NEW: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif publicly signals Türkiye and Qatar could join the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) Pakistan signed with Saudi Arabia:
If Qatar and Türkiye also join this existing agreement, it will be a welcome development.
The original pact treats aggression against one as aggression against both.
China quietly more than doubled production efficiency for its most advanced stealth fighter jet by converting a Chengdu factory to fully autonomous "dark factory" operations.
AI-driven machines and autonomous vehicles running nearly 24/7, no lights needed.
The plant now produces structural components for the J-20 ("Mighty Dragon") — China's F-22 equivalent — with minimal human involvement, cutting costs and removing round-the-clock staffing.
Mass production of the J-20 began in 2020.
Source: SCMP
China's missile buildup is accelerating fast.
Bloomberg tracked 81 listed Chinese companies supplying the country's two state missile makers (CASIC and CASC).
In 2025, nearly 40% of them hit record revenues — the highest share since Xi took power in 2013 — with combined sales up 20% to $28 billion.
That contrasts with flat or declining revenue among China's 300 largest companies overall.
The Pentagon estimates China now has 3,150+ ballistic missiles — up 147% since 2015.
Its arsenal can reach Guam, Tokyo, and beyond.
Some risks: China's anti-corruption purge of top generals and defense scientists may slow procurement, and defense budget growth is at its slowest since 2022.
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer (owner of Politico):
In England, members of the Green Party, which most disturbingly mixes climate activism with anti-semitism, say Zionism is racism.
There must be a misunderstanding here. It is not Zionism that is racism. It is anti-Zionism that is racism.
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer (owner of Politico):
All anti-semites in word and deed, regardless of their origin, must be expelled wherever legally possible.
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer (owner of Politico):
TikTok in particular is today one of the most dangerous propaganda machines for amplifying extremist content.
In America, TikTok has been forced to be sold to non-Chinese owners. Europe should follow this example.
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer (owner of Politico):
Europe should introduce preferential immigration and citizenship for Jewish families.
Europe must become more Jewish.
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer (owner of Politico):
Why should Zionism be an idea and a goal that only Jews can embrace?
I'm a goy and I'm a Zionist.
Australia’s first Trump Tower has been scrapped just three months after launch, with the developer admitting “the brand in this country has become toxic to Australians.”
The 91-story Gold Coast project will still go ahead — just without the Trump name.
Source: CNN
German defence company Rheinmetall has started mass production of kamikaze drones, CEO Armin Papperger said at the company’s annual meeting.
The drones, called FV-014 loitering munitions, can fly for up to 70 minutes and strike targets up to 100 km away.
Production is expanding to Rheinmetall’s Neuss plant, which is being converted from car parts manufacturing to defence production.
CBS News chief Bari Weiss secured Netanyahu’s “60 Minutes” interview by giving him the option to choose his interviewer between Lesley Stahl and Major Garrett.
Netanyahu’s team chose Garrett, sidelining Stahl after months of pursuing the interview.
Source: New York Post
Putin is increasingly focused on fully capturing the Donbas and reportedly believes Russian forces can seize the region by autumn.
According to officials and sources close to the Kremlin, he plans to use any success there to demand even more territory in future ceasefire talks, including parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Source: FT
An immigrant Who Hates Immigrants: The Valentina Gomez Paradox
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Turkish Foreign Ministry:
As part of the confidence-building measures undertaken within the framework of the normalization process ongoing between Türkiye and Armenia since 2022, the bureaucratic preparations for the launch of direct trade between the two countries were completed as of May 11, 2026.
The necessary technical and bureaucratic work regarding the opening of the common border between the two countries is still ongoing.
Thanks to the newly implemented regulation, it has become possible for goods traveling from Türkiye to Armenia via a third country—or arriving through the same route—to indicate “Armenia/Türkiye” as their final destination or point of origin.
In light of the historic opportunity to strengthen lasting peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus, Türkiye will continue to contribute to the development of economic relations in the region and to the further advancement of cooperation for the benefit of all countries and peoples of the region.
Trump:
CNBC incorrectly reported that the Great Jensen Huang, of Nvidia, was not invited to the incredible gathering of the World’s Greatest Businessmen/women proudly going to China. In actuality, Jensen is currently on Air Force One and, unless I ask him to leave, which is highly unlikely, CNBC’s reporting is incorrect or, as they say in politics, FAKE NEWS!
It is an Honor to have Jensen, Elon, Tim Apple, Larry Fink, Stephen Schwarzmann, Kelly Ortberg (Boeing), Brian Sikes (Cargill), Jane Fraser (Citi), Larry Culp (GE Aerospace), David Solomon (Goldman Sachs), Sanjay Mehrotra (Micron), Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm), and many others journeying to the Great Country of China where I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to “open up” China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level!
In fact, I promise, that when we are together, which will be in a matter of hours, I will make that my very first request. I have never seen or heard of any idea that would be more beneficial to our incredible Countries!
U.S. intelligence assessments say Iran still retains much of its military capability despite Trump administration claims that it was “decimated.”
Officials believe Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites and underground facilities, including 30 of 33 sites along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is also estimated to still have about 70% of its missile stockpile and mobile launchers.
Intelligence reports suggest Iran recovered faster than expected and remains capable of threatening U.S. warships and oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: NYT