The capital of China, a global hub for politics, finance and culture
Beijing-based Moonshot AI has released Kimi K3, a 2.8‑trillion‑parameter open‑weight model that has outperformed several leading U.S. systems on blind coding benchmarks and ranked competitively on broader tests. The firm is preparing a Hong Kong IPO notification and wrapping a fresh funding round that could value it above $30 billion.
President Trump has delivered a primetime address releasing declassified intelligence he says shows China acquired large volumes of U.S. voter data and that officials hid reports about foreign efforts to target U.S. elections. Journalists, former intelligence officials and state authorities have said the documents do not prove foreign actors altered 2020 vote counts and many of the administration's claims have been disputed.
Josh Kerr has broken the mile world record at the London Diamond League, running 3:42.66 to shave 0.47 seconds off Hicham El Guerrouj's 1999 mark. The Scot led through precise pacing from Brannon Kidder and Zan Rudolf and won by a clear margin; the meet also featured standout wins from Julien Alfred and Karsten Warholm.
The UK has nationalised the Scunthorpe steelworks after Jingye Group signalled the closure of its blast furnaces, with government taking control to secure a vital national capability. An independent assessment will determine compensation, while Beijing says it opposes the move.
The latest wave of open-weight AI models from Chinese labs is expanding rapidly, offering cheaper, customizable options that are challenging premium, closed models. OpenRouter shows Chinese models occupying top spots for weekly token usage, while industry players push open-weight strategies to reduce costs and speed deployment. Analysts say most routine corporate AI work can be handled by these cheaper models, with premium providers reserved for the toughest problems.
The government has nationalised British Steel, transferring control from Jingye on grounds of national security. The move aims to protect jobs, supply chains, and critical infrastructure, while China expresses concern about the decision and seeks compensation.
The Philippines has formally objected to a China Daily AI-generated video that dehumanizes Filipinos and mocks the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. Manila calls for takedown and warns against propaganda that escalates tensions as regional powers urge adherence to UNCLOS.
GDP has risen by 0.1% in May, driven by services though production and construction slipped. The upside comes amid ongoing Middle East tensions and ahead of a new prime minister taking office, with analysts noting fragile momentum and potential inflation risks.
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war in a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin and has agreed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue negotiations at next week’s NATO summit in Ankara. Ukraine has struck oil and naval facilities near St. Petersburg, and Russia has responded with heavy missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.
Taiwan faces intensified pressure as China expands coast guard patrols and maritime activities near its east coast. Western capitals warn that regional stability is at risk, while Taiwan conducts drills to test rapid deployment amid ongoing defence modernization and new drone capabilities being debated in Taipei.
Ford has rehired roughly 300–350 veteran engineers to correct defects that automated inspection and AI-driven tools failed to catch. Executives have said the specialists are auditing designs before parts reach factory floors, mentoring younger staff, and retraining AI systems; Ford has risen to the top mainstream spot in JD Power’s initial-quality study.
New funding and product integrations are accelerating the deployment of humanoid robots globally. Investors back Zeroth in China, Unitree unveils an integrated Nvidia platform, and Morgan Stanley upgrades China’s market outlook as companies push from demos to real-world use.
SK Hynix has raised $26.5bn by selling 177.9m American depositary receipts at $149 each, in the largest-ever US share sale by a foreign company. Its ADRs have begun trading on Nasdaq under temporary ticker SKHYV and will convert to SKHY; the company is using proceeds to expand fabs, packaging and EUV capacity as AI-driven memory demand surges.
Australia and Fiji have formalised new defence arrangements aimed at countering China’s influence in the Pacific. The Ocean of Peace Alliance and the Vuvale Union strengthen regional security commitments, with Australia pledging over a billion dollars in funding over the next decade to support security, development, and regional stability.
Vance and Rubio are positioning themselves on Iran and Lebanon as White House and State Department deny any rift. Delegations led by Vance and Rubio have shaped recent talks with Iran, with a fragile ceasefire framework under close U.S. oversight.
Valentino’s Piccioli and other designers reveal couture’s experiment‑driven edge as body, make‑believe and sculpture collide with technology amid a global heatwave.
A Tibetan activist identified as Lobga Rangzen has self-immolated outside the U.N. in New York, prompting investigations. The incident has intensified scrutiny of China’s policies toward Tibet, the new ethnic unity law, and international responses from the U.S. and EU. Authorities are investigating motives as activists call for independence and autonomy.
