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The 1MDB Fallout: Jho Low's Bid for Presidential PardonThe fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, a central figure in the multibillion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), is reportedly seeking a pardon from the US president, Donald Trump. This move comes as Low faces multiple charges including corruption and money laundering in both the US and Malaysia for his alleged role in the misappropriation of at least $4.5bn (£3.3bn) from the sovereign wealth fund.Legal Maneuvers and the White House StanceRequest Filed: Low recently filed a request for a pardon that, if granted, would remove US criminal charges against him, according to the Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the matter.Current Status: A White House official stated that Low’s request is not currently on its radar.DOJ Record: The US Justice Department website lists a pending request for a “pardon after completion of sentence” under Taek Jho Low that was filed this year.Quantifying the Financial Damage and RecoveriesThe 1MDB scandal is considered one of the world’s biggest financial frauds, with billions plundered from the now defunct fund beginning in 2015. Despite the massive scale of the theft, some assets have been recovered through legal settlements.Recovery Amount: In 2019, the US struck a deal to recoup about $1bn from Low.Assets Seized: The fugitive agreed to give up a private jet and high-end real estate in Beverly Hills, New York, and London.Geopolitical Tensions and Asset Recovery StrategiesThe request for a pardon has sparked a diplomatic tug-of-war between the US and Malaysia. While the US has a pending pardon request, Malaysian authorities are pushing for Low's location to facilitate further investigations.Malaysian Opposition: Johari Abdul Ghani, the chair of a Malaysian taskforce seeking to recover funds, stated, “As far as I’m concerned, I’m against the pardon” and called for the US to assist in locating him.Asset Return Strategy: Malaysia temporarily lifted an Interpol red notice against Low to facilitate the return of significant assets to the country.Political Negotiations: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that the government is negotiating with other nations to speed up Low’s return, though he declined to name the specific countries involved.Future Outlook: The Odds of a Presidential ClemencyGiven the severity of the charges and the ongoing diplomatic friction, the likelihood of a pardon is currently low. With Malaysian officials publicly opposing the move and the White House indicating the request is not a priority, Low’s bid for freedom remains a complex legal and political challenge.

The Lead US President Donald Trump departed for Beijing on Tuesday for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying the two leaders would hold a 'long talk' on Iran even as trade remains the main focus of the visit. Iran's Stance on Peace Iran presses US on peace proposal: Iran's chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Washington must accept Tehran's latest peace plan or face failure. Report says Iran retains missile strength: The New York Times reported Tuesday that classified US intelligence assessments say Iran still has substantial missile capabilities, with about 70 percent of its mobile launchers and pre-war missile stockpile still in action. War Diplomacy Chinese supertanker crosses Hormuz: Chinese crude oil supertanker Yuan Hua Hu was reportedly transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, ship-tracking data showed, passing Iran's Larak Island while heading out of the Gulf. Hezbollah rules out disarmament talks: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said his group's weapons were not part of forthcoming ceasefire negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. Qatar warns over Hormuz pressure: Qatar's prime minister said Iran should not use the Strait of Hormuz, blocked since early in the war, as a means of 'blackmail' against Gulf states. The Gulf UAE gas facility hit by war: The UAE's main gas processing complex, one of the world's largest, will not resume full capacity until next year, its operator said, after it was hit in the Iran war. Kuwait arrests alleged IRGC operatives: The country said it arrested four men accused of belonging to Iran's IRGC after they tried to infiltrate Bubiyan Island by sea and injured a Kuwaiti soldier. In the US Trump on Xi: Trump said he does not believe the US needs China's help to end the war involving Iran, but confirmed the issue would still feature in his talks with Xi Jinping this week. Trump says war's end will bring down inflation: Facing growing domestic pressure over rising prices linked to the conflict, Trump said the war 'will not be long' and argued its end would trigger a sharp drop in oil prices and inflation. US says Iran war has cost $29bn: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the war has cost Washington at least $29bn in munitions and equipment over 74 days, excluding damage to bases. The Impact Analysis The ongoing conflict in Iran has significant implications for the global economy, with rising oil prices and inflation being major concerns. The war has also led to a humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of students displaced and schools destroyed in Lebanon. The Prediction The future outlook for the conflict in Iran remains uncertain, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. However, with growing domestic pressure and international diplomacy, there is a possibility that the conflict could be resolved peacefully in the near future.

