STRATEGIC DIALOGUE: Cambodia and China today held their first meeting of what is called a “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism, bringing together both countries’ foreign and defence ministers to deepen mutual political and security ties.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defence Minister Dong Jun are visiting Cambodia to hold talks with their counterparts, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defence Minister Tea Seiha.

BODY FOUND: Authorities have found the body of one of the six missing crew members from a cargo ship that overturned near the Northern Mariana Islands during a typhoon.

United States Air Force divers recovered the body on Tuesday, according to the US Coastguard.

No other crew members have been found.

FACE-TO-FACE TALKS: Ukraine is pushing for face-to-face talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kiev’s top diplomat said, presenting a potential summit as a way of injecting new momentum into efforts to end Russia’s invasion. 

Kiev has asked Turkey to help facilitate top-level talks and has reached out to other capitals as potential hosts, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said today, adding that Ukraine would consider any venue outside Russia and Belarus.

FIRECRACKER BLAST: At least 13 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory today in India’s southern state of Kerala, officials say.

The incident took place in Thrissur, where about 40 people were believed to be assembling firecrackers. Several others were injured, with five reported to be in critical condition.

This was the second such incident this week. On Sunday, a blast at a firecracker factory in neighbouring Tamil Nadu state left at least 25 dead.