US energy officials warn that solar inverters and batteries acquired from Chinese providers may be vulnerable to remote control due to hidden communications devices. This could lead to grid destabilization or blackouts. In November, some US solar power inverters were reportedly disabled by China, although the impact was unclear. Typically, comms devices are included for software updates, but their absence in documentation raises concerns about intentional hiding.
https://gizmodo.com/u-s-allegedly-finds-rogue-communication-devices-in-chinese-made-solar-tech-2000602873A UN expert, Tom Andrews, is investigating reports that Indian authorities forced Rohingya refugees into the sea from a naval vessel in the Andaman Sea, an "unconscionable" act that disregards their lives and safety. The mostly Muslim Rohingya have faced decades of persecution in Myanmar, with one million living in squalid camps in Bangladesh after escaping a 2017 military crackdown. Dozens of Rohingya refugees were detained in Delhi, blindfolded and flown to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands before being transferred to an Indian naval ship, where they were given life jackets and made to swim to Myanmar territory.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/05/15/india-accused-of-dumping-rohingya-refugees-into-andaman-sea-un-expert-demands-answers/176913The Kremlin has announced a delegation for peace negotiations with Ukraine, led by presidential advisor Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. US President Donald Trump will not attend, but his administration is considering secondary sanctions against Russia if the talks are obstructed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on his way to Turkey to meet with Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, as he seeks Putin's participation in negotiations. The talks aim to discuss a 30-day ceasefire and potential prisoner exchange, but Putin wants to start negotiations first to discuss details.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2007412/putin-names-delegation-for-ukraine-peace-talksSheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed has reaffirmed a strong alliance between the UAE and the US, built on mutual trust, respect, and shared interests. He emphasized the UAE's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the US, particularly in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East and globally, through collective international action.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/05/15/uae-plans-to-invest-14-trillion-in-us-over-10-years-says-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayedThe US government is scrutinizing companies that do business with China, particularly those in the food industry. Danone, the owner of brands like Activia and Evian, is receiving letters from congressional committees demanding information on its cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The company has a research lab in Shanghai and an infant formula plant in Qingdao, China, which raises concerns that sensitive data collected through international studies could be compromised by CCP intelligence. Danone denies sharing biometric data with China or selling infant formulas made in China in the US.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14712309/donald-trump-chinese-baby-formula-spies-infants-dna.htmlRussian President Vladimir Putin's counterpart, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, urged Russia to call a ceasefire and warned of "massive sanctions" if Moscow doesn't comply. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, saying they need to find steps forward to prevent future conflicts. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen accused Russia of not being willing to participate in serious peace talks, citing Putin as the "empty chair" at the negotiating table. Barrot echoed this view, stating that Putin is resisting peace conversations and has shown no interest in participating.
https://apnews.com/article/ucrania-guerra-rusia-negociaciones-turquia-putin-26274c28f08f477dfc72169c1f319b85US President Donald Trump urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to manufacture products in the US instead of India during a recent tour of the Gulf. The announcement comes after the US and China agreed to suspend tariffs for 90 days, de-escalating a trade war that had raised fears of a global economic downturn. Prior to this agreement, Cook had stated that a majority of iPhones sold in the US would originate from India due to the impact of 145% US tariffs on products from China.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-says-he-urged-apple-manufacture-us-not-india-5133151US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the fighting in Ukraine, stating that "there is no victory in sight" for Putin. Healey pointed to commitments made by European leaders, including Britain's Rishi Sunak and France's Emmanuel Macron, as evidence of a united front against Russia. German Foreign Minister Boris Pistorius agreed that Putin has the power to end the war, suggesting he could travel to Istanbul to negotiate a ceasefire.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40362934/time-to-put-pressure-on-putin-uk-defence-ministerSheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, led a UAE delegation to the Gulf-US Summit in Riyadh, where he discussed ways to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the US. He expressed appreciation for King Salman's hosting and reaffirmed the importance of their strategic partnership, which enables both sides to advance cooperation in areas that serve mutual interests and support regional development and prosperity. Sheikh Khaled emphasized the need for enhanced political, economic, and security coordination to build a prosperous future for the region's people.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/05/15/president-saudi-minister-discuss-mideast-situation