The Lead: A High-Stakes Diplomatic Encounter Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to seek concessions on Taiwan and US tariffs when he meets United States President Donald Trump for a critical summit taking place in the shadow of the war on Iran. Trump's arrival in China marks the first trip by a US leader to the country since 2017, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in US-China relations. The Taiwan Confrontation: Core Interest and Red Lines Unlike Trump's mercurial policymaking approach, Xi is widely seen as predictable in his goals for the summit, particularly concerning Beijing's "core interests" related to national security and territorial integrity. At the top of that list is Taiwan, which Beijing views as an inalienable part of its territory despite Taiwan's self-governing status. China has named Taiwan as the first of "four red lines" that "must not be challenged." In a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described Taiwan as "the biggest risk in the China-US relationship." While analysts say it's unlikely the US will change its position on Taiwan due to Chinese pressure, Trump has indicated the summit will include discussions about the $14bn arms package approved by Congress for Taiwan. The Trade War Dynamics: Economic Uncertainty and Strategic Maneuvering Xi is also eager to smooth over US-China relations after a tumultuous 18 months that saw Trump launch a second trade war with the world's second-largest economy. The standoff saw both countries implement escalating tariffs and punitive measures, including export controls, before hitting pause in May. During their last meeting in South Korea in October, Xi and Trump agreed to a one-year reprieve in their trade war, though some trade measures remain in place. China is likely to agree to increase purchases of US agricultural exports and Boeing planes during the summit, but is unlikely to make concessions on rare earths—a sector it dominates—without major political trade-offs from the US. The Geopolitical Chessboard: Iran Conflict and Global Implications The US-Israel war on Iran will loom large over the summit. Although not a direct participant, China has been significantly impacted by the economic fallout of the conflict and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies typically pass. Beijing has consistently called for negotiations and a comprehensive ceasefire since the conflict began, a message Xi is likely to reiterate. Despite Trump stating he doesn't need China's "help" resolving the war, the White House has pressured Beijing to influence Iran to reopen the strait. China has maintained a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with Iran since 2016 and purchases more than 80% of its oil, though Xi is expected to limit China's role to mediation, consistent with its non-intervention foreign policy principle. The Future of US-China Relations: Strategic Adjustments and Long-term Planning For Beijing, the stakes are particularly high as its view of Trump has shifted from a "predictable transactional counterpart" to a "more action-oriented and harder-to-restrain opponent." Rather than securing immediate concessions, China's priority is "trying to adjust the current strategic position and negotiating pace that are unfavorable to it, and bring US-China interactions back into a framework that it can better control." Xi may also support Trump's plan to create a "Board of Trade" and "Board of Investment" to oversee US-China economic ties, as Beijing seeks predictability and certainty for the remainder of Trump's term through January 2029. This stability would allow China to plan its own economic policies with greater confidence, particularly regarding tariff levels and trade relationships.

