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Netherlands Returns 11th Century Chola Copper Plates to PM Modi After Over 300 Years Abroad

Netherlands Returns 11th Century Chola Copper Plates to PM Modi After Over 300 Years Abroad

In a goodwill gesture after years of repatriation diplomacy, the Netherlands has handed Prime Minister Narendra Modi 11th-century Chola-era Anaimangalam copper plates. The 21 large and three small plates document historical grants tied to Chola King Rajaraja I’s contributions to a Buddhist vihara in Nagappattinam. Notably, they track a linguistic change in administrative customs terminology from “ulgu” to “sunkam,” reflecting shifts during Chola rule. After arrival, the Archaeological Survey of India will examine and secure the artifacts.

Summarised by Beize from a story on Republic on 16 May 2026
Lavrov phone joke in Delhi turns viral as buzzing cameraman prompts a comically dark line

Lavrov phone joke in Delhi turns viral as buzzing cameraman prompts a comically dark line

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov went viral in Delhi after a repeatedly buzzing phone derailed a press conference and he joked, “If you don’t surrender your phone, they will take out a gun,” prompting laughter. The lighter moment stood out during his stay for talks with PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar around Ukraine, West Asia, and energy trade. Lavrov also said Russia’s oil shipments to India have increased using openly published trade data ahead of a US waiver expiry.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 16 May 2026

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Trump’s coercive Iran pressure stalls because his demands require humiliating defeat from Tehran

Trump’s coercive Iran pressure stalls because his demands require humiliating defeat from Tehran

President Donald Trump’s coercive diplomacy toward Iran is struggling to bring talks to the negotiating table, analysts say, because his approach demands an “absolute victory” narrative that would require Tehran to concede total defeat. With Iran focused on saving face domestically and maintaining leverage through the Strait of Hormuz, both sides remain deadlocked despite strikes that degraded Iran’s military capabilities. The standoff also reverberates globally via energy supply shocks, while Trump faces domestic blowback tied to gasoline prices and low approval ratings.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 16 May 2026
Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire for 45 days as fresh strikes kill civilians

Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire for 45 days as fresh strikes kill civilians

Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire for 45 days and begin expanded talks toward a political settlement, the US said. The deal followed two days of meetings in Washington and negotiations scheduled for early June. But violence continued: Israel carried out new strikes, insisting they were not covered by the truce, including an attack on a Hezbollah-linked medical center in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials reported deaths, injuries, and renewed displacement, while the UN warned of an “unacceptable” civilian toll.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 16 May 2026
China signals deeper BRICS cooperation with India as Beijing outlines plans for next year chair

China signals deeper BRICS cooperation with India as Beijing outlines plans for next year chair

China’s ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, congratulated New Delhi for hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, calling the talks constructive despite a fast changing global landscape. Speaking in place of absent FM Wang Yi, Xu said the Chair’s Statement and Outcome Document reflect broad consensus on international issues, BRICS development, and reform of global governance. He said China, as incoming chair, will deepen solidarity and proposed stronger strategic coordination, economic ties, innovation, and people to people links.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 16 May 2026
UAE fires back at Iran after Tehran links Abu Dhabi to Middle East aggression

UAE fires back at Iran after Tehran links Abu Dhabi to Middle East aggression

The UAE has rejected Iran’s accusations that Abu Dhabi plays an active role in the Middle East war, calling Tehran’s narrative an attempt to justify Iranian terrorist attacks. After Iran’s foreign minister told a Telegram audience that the UAE is a partner in aggression and warned that U.S. bases can’t ensure security, UAE minister Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar said the country has faced repeated attacks. He cited about 3,000 missile and drone strikes and stressed the UAE can deter aggression without external protection.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026

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Xi Jinping set for US visit this fall after Trump invitation and Beijing banquet diplomacy sparks fresh tension

Xi Jinping set for US visit this fall after Trump invitation and Beijing banquet diplomacy sparks fresh tension

