Bessent says US, China discussing ‘board of investment’
The board would allow Chinese companies to invest in the US in non-sensitive industries.
Germany's Merz calls for EU budget overhaul as battle looms
BERLIN, May 14 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday called for a revamp of what he cast as the European Union's outdated budget system, backing a streamlined approach that prioritised investing in defence and making the bloc more competitive.
US jury awards $63m in damages to Boeing 737 MAX crash victim’s family
Nearly all of the civil lawsuits around the crash had been settled out of court.
Part of Somalia at risk of famine for first time since 2022
NAIROBI, May 14 - A district in southern Somalia is at risk of famine, a U.N.-sponsored report said on Thursday, the first time that part of the country has reached such a critical level of hunger since 2022.
Iran allowing transit of Chinese vessels in Strait of Hormuz, Fars news reports
DUBAI, May 14 - Iran has begun allowing some Chinese vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz following an understanding over Iranian management protocols for the waterway, the semi-official Fars news agency said on Thursday, citing an informed source.
Iran and UAE clash at BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting
Iran’s foreign minister accused the UAE of direct involvement in military operations against his country.
‘Hell on earth’: Survivors describe their experience with hantavirus
One survivor said he suffered kidney failure and sepsis after being infected with hantavirus.
Lebanon to press Israel to ceasefire at Washington talks, Lebanese official says
The talks will mark the sides’ third meeting since hostilities reignited between Hezbollah and Israel on March 2.
Russia pummels Kyiv, killing five and denting peace hopes
Russia had launched 675 attack drones and 56 missiles mainly at Kyiv.
Israeli nationalists hold parade marking their capture of East Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, May 14 - Thousands of Israeli nationalists will march on Thursday through the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem's walled Old City under heavy security, in an annual event marking Israel's capture of the city's east in a war nearly six decades ago.
Starmer faces possible leadership challenge, vows to fight on
LONDON, May 14 - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced the increasing prospect of a leadership challenge on Thursday, with his health minister reported to be ready to resign and his former deputy calling on him to \"reflect\" on his position.
Pope Leo decries European military spending as ‘betrayal’ of diplomacy
The Pope said the world was being “maimed by wars”.
Cleared of tax wrongdoing, UK Labour’s Angela Rayner calls on Starmer to ‘reflect’
She signalled she's not ready on whether to throw her hat into the ring if there's a leadership contest.
Putin visit to China will take place very soon, Kremlin says
MOSCOW, May 14 - Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China very soon and preparations for the trip are already complete, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
Russia says it's establishing 'full partnership' with Afghan Taliban
MOSCOW, May 14 - Russia is establishing a \"full-fledged partnership\" with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban and is encouraging other countries in the region to expand cooperation with Kabul, a senior Russian security official was quoted on Thursday as saying.
Latvian Prime Minister resigns over handling of Ukrainian drone incidents
May 14 - Latvia's centre-right Prime Minister Evika Silina said on Thursday she had resigned, triggering the collapse of her coalition government just months before an election due in October.
Zelensky’s former top aide remanded in corruption probe
Andriy Yermak served as Mr Zelensky’s right-hand-man during most of Russia’s invasion until his resignation in November.
South Africa's Ramaphosa gets party backing over 'Farmgate' scandal, SABC reports
JOHANNESBURG, May 14 - South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has secured the backing of his party's top decision-making body over a scandal triggered by the theft of bundles of cash in foreign currency hidden in a sofa on his ranch, SABC reported.
China’s view on Elon Musk? Visionary, occasional villain
Tesla’s self-driving technology is still considered the industry standard in China.
French central bank succession fight tests Macron's sway ahead of 2027 election
PARIS, May 14 - French President Emmanuel Macron faces a test next week when lawmakers decide whether to approve his former chief of staff to run the central bank, a nomination some critics say is part of a campaign to protect key institutions from a possible far-right election win in 2027.
US court suspends sanctions on UN expert on Palestinians
She was sanctioned in July 2025 after she publicly criticised Washington’s policy on Gaza.
Rights group says M23, Rwandan army committed killings, rapes in Congo’s Uvira
Trump’s visit to China: Xi may get the better of Trump, fear Americans
Mr Trump’s approach to China has frequently put him at odds with his own administration.