Jensen Huang Added to Trump’s High‑Profile China DelegationJensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, joined Donald Trump's 36‑hour China trip after a reported last‑minute invitation, sitting with CEOs such as Elon Musk and Tim Cook for a meeting with President Xi Jinping.Summit dates: May 13‑14, 2026Key participants: CEOs of Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, Goldman Sachs and othersAgenda items: conflict in Iran, tariffs, Taiwan, and US‑China tech cooperationFinancial Stakes: $50 bn Market Target and Billionaire Net WorthHuang has repeatedly cited the Chinese market as a $50 bn opportunity for Nvidia’s AI chips. His personal fortune surged to $191.5 bn, briefly placing him among the world’s top seven richest people, while his 2026 compensation fell to $36.6 m after a stock‑price correction.Net‑worth: $191.5 bn (based on 3 % Nvidia stake)Compensation 2026: $36.6 m (‑27 % YoY)China market potential cited: $50 bnImplications for US‑China Tech Relations and AI CompetitionThe inclusion of a leading AI hardware maker signals Washington’s intent to leverage private‑sector expertise in diplomatic talks, aiming to “open up” China for American tech firms. It also raises questions about the optics of blending corporate influence with foreign policy amid ongoing tensions over AI dominance.What the Summit Could Signal for Future Tech DiplomacyAnalysts expect the summit to set a precedent for more frequent “business‑state” delegations, potentially accelerating joint research agreements or, conversely, prompting stricter export controls if negotiations stall. The outcome may shape the pace at which US AI firms gain market access in China and influence broader geopolitical strategies.

The LeadVictor Wembanyama returned from suspension with a dominant performance, scoring 27 points and grabbing 17 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 126-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The win gives the Spurs a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference semifinal series, positioning them one win away from advancing to the conference finals.The Wembanyama RedemptionWembanyama's return was highly anticipated after he was ejected in Game 4 for elbowing an opponent, which resulted in an automatic suspension. The young star expressed his eagerness to return, saying "Very, very much" when asked how anxious he was to get back on the court. He delivered in spectacular fashion, scoring 16 of the Spurs' first 24 points and finishing with a double-double in just the first half alone (21 points, 11 rebounds)."I think one thing, the one word I'd like to use, just 'mature,'" Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama. "There's a lot that's happened in the last 48 hours, in the last game, and I think how that young man came out tonight and played in a variety of ways, in a variety of situations, not just in terms of his production, was extremely mature and then defensively, start to finish."The Statistical BreakdownThe Spurs received balanced scoring beyond Wembanyama's performance:Keldon Johnson: 21 points off the benchDe'Aaron Fox: 18 pointsStephon Castle: 17 pointsDevin Vassell: 12 pointsDylan Harper: 12 points, 10 reboundsFor the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led with 20 points, while Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle each had 17 points. Ayo Dosunmu contributed 16 points and Naz Reid added 12.The Spurs led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter before settling for a 12-point advantage at halftime. After Minnesota tied the game at 61-all early in the third quarter, San Antonio responded with a 30-12 run to take control of the game.The Series ImplicationsThis victory gives the Spurs significant momentum and a 3-2 series lead. The team showed resilience and maturity, particularly from their young star Wembanyama, who channeled his frustration from Game 4 into a dominant performance."We played with the appropriate fear, discipline, execution, physicality, poise," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "And I thought we had it from an array of people tonight, and it was really good to see. We needed everybody, because at different moments of the game, different guys stepped up."The Timberwolves, meanwhile, struggled with consistency, particularly on defense. "We went away from what was working, and then, you know, defence just cratered," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. "In the last six minutes of the third quarter, lot of it was just ball contain stuff. And, you know, offensively found stuff that was working, then we just started breaking off plays, you know. And that's my job. I gotta get us back on track. That's on me."The Path ForwardThe series now shifts to Minneapolis for Game 6 on Friday, with the Timberwolves facing elimination. If necessary, Game 7 would be back in San Antonio on Sunday."I don't see nobody in our locker room that [is] worried at the end of the day," Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards said. "Man, it's another basketball game. So you come out, put your boots on and get ready to go work."

The Diplomatic Visit Former US President Donald Trump has embarked on a diplomatic visit to China with a group of tech leaders. The trip has garnered significant attention and sparked interest in a potential new era of US-China relations. The Implications of the Trip The visit has raised questions about the implications for global politics and technology. As the world grapples with issues of trade, security, and innovation, the interactions between the US and China will have far-reaching consequences. The Future of US-China Relations The trip has set the stage for a new chapter in US-China relations. As both nations navigate complex issues, the world will be watching closely to see how their relationship evolves. The Role of Technology The involvement of tech leaders in the trip has highlighted the critical role of technology in shaping global politics and economies. The intersection of technology and diplomacy will likely continue to be a key area of focus in the years to come. The Global Impact The implications of Trump's trip to China will extend far beyond the US and China. As the global community grapples with issues of trade, security, and innovation, the interactions between these two nations will have a profound impact on the world order.

