The Dutch government outlined 1.2 billion euros in non-military aid for Ukraine, to be paid out from 2027 to 2029 and aimed at economic recovery. During a Kyiv visit, Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma said much of the funding would support energy and water, alongside private businesses and industrial recovery.
A collision between two high-speed trains in Spain killed at least 10 people. The incident occurred near Urda station in Toledo province at about 8:54 am local time.
Two high-speed trains collided Wednesday morning in Spain’s central Toledo province, prompting the suspension of services between Madrid and Andalucía. Government sources told El País that at least 10 people had died; the cause and number of injuries remained undetermined.
The crash happened at 8:54 a.m. near Urda. Two carriages derailed and plunged down an embankment, halting rail traffic in both directions between Madrid and Andalusia.
Two high-speed trains collided in central Spain’s Toledo province, killing at least 10 people, with many more feared injured. Rail services between Madrid and Andalucía were suspended. The country’s main political parties halted planned activities for the day as emergency teams responded.
A train collision in Spain’s central province of Toledo reportedly killed at least 10 people and injured several others. Rail service between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia has been suspended.
Two trains collided in central Spain, authorities said, and a local official reported passenger injuries. Rail operator ADIF said the crash happened Wednesday morning in Toledo province. Urda Mayor Manuel Galan said civil protection officials asked the town to prepare a sports pavilion for passengers.
Two trains collided near Urda in Spain’s Toledo province, leaving an unspecified number of people injured. The Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line was suspended, and reports said two carriages derailed and tumbled down an embankment.
Rail operator Adif said on Wednesday that two high-speed trains collided in Spain, prompting the suspension of the line linking Madrid with the southern region of Andalusia.
Oil from a damaged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz has reached UAE shores, prompting the closure of beaches in Ras Al Khaimah until further notice and raising environmental concerns.
Nate Scheelhaase, offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, previously served as a youth pastor. He credits his church experience with helping him succeed in professional football.
An EU-funded network of cross-border advisers is helping Europeans working in other member states claim the wages and social rights they are entitled to.
Hungary’s tax authority raided several locations and made arrests as it investigates the Foreign Ministry’s procurement of medical masks and ventilators during the COVID era.
Chinese drug makers presented positive trial results for new cancer treatments at a major European medical conference, highlighting the biotech sector’s growing international influence. Analysts said innovative domestic drugs, particularly antibody-drug conjugates, showed strong data across several tumour types, with early results also demonstrating China’s innovation capabilities.
Chinese biotechcancer treatmentsclinical trialsantibody-drug conjugates
SSouth China Morning PostOriginal★★☆☆☆2026-10-28 10:00
Chinese drug sector gains stature at major cancer conference
Israel’s election has produced no clear winner, and neither Benjamin Netanyahu’s nor Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc has reached the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Arab-led parties could hold the balance of power, but potential partnerships face political barriers as coalition talks begin.
Israel electioncoalition governmentBenjamin NetanyahuGadi Eisenkot
Israel’s benchmark Tel Aviv 125 index fell as much as 3.5 percent after exit polls showed no clear winner in the parliamentary election. With more than 84 percent of votes counted, Netanyahu’s coalition was projected to win 54 seats and the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot 49; 61 seats are needed for a majority.
With more than 60% of ballots counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp is narrowly ahead of the opposition but lacks a clear majority. The Central Elections Committee is still counting, and the partial results could change. The two leading prime ministerial candidates exchanged barbs in speeches after polls closed.
Netanyahu and Smotrich attacked Arab voters and alleged attempts to steal the election as Israel counted ballots. With neither major political camp securing a clear majority, Arab-led parties could influence who forms the next government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot have both vowed to form a government, with projections putting them neck and neck in Tuesday’s critical election. Exit polls indicate neither bloc has secured a parliamentary majority.
Israelis are closely watching for the final election results after voting dealt a rebuke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government. Netanyahu, however, is still far from defeated.
