Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has become Italy’s longest-lasting since the Second World War. Surveys indicate that the cost of living, a deteriorating public health system, security and immigration rank among voters’ leading concerns ahead of next year’s general election.

Italy politicsGiorgia Melonigovernmentgeneral election

Gloria Steinem, the indefatigable feminist and journalist whose activism revolutionized women’s personal and professional lives, has died at age 92.

Gloria Steinemfeminismjournalismobituary

Denmark’s intelligence agency says Russia is “actively” preparing acts of sabotage. Western officials have widely accused Moscow of conducting sabotage and disruption aimed at weakening support for Ukraine and destabilising European countries.

DenmarkRussiasabotageUkraine

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called Norway’s seizure of the research vessel Professor Molchanov “real piracy” and said it reflected a new Western interpretation of maritime affairs. The Governor of Svalbard’s website previously said Norwegian authorities seized the vessel after a complaint from Ukrainian company Naftogaz.

NorwayRussian vesselmaritime lawNaftogaz

Norway seized the Russian-owned Professor Molchanov near Svalbard to enforce a $4.22bn compensation award granted to Ukraine’s Naftogaz over assets Russia seized in Crimea. Moscow called the action “piracy” and said it would challenge the ruling.

NorwayRussiaNaftogazCrimea

Norwegian authorities have impounded a Russian-owned expedition cruise vessel in Svalbard for Ukraine’s state energy company, Naftogaz. The company is pursuing Russian assets worldwide to enforce a $4.2 billion arbitration award linked to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.

NorwayRussiaCrimeaasset recovery

Chevron, Eni and other energy companies signed multibillion-dollar agreements in Caracas to expand Venezuela’s oil output. The ceremony was overseen by interim President Delcy Rodriguez and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, days after a separate Caracas-Washington deal gave the US access to 17 oil fields representing about a fifth of Venezuela’s reserves.

Venezuelaoil projectsChevronEni

US energy companies are significantly expanding their operations in Venezuela following Washington’s oil deal with Caracas. US officials denied claims that the agreement was holding Venezuela for ransom, saying it benefits all sides while developing an unused underground asset.

United StatesVenezuelaoil dealenergy companies

A new UNICEF report estimates that about 20 million internet-using children in 21 countries experienced sexual exploitation or abuse on digital platforms over one year. Most cases took place on social media platforms.

child protectiononline safetysexual exploitation

A UNICEF survey of around 21,000 internet-using young people in 21 countries found that one in five respondents aged 12 to 17 experienced online sexual abuse in the past year. More than 15 million children were exposed to unwanted sexual content, while many were pressured into sexual conversations or sharing images. UNICEF warned the true scale is likely higher.

online safetychild protectionsexual abuse

The World Meteorological Organization says the current El Niño is expected to intensify into a “very strong” event and is almost certain to persist until February 2027. Exceptionally warm tropical Pacific waters could raise the risks of extreme heat, drought and flooding, disrupting communities, economies and supply chains worldwide.

El Niñoextreme weatherWMO

The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is likely to strengthen further and could become the most intense on record in 2027. The phenomenon is also increasing the risk of extreme weather into next year.

El Niñoextreme weatherWMO

President Vladimir Putin said at the Eastern Economic Forum that Russia’s low birth rate is one of its main challenges and a national security concern. He pledged efforts to raise it, saying the priority is to create conditions for having and raising children and offer incentives to families and young women.

RussiaVladimir Putinlow birth ratepopulation policy

Millions of Chinese drivers have shifted from gas pumps to charging stations as the Iran War pushed up fuel prices, helping alter the country’s climate trajectory and keep emissions in check.

Chinaoil demandelectric vehiclesemissions

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told lawmakers on Thursday that Spain had found no evidence showing Moroccan authorities orchestrated or carried out July’s deadly rush across the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

SpainCeutaMoroccomigration

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Thursday that there was no “solid proof” Morocco orchestrated the migrant rush into Ceuta in July, despite a police report pointing to multiple failings by Moroccan security forces.

SpainCeutamigration crisis

The prime minister explains to parliament how he is handling the migration crisis as opposition criticism grows and tensions mount over the situation in the autonomous city.

Spanish politicsCeutamigration crisis

Beijing has demanded that France withdraw new environmental penalties targeting ultra-fast-fashion retailers such as Shein and Temu, threatening unspecified measures in response.

ChinaFrancefast fashiontrade dispute