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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that China could play a key diplomatic role in nudging Russia toward renewed peace negotiations over Ukraine. Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence on Friday, Trump said he believed “China’s influence over Moscow” could be decisive in bringing both sides back to the table and ending what he called “a war that should have never gone this far.” Trump, who has repeatedly signaled his intention to broker a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow if re-elected, emphasized that Beijing holds “significant leverage” over Russian President Vladimir Putin, both economically and strategically. “President Xi has the ability to encourage Putin to make peace,” Trump said. “China doesn’t want to see instability or global economic disruption—so I think they can help us move toward a solution.” His remarks come amid increasing speculation that the White House may support Trump’s informal diplomatic outreach efforts, particularly after the collapse of the planned Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest earlier this week. Although the former president insisted his talks with Moscow were “ongoing through other channels,” he admitted that recent discussions had “not gone anywhere.” China has maintained a delicate balance throughout the war in Ukraine, calling for a negotiated settlement while avoiding direct condemnation of Russia’s invasion. Beijing’s 12-point peace proposal, released in early 2023, received a mixed response from Western leaders but was welcomed by Moscow as a “constructive framework.” Analysts say Trump’s latest comments indicate a willingness to align parts of his diplomatic approach with China’s mediation style—one focused on economic incentives rather than military pressure. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials remain skeptical of any deal that allows Russia to retain occupied territories. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would only participate in peace talks that respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and involve international guarantees for long-term security. Still, Trump’s remarks suggest a growing sense of urgency to find an exit from the conflict. “Every day this war continues, people are dying, economies are suffering, and the world gets closer to a bigger catastrophe,” he warned. “If we can bring China, Russia, and Ukraine to the same table, it would be a massive step toward stability.” As tensions rise across Eastern Europe, attention will now turn to Beijing’s response. Whether China chooses to take a more active diplomatic role—or continues its cautious neutrality—could determine whether Trump’s vision for peace has any real chance of success. Trump says Putin talks ‘don’t go anywhere’ as he imposes new sanctions

A cargo aircraft skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday and plunged into the sea, killing two airport security staff, officials have confirmed. What happened Around 3:50 a.m. HKT, the Boeing 747 freighter—operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines under lease for Emirates SkyCargo—was landing on the airport’s north runway after arriving from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. After touchdown, the aircraft veered sharply to the left, broke through the perimeter fence, and collided with a security patrol car stationed outside the runway’s fencing. The plane and patrol car ended up in the water. Both men in the car—a 30-year-old and a 41-year-old, long-time airport workers—were trapped when the vehicle sank into shallow sea. One was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died after being taken to hospital. The four crew members on board the aircraft escaped with no major injuries. Status & response The north runway was temporarily closed while the investigation and emergency measures were carried out, but the airport’s two other runways remained operational and normal flights continued. Emergency teams mobilised significant resources: according to reports, 213 firefighters and emergency crew, along with 45 vehicles and vessels, responded to the incident. Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Authority and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department are now examining operational, technical, and environmental causes. Both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder are being recovered. Key uncertainty & background Importantly, weather and runway conditions at the time of landing were reported as normal, and no distress call was made by the aircraft prior to the excursion. The aircraft involved was a 32-year-old Boeing 747, originally a passenger aircraft later converted to freighter use. This marks the deadliest incident at Hong Kong International Airport in more than a quarter-century, reviving concerns over the airport’s operational safety and ground coordination. Wabstalk Significance The tragedy raises critical questions about runway excursions—when aircraft leave the intended landing path—and the interaction between aircraft operations and ground-vehicle safety zones. The fact that the patrol car was outside the runway fence and performing routine duties underscores the severity of the plane’s deviation. As one of the world’s busiest air-cargo hubs, any disruption or serious incident at Hong Kong International Airport carries significant implications for