The Lead A draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has gained 112 co-sponsors, according to diplomatic sources. This development underscores the breadth of global concern over the closure of one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. The Event Details The resolution, tabled by Bahrain and the United States, seeks to protect international waterways, commercial shipping and energy supplies, and to ensure the safety of seafarers. It also calls for an end to Iranian attacks on its Gulf neighbours. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have joined Manama and Washington as principal sponsors, while India, Japan, South Korea, Kenya, Argentina and most member states of the European Union have also signed on. The Data Analysis “The list takes up three full pages,” said Al Jazeera’s correspondent in New York, Gabriel Elizondo. “It’s essentially being co-sponsored by two-thirds of all 193 UN member states.” This level of support indicates a significant international consensus on the need to maintain freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The Impact Analysis The diplomatic push comes as peace negotiations between Iran and the US remain deadlocked. The US is demanding that Iran dismantle its nuclear programme and lift its restrictions on the strait. Iran has countered with calls for war reparations, an end to the US naval blockade of its ports and a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where US ally Israel is fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The Prediction No date has been set for a vote on the resolution. However, with 112 co-sponsors, it is clear that there is significant international pressure on Iran to reconsider its stance on the Strait of Hormuz. The outcome of the vote will depend on the positions of key players such as China and Russia, which have voiced reservations about the draft but have not yet indicated whether they will veto it.

The Unparalleled Experience of CannesNothing prepares you for the shock that is the Cannes film festival: the adrenaline, the fatigue, the elation and the emotion, but also the hunger, the anger, the magic and the ridicule. For young cinephiles, and for almost everybody who works in the film industry, it is the mecca of cinema and has been so for nearly eight decades. Anyone going for the first time this week, as I did 25 years ago, should not listen to the old grognards – Cannes' battle-worn veterans – who will lament that the festival has become an abominable circus and swear this year will be their last. It is a circus, and you can bet they will be back for as long as their knees can take it. For there is nothing quite like it.From Resistance to Global Cinema HubBorn to counteract Benito Mussolini's Venice film festival, its first edition was planned for September 1939, but Adolf Hitler had other plans. The previous year, under pressure from Berlin and Rome, the Venice film festival's top prize, the Coppa Mussolini, was handed to Leni Riefenstahl's propaganda film Olympia, prompting the French, British and American delegates to walk out. Hence Cannes, conceived as the festival of the "free world". More than 80 years later, for all its sins, it has remained faithful to that founding promise.The Expansive Scale of Modern CannesOver the decades, Cannes has mutated into an ever-hungrier mammoth, needing more space, and more venues, as it attracts an increasing number of journalists and professionals. A purpose-built Palais des Festivals had to be erected in the 1980s. "The bunker", as we have come to call it, is not exactly beautiful but brutally efficient at managing Cannes' mind-boggling crowds. This year, about 40,000 accredited festival-goers are descending on the French Riviera from 140 different countries, with dozens of films selected across all sidebars. At the same time, the Marché du Film, running alongside the festival since the late 1960s, is gathering about 16,000 participants, with thousands of films and projects up for sale. Cannes is both a summit for the cinema elite and a giant film bazaar.Three Worlds Colliding at La CroisetteFor 11 days in May, three different worlds lead parallel lives – critics, deal-makers and red-carpet royalty – colliding almost by accident on the seafront boulevard known as La Croisette. Hundreds of critics watch multiple films a day with monastic discipline. When they give in to parties, they bitterly regret it the next morning. You can spot some of us sleeping through entire screenings; how some colleagues manage to review films is a mystery. I remember a well-known French critic who had