Asia

Culture news

International jazz festival draws thousands with free open-air concert

The Tashkent International Jazz Festival brought together artists from Europe, the Americas and Central Asia through a series of free open-air performances. Organisers say audience numbers and international interest are increasingly growing.

17/05/2026

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South Korea: Thousands watch robot monks march through Seoul’s historic streets

Four robot monks in traditional robes joined Seoul’s lantern parade ahead of Buddha’s birthday, symbolising Buddhism’s tech-savvy modernisation.

16/05/2026

Culture news

Rare traditional sounds are being digitised for a new generation

Mountain melodies, centuries-old instruments and traditional rhythms are being digitally preserved through a new open-access music platform. The archive aims to reconnect contemporary creators with sounds that had remained outside global audio libraries for decades.

16/05/2026

Azerbaijan

Stop the global housing crisis: World Urban Forum, why it matters?

More than 40,000 participants are set to gather in Baku for the UN's World Urban Forum as UN-Habitat warns that 3 billion people lack adequate housing and slum populations could triple by 2050.

16/05/2026

Israel

Lebanon–Israel ceasefire extended by 45 days, says US

The US State Department will hold negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent political agreement on the 2 and 3 June. Beforehand, the Pentagon is to bring together military delegations from the countries concerned on 29 May.

15/05/2026

China

What is the ancient war theory Xi invoked in his meeting with Trump?

Xi Jinping opened his Beijing summit with Trump by asking whether the two powers could avoid the "Thucydides Trap" — then warned that mishandling Taiwan could lead to war.

15/05/2026

Earth News

The Caspian Sea is shrinking, and ecosystems are paying the price

Scientists warn that climate change and habitat degradation are accelerating water loss in the Caspian Sea.

15/05/2026

Culture news

Sphere vision: The world's most futuristic venue set for Abu Dhabi

A large, shiny orb, prominent on Abu Dhabi’s desert skyline, is soon to become its next defining feature. Following the success of the original Sphere in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi has revealed plans to build a similar entity, which will be the first of its kind in a venue outside of the United States.

15/05/2026

Maldives

Five Italians die in Maldives cave diving tragedy

Rescue teams in the Maldives continued recovery operations after the country’s deadliest diving accident killed five Italian divers.

15/05/2026

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Funeral in Jabalia after Israeli strike hits Gaza wake despite ceasefire

Residents of Jabalia bury two Palestinians killed in an Israeli strike on a wake, as Gaza reports nearly 73,000 dead and truce violations persist.

15/05/2026

Uzbekistan

Bukhara regional forum examines women’s role in Asia’s future

Regional leaders and UN officials gathered in Bukhara to discuss how investing in women, education and demographic planning could shape long-term development across Asia.

15/05/2026

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South Korea opens Galaxy Robot Park in Seoul with K-pop, AI shows and family fun

South Korea has opened the Galaxy Robot Park in Seoul, a robot-themed entertainment venue featuring humanoid boxing matches, K-pop dance shows and interactive AI attractions for children and families.

15/05/2026

China

Underwhelming summit outcome in China brings Trump back to reality

After raising high expectations ahead of his trip to Beijing, the U.S president leaves with little to show for it, disappointing investors. On key flashpoints such as Iran and Taiwan, China didn't give any ground.

15/05/2026

Iraq

Iraq swears in new PM as US presses it to disarm Iran-backed groups

Iraqi parliament approved Ali al-Zaidi's government on Thursday, with the new prime minister vowing a state monopoly on weapons as Washington leans on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed groups.

15/05/2026

North Korea

North Korea slams UK over sanctions on Songdowon children's camp

Since the war in Ukraine erupted in 2022, 2,318 Ukrainian children remain missing, while 20,570 have been deported or forcibly displaced and 704 killed, according to a Ukrainian government portal.

15/05/2026

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Xi gives Trump private tour of secret garden in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanies US counterpart Donald Trump on a walk through the gardens of Zhongnanhai, a central leadership compound next to Beijing's Forbidden City.

15/05/2026

Iran

Iran eyes fees on Hormuz internet cables as new lever against the West

IRGC-linked media have called on Tehran to impose fees on submarine cables through the Strait of Hormuz and monitor global data traffic, citing claimed sovereignty over the waterway.

15/05/2026

Gaza

Inside Gaza's hunger crisis as aid falters and funding dries up

Community kitchens serving basic foodstuffs like lentils once a week are the last food source for hundreds of thousands in Gaza, as aid flows have dropped by 37% and only 10% of funding has been secured, Euronews learns on the ground in the Strip.

15/05/2026

China

Trump and Xi wrap up summit claiming progress in stabilising ties

The two leaders met on Friday at final talks of the superpower summit, which the US president said "settled a lot of different problems". Xi described Trump's visit as a "milestone visit".

15/05/2026

Kazakhstan

Erdoğan visits Astana as Turkey and Central Asia deepen ties

Turkey and Kazakhstan signed a friendship and strategic partnership declaration in Astana, targeting €13 billion in trade.

14/05/2026

Tech News

How South Korea is turning workplace skills into robot training data

The project reflects South Korea’s wider ambition to turn its chip industry, manufacturing strength and industrial know-how into an edge in ‘physical AI’. But can it catch up in a field still dominated by the US and China?

14/05/2026

Iran

Iran's World Cup team feted with public farewell amid US visa fears

Iran's football team was given a state send-off in Tehran on Wednesday with Hezbollah flags and anti-US chants from those gathered, as players and officials await US visas for their World Cup group games.

14/05/2026

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Peace activists rally to protect Palestinians during Jerusalem flag march

Israeli peace activists gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday to support Palestinian residents ahead of the annual Jerusalem Day flag march, an event often marked by nationalist tensions and heavy security.

14/05/2026

China

Trump and Xi toast each other at Beijing banquet

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping toasted each other during a state banquet in Beijing attended by executives including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang following high-level China-US talks, where Trump also invited Xi to visit the White House in September.

14/05/2026

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Iran national team heads toward 2026 World Cup amid 'death to America' chants in Tehran

Supporters gathered in Tehran to send off Iran’s national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, chanting slogans including “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

14/05/2026

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Elon Musk brings son X Æ A-Xii to high-level business meeting with China’s premier

Top US business leaders including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday during high-level China-US business talks held alongside President Trump’s visit, with Musk seen arriving alongside his son X Æ A-Xii.

14/05/2026