China has launched its first asteroid sample-return mission. Tianwen-2 aims to shed light on the formation and evolution of asteroids and the early solar system.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has unveiled a new plan to support Ukraine in developing long-range weapons. Merz met visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin.

The European Union has lifted nearly all of its economic sanctions on Syria to support the country's transition and recovery process.

Beijing is waiving visa requirements for citizens from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. People from these countries can visit China for upwards of 30 days without a visa starting June 9.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has met his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan who is in Moscow on a two-day visit.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has begun a two-day visit to Oman. The Iranian leader expressed gratitude to Oman for its role in facilitating the negotiations with the United States.

The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has announced three initiatives with three major European ports to create green shipping corridors.

In Liverpool, a 53-year-old man has driven a minivan into a crowd of football fans celebrating the city's Premier League championship. Police have arrested the driver and believed he acted alone.

Official data shows profits of China's major industrial firms increased 1.4 percent in the first four months of the year.

Authorities have taken a male suspect into custody after a car rammed into a crowd in Liverpool city center.