China, US and Philippines seek to put a stamp on Manila envelopment
US secretary of state and Chinese foreign minister meet to prepare for Xi Jinping’s visit to US in September
Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega: the one-time revolutionary hero is now a blood-soaked tyrant
Global Briefing: Ortega announced this week there will be no more elections in Nicaragua, but the United States has little to say on it
Guinea is the latest African country seeking to keep mineral profits at home
President banned raw gold exports last month, and Guinea has built a gold refinery in the capital
New prime minister Andy Burnham’s focus on domestic issues is good for UK
Labour leader is clear-eyed about Britain’s social and economic problems and candid about how Brexit has made them worse
Amid a wall of blue tote bags, China’s vaulting AI ambitions come into view
Kimi K3 has sharpened a contest with the US over technological leadership and rules governing artificial intelligence
US-Iran military actions escalate, but a return to talks is likely
Neither Washington nor Tehran can achieve its maximalist aims through further military escalation
Like Cork, Shanghai wears its second-city swagger with pride
While Beijing wrestles with the burdens of being the capital, Shanghai is doubling down on culture, commerce and urban life
Gibraltar enters new era with Spain as border fence is removed
Global Briefing: Treaty between the EU and Britain on territory’s post-Brexit status came into force on Wednesday
Chinese car exports topping one million deepens anxiety in Europe’s automobile industry
VW confirmed that it is considering up to 100,000 job cuts
Why are the US, Russia and African Union beating a path to Mali’s door?
Global Briefing: An alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels is advancing southwards towards Mali’s capital
Trump threat to charge ships in Strait of Hormuz for protection is a gift to Iran
Global Briefing: Trump’s proposed toll would be far higher than the $2m per vessel Tehran demands and will add to the global economic pain
Dispute in South China Sea between China and Philippines shows no signs of easing
Global Briefing: Beijing continues to dismiss a ruling made 10 years ago that dismissed its jurisdiction claims over some islands also claimed by Philippines
Varadkar the star turn as Chinese investors sign up for Great Wall tour at nearly €1,300 each
Former taoiseach to pocket €17,500 for speaking tour, visiting six cities in 10 days
China’s neighbours display complicated reaction to weepy diaspora film Dear You
But for the Chinese this low-budget tearjerker stirs up emotions and memories of those who left for southeast Asia
Trump says Iran ceasefire is ‘over’. But is it?
Global Briefing: Even as the US president described Tehran’s negotiators as ‘scum’, he paid a grudging tribute to their ingenuity