China throws major roadblock at US' Iran Resolution; Trump team left stunned at UN (LINK) — 16 May 2026
— Beijing openly opposed a U.S.-backed resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining operations in the waterway. Chinese UN Ambassador Fu Cong said the "timing and content" of the proposal were inappropriate and warned that passing it would not help ease tensions. Reports suggest both China and Russia could veto the resolution if it reaches a vote at the UN Security Council.
Trump-Xi summit: China, US disagree on what they agreed on: US touted trade deals; China said it warned Washington over Taiwan. Neither side confirmed the other's claims (LINK) — 15 May 2026
Trump and Xi conclude 'very successful' talks but no deals confirmed (LINK) — 15 May 2026
PBS: Analysts break down Trump-Xi meeting and calls for stability and cooperation (LINK) — 14 May 2026
Five takeaways from the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing so far: Xi reserved his sharpest language for Taiwan, calling it "the most important issue in U.S.-China relations" (LINK) — 14 May 2026
Extra train capacity does little to relieve Gotthard tunnel queues (LINK) — 15 May 2026
— Drivers faced delays of around one hour and 40 minutes before entering the tunnel. Motorists were advised to divert via the A13 motorway and the San Bernardino Tunnel. Even there, however, queues of more than 4km had formed by late morning.
US planning to criminally indict ex-Cuban leader Raúl Castro, 94, over the shooting down of two aircraft three decades ago (LINK) — 16 May 2026
NY Times: With possible Raúl Castro indictment, U.S. eyes Venezuela playbook — (LINK)
The US and Cuba intensify negotiations as the island's collapse deepens (LINK) — 15 May 2026
Cuba says oil and diesel supplies have run dry under U.S. sanctions (LINK) — 14 May 2026
Declare climate crisis a global public health emergency, experts on the independent pan-European commission on climate and health, which was convened by the WHO, tell the organization (LINK) — 16 May 2026
Dozens of European nations sign off on new interpretation of rights convention in migration cases, including how it applied to the controversial use of deportation centers set up in third countries (LINK) — 15 May 2026
— AP: It said that nations "exposed to mass arrivals" can pursue new approaches to deter irregular migration including "third country 'return hubs', and cooperation with countries of transit." Rights groups criticized the political declaration, saying it could loosen prohibitions on torture and weaken Europe's human rights protections for migrants.
Meghan Markle announces surprise weekend outing in Switzerland for a key cause: advocacy for safer online spaces (LINK) — 15 May 2026
Passblue: US pledges $1.8 billion to humanitarians (LINK) — US briefing (LINK) 14 May 2026