Starting next year, the Louvre will increase ticket prices for non-EU tourists by 45% to €32. This is expected to generate €15-20 million annually to fund the museum's renovation and modernization.
Firefighters continue to search for survivors after a massive fire engulfed seven of the eight towers of a complex in Hong Kong, claiming the lives of at least 94 people. More than 70 people were injured, and the fire became the deadliest in decades.
US President Donald Trump will host the G20 at his golf resort in Miami next year, personally determining the guest list. He will not invite South Africa, which chairs the G20 this year and has incurred his wrath.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has started selling its first AI-powered Qwen smart glasses, Quark S1 and G1. These devices feature built-in displays and cameras, run on Qualcomm Inc.'s Snapdragon AR1 platform, and are already available in China.
China criticized the US for its plans to change nuclear policy, warning of an increased risk of conflict. This came after Washington's statement about its readiness to resume nuclear weapons tests in response to the actions of rivals.
Donald Trump set a deadline for Ukraine to agree to the White House's 28-point plan to end the war, which he later postponed. Expert Stanislav Zhelikhovsky believes that the plan needs refinement, as Ukraine, as a party to the conflict, needs to be heard.
The Japanese government denied reports that Donald Trump advised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan. This was a response to publications by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, which claimed such advice.
The US Department of Defense proposes adding Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD to the list of companies posing a national security threat due to their ties with the Chinese government. Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg informed lawmakers of this decision on October 7.
A massive fire in Hong Kong, which claimed 36 lives, has drawn attention to bamