Briefing

China and North Korea formally marked the opening of a major land crossing on Thursday, seeking to revive trade and commerce after years of strained ties and pandemic-related disruption to cross-border exchanges.

China–North Korea relationsborder tradebridge opening

An opening ceremony was held for a new bridge linking China and North Korea across the Yalu River.

China–North Korea relationsYalu Rivercross-border bridge

A ceremony took place Thursday for a new border bridge spanning the Yalu River and linking China with North Korea.

ChinaNorth KoreaYalu River bridge

The US is considering using the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ in possible future strikes on Iran, according to a report. The GPS-guided bomb can devastate a surface area about the size of nine city blocks but is not designed to penetrate deep underground.

United StatesIranMother of All Bombsmilitary strikes

The US military has drawn up plans that could involve using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders combat operations to resume, CNN reported, citing US officials familiar with the matter.

United StatesIranmilitary strikesmother of all bombs

Elon Musk said any restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite system are controlled by the US government, not SpaceX. Ukraine’s former defence minister called for speed limits to be lifted to strengthen the country’s defence.

Elon MuskUkraineStarshieldsatellite communications

The Daily Telegraph reported that restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine have left a significant portion of the Ukrainian military’s drone arsenal unusable. Communications gaps of 10 to 20 seconds disrupted drone control and forced some missions to be canceled. The paper said a likely halt to intelligence sharing with Washington could further worsen Ukraine’s position.

UkraineStarlinkdronesmilitary communications

Elon Musk said any limits on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite system are controlled by the US government, not SpaceX. Ukraine’s former defence minister urged that speed limits be removed to strengthen the country’s defences.

Elon MuskUkraineStarshieldsatellite system

EU leaders will meet in Brussels for two days to discuss curbing the bloc’s large trade deficit with China, rising energy prices and the 2028–2034 budget. Friday’s talks are also expected to address support for Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited to attend.

EU summitChina tradeUkraineEU budget

EU leaders are about to begin a two-day summit in Brussels, with soaring energy prices, trade ties with China and the dispute over the bloc’s next long-term budget on the agenda.

EU summitenergy pricesEU-China tradeEU budget

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss curbing a surge in Chinese exports that industry groups blame for factory closures, coping with high energy prices and bridging deep divisions over the bloc’s future budget.

EU summitChina exportsenergy pricesEU budget

Official data showed Britain’s economy grew unexpectedly in August, extending a run of resilient figures. The data will encourage Finance Minister John Healey as he prepares a budget amid a tough financial backdrop.

UK economyeconomic growthbudget

The U.K. economy expanded by 0.1% in the month to August, exceeding expectations.

UK economyeconomic growtheconomic data

Doctors diagnosed Pope Leo XIV with adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer, and removed the lower portion of his right lung. His tumor appears to have been caught early, when lung cancer is very treatable.

Pope Leo XIVlung canceradenocarcinoma

Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma after surgery to remove his right lower lung lobe. His prognosis and treatment remain unclear, prompting questions about possible changes to his routine and the pace of his reforms.

Pope Leo XIVlung cancerhealth transparency