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Nvidia and AMD are pressing the Trump administration to maintain export channels for their semiconductor products to China, according to Politico. The two US chipmakers rely heavily on Chinese sales and face uncertainty over restrictions. The issue sits at the center of the wider US-China tech rivalry, with export controls threatening billions in revenue for American semiconductor companies.

US national security adviser Mike Waltz says a rejected nuclear proposal showed Iran wanted sanctions relief up front while offering little in return. Iranian officials dispute that account, insisting their counterproposals were balanced. The disagreement highlights the widening gap between Washington and Tehran as diplomacy stalls over sequencing of concessions.

Some Russian families who lost sons fighting in Ukraine say they still support the war effort and want Russia to keep fighting, according to a New York Times report. Their stance highlights how grief has not translated into opposition to the Kremlin's invasion, complicating Western assumptions that mounting casualties will erode domestic support in Russia.

Taiwan says US arms sales to the island are continuing as normal, but a proposed $14 billion weapons package remains on hold. The statement comes amid uncertainty over the pace of American deliveries that Taiwan sees as vital to its defense against potential Chinese aggression. Officials are seeking to reassure the public that security cooperation with Washington has not slowed, even as the large package awaits approval and delivery timelines remain unclear.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief who grew up in Soviet-occupied Estonia, is warning European leaders against giving Russia what it wants in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Drawing on her personal experience of Soviet rule, she argues that yielding to Moscow's demands would only embolden further aggression. Her remarks are resonating in ongoing debates over Europe's stance toward Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is trying to leave Ukrainians without internet and mobile communications, adding that Kyiv is taking measures to counter these efforts. The statement comes as Ukraine continues to face attacks on its communications infrastructure, with officials stressing that keeping Ukrainians connected remains a priority during the war.

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met officially, and Taiwan was not mentioned in any public statements from the meeting. DW reported the omission, which is notable given Taiwan is typically a central point of tension between Washington and Beijing. Observers are likely debating whether the silence reflects a deliberate diplomatic arrangement or signals a shift in how the two powers are handling the Taiwan issue.

Israel is pushing for a United States-led international force to take on the task of disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Responsible Statecraft. The proposal would shift responsibility for neutralising the armed group's arsenal away from the Lebanese state and onto an American-led mission. The idea raises questions about Lebanon's sovereignty, the role of the Lebanese army, and whether Washington would accept such an open-ended security commitment.

The European Union is moving to strengthen Operation Aspides, its naval mission protecting commercial shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The reported push comes as attacks on vessels continue to disrupt one of the world's busiest trade routes, raising questions about whether European naval assets are sufficient to safeguard merchant traffic through the region.

Taiwan's dominance in semiconductor manufacturing, led by TSMC, is being described as a 'silicon shield' that deters Chinese aggression while making the island indispensable to the United States in the AI era. As artificial intelligence drives global demand for advanced chips, control over Taiwan's chip industry has become central to both its security and US strategic interests, intensifying debate over cross-strait tensions.

Rahul Gandhi is holding a live press conference at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi. The Indian opposition leader's remarks are being watched closely, drawing large live audiences and heavy engagement online as viewers await announcements on political and current national matters.

Reporting from Taipei frames Taiwan as the potential deciding factor in the escalating technology rivalry between the United States and China. Taiwan's tech industry produces more than 90 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors, the chips that power AI servers, giving the island outsized strategic importance as both superpowers compete for dominance in artificial intelligence.

Taiwan is accelerating investment in drone capabilities as part of a broader defence overhaul, driven by mounting military pressure from China. The push reflects Taipei's effort to build asymmetric defences, with unmanned systems seen as a cost-effective way to deter a potential Chinese attack amid ongoing cross-strait tensions.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi told former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya that relations between Beijing and Tokyo must be "normalized," during their talks. The meeting is the first high-level exchange since relations plummeted over Taiwan last year, and is being read as an early signal that both sides may be looking to stabilise a badly strained diplomatic relationship.

Washington is pressing governments worldwide to align with the United States on artificial intelligence rules and technology, framing it as a choice between democratic and authoritarian models of AI development. But analysts note that China's pitch — offering affordable AI tools, infrastructure and investment without political conditions — may be more attractive to developing countries that want the benefits of AI without being forced into a superpower rivalry.

