EU chief Charles Michel called on Thursday for closer ties with Central Asia on his first official visit to Kazakhstan, the main economic powerhouse in a region where Russia's influence has come under question.. This is the first EU-Central Asia summit, a gathering Michel described as "much more than just a policy dialogue between two regions".
Britain's ultra-wealthy new British prime minister Rishi Sunak and his family plan to live in the flat above number 10 Downing Street, despite owning a string of luxury properties including one in London.. - Sunak's Labrador comes too - Traditionally British leaders lived in the flat above number 10 Downing Street.
British energy giant Shell on Thursday announced net profit totalling $6.7 billion in the third quarter, as oil and gas prices remain strong despite recent slides on easing supply fears.. Although oil and gas prices have surged from a year ago following the invasion of Ukraine by major energy producer Russia, hydrocarbon values have seen some recent cooling as the northern hemisphere experiences mild temperatures and countries shore up supplies.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers said they were "even more determined" to solve the political crisis in Myanmar during talks in Indonesia on Thursday ahead of the ASEAN leaders' summit in November.. But "ASEAN should not be discouraged, but even more determined to help Myanmar to bring about a peaceful solution", said Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn after the emergency meeting at the bloc's secretariat in Jakarta.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday rejected Turkish claims on the sovereignty of Greek islands, at the start of an official visit to Athens.. On his first visit to Greece as chancellor, Scholz on Thursday urged both states to resolve their differences "through dialogue and on the basis of international law".
If North Korea unleashes a nuclear attack on the South, architecture professor Lee Tae-goo has a plan: he'll retreat to his purpose-built bunker and stay underground for at least two weeks to avoid radiation poisoning.. Chumdan's website advertises "an underground bunker capable of withstanding nuclear explosions, radiation, chemical agents".
Gloria Julia King, the first woman elected to the Vanuatu parliament in 14 years, said entering the male-dominated house shows that times have changed in the Pacific nation.. "Coming from a very traditional background, I think the main challenge was getting everyone to accept ... that time has changed," King told AFP. According to United Nations figures, three in five women in Vanuatu have experienced violence while in a relationship.
A Thai media mogul and transgender rights campaigner has bought the firm that runs Miss Universe pageants for $20 million, according to a company announcement.. The next Miss Universe pageant is scheduled for the US city of New Orleans next January.
When occupying Russian forces came knocking on doors in his small village in east Ukraine in late April to check the identities of residents, 64-year-old retiree Volodymyr Zelensky was terrified.. Zelenska returned home after Kyiv's forces expelled the Russians from the village late last month.
Hong Kong's finance chief could have to miss an upcoming global banking summit in the city, after his office revealed Thursday he had tested positive for the coronavirus.. Global banking chiefs will have a taste of Hong Kong's existing pandemic curbs next week at the summit in the Four Seasons hotel, although certain rules will be relaxed.