Chinese Foreign Minister said Xi Jinping will visit the United States in the fall at an invitation from President Donald Trump. The announcement points to a specific proposed date: September 24, when Trump is set to host Xi at the White House. The foreign minister made the remarks after noting Trump’s invitation arrived following the banquet Xi held for him in Beijing, highlighting how high-stakes diplomacy is being shaped through carefully staged summits and scheduled state meetings.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026
Amarna Letters Unearthed After Fertilizer Hunt Rewrote Bronze Age Diplomacy and Pharaoh Power

Amarna Letters Unearthed After Fertilizer Hunt Rewrote Bronze Age Diplomacy and Pharaoh Power

In 1887, while searching for sebakh fertilizer at Tell el-Amarna, an Egyptian woman stumbled on baked clay tablets now known as the Amarna Letters. Far from royal relics, the mundane tablets carried Akkadian cuneiform correspondence—Egypt’s day-to-day political messages to other kings, officials, and tributary states. Dating to the reigns of Amenhotep III and Akhenaten in the 14th century BCE, the letters reveal a tense, connected Bronze Age world shaped by threats, gifts, marriages, and pleas for military help.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026
Iran FM assures Jaishankar commerce safety through Strait of Hormuz during BRICS diplomacy

Iran FM assures Jaishankar commerce safety through Strait of Hormuz during BRICS diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi met India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and pledged that friendly nations can rely on Iran for commerce safety through the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said Iran would carry out its “historical duty” as a protector of security in Hormuz, and pointed to Iran’s resistance to US “bullying” as a familiar struggle for many states. Speaking at BRICS talks, he urged keeping international institutions free from political manipulation while ministers backed India’s 2026 chairship.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026
Iran tells US it has no trust and promises talks only if Washington is serious

Iran tells US it has no trust and promises talks only if Washington is serious

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will negotiate only if Washington is genuinely serious. Talks to end the Iran conflict are stalled after both sides rejected new proposals during Pakistan-mediated efforts. While Iran says vessels not at war with it may pass the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iran’s navy, Araqchi warned the situation remains “very complicated,” with Iran still prepared to resume fighting. Nuclear issues and Hormuz control are key hurdles.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026

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Lavrov warns a phone user at BRICS talks then jokes about guns sparking laughter in Delhi

Lavrov warns a phone user at BRICS talks then jokes about guns sparking laughter in Delhi

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov brought an unexpected burst of humor to the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday after confronting a man using a phone nearby. Lavrov first asked him to step away, then sharpened his tone when he didn’t comply. Staff reportedly tried to take the device as the man resisted. Breaking the tension, Lavrov added that if the phone wasn’t surrendered, “they will take out the gun,” prompting laughter as the serious diplomatic session continued. Videos went viral.

Summarised by Beize from a story on Republic on 15 May 2026
Trump delegation reportedly tossed all Chinese electronics before boarding Air Force One in Beijing

Trump delegation reportedly tossed all Chinese electronics before boarding Air Force One in Beijing

Multiple media reports say Trump’s Beijing press team brought nothing from China aboard Air Force One, discarding Chinese-provided press badges, burner phones, and delegation pin badges before boarding. Experts link the move to concerns about China’s cyber-espionage capabilities and the risk of hidden “bugs” that could compromise sensitive information. The disposal contrasts with the trip’s celebratory optics, including Xi meetings, trade talks on Boeing and soybeans, and a last-minute AI discussion with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Summarised by Beize from a story on Republic on 15 May 2026
Xi and Trump in Beijing sparks viral sofa height mystery and new claims about stair pause

Xi and Trump in Beijing sparks viral sofa height mystery and new claims about stair pause

A viral video from Xi Jinping and Donald Trump’s Beijing meeting is igniting online debate over whether Trump was intentionally made to look shorter. In one clip, Xi appears to sit on a higher sofa, prompting claims that a cushion was adjusted—or removed—during seating. A separate widely shared video shows Xi briefly pausing beside Trump on stairs at the Great Hall of the People, with some posts suggesting Xi helped Trump catch his breath. The three-day visit also included major business and diplomatic talks.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026
Trump and Xi Bond Over Chinese Roses as Xi Promises Seeds for the White House

Trump and Xi Bond Over Chinese Roses as Xi Promises Seeds for the White House

In Beijing’s Zhongnanhai leadership compound, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping turned high-stakes diplomacy into a unexpectedly floral moment. During a garden walk, Trump praised the roses as the most beautiful he’s ever seen. Xi responded by personally escorting Trump through the historic grounds and promising to send rose seeds from Zhongnanhai to the White House. The gesture landed amid ongoing US-China tensions over tariffs and strategic rivalry, while officials focused on closed-door talks.