Iran's president has declared that the United States holds the decision on whether to end the war, putting the burden squarely on Washington. The statement came as the Russian and Iranian foreign ministers, meeting diplomatically, agreed that only a negotiated settlement could resolve the Middle East tension sparked by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The remarks underscore Tehran's positioning ahead of any potential talks and Moscow's alignment with Tehran's call for diplomacy over continued military action.

The race to select the next UN secretary-general is under way, with candidates framed as needing to be a 'mediator-in-chief' for a divided world. Commentary on the contest argues it highlights the multiple crises confronting the United Nations, from wars to institutional gridlock, as member states weigh who can restore the organisation's diplomatic clout.

Attention is turning to whether South Korea could avoid being drawn into a military conflict over Taiwan. The question reflects growing concern that a cross-strait clash would entangle US allies in the region, given South Korea's alliance commitments and proximity to the flashpoint. Debate focuses on Seoul's options for staying out of a war that many analysts fear could erupt with little warning.

News reports say Poland has suspended the right to claim asylum for people crossing its border with Belarus, a move tied to its long-running disputes over irregular migration on that frontier. Polish officials are now calling on other European Union countries to adopt similar measures. The reports describe the policy change and Poland's push for a wider European response, but reactions from other governments and the public are not detailed in the available coverage.

Taipei has stated that Washington understands Taiwan's defense requirements, amid ongoing concerns over the island's security. The remarks underscore the close, if unofficial, security relationship between the United States and Taiwan as cross-strait tensions with Beijing continue to shape regional diplomacy.

European policymakers are pushing to impose sanctions targeting Russian influence activities across the continent, aiming to act before such operations cause political damage. The effort reflects growing concern in EU capitals over Russian interference in domestic politics, elections and public debate, and signals a shift toward preventive measures rather than responding only after interference has taken effect.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi has delivered a high-level warning to a visiting Japanese business delegation, according to the South China Morning Post. The exact content of the warning has not been detailed in the available report. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, and Chinese officials frequently use such encounters with Japanese business leaders to press political demands alongside economic ties.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who grew up in Soviet-occupied Estonia, has warned European leaders against giving Russia what it wants in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Drawing on her personal experience of Soviet rule, she argued that conceding to Moscow would only invite further aggression. The remarks have fueled debate across Europe about how firm the EU should remain toward Russia.

A Pakistani journalist attempted to disrupt External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's press conference by raising India's alleged links to the plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Jaishankar shot back, telling the reporter that a country he described as a terrorist state had no standing to ask him such a question. The exchange is drawing wide attention amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions and scrutiny of the Pannun case in the United States.

US envoy claims President Trump asked Xi Jinping directly at the White House whether China would be interested in purchasing American weapons. The reported exchange, described as unusually direct, is drawing attention for what it suggests about Trump's approach to arms sales and US-China relations, with officials and analysts weighing its significance.

US President Donald Trump asked China's president whether he would be interested in buying American arms, according to comments attributed to an ambassador. The unusual, informal sales pitch to a strategic rival has drawn attention given Washington's restrictions on arms exports to China and the two countries' ongoing trade and security tensions.

OpenAI has paused model training following a further AI incident, according to the claim being circulated. Commenters say the series of problems at the company keeps growing and are asking when regulators or the industry will act. The report is being shared alongside references to other AI players including Anthropic, Meta, Google and Grok, framing the pause as part of a broader pattern of AI safety concerns.

Former US president Donald Trump reportedly asked China's president whether he wanted to buy American arms, according to remarks attributed to an ambassador. The claim has drawn attention for its unusual framing of US-China defence trade, given Washington's restrictions and tensions over arms exports to Beijing.

The EU is pushing to develop a payment system of its own, reducing reliance on foreign card networks and platforms dominated by American providers. Officials argue European sovereignty in payments has become a strategic issue, particularly after sanctions on Russia exposed dependence on Visa and Mastercard infrastructure. The initiative would support the digital euro project and strengthen Europe's financial autonomy.