolutions.

Fu concluded that passing a resolution at this stage would not contribute to resolving the issue, signaling continued opposition from Beijing and Moscow to unilateral measures targeting Iran.

Global financial markets reacted negatively after the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping failed to produce any concrete agreements. The discussions included vague talks on agricultural purchases and limited commitments from China on oil imports. Although there were hints about easing restrictions on microchip sales to China, no major trade deal was reached. Trump also confirmed that tariff issues were not discussed, and no firm decision was made on reopening the strategic Hormuz Strait.

Investor uncertainty increased following the inconclusive talks. On Friday morning, Dow Jones futures dropped more than 300 points, or about 0.6 percent, while S&P 500 futures fell 1 percent and Nasdaq futures declined 1.4 percent. Continued uncertainty around the Hormuz Strait pushed Brent crude oil prices up nearly 3 percent to above $108 per barrel.

Analysts said the lack of clear outcomes weakened investor confidence and heightened inflation concerns, prompting greater caution in global markets.

OpenAI has introduced Codex capabilities to the ChatGPT mobile app, allowing users to manage coding tasks and ongoing projects directly from their phones. The integration enables users to connect to laptops, devboxes, or remote environments where Codex is running, providing real-time access to live project states, approvals, and outputs. The update supports fluid collaboration across devices, letting users review results, approve commands, or start new threads while keeping files and credentials securely stored on their machines.

The new mobile experience is designed to help users stay engaged with Codex-driven work from anywhere, using a secure relay layer that syncs session states across devices without exposing machines to the public internet. OpenAI also announced Remote SSH support, allowing Codex to connect directly to managed remote environments, and introduced Hooks for prompt scanning, validation, and customization. Programmatic access tokens and HIPAA-compliant local use are also being rolled out for enterprise users.

Codex in the ChatGPT mobile app is now available in preview on iOS and Android across all plans, with Windows connectivity coming soon. Remote SSH and Hooks are available to all users, while enterprise features are limited to eligible plans.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping share the same position on Iran’s nuclear issue. According to a Reuters report cited by local media, the two leaders discussed the matter extensively during a recent meeting, where they agreed that Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. They also reached a consensus on keeping maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.

Trump described the meeting as successful, asserting that they resolved several issues that others could not. The report suggests that China’s involvement or support in this matter could play a significant role in easing tensions in the Middle East.

The development highlights a rare alignment between Washington and Beijing on a sensitive international security issue, though further details of the discussions were not disclosed.

China has expressed interest in purchasing oil from the United States, leading to a rise of more than one percent in global oil prices. The increase followed a statement from US President Donald Trump. Market data showed that the international benchmark Brent crude rose by 1.17 dollars, or 1.11 percent, reaching 106.89 dollars per barrel. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 1.10 dollars, or 1.09 percent, to 102.27 dollars per barrel.

In addition to Trump’s statement, ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have also influenced the oil market. Although reports indicated that at least 30 ships passed through the strait last Thursday, concerns about potential detentions or attacks remain. This instability has prompted investors to anticipate further price increases.

Analysts suggest that the combination of geopolitical uncertainty and renewed trade interest between China and the United States is shaping short-term market expectations.