World

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Japanese counterpart, Sanae Takaichi, have reached agreement on a range of strategic issues vital to both economies. Their plans to expand cooperation in critical minerals, advanced technologies, and the defence industry reflect efforts by the two industrial powers to strengthen strategic autonomy, safeguard supply chains, and respond to an increasingly complex international security environment.

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held its fifth plenary session from Monday to Thursday in Beijing, adopting a resolution on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance.

The third Russia-Africa Summit, currently taking place in Moscow, is attended by leaders and senior officials from around 50 African countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can visit Moscow for negotiations if he wishes, and all necessary conditions, including security, will be ensured, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Tuesday.

More than a decade after the Brexit referendum, efforts to strengthen relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) are attracting growing attention, although Britain has indicated that it is not considering rejoining the bloc. From a period marked by division, tensions, and mistrust following Brexit, through gradual efforts to mend ties, to the current push for closer cooperation, UK-EU relations have undergone a strategic shift amid a rapidly changing world.

A thematic session entitled “Repositioning Viet Nam and ASEAN in Global Value Chains” was held on October 27 as part of the Autumn Economic Forum 2026, organised by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee in co-branding with the World Economic Forum.

Voting in Israel's parliamentary election began at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future in focus.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is implementing a series of measures to bolster supplies of oil, natural gas, and fuels. These moves come as campaigning for the midterm elections enters its final stretch.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday started a four-day plenary session in Beijing, which focuses on strengthening Party self-governance.

The number of people forced to flee their homes because of conflicts and crises around the world has reached a record high, while funding for international humanitarian aid is shrinking. This situation is placing the global refugee assistance system in an increasingly precarious position.

Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday to elect their next president. As many as 6.59 million voters are eligible to choose from 27 candidates, including incumbent President Iliana Iotova, according to the country's Central Election Commission.

With just two weeks to go before the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) opens in Turkey, many questions remain unanswered about financing mechanisms and electrification. What COP31 needs is not new commitments but the timely translation of existing pledges into action.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Saturday in Slovakia for local and regional elections, with voters set to elect representatives to municipal and regional council bodies for four-year terms. Nearly 4.41 million people are eligible to cast ballots.

Trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine are planned to be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in the first half of November, with a focus on security issues after a peace settlement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

The rapid advancement of science and technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), is creating enormous opportunities for countries to accelerate socio-economic growth, but also widening development gaps and exacerbating inequality worldwide.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a series of decrees on Thursday appointing four deputy prime ministers, alongside a new minister of transport and a presidential aide. The appointments took effect on the day of signing, according to the documents.

According to the United Nations, almost all 23 biodiversity targets for 2030 are facing major challenges. The reality shows that the world does not lack goals or commitments to protect the green planet but rather decisive action to narrow the gap between reality and expectations.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Tuesday that targeted curfews had helped maintain calm overnight Monday, as authorities extended restrictions in several cities ahead of further protests scheduled for Saturday.

Romanian parliament approved Luca Niculescu's government on Tuesday. Of 338 valid votes cast, 280 lawmakers voted in favor of the government's investiture, while 58 voted against, according to Romania's national news agency Agerpres.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world once again faces a test of solidarity and cooperation in responding to a public health challenge as the Ebola outbreak grows increasingly serious.