Despite the fallout from the 7 October attacks, three years of war and widespread public dissatisfaction, Benjamin Netanyahu strengthened his political position in Israel’s election. Neither political bloc is assured of a parliamentary majority.
Israel electionBenjamin Netanyahuparliamentary majority
With 57.3% of votes counted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is leading Israel’s parliamentary election, projected to win 28 seats. Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot is in second place with 21. Exit polls indicate no political force is expected to secure the 61 seats needed for a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Turnout in Arab-populated areas reportedly reached 80%.
Early results show Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud as the largest single party, but his bloc appears short of the 61 seats needed to form a government. His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, may also need Arab parties to command a majority. Many absentee ballots remain uncounted, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Exit polls from Israel’s major TV networks put Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing bloc and the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot at 51 seats apiece, below the 61 needed for a majority. Counting continues, while Palestinian parties are projected to increase their representation to as many as 18 seats from 10.
Israel electionBenjamin NetanyahuGadi EisenkotPalestinian parties
Early tallies in Israel’s election put Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud ahead, while rival blocs have not secured a majority, leaving the route to power unclear.
Exit polls put Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc slightly ahead of the opposition, with neither side appearing likely to secure a governing majority. Likud was projected to win 27 seats and Arab parties 19 collectively. Preliminary official results are expected Wednesday and may differ from the polls.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said forming a government with Arab parties would be “a disgrace and a shame.” Exit polls indicate that neither his party nor the opposition is projected to win the 61 Knesset seats required for a majority.
IsraelBenjamin Netanyahuelectioncoalition government
Exit polls indicate that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance nor opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc is close to the numbers required to form a governing majority.
Exit polls project that Israel’s Arab-led parties will win 18 Knesset seats, a record. Turnout among Palestinian citizens of Israel reached about 80 percent, while overall turnout was 77.7 percent, its highest since 1999. The blocs led by Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu were tied at 51 seats each in updated polling.
Israeli leaders traded sharp reactions after exit polls showed the main blocs tied at 51 seats each, short of the 61 needed for a majority. Opposition figures called the projections a defeat for Netanyahu’s government, while his allies said the final results could change the balance. Unaligned Arab parties were projected to win 18 seats.
Supporters of Gadi Eisenkot celebrated in Tel Aviv after exit polls showed Israel’s opposition bloc narrowly ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp, though neither had an outright parliamentary majority.
Voting has ended in Israel’s election and ballots are being counted. Exit polls indicate Gadi Eisenkot’s bloc won the most seats but fell short of a majority, while Netanyahu’s Likud is projected to be parliament’s largest single party.
Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot said exit polls showing his bloc ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition reflected a “complete lack of confidence” in the government, and vowed to move quickly to replace it. Polls gave neither bloc the 61 seats needed for a majority, with Arab-majority parties potentially holding the balance. Final results remain pending. The report says a change of leadership may not bring a fundamental shift in Israel’s policies toward Iran or the Palestinians.
Exit polls project Netanyahu’s coalition at 50 seats and the opposition bloc at 52, leaving both short of the 61 needed for a Knesset majority. Arab-led parties are projected to win 18 seats and could become kingmakers. After the final tally, President Isaac Herzog will designate the candidate he believes has the best chance of forming a government; failure to break the deadlock could lead to another election.
Israel electioncoalition talksBenjamin NetanyahuIsaac Herzog
Israel's election was still deadlocked on Tuesday, according to exit polls. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's bloc edged ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's camp, 52 seats to 50, but neither had a clear route to forming a government. Turnout was 77.7%, the highest in more than two decades.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition showed strength in today’s election, but not enough to take power outright. Weeks of negotiations may now follow as parties seek to form a coalition government.
Israeli electionBenjamin Netanyahucoalition government
Exit polls project Palestinian parties to win 17 to 18 Knesset seats, up from 10, forcing opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to consider negotiations with Arab-Israeli leaders if he hopes to govern. Without an agreement, Benjamin Netanyahu could have a path to political survival.
