The most significant developments globally are:
1. APEC Summit Concludes with Trade Truce and AI Focus
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, wrapped up with the adoption of a Leaders’ Declaration.
- US-China Trade: The summit was largely overshadowed by the meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the two leaders reportedly agreed to a “temporary truce” to de-escalate their prolonged trade tensions, bringing “relief around the world.”
- China’s Position: Despite President Trump’s absence on the final day, President Xi Jinping took center stage, promising to “defend free trade” and multilateralism, which analysts see as an attempt to position China as an alternative to US protectionist policies.
- New Initiatives: The forum adopted key outcome documents, including the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration and the APEC Artificial Intelligence Initiative, highlighting a push for greater cooperation on digital economy and AI governance.
2. Humanitarian Crises and Conflict Zones
Several regions are facing severe humanitarian and political crises:
- Sudan Conflict: New details continue to emerge about atrocities committed during and after the fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, with reports from witnesses claiming that “Men [were] shot by the hundreds, disappeared” after the city fell, raising UN warnings of a “grave humanitarian crisis.”
- Gaza and Israel: The Israeli military’s chief legal officer has resigned over a criminal inquiry into the leaking of a video allegedly showing soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee. Separately, the process to return the bodies of 30 slain Palestinians is moving forward as part of a ceasefire deal, though new Israeli strikes have been reported.
- Caribbean Hurricane: Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean, leaving nearly 50 people dead and impacting infrastructure, with an estimated 60% of Jamaica reportedly without electricity.
3. US Political & Diplomatic Developments
- Government Shutdown: The month-long US federal government shutdown continues, forcing a federal judge to order the Trump administration to provide emergency funding for the SNAP food aid program to prevent its closure.
- North Korea: North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister slammed South Korea’s proposals for denuclearisation, saying the goal is an “unrealisable ‘pipe dream'” that can “never be realised.”