Summarised by Beize from a story on Republic on 15 May 2026

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Xi and Trump agree on a three year roadmap for strategic stability after Beijing talks

Xi and Trump agree on a three year roadmap for strategic stability after Beijing talks

Xi Jinping and Donald Trump held extensive talks during Trump’s three-day Beijing visit, with China’s foreign ministry saying they reached “new common understandings” on bilateral and global issues. The centerpiece was a shared vision for a constructive China-US relationship built on “strategic stability,” meant to guide cooperation for the next three years and beyond. Both sides also pledged steady, sound, sustainable development and said the outcomes should bring more peace, prosperity, and progress worldwide.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 15 May 2026
Iran FM hits out at US bullying at BRICS meeting warning of empires in decline

Iran FM hits out at US bullying at BRICS meeting warning of empires in decline

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi used his maiden India visit to deliver a sharp critique of the United States at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. He called US behavior “bullying” and warned against what he described as “empires in decline,” arguing that regional instability becomes a lose-lose situation for everyone, including aggressors. Araghchi said Tehran’s resistance was a familiar struggle for many countries present, and pressed BRICS members to coordinate more tightly against coercion.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 14 May 2026
Beijing state banquet menu is quietly built for a Trump Xi reset

Beijing state banquet menu is quietly built for a Trump Xi reset

Beijing’s state banquet for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping wasn’t just ceremonial—it was engineered as a diplomatic signal. Planners leaned on Huaiyang cuisine, a refined, mild style meant to be broadly appealing to international guests. The menu also reportedly adjusted details to match perceived preferences, including Beijing roast duck and beef ribs described as a nod to well-done steak. Desserts were heavily American, featuring tiramisu, fruits, ice cream, and a trumpet-shell shaped pastry for Trump. Food remains China’s long-used soft power.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 14 May 2026
Pakistan Admits Iranian Planes Landed During Ceasefire but Denies Any Military Linkage

Pakistan Admits Iranian Planes Landed During Ceasefire but Denies Any Military Linkage

Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that Iranian aircraft had arrived at Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi during the US-Iran ceasefire, following reports that multiple planes remained there after Islamabad talks. Pakistan rejected claims of any connection to military “contingency” or “preservation,” calling such coverage misleading. It said flights were tied to the first round of talks for moving diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff, with some aircraft and personnel staying for expected later rounds. The disclosure drew US backlash, including scrutiny of Pakistan’s mediator role.

Summarised by Beize from a story on Republic on 14 May 2026

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Pakistan denied helping Iran shield aircraft after US-Iran ceasefire as US officials allege airbase use

Pakistan denied helping Iran shield aircraft after US-Iran ceasefire as US officials allege airbase use

Pakistan has been trying to mediate an end to the US-Iran conflict, but CBS News citing US officials alleges it let Iranian aircraft use Pakistani airbases to reduce the risk of American strikes. The report says Iran moved both military and civilian planes for safety, including to Nur Khan airbase in April. Pakistan’s senior official rejected the claims, arguing Nur Khan is too public to conceal activity. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged a complete re-evaluation of Pakistan’s mediator role.

Summarised by Beize from a story on The Economic Times on 14 May 2026
Modi Meets Iran FM Araghchi at BRICS Talks as West Asia Crisis Intensifies on High Stakes Diplomacy

Modi Meets Iran FM Araghchi at BRICS Talks as West Asia Crisis Intensifies on High Stakes Diplomacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi on Thursday, on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The meeting signals a key shift in bilateral diplomacy amid mounting West Asia tensions. Iranian officials posted the interaction on X, noting it came alongside talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Araghchi used the platform to denounce American coercion, urging BRICS to present a united stance against US bullying and to reject reckless adventures that deepen regional instability.

Summarised by Beize from a story on Republic on 14 May 2026
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