Tuesday’s exit polls gave the bloc led by opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot a narrow lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud bloc in the Knesset. Likud was nevertheless projected to remain the parliament’s largest single party.
Israeli exit polls indicate that neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor Gadi Eisenkot is on track to win a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Eisenkot supporters in Tel Aviv reacted after the first results were released.
Exit polls show Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc narrowly ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu’s right and far-right coalition, although Likud is projected to remain the largest party. Israeli Arab parties could win up to 18 seats and become kingmakers in potentially protracted coalition talks. The outcome remains uncertain after turnout reached its highest level in 50 years.
Israel electionBenjamin Netanyahuexit pollscoalition talks
An exit poll from state-run broadcaster Kan-11 projects Likud will take 25 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, with Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party second on 21. The opposition bloc is forecast to win 53 seats against 50 for Netanyahu’s bloc. Arab parties are projected to get 17, but neither side is ready to form a coalition with them; neither bloc reaches the 61-seat majority threshold.
Exit polls project Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc to win 50 seats and the bloc led by opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot to take 52 or 53, short of the 61 needed for a majority. Arab parties are projected to win 18 seats combined. Turnout reached 74.3 percent by 8pm, and official results are due on November 4.
Exit polls indicate that Israel’s election has no clear winner. Netanyahu spent much of the day urging supporters to vote, describing the contest as a “matter of life and death.”
The Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates unchanged on Wednesday, at its last rate-setting meeting before the midterms. Officials raised rates last month for the first time since 2023, citing inflation, which reached 3.7% in September. The cost of living is expected to be a major election issue.
Türkiye is set to host a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara. The organization was established as the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States under the Nakhchivan Agreement, signed on October 3, 2009.
TürkiyeOrganization of Turkic StatesdiplomacyAnkara
Russian media report that the leaders of Russia, Norway and Finland agreed to maintain direct contact, while the EU is discussing appointing an envoy for talks with Moscow. A humanitarian operation has begun in Alyoshki to deliver supplies and evacuate residents wishing to leave, with Russian forces saying they suspended fire in the area.
Manitoba has promised to cover a life-sustaining drug for a man with a degenerative disease after a federal agency reversed its recommendation against use by adults over 25.
South Korean chipmakers led a wider rebound in AI-related stocks after SK Hynix reported a sevenfold profit increase and announced a further $45 billion in shareholder returns.
SK Hynix said it plans to return about $45 billion more to shareholders after profit rose seven-fold, beating expectations. The result reflects robust memory-chip demand driven by the rollout of AI infrastructure.
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix announced a shareholder return plan worth $75 billion. It reported on Wednesday that third-quarter operating profit rose more than sevenfold to a record, beating forecasts as continued AI infrastructure demand lifted memory chip prices.
SK Hynixshareholder returnsthird-quarter profitAI chips
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix reported third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, with profit sharply beating estimates as AI memory demand provided a boost.
European auto giant Stellantis said it had a 4 billion euro ($4.5 billion) cash shortfall in the third quarter as its massive turnaround plan continued.
Stellantis said Wednesday that operating income edged up in the third quarter as the automaker continued a slow turnaround, while recording a €4 billion ($4.45 billion) industrial cash outflow for the period.
John Healey is expected to use his first budget to abandon plans to reduce the annual cash Isa allowance from £20,000 to £12,000 from April. The previous chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had proposed the cut to channel more money into UK company shares.
Novatek is prepared to offer its technology and LNG to African partners and discuss specific projects, Deputy Chairman Sergey Solovyev said. Major joint projects could also receive financing from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, alongside shareholder funds.
Vladimir Putin devoted most of an October 27 call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to what he called “medieval Slavic history,” the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the conversation. The call lasted 90 minutes instead of the expected 30, while an immediate ceasefire was discussed only briefly. A Kremlin-linked source told Reuters that Putin said Russia would not give up its goal of taking all of Donbas.
