**Summary:** Following a state visit to Beijing, US President Donald Trump announced plans for four potential meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2026 to address key geopolitical issues. The discussions focused on regional stability, including the situations in Iran and Taiwan.

**Key points:**
- President Trump confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping accepted an invitation to visit the United States this autumn.
- The leaders discussed the need for the demilitarization of the Strait of Hormuz and reached a mutual understanding regarding Taiwan.
- President Trump stated that a recent ceasefire with Iran was established as a diplomatic service to Pakistan and other nations.
- The US President expressed interest in attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China.

**Why it matters:** The diplomatic engagement between the US and China signals a significant effort to manage tensions in the Middle East and East Asia through direct high-level communication.

interfax.ru - Трамп надеется встретиться с Си Цзиньпином четыре раза за 2026 год

vesti.ru - Трамп : мы ввели прекращение огня с Ираном как услугу для Пакистана

US President Donald Trump Concludes China Visit, Discusses Future Diplomatic Engagements

**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation to discuss bilateral security and trade, agreeing to maintain open diplomatic channels despite recent tensions.

**Key points:**
- The dialogue follows U.S. investigations into Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and the deaths of U.S. intelligence agents in Chihuahua.
- Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) recently froze bank accounts linked to the investigation of Rubén Rocha Moya.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that U.S. officials are expected to travel to Mexico for upcoming bilateral working sessions.

**Why it matters:** The call serves as a critical diplomatic effort to stabilize the U.S.-Mexico relationship amid significant friction over law enforcement cooperation and criminal investigations.

reforma.com - Hablan Trump y Sheinbaum sobre seguridad y comercio

vanguardia.com.mx - ‘Cordial y excelente conversación’... Sheinbaum recibe llamada de Trump en medio de tensión bilateral

Mexican President Sheinbaum and U.S. President Trump Discuss Security and Trade

**Summary:** Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a lack of trust is the primary barrier to ending the war with the United States. He expressed openness to diplomatic assistance from China to help de-escalate regional tensions.

**Key points:**
- Araghchi noted that contradictory messages from Washington have caused Tehran to doubt the sincerity of the United States regarding peace negotiations.
- The ongoing conflict has led to a blockade of Iranian ports and a continued standoff regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Pakistan-mediated talks between the two nations are currently experiencing difficulties after both sides rejected recent proposals.
- US President Donald Trump recently dismissed Iran's latest formal proposal as insufficient, while demanding the removal of highly enriched uranium.

**Why it matters:** The ongoing impasse between Iran and the United States threatens to prolong the conflict, risking a return to open warfare and exacerbating the global energy crisis.

ARY News - Iran has 'no trust' in US, will negotiate only if it is serious, Araqchi says

Shorouk News - عراقجي : غياب الثقة يعرقل إنهاء الحرب مع أمريكا

Dunfermline Press - Lack of trust impeding talks to end war with US , says Iran top diplomat

Iran's Foreign Minister Cites Lack of Trust as Major Obstacle to Ending War with US

**Summary:** Leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) gathered in Turkestan, Kazakhstan, to discuss strengthening regional cooperation and the organization's growing geopolitical influence.

**Key points:**
- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the goal of transforming the Turkic world into a major geopolitical power center in the 21st century.
- The summit included leaders from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
- Discussions highlighted the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor, a trade route connecting China to Europe while bypassing Russia.
- Participants participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Center of Turkic Civilization.

**Why it matters:** The summit underscores the deepening political and economic integration of the Turkic states as they seek to enhance their collective influence in global trade and geopolitics.

day.az - Президент Ильхам Алиев поделился публикацией в соцсетях в связи с участием в неформальном Саммите глав государств ОТГ

lenta.ru - Алиев назвал влиятельный геополитический центр

Leaders of Turkic States Convene for Informal Summit in Turkestan

**Summary:** Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held high-level talks in Abu Dhabi, resulting in multiple agreements across defense, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

**Key points:**
- The two leaders signed a structural agreement for a strategic defense partnership and a memorandum of understanding regarding strategic petroleum reserves.
- The UAE announced a $5 billion investment package targeting India's infrastructure sector, RBL Bank, and the city of Samman.
- Prime Minister Modi was received with a military escort of F-16 fighter jets upon entering UAE airspace.
- Discussions addressed regional stability in West Asia, with Prime Minister Modi condemning recent attacks on the UAE.