Iran has signaled it may charge service fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after a 60-day period during which transit was free under a US‑Iran deal. Iran says the fees will support security and environmental safeguards and will consider special treatment for friendly nations; negotiations on a permanent settlement are ongoing. Oman is involved in a joint committee to manage the Strait.
Tropical Storm Maysak has strengthened and moved inland, triggering floods across Guangxi and neighbouring provinces. Authorities report deaths and widespread evacuations as reservoirs and river embankments exceed warning levels. Rescue operations are ongoing as the region braces for more heavy rain and potential further flooding.
Business Insider UK reports a rising interest in savory flavors as young adults reduce alcohol intake, with YEW’s pickle sparkling water launching in Planet Organic stores and online, priced at £1.69 per can; the drink is praised for a natural, tart pickle taste and a refreshing, non-alcoholic alternative.
Federal and local probes have produced new findings and warnings about autonomous vehicles. The NTSB has reported that a Tesla driver manually overrode Full Self-Driving before a June crash that killed a 76‑year‑old in Katy, Texas. NHTSA has issued a directive demanding AV developers fix cases where driverless cars enter or block emergency scenes; Waymo and California regulators are under pressure over several incidents.
China has test‑launched a long‑range ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine into the South Pacific carrying a dummy warhead. Beijing has said the launch was routine and that relevant countries were notified; Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Pacific states have condemned the test as destabilising and said notice was insufficient.
A Suzhou court has ruled Molly Tea infringed Louis Vuitton’s four-petal monogram, ordering damages of 10.3 million yuan and legal costs. The decision, which centers on a jasmine-flower motif, has sparked online debate in China over intellectual property and cultural heritage. Molly Tea plans to appeal as rivals see broader implications for brand protection and cross-border IP fights.
Brazil's deforestation rate has fallen by half in Lula's first year back in office, with 1,295 sq km cleared from January to June, the lowest since 2016. Lula defers to his government on zero-deforestation targets while facing criticisms over oil exploration near the Amazon mouth and shifting U.S. tariffs amid a tight election race.
Beijing has expanded its regulatory reach to target foreign entities deemed to threaten its supply chains and enforce sanctions. A third draft law would allow prosecutions for acts harming China’s national interests, while officials say the measures safeguard sovereignty and development.
Menlo Ventures has backed Anthropic since 2023, turning a $4.1 billion pre-money valuation into a potential multi-billion-dollar windfall as Anthropic prepares to go public. The investment has reshaped Menlo, contributing to a new $3 billion fund and elevating Anthropic as a major challenger to OpenAI in AI safety and capability.
Typhoon Maysak and Super Typhoon Bavi have unleashed heavy rain and flooding across Guangxi. The Liulan reservoir breach in Nanning has killed 26 people, with 9 missing. Rescue operations involve thousands of workers and boats, evacuations surpassing 130,000, and power restoration in hundreds of homes as officials warn more rain will come.
The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment, rejecting President Trump’s bid to end it. The ruling maintains that citizenship is granted at birth to anyone born in the United States, including children of undocumented migrants. Trump has pledged to seek a rehearing and press Congress on immigration.
Australia and India have signed an administrative agreement to export uranium for peaceful purposes, enabling longer-term supplies to help India expand its nuclear capacity. Details on volumes and timing remain undisclosed. The move is part of broader efforts to diversify trade and strengthen Indo-Pacific security ties during Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia.
Modi has stepped up engagement across the Indo-Pacific, signing agreements with Indonesia, Australia and others amid regional security tensions. China has tested a ballistic missile in the Pacific, prompting concerns over Beijing's expanding military reach. Modi's three-nation tour highlights New Delhi's aim to shape regional balance.
A deadly fire at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, Fujian, has caused multiple casualties as state media report arrests and a frozen company account. President Xi has called for an all-out rescue and accountability for those responsible. Rescue efforts are ongoing as investigators assess the blaze.
Volkswagen has presented a transformation plan to streamline its model lineup and reduce production capacity to about 9 million vehicles per year. The group is considering eliminating as many as 100,000 jobs in total, on top of 50,000 already announced, and may close four German plants as part of cost-cutting. Protests have erupted at several sites as unions push back.
A Chinese delegation led by Wang Yang is visiting Pyongyang to advance agreed cooperation with North Korea, including military and economic ties. The talks follow Xi Jinping’s June visit and aim to implement a blueprint for closer strategic relations. North Korea seeks Beijing’s backing while China hopes to maintain regional stability and influence.
