The first road bridge between North Korea and Russia creates a permanent vehicle link across the Tumen River, expanding transport infrastructure as military, economic, and political ties between Moscow and Pyongyang grow closer.

Iran-backed Houthis struck Saudi cities and energy facilities, wounding at least 73 people and triggering fires as mounting threats to Gulf shipping and infrastructure pushed oil prices to six-week highs.

An investigation says UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed warned Benjamin Netanyahu about a major operation being prepared by Yahya Sinwar roughly 10 days before Oct. 7. Netanyahu reportedly played down the threat and did not brief Israel’s security chiefs.

The ICJ opened four days of hearings on Monday, on Germany's objections to Nicaragua's case alleging Germany's support for Israel violates the Genocide Convention regarding Gaza. A ruling is expected in about six months.

AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said that Germany is "de facto bankrupt" alongside France, warning that rising interest costs will force a spending freeze under Chancellor Merz's borrowing policies.

North Korea commissioned its second 5,000-ton destroyer in Wonsan, the Kang Kon, with Kim Jong Un calling it part of the country's nuclear response system capable of "annihilating retaliatory strikes."

Convicted genocide perpetrator Ratko Mladić is being buried with military honors in Belgrade on Monday, as thousands paid tribute and rival football ultras chanted his name earlier this week.

Iran's Security Council Secretary Rezaei denied sanctions are causing famine and said Iran has ample food stocks. The secretary vowed retaliation for a US strike and announced a planned restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli airstrikes hit Nabatieh and nearby towns in southern Lebanon through Sunday night and Monday morning, killing at least eleven people and damaging a hospital.

French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon called Germany's plan for Europe's first conventional army "unacceptable" following the AfD's Saxony-Anhalt result, while also proposing the ECB cancel its holdings of French debt.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israeli prisons are now "hell" under his policies, calling this a deterrent to attacks. He also claimed that flotilla organizers are waiting for his removal before launching another campaign.

Ursula von der Leyen is visiting Greenland as the EU prepares a major investment push to strengthen Arctic security and deepen its ties with the strategically important territory.

Zelensky thanked Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during their first visit to Ukraine, linking their presence in Kyiv to a pause in Russian strikes as U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials pursued renewed peace talks.

The AfD secured 44.5% in Saxony-Anhalt exit polls, more than twice the CDU’s share, delivering its strongest result since its 2013 founding while leaving open whether it can assemble a governing majority.

Hong Kong imported almost 100 tons of Russian gold in the first seven months of 2026, nearly three times the year-earlier level, as western sanctions redirect Moscow’s bullion trade toward China and other eastern markets.

Trump’s approval has fallen to 33% as voters grow increasingly pessimistic about the economy, tariffs and household finances, raising fresh risks for Republicans less than two months before November’s midterm elections.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece’s upgraded F-16s, Rafales and incoming F-35s had created what he called military “superiority,” arguing that Athens could not simply leave such an advantage unused.

Ukraine’s Parliament is considering legalizing pornography as lawmakers seek to tax thousands of OnlyFans creators, with supporters estimating the change could raise up to $25 million a year for defense-related needs.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that large-scale industrial job losses could put significant parts of Germany’s prosperity at risk, while conceding that his government has so far failed to do enough.

The Kremlin described Putin’s three-hour meeting with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as “highly useful,” but offered no evidence that Moscow had shifted its position or that the talks had narrowed the gap over ending the war.