Vladimir PutinFinlandNorwayRussia-Ukraine wardiplomacy
The Financial Times reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin spent most of an Oct. 27 call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store discussing medieval Slavic history. Sources said Ukraine’s call for an immediate ceasefire received little attention.
Vladimir PutinNordic leadersRussia-Ukraine warDiplomacy
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS that no European leaders besides Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store had recently asked to speak by phone with Vladimir Putin. Putin spoke with them on October 27 at the request of Finland and Norway; they discussed resolving the Ukraine crisis and welcomed plans to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-US talks in Abu Dhabi in early November.
After its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting rift with the West, Russia says it wants a “historic return” to Africa. The Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28 and 29 will focus on economic cooperation. Yet trade remains limited, with Russia's strongest ties concentrated in a few countries, notably Egypt and Algeria.
As African leaders meet in Moscow, the Kremlin is pursuing resources and protecting allied rulers, the article argues, while failing to deliver promised prosperity and security to ordinary Africans. Trade remains below Russia’s stated target, and the piece questions whether investment agreements and projects serve African development or leave countries bearing the risks.
RussiaAfricaRussia-Africa summittrade and investment
Gazprom Deputy Chairman Vitaly Markelov said the company has established a complete technological cycle and is ready to work with African countries on hydrocarbon exploration and production, gas transport and storage, processing, and power generation. It can also offer LNG solutions at large, medium, and small scales.
After Tuesday’s election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a right-wing government, while rival Gadi Eisenkot said voters had rejected the longtime Israeli leader. Early counting showed no clear winner, even as both put forward competing claims to lead.
Three weeks into Taiz’s siege, food and fuel prices have doubled, while many families struggle to afford essentials. Closed roads and fuel stations, lost jobs and rising water costs are disrupting cooking, schooling and access to care.
Questions about Israel’s economic future are emerging after the elections. With living costs among the region’s highest and defence spending still rising, households are under increasing financial pressure.
United Nations and African Union officials called on African countries to adopt science and technology in agriculture faster, saying this could boost productivity, food supplies and resilience. At a forum in Addis Ababa, they highlighted AI’s potential and urged sustained funding, clear responsibilities and measurable targets to turn commitments into action.
African agriculturefarm innovationfood supplyAfrican Union
Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev said the candidacies of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi for UN secretary-general would both be highly appealing to Russia. US media earlier reported that the US, Russia and China were considering Orban as a joint candidate, but the countries have not officially confirmed the initiative.
United Nationssecretary-generalViktor OrbanRafael Grossi
Likhachev says Grossi and Orban bids for UN chief post appeal to Russia
FlashTranslated by Minutes
🇮🇩 Gasping for air: Borneo residents struggle as island burns
More than 11,000 people have been treated for respiratory infections in Palangkaraya, on the island of Borneo during the wildfire crisis that has also affected Indonesia's neighbours with toxic haze pollution.
🇮🇩 Gasping for air: Borneo residents struggle as island burns
More than 11,000 people have been treated for respiratory infections in Palangkaraya, on the island of Borneo during the wildfire crisis that has also affected Indonesia's neighbours with toxic haze pollution.
An ETHGas-funded study models an average four-minute wait when qualified proposers hold 5% weight, offering context for ether.fi’s stake commitment in April.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Japan on Wednesday to support a proposed global alliance defending rules-based trade, an initiative he has promoted during a week-long trip to Asia.
Africa CDC director general Jean Kaseya said the Ebola outbreak’s unprecedented spread could bring it to the UK and other countries unless preparedness and treatment capacity improve. The outbreak has reached 10,000 cases and almost 5,000 deaths; Kaseya called for more funding, cross-border cooperation and screening at entry and exit points.
Ukraine has long depended on its extensive rail network. As Russia steps up missile and drone attacks, hours-long delays and repeated evacuations when air-raid sirens sound are further disrupting civilians’ everyday lives.
A Snapchat filter fueled a trend of children filming themselves driving as fast as possible. The deadly consequences prompted a reckoning and laid the groundwork for a successful legal strategy now holding social media companies accountable.
