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Xi Jinping hosts Vladimir Putin at Beijing’s Great Hall, launching high-stakes China-Russia summit on trade, energy, and global strategy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping formally welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in a ceremonial reception that marked the official opening of their bilateral summit in Beijing. The high-profile event, held at China’s foremost venue for state functions in Tiananmen Square, underscored the importance both nations attach to their strategic partnership and ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Following the ceremony, both leaders are expected to engage in extensive talks covering key areas of China-Russia relations, including economic cooperation, trade expansion, and energy partnerships. Discussions will also extend to broader global issues, with a focus on aligning positions on international policies and geopolitical developments where both countries share common ground, highlighting their continued coordination on the world stage.

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PDP faction clears Goodluck Jonathan as sole 2027 presidential candidate, granting waiver amid legal uncertainty and renewed political calculations.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election after granting him a waiver from the standard screening process. The committee said his long political record serving as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president made further vetting unnecessary. Speaking on behalf of chairman Namadi Sambo, Babangida Aliyu confirmed that the waiver effectively cleared Jonathan, noting he was the only presidential aspirant in a wider screening of over 3,000 candidates nationwide.

Party figures including Umar Sani said the decision was driven by public nostalgia for Jonathan’s administration and perceptions of lower living costs during his tenure, alongside expectations he may serve only one term if elected. However, his candidacy faces a legal challenge over whether he has exceeded the constitutional two-term limit, with a court ruling expected on May 26. Despite this, his supporters insist he remains eligible, as he won only one full term, while analysts say the move could reshape opposition politics ahead of 2027.

Celia Hibbert elected Reform UK leader in Wolverhampton, becoming council opposition head and boosting the party’s local political presence.

Celia Hibbert, a councillor representing Penn ward, has been unanimously elected leader of Reform UK on Wolverhampton City Council, making her the official Leader of the Opposition. Her selection by fellow Reform UK councillors signals strong internal backing and marks a significant step in the party’s growing presence in local government.

Confirming her appointment, Hibbert described the role as both an honour and a major responsibility, pledging to focus on issues affecting residents across Wolverhampton. She said her leadership would prioritize accountability, disciplined governance, and effective representation, while strengthening scrutiny of council decisions. As opposition leader, she will now head the party’s council group and serve as its main voice in debates and policy discussions.

Hibbert, first elected as a Labour councillor in 2018, has since transitioned through independent politics to lead Reform UK locally. Known for raising grassroots concerns from rising waste charges to transparency in service delivery her leadership reflects Reform UK’s broader push into local politics. Her emergence also highlights Wolverhampton as a key battleground ahead of future UK elections, where council-level influence is expected to play a growing role.

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US to charge Raúl Castro over 1996 plane shootdown, pending grand jury approval.

The United States Department of Justice is preparing to unseal criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft, with an announcement expected on May 20, 2026, in Miami. The planned indictment, which still requires approval from a federal grand jury, marks a significant legal move targeting a former head of state for actions tied to a decades-old international incident.

The charges relate to the February 24, 1996 downing of planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue, in which all four people onboard were k!lled. At the time, Castro served as Cuba’s defense minister, and US prosecutors allege he was responsible for authorizing or overseeing the operation. While Cuba insisted the aircraft violated its airspace, the United States maintained they were in international airspace a position later supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The case comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana under the administration of Donald Trump, which has intensified sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Cuba in 2026. If approved, the indictment would be the first time the US brings criminal charges against a former Cuban president, a move analysts say could further strain bilateral relations and escalate pressure on the Cuban government.

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JUST IN: Islamic State deputy leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki k!lled in joint US-Nigerian operation, Donald Trump says.

Donald Trump announced that United States and Nigerian forces have k!lled Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of Islamic State, during a joint counterterrorism operation in Africa on May 16, 2026. The development marks a significant escalation in coordinated efforts between both countries to dismantle extremist networks operating across West Africa and the Sahel.

In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said he personally directed the mission, describing it as a “meticulously planned and very complex” operation executed flawlessly by US and Nigerian troops. He noted that al-Minuki had attempted to evade capture by hiding in Africa but was tracked through intelligence sources. Trump added that the k!lling of the ISIS deputy leader would significantly weaken the group’s global operations and expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for its collaboration.

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was a senior figure within ISIS and a top commander in the Islamic State West Africa Province. Born in Borno State in 1982, he was sanctioned by the United States in 2023 for terrorism-related activities and was believed to have coordinated operations across the Lake Chad Basin and wider Sahel region. While details of the strike remain undisclosed, the operation reflects deepening military cooperation, as Nigeria continues its long-running fight against extremist groups including ISWAP and Boko Haram.

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