State media voice, Beijing’s foreign-policy mirror
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 that Molly Tea infringed Louis Vuitton’s four-petal flower monogram, ordering damages of 10.3 million yuan and costs. Molly Tea must halt use of the logo and publish apologies; the decision is subject to appeal.
Monsoon floods have struck Nuristan, Afghanistan, damaging Parun and surrounding areas. Authorities report dozens dead, hundreds missing or injured, as forecasters warn of more heavy rainfall. Rescue teams are struggling amid rugged terrain and limited infrastructure; international aid agencies are mobilising.
The UK has nationalised British Steel to protect jobs, supply chains and national security after a loss‑making period under Jingye’s ownership. The move aims to keep Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces open and support major construction and defence needs, with compensation discussions expected from China.
Delivery riders across China are being recognized in literature. Wang Jibing, 56, has won a major prize for Low Flight, a collection inspired by conversations with fellow couriers. The work highlights the pressures of China’s gig economy and marks a shift toward grassroots voices while the author continues to work as a delivery rider.
The Federal Communications Commission has added "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid robots, four‑legged machines and some connected power inverters — to a list that blocks new foreign-made models from US markets on national‑security and cybersecurity grounds. The rule has taken effect for models not yet authorised; existing authorised devices remain allowed while exemptions can be requested.
Hollywood’s Odyssey faces a China market where domestic films dominate as Beijing curbs Western releases. Nolan’s film has a Beijing premiere, strong weekend previews, and rising interest online, but analysts caution that China’s box office remains challenging for foreign blocks.
The Commerce Department has concluded a yearlong national security review of polysilicon and is preparing a decision this month that will protect U.S. polysilicon plants owned by Hemlock Semiconductor and Wacker Chemie. The move has major implications for the U.S. solar and chip supply chains while federal support for renewable energy has been rolled back.
A 6.7 magnitude quake near Aniso in Ayacucho has caused damage to homes, schools and healthcare facilities. USGS data shows the quake on Thursday; Peru’s civil defence and local authorities report power outages and injuries, with authorities coordinating relief and emergency response.
The Amur Gas Chemical Complex fire continues to be investigated for safety violations as construction resumes at unaffected facilities. Authorities report that main equipment is undamaged and air quality is monitored, while casualties are confirmed among Chinese and Russian workers.
The World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing have set three 100m sprint records with the Tiangong Ultra, outpacing human benchmarks and showcasing advances in embodied AI. The event also tests robots in real-world tasks like housework and hotel services, highlighting both capability gains and remaining limits.
China has extended a 360 billion yuan recapitalization to three major banks and five insurers, aiming to bolster the financial sector's ability to support the real economy amid slow growth and low interest margins.
Global AI governance discussions are accelerating as U.S. and China emphasize competitive dynamics and safety concerns. Amodei warns of a Chinese lead posing grave risks, while officials push for a cooperative framework on AI incidents and governance, amid divergent signals from Beijing and Washington.
President Donald Trump has dismissed industry warnings that frontier AI needs a slowdown, calling safety concerns a "SICK conspiracy" and saying "the only control" AI needs is a "STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT." His comments follow an essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urging a paced approach and prompted market falls on chip and AI stocks.