**Why it matters:** The visit underscores the deepening strategic and economic partnership between India and the UAE, focusing on energy security and significant financial investment.

jagonews24.com - আমিরাতে নাহিয়ান-মোদির বৈঠক, জ্বালানি-প্রতিরক্ষাসহ একাধিক চুক্তি সই

gulfnews.com - PM Modi Begins UAE Visit as Part of Five - Nation Tour , India - UAE Eye Deeper Trade and Tech Ties Amid West Asia Tensions

patrika.com - PM मोदी के प्लेन को F - 16 ने किया एस्कॉर्ट , UAE पहुंचते ही प्रधानमंत्री ने ईरान को दे दिया साफ संदेश | Pm Narendra Modi Uae Warm Welcome With F 16 Fighter Jet Gives Clear Message To Iran Over Us Israel Tension

Indian PM Modi and UAE President Al Nahyan Sign Strategic Agreements in Abu Dhabi

**Summary:** At the 13th Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, African leaders and business executives discussed strategies to achieve economic sovereignty, industrial transformation, and regional integration.

**Key points:**
- Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema advocated for local resource transformation and reduced reliance on foreign value chains.
- The forum, themed "scale or fail," gathered over 2,800 decision-makers to address the need for industrial scaling and capital mobilization.
- Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema met with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to discuss diversifying the Gabonese economy beyond oil.

**Why it matters:** The forum highlights a growing continental push for economic self-reliance and industrial maturity, aiming to shift African nations from raw material exporters to value-added manufacturing hubs.

infosgabon.com - Kigali, le pari économique du Gabon

jeuneafrique.com - Oligui Nguema cite Airbus, Tinubu cite Dangote : à Kigali, l’Afrique cherche son modèle industriel

African Leaders and Private Sector Convene at Africa CEO Forum in Kigali

**Summary:** The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, reporting 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths.

**Key points:**
- Preliminary laboratory tests at the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa confirmed the virus in 13 of 20 samples.
- The outbreak is concentrated in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones, with additional suspected cases identified in Bunia.
- Africa CDC is coordinating with the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan to enhance cross-border surveillance and response.
- Initial findings suggest the presence of a non-Zaire strain of the virus, with further characterization currently underway.

**Why it matters:** The outbreak poses a significant regional health risk due to high population mobility in mining areas and urban centers, necessitating urgent cross-border coordination to prevent further spread.

TimesLIVE - African CDC confirms Ebola outbreak in DRC, with 65 deaths so far

RTBF - République démocratique du Congo : une épidémie d’Ebola déclarée dans l’est du pays

Eye Radio - Ebola outbreak confirmed in eastern DR Congo as Africa CDC raises regional alert

Ebola Outbreak Confirmed in Democratic Republic of Congo's Ituri Province

**Summary:** A large-scale drone attack on May 15, 2026, struck a major oil refinery in Ryazan and military sites in Yeysk and Taganrog, resulting in three deaths and twelve injuries in Ryazan.

**Key points:**
- The Ryazan oil refinery, owned by Rosneft, sustained significant damage, causing a large fire and reports of oil product leakage.
- Debris from a downed drone struck a residential apartment building in Ryazan, leading to multiple casualties and property damage.
- Explosions were reported near a military airfield in Yeysk, which houses the 859th Center for Naval Aviation Combat Training.
- Local witnesses in Ryazan reported a series of 8 to 10 explosions during the early morning hours.

**Why it matters:** The strikes represent a continued effort to degrade Russia's energy export capabilities and military infrastructure, directly impacting both industrial capacity and civilian areas.

Quarte Bot