China
China installs more industrial robots than rest of world combined – IFR
China accounted for more than half of global industrial robot installations in 2024, with a record 295,000 units deployed nationwide, according to the IFR World Robotics 2025 Report.
China signs $1.4bn Tazara railway deal, reviving copperbelt link amid Lobito Corridor rivalry
China's deal with Tanzania and Zambia sets up a direct contest with the US- and EU-backed Lobito Corridor in Angola amid booming copper and cobalt exports from the Zambia–DRC copperbelt.
Chinese researchers develop revolutionary biodegradable bone glue inspired by oysters
A team of orthopaedic surgeons in China's Zhejiang province has developed a revolutionary new bone adhesive, dubbed “Bone 02”, inspired by the natural occurring glue oysters use to stick themselves to underwater rocks.
Lavrov pushes Russian agenda, networks with the Global South at UNGA
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York to lambaste the West and continue building up the growing Global South community that is aligning with the BRICS-led alternative pole
LATAM BLOG: Friends till the end? Trump's costly loyalty to Latin America's strongmen
Trump bails out Argentina with $20bn while slapping 50% tariffs on Brazil to protest Bolsonaro's coup conviction. His ideology-driven policy risks pushing both nations toward China—exactly what Washington hoped to prevent.
China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran push back on Trump ambitions in or near Afghanistan
Trump’s administration has been exploring options for keeping a military footprint in Afghanistan - a move that Russia has already said would have catasrophic consequences.
Emerging market Tiger Cities power global growth prospects
Cities across the developing world are set to be among the fastest-growing urban economies in the next quarter century, according to Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025.
Lockheed Martin unveils Vectis drone for collaborative combat missions
US-based Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has introduced the Vectis, a Group 5 collaborative combat aircraft designed to operate alongside fifth-generation and next-generation fighter jets.
South Korea-US defence pact could be strengthened
In recent weeks, Seoul has held internal discussions about expanding joint defence commitments, including revisiting missile defence cooperation and rotational stationing of American forces.
Taiwan’s ruling DPP rocked by Chinese espionage within its own ranks
Wu Shang-yu, formerly attached to Taiwanese President William Lai’s office, was sentenced to four years.
EU’s influence declines in its neighbourhood as China and Russia gain ground
Chinese presence growing in Western Balkans, while Russia makes gains in Turkey, shows new index developed by wiiw, Bertelsmann Stiftung and ECIPE.
BERTRAND: The return of geopolitical gravity
Four extraordinary events happened last week within the span of just 72 hours; a week which may well be remembered as one of the most consequential in the transition from Pax Americana to the multipolar world.
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Skull discovered in China may – or may not – rewrite human history
Questions are already being raised, with China having made at least half a dozen claims in recent years on much more recent historical issues that have little to no archaeological evidence to back them.
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Argentina reinstates grain export taxes after $7bn sales cap reached
Argentina has restored export taxes on grains and their derivatives after reaching its predetermined $7bn sales threshold in just three days, bringing an abrupt end to a tax holiday that had triggered intensive Chinese buying.
Paraguay presses for Taiwan’s UN membership
Paraguay’s President, Santiago Peña, has urged the UN General Assembly to admit Taiwan as a full member, calling its exclusion a "long-standing injustice that undermines the credibility of the multilateral system."
China-Iran rail link slashes transit time to 17 days, official says
A new rail route through Central Asia has reduced freight transit time between China and Iran to 17 days, with car parts following in record time.
China pushes gold custody to bolster financial influence
The initiative comes against a backdrop of record bullion purchases by central banks, heightened geopolitical risk and a recent surge in gold prices above $3,700 an ounce.
COMMENT: China trumps Trump on soy
Beijing has used a third party – Argentina - as a bit-player of sorts with which to score points.
China deploys new power pricing regime to balance clean energy mix
Introduced in June, the framework abandons the uniform tariffs that once rewarded all renewable generation equally, regardless of local demand or grid capacity.
How India sees the Pakistan-Saudi defence pact
While the practicality of the pact is doubted in New Delhi’s policy circles, it adds a fresh layer of complexity to South Asia’s security environment and creates potential ripple effects across the Middle East and the Indian Ocean region.