Hantavirus risk to US public remains low, says national health agency
The passengers are currently being monitored for hantavirus at US medical facilities.
US Army says body of second missing soldier recovered in Morocco
The remains of both soldiers were loaded onto a US Air Force C-130 plane for repatriation.
Mamdani urges New York state to block Western Union deal
Across the US, remittances have been increasing as immigrants send home money before they may be deported.
Japanese crude tanker emerges outside Hormuz in rare, undercover transit
It is only the 2nd Japanese-owned supertanker to cross the chokepoint since the Iran war started.
Historic Swiss solar-powered plane crashes into sea
Solar Impulse 2 took off from Stennis, Mississippi on April 26 and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on May 4.
Inside Philippine ex-president Duterte’s ICC detention centre
The facility holds not just people awaiting trial at the ICC but also other international courts.
Indian pharma fuels Africa’s ‘zombie drug’ and opioid crisis
Some shipments were labelled “Harmless Medicines for Human Consumption”.
Protests break out in Cuba as power cuts deepen amid US oil blockade
Blackouts have increased dramatically this week across the capital Havana.
Russia pounds Ukraine in massive air attack, killing 1
KYIV, May 14 - Russia pummeled the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and several other regions in a massive aerial attack, officials said on Thursday, killing at least one person and wounding dozens.
‘Miraculous’: 11 plane crash survivors rescued at sea off Florida
The survivors ultimately were hoisted to safety by the crew of a hovering rescue helicopter.
Will Trump and Xi try to slow AI arms race?
Some are cautiously optimistic that Mr Trump’s visit could kick-start renewed efforts to work together.
Why the bombing of Iran tied the US more closely to China
China deployed its control over the mineral supply chain as a powerful source of leverage in 2025.
'Miraculous': 11 plane crash survivors rescued at sea off Florida
May 13 - All 11 people aboard a private airplane that crashed at sea off central Florida survived the wreck and were rescued from their lifeboat hours later by a U.S. Air Force Reserve team, U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force officials said on Wednesday.
New trial ordered for US lawyer Murdaugh convicted of murdering wife, son
Murdaugh is also currently serving a 40-year prison sentence for financial crimes.
US children’s book author who poisoned husband will spend life in prison
Kouri Richins also faced convictions and consecutive sentences on four other charges.
Body of second missing US soldier recovered in Morocco
May 14 - A search and rescue team has recovered the body of a second U.S. service member who went missing near a cliff during a training exercise near Cap Draa, Morocco, the U.S. Army and Morocco's Royal Armed Forces said on Wednesday.
Rubio says Cuba leaders must go as US dangles $127 million in aid
The Cuban foreign minister said the offer was a “lie”.
Musk, Rubio, Hegseth: Who are in Trump’s entourage to China?
Mr Trump's entourage includes top administration officials and America's most powerful executives.
New York man found guilty in Chinese ‘secret police station’ case
Lu was arrested in April 2023.
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, May 14, 2026
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, May 14, 2026.
Chinese firms plot secret arms sales to Iran, US officials say
The new disclosure is likely to intensify pressure on Trump to raise the issue while he is in Beijing.
Federal judge blocks US sanctions against UN expert on Palestinian territories
May 13 - A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked U.S. sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a U.N. expert on the Palestinian territories, finding that the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights by imposing the measures after she criticized U.S. ally Israel’s war in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s coalition moves to seek early vote in Israel
The dissolution Bill could be put to a vote on May 20, according to Israeli media reports.
Israel's Eurovision Song Contest entrant heard booing as he went onstage
VIENNA, May 13 - Israel's contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on Tuesday heard the boos of a small number of pro-Palestinian protesters as he took the stage even though many in the room could not, he told Reuters on Wednesday.
Iran war looms over Trump’s China visit, shifts Middle East alliances
Mr Trump is expected to ask for China’s help to resolve the costly and unpopular conflict.
US Senate blocks latest bid to rein in Trump Iran war powers, support grows
The measure edged closer to passage as a third Republican voted to advance the Bill.
Poland says it intercepts Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea
WARSAW, May 13 - Poland said its airforce intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over international waters in the Baltic Sea, calling the Russian flight a provocation and potential threat.