Latest news for 2 May 2025

CHINA

Beijing says it’s “evaluating” US talks.

China’s commerce ministry has issued a statement suggesting the US has been reaching out hoping to start talks, and that “China is currently evaluating this”. Markets rose on hopes this might herald a possible off-ramp. (Bloomberg $)

UNITED STATES

Trump side-lines national security advisor.

Trump has moved Mike Waltz to the role of US ambassador to the UN, a month after Waltz set up the infamous Houthi attack group chat and included a journalist. (Politico)

Comment: The interesting thing about giving Waltz the UN job is that it requires senate confirmation — you can bet it’ll now be a gruelling process. Oh, and we’ve crunched the numbers and can confirm Waltz lasted 9.18 Scaramuccis (using the 11-day Scaramucci scale).

SOUTH KOREA

Shock resignations stun Koreans.

South Korea’s acting president just resigned to launch his own presidential bid, only for Korea’s next in line, the finance minister, to resign amid a new impeachment. That means the education minister is now Korea’s acting president. (Yonhap)

Comment: Designated Survivor vibes, anyone? Anyway, it’s tricky timing for the Koreans, who are reportedly among the closest to minting the first post-Liberation Day trade deal with the US. A few more resignations back in Seoul, and Korea’s trade team in DC might end up president by the time they fly home.

SERBIA

Unions join students in mass protests.

Trade unionists have now joined Serbia’s long-running student-led protests against the government, which erupted after a deadly train station collapse last year. But Serbia’s strongman president is still digging in, and has reiterated his plans to visit Moscow for WWII events on 9 May, despite European outrage. (France24)

THAILAND

Prosecutor to drop charges against US academic.

The highly-regarded Bangkok-based professor was facing up to 15 years in jail for allegedly insulting Thailand’s royal family. (CNA)

VENEZUELA

ICJ warns Caracas against land-grab election.

The International Court of Justice has warned Venezuela against holding elections in disputed turf controlled by neighbouring Guyana. Caracas is yet to respond. (Stabroek News)

KENYA

Kenyan politician shot dead.

Someone has gunned down a Kenyan member of parliament on the streets of the capital Nairobi, just weeks after he publicly warned that “hired goons” were plotting to assassinate him. The motive remains unclear. (BBC)