In just a few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has moved beyond being a new technology to become a field that is attracting a powerful wave of investment and reshaping the global economy.

Fierce clashes between Houthi forces in Yemen and Saudi Arabia in recent days have caused serious concern among the international community. The tit-for-tat attacks between the two sides have added fuel to the already burning Middle East - a region that remains fraught with tensions.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has held frank discussions with US President Donald Trump regarding outstanding issues in their bilateral trade relationship. This move signals an easing of tensions over tariffs between the two North American neighbours.

Over more than 80 years of its existence and development, the United Nations has consistently been a “flagship” in efforts to prevent conflicts, maintain peace and build a better life for its member states.

With the theme “Building resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainable development”, the agenda of the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to take place in New Delhi, India, goes beyond traditional political coordination, moving towards practical cooperation in many fields.

In the global race to meet climate change targets, the world continues to face major challenges in securing finance. The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), to be held in November, will prioritise securing climate finance, promoting adaptation measures, and supporting countries suffering the heaviest losses.

The Council of the European Union (EU) has approved a comprehensive reform package for the bloc’s customs legal framework, in what is being hailed as the most far-reaching overhaul of European customs in more than 50 years. The reform aims to modernise the bloc’s trade control system and rigorously regulate the flow of goods.

Following the last-minute collapse of tariff talks between the US and Canada, the two sides have repeatedly announced retaliatory measures against each other. Tensions are escalating, but their deep economic ties and shared interests are expected to serve as an “anchor”, helping the bilateral relationship weather the storm.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently transmitted a positive diplomatic signal indicating that Moscow is ready for peace talks with Kyiv, though any agreement must be based on "realities on the ground."

Germany has extended strict border control measures for another six months. This is seen as an effective “firewall” in efforts to stem the flow of illegal immigrants constantly seeking to enter this leading European nation.

The Schengen Agreement, a symbol of solidarity, integration and the dream of a “borderless Europe”, is facing great pressure from migration flows.

New hopes for peace in Gaza have emerged after the US-backed Board of Peace unveiled a 15-point roadmap in late July 2026 aimed at ending the conflict. The door to peace has opened slightly, but the path ahead remains difficult, with several major obstacles still standing in the way of implementation.

A recent statement by Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso that Indonesia and Brazil are advancing a proposal to establish a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Mercosur signals a notable strategic shift in Jakarta’s economic diplomacy.

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has released its African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, revealing that 55% of cyberattacks across Africa are enabled by artificial intelligence (AI).