such vivid dreams in the darkness that he became convinced they were scenes in the films. His reviews were full of brilliant analysis of moments that did not exist.We critics rush between screenings, press conferences, interviews, our desks and the bunker's free espresso machines, often forgetting to eat or even pee. Downstairs, in the bunker's basement, and in hotel suites and rented apartments, the film market runs day and night: buyers juggle numbers, producers charm, directors and screenwriters fight for their vision. Above them floats Cannes' top layer – stars and "talent" spending hours in hair and makeup before climbing the 24 steps of the red carpet in borrowed couture and jewellery. When people in the industry groan, "oh God, it's Cannes again", it is this collision of financial anxiety, choreographed glamour and sheer exhaustion they are bracing themselves for.The Magic and Meaning Behind the GlamourThese worlds sometimes collide in the most poetic or grotesque ways. One morning, rushing to my first screening at 7.30am, I was walking along the Croisette when I saw, coming towards me, slightly dishevelled in a tuxedo, Jack Nicholson on his way back to his hotel after a long night. I smiled, he smiled back. He was alone, no bodyguards, no chaperones. Those were the days. I also shared a lift with Takeshi Kitano in full samurai attire, and I will never forget turning into a hotel corridor and finding myself nose to nose with Max von Sydow – Ingmar Bergman's medieval knight from The Seventh Seal. My cinephile heart skipped a beat.One of my favourite sidebars in Cannes, alongside the competition where you watch the year's best crop of films, is Cannes Classics, showing restored world masterpieces and documentaries about cinema. I always start the festival there: it is the best way to reset and begin afresh. Then I am ready for the 10-day onslaught of motion pictures, and for the magic moment that precedes each Cannes screening – the festival's own jingle, a palm ascending the red carpet from underwater and then into the sky, lifted by the ethereal arpeggios of Camille Saint-Saëns's Carnival of the Animals.Cannes: Enduring Symbol of Cinematic ResistanceIn 1955, Cannes gave its first official Palme d'Or to Delbert Mann's Marty; half a century later I found myself befriending its wonderful star, Betsy Blair, on the Croisette. I had the joy of seeing Ken Loach twice climbing those steps to collect the Palme, escorted by police outriders from Nice airport as if he were a head of state. I watched Iranian directors Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof showing films at peril to their lives. For all the craziness of the red carpet and the samurai outfits, Cannes never forgets that it was founded as a gesture of resistance. That, as much as the glamour and the exhaustion, is why we keep going back.

Trump’s Beijing Arrival Sets Stage for a High‑Stakes SummitDonald Trump is scheduled to land in Beijing on Wednesday evening, marking the first visit by a U.S. president to China in nearly ten years. The two‑day meeting with President Xi Jinping is framed as a chance to restore U.S. prestige after the protracted war in Iran.Diplomatic and Business Agenda of the VisitThe delegation will include more than a dozen American business leaders, notably Elon Musk of Tesla and Tim Cook of Apple. Trump has promised a “big, fat hug” from Xi and expects headline‑grabbing deals, including a new board of trade to coordinate bilateral purchases.Economic Stakes: 500 Boeing Jets and a Fragile Trade Truce500 Boeing 737 Max jets are slated for sale – one of the largest orders in the aircraft maker’s history.The U.S. and China remain under a “fragile tariff truce” established last autumn.China’s economy is under pressure from sluggish domestic demand and a prolonged property crisis.Geopolitical Ripple: Iran War, Taiwan, and Global EnergyThe Iran‑Israel conflict has entered its third month, with Tehran tightening control of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply.Washington has sanctioned several Chinese firms for allegedly supporting Iranian oil shipments.Trump’s willingness to discuss U.S. arms sales to Taiwan could signal a shift in the long‑standing U.S. policy of not consulting Beijing on Taiwan matters.Looking Ahead: Scenarios for the Trump‑Xi DialogueAnalysts see three possible outcomes: a breakthrough that eases sanctions on China and secures Iranian de‑escalation; a stalemate that leaves the tariff truce intact but no substantive progress on Iran; or a deterioration that could reignite trade tensions and complicate U.S. commitments to Taiwan.