JAXA has flown the RV-X, lifting it 11 metres and landing it upright 16 metres away at Noshiro, marking Japan’s first successful launch and landing of a rocket. China’s Long March-10B has achieved a sea-based net catch on its maiden flight, signaling a major step toward reusable launch technology. The stories show growing momentum in global efforts to reduce space-launch costs and expand access to space.
Typhoon Bavi has struck Zhejiang province after skirting northern Taiwan and Japans southern islands, forcing the evacuation of more than two million people and cancelling hundreds of flights and trains. Bavi has weakened to a severe tropical storm but is carrying large volumes of moisture that will produce prolonged heavy rain and flood risk across eastern and northern China over coming days.
The US president has warned Iran of decimation if it acts on threats to target him, while tensions spike over the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators are pressing for renewed talks as both sides escalate rhetoric amid a fragile truce and international mediation efforts.
The health status of U.S. Senate leader Mitch McConnell has become a focal point as new calls for information emerge from Kentucky Governor Beshear and other officials. He remains hospitalized with limited details about his condition after weeks of silence.
China's anti-corruption drive has extended to the coal sector, with a Shanxi mine official under investigation as authorities broaden inspections following May's deadly blast. Reports say the probe targets discipline and law violations, underscoring ongoing reforms in the province's heavy industry.
Ma Xingrui, a former Politburo member and Xi loyalist, has been purged amid a broad anti-corruption drive. State media confirm discipline violations and corruption-linked charges, with new investigations also targeting a Shanxi mine official. The purge underscores a drive to enforce loyalty and root out corruption within China’s top ranks.
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order pausing state permits for new "hyperscale" data centers using 50 megawatts or more for up to one year. The order directs regulators to produce a Generic Environmental Impact Statement covering energy, water, air and community benefits, and it signals potential changes to tax breaks and grid-costing for large AI facilities.
The AI industry has reached a tipping point as hyperscalers project rising returns from chips and data centers. New analyses forecast trillions in 2026 revenue to justify the AI build-out, even as token costs and cheaper models pressure profitability.
The family of Youlin Chen has broken their silence amid continued U.S. efforts, after President Trump raised the case with Xi in May. Chen, a Boston-based seismologist, has been detained in China for nearly two years and is designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department. Diplomatic avenues remain active with no public progress.
China has reported 4.3% year-on-year GDP growth in the second quarter, below the 4.5%–5.0% official target and economists’ expectations. Retail sales rose 1% in June, while industrial output climbed 5.3%, but fixed-asset investment contracted. Analysts say policymakers are likely to rely on exports and stimulus to bolster demand amid a property slump and subdued domestic spending.
Exports have accelerated in June and the first half of 2026, driven by AI and high-tech goods, while domestic spending and investment remain weak. IMF raises growth forecast to 4.6% for 2026, with 4.1% for 2027. Economists warn of an imbalanced growth model as state support and private investment channel into frontier tech.
Trump is rallying defense and investment leaders in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as he presses for a robust defense budget and stronger U.S. industrial ties. The event features top defense officials and corporate leaders, with the White House highlighting national security and investment opportunities amid ongoing concerns about global threats and the cost of living.
Thames Water has reported improving operations but warns it faces a cash crunch within months without a government-backed rescue. Creditors are pressing for a recapitalisation, while the incoming prime minister signals potential public ownership as the best path. Officials are weighing a senior creditor-backed plan and potential temporary nationalisation to stabilise the utility.
China’s Cyberspace Administration has approved Apple’s AI services for use in the country, following a deal to integrate Alibaba’s Qwen AI into Apple’s operating systems. Apple’s China sales have risen, and Baidu is reportedly collaborating on Apple Intelligence features for Chinese users. The approval sets the stage for broader AI integration in China.
Hong Kong police have raided two independent bookstores in Mong Kok, arresting five people on suspicion of displaying seditious materials and selling seditious publications under the 2024 national security law. The operation is the third of its kind in four months, targeting venues that published and sold politically sensitive titles. Several shops are shutting down due to financial and legal pressures.
Pew Research Center’s latest global poll shows more countries hold favorable views of China than the U.S. in 25 of 36 countries surveyed, with shifts linked to tensions surrounding the Trump administration and recent global events. The movement marks the first time China has surpassed the U.S. in the long-running survey, underscoring a realignment in international opinion.
The Department of Homeland Security has finalised a rule replacing the duration-of-status system with fixed stays for foreign journalists and students. Chinese journalists face an 8-month limit, with extensions possible. Advocates say the change curtails press freedom and living in the United States; DHS argues it improves vetting. The rule takes effect 60 days after federal publication.