global logistics, safety standards, and operator procedures. Authorities are now under pressure to review ground-access protocols and aircraft approach guidelines to prevent a repeat of such a devastating accident. Israel launches air strikes in Gaza, accusing Hamas of ‘blatant violation of ceasefire’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit the White House next week to press his case for advanced missile systems as Kyiv faces mounting pressure on the battlefield. The high-stakes meeting comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to hold a bilateral summit — a move that has raised fresh concerns in Kyiv about Washington’s long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense. Zelensky is expected to seek approval for the delivery of long-range ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine has long requested to strike key Russian military targets deep behind the front lines. The visit marks one of Zelensky’s most critical diplomatic missions since Trump returned to office earlier this year, as Ukraine struggles to sustain momentum in a war that has dragged on for over two and a half years. U.S. officials have confirmed that discussions will include “defense cooperation and strategic security,” though they stopped short of confirming any specific weapons package. Analysts say Zelensky’s primary goal will be to convince Trump that bolstering Ukraine’s firepower serves U.S. interests by deterring Russian aggression and maintaining stability in Europe. Trump’s stance on continued aid to Ukraine has been notably cautious. While he has reiterated support for “peace through strength,” he has also emphasized the need for negotiations with Moscow — a position that contrasts sharply with Kyiv’s insistence on reclaiming all occupied territories. The recent announcement of a forthcoming Trump-Putin meeting has further heightened Ukrainian anxieties about being sidelined in future talks. According to Ukrainian officials, Zelensky will underscore the growing threat posed by Russia’s intensified missile and drone strikes, which have targeted energy infrastructure and major cities ahead of the winter season. He will also highlight the success of past Western-supplied weaponry, such as HIMARS systems, in slowing Russian advances, arguing that long-range missiles could be decisive in shifting the conflict’s trajectory. French PM Sébastien Lecornu survives two no-confidence votes by MPs White House aides have described the meeting as part of ongoing consultations with U.S. allies, emphasizing that Washington remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, domestic debates in Congress over foreign aid have complicated the picture, with some lawmakers calling for tighter oversight and limits on new arms transfers. For Zelensky, the White House meeting represents both an opportunity and a test — a chance to reaffirm U.S. backing while navigating the uncertainties of a shifting geopolitical landscape. His ability to secure missile support may not only shape Ukraine’s military prospects but also signal how far Trump is willing to go in confronting Putin as the war enters another crucial phase. Wabstalk

China has recently seized 60,000 maps in an export inspection, citing errors such as “mislabelling” the Taiwan region and omitting key territories. According to the Qingdao Customs authority, the confiscated maps lacked the mandatory map-review number issued by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and contained serious deviations from the official Chinese territorial representation. What Went Wrong in the Maps The authorities flagged multiple violations, including: According to Chinese regulation, such “problematic maps” are classified as goods that threaten national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and are strictly banned from import or export. The Political and Symbolic Stakes Maps are not merely geographical tools — they are powerful instruments of political messaging. China treats representation of geographic boundaries as central to its diplomatic and domestic narrative. Strict control over how Taiwan is depicted reflects its insistence that Taiwan is part of China. In past incidents, Chinese customs have also intercepted books or publications whose maps mischaracterized China’s border claims — for example, books that labeled Taiwan as a separate “country” have been confiscated. Trump threatens to impose additional 100% tariff on China Such seizures are in line with Beijing’s broader effort to eliminate “incorrect maps” worldwide, reinforcing the narrative that any depiction of Taiwan as independent is invalid. Reaction & International Implications Internationally, such moves may draw criticism on grounds of censorship or overreach. However, from Beijing’s perspective, ensuring that exports conform to its cartographic and territorial norms is nonnegotiable. For countries or publishers outside China, this presents a diplomatic tightrope. Many global mapping and publishing entities must navigate conflicting pressures: represent contested regions according to international conventions while avoiding triggers in major markets like China. For Taiwan, this episode reiterates Beijing’s commitment to asserting sovereignty through nonmilitary tools — in this case, cartographic control. The map seizure can also be read as a signal: China will penalize not only military or diplomatic dissent, but even perceived symbolic or visual deviations.