The stage adaptation of the film that captivated generations is sold out at Teatro da Trindade through the end of the year, ahead of a nationwide tour.
Waaree Energies, India’s largest solar module maker, is expanding US manufacturing and localising supplies in a bet on rising electricity demand from data-centre growth, CFO Abhishek Pareek said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects to meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and predicted “a lot of progress.” Trilateral talks among the three countries are expected in Abu Dhabi in mid-November, but no date or concrete agreement has been announced.
Donald TrumpVladimir PutinVolodymyr Zelenskytrilateral talks
Donald Trump said a meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be arranged soon in an effort to end the war between their countries, now in its fifth year.
Donald TrumpVladimir PutinVolodymyr ZelenskyyRussia-Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump said he expects to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky soon. He said a meeting would be arranged shortly and that “a lot of progress” was being made with Russia and Ukraine.
Donald TrumpVladimir PutinVolodymyr ZelenskyUS-Russia-Ukraine talks
Dai Huaicheng, secretary general of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told TASS that the nuclear ambitions of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet could put the future of more than 100 million Japanese citizens at risk despite widespread opposition to nuclear weapons. He cited Japanese media polls showing 60% oppose developing nuclear weapons and 80% want the three non-nuclear principles respected.
Historically, Bitcoin and the S&P 500 have both posted positive returns in the year after midterm elections. Bitcoin’s pattern may also be linked to its four-year halving cycles.
Brazil’s 81-year-old leftist leader Lula made an unexpected comeback after losing the first round, winning an unprecedented fourth presidential mandate.
Gold edged lower on Wednesday as high oil prices kept inflation worries simmering and investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy decision later in the day.
A leaderless, student-led protest movement swept Serbia, ousting former President Aleksandar Vucic from power after a historic snap election on Sunday. The country is now waiting to learn who it will appoint as its new leaders.
Materials from Russia’s Interior Ministry list the absence of a military ID as possible grounds for refusing to accept a foreign passport application from a man of draft age. It is unclear whether this signals a change in current procedures. Human rights activists say applicants need to provide a military ID or draft-office certificate only if they have one.
Volkswagen's all-electric car plant in Zwickau opened a component recycling facility on Wednesday, pointing to a possible future business line. The site nevertheless faces possible closure from the early 2030s as the group restructures.
Senegal is hosting Africa’s first Youth Olympics, with about 2,700 young athletes competing in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. The Games have prompted pride and hope, alongside questions about costs, rights and their long-term legacy.
Japan has more than 40 metric tons of plutonium, theoretically enough to produce several thousand nuclear warheads, China Arms Control and Disarmament Association Secretary General Dai Huaicheng told TASS. He cited a Japanese Atomic Energy Commission report saying separated plutonium totaled about 44.4 tons at the end of 2025.
Japanplutonium stockpilenuclear weaponsarms control
Dai Huaicheng, secretary-general of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said Japan’s industrial capacity and plutonium stockpiles could let it develop a nuclear explosive device within weeks if it chose to pursue nuclear weapons. He cited estimates ranging from just over 100 days to a few dozen days.
Dai Huaicheng, secretary-general of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said Japan is seeking nuclear capability. He said right-wing forces under the current government have shown ambitions to revive militarism, breach the three non-nuclear principles and pursue an indigenous arsenal.
India's gasoline demand is expected to reach its peak by 2035 as electric vehicles gain ground, ethanol blending continues and more cars switch to gas, the chairman of state-run refiner Indian Oil Corp said Wednesday.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said the first 30 hours of the Oleshky ceasefire passed without incident. Meanwhile, local authorities reported that Russian attacks in other parts of Ukraine killed two people and injured 17 over the past day. Russia launched a ballistic missile and 88 Shahed-type drones overnight; Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 71 drones.
Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova said no incidents had been recorded in Alyoshki during the ceasefire’s first 30 hours. She said she was coordinating implementation with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets. The truce is intended to enable humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
AlyoshkiRussia-Ukraine ceasefireKherson Regionhumanitarian aid
A Russia-Zimbabwe joint venture exploring for diamonds in Zimbabwe has identified gold occurrences at three sites. Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov said reserves are being calculated to assess whether pilot-scale extraction is feasible.
Jio, the telecom and digital business run by Mukesh Ambani’s eldest son Akash, made its market debut on Wednesday. The listing capped the 35-year-old’s meteoric rise, drawing tears of pride from his father, who leads Asia’s richest family and its Reliance empire.
Zelensky defended Norway and Finland's call with Putin, praising their open and transparent approach. He said Trump's 2025 meeting with Putin in Alaska had already ended Russia's diplomatic isolation. Denmark's prime minister had criticized the call for lacking coordination with other European countries.
🇬🇧 🇧🇸 King Charles III acknowledges 'injustices of the past' in the Bahamas
King Charles III says "we should acknowledge" the suffering caused by Britain's colonial past amid mounting calls for a formal apology and reparations over the transatlantic slave trade, as he begins a Caribbean tour.
🇬🇧 🇧🇸 King Charles III acknowledges 'injustices of the past' in the Bahamas
King Charles III says "we should acknowledge" the suffering caused by Britain's colonial past amid mounting calls for a formal apology and reparations over the transatlantic slave trade, as he begins a Caribbean tour.
After MPs from across the political spectrum objected, health secretary Yvette Cooper decided to retain and strengthen Healthwatch England and its local branches. They will continue gathering and analysing patient feedback on NHS services, with a greater role in identifying recurring concerns and areas needing improvement.
Sibo Chen of Toronto Metropolitan University has criticized the environmental effects of resource extraction and AI growth. He said this is the first time a premier’s office has complained to him about his views.
Nova ScotiaAI data centresenvironmental impactacademic speech
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry is considering routing traffic from foreign domains through the national filtering system and limiting its volume, a plan that could be included in a telecommunications reform bill. VPN use would count as foreign traffic from an operator’s perspective, though the threshold has not been set.
Pakistan has barred carriers from Taiwan from using its airspace in support of Beijing’s One-China policy, marking the first move of its kind by any country.
Kylian Mbappe apologised after joking about Mao Zedong, a remark that sparked anger on Chinese social media and led to Spanish football being removed from state television. China’s foreign ministry said it took his apology seriously. Several companies ended partnerships with him, while Chinese platforms restricted his accounts.
Sports journalist Ken Early said Kylian Mbappé was likely as surprised as anyone when a meme portraying the Real Madrid forward as Mao Zedong prompted a reaction from China.
Several major Chinese companies have ended their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé. He apologised, saying he has “a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history”.
Kylian Mbappé drew a furious backlash after calling the founding leader of Communist China a dictator. Real Madrid apologised to the Chinese people on Wednesday, a day after Mbappé and Spain's La Liga expressed regret over the remarks.
Three major Chinese brands have ended their partnerships with French football star Kylian Mbappe after his comments about a meme depicting his head on Mao Zedong’s body triggered a backlash. Mbappe apologised, but Chinese fans continued to criticise him.
Kylian Mbappé is facing a backlash in China, with sponsors ending their ties with him over a viral meme. Chinese state media warned that his apology for referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator would be judged by his actions.
The proposed law could require protesters to pay up to €10,000 for damage caused during demonstrations. It would also need approval from the National Assembly.
Canada and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to lower tariffs, reduce red tape and improve businesses’ market access. The pact is part of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s drive to expand trade beyond the US and is expected to take effect in 2027. The countries also signed preliminary agreements on energy, diplomacy and defence cooperation.
Chancellor John Healey is due to deliver the first budget of Andy Burnham’s government. The Treasury says removing fixed gas standing charges could save around 60% of households an average of £45 a year. Burnham and Healey are presenting the change as the beginning of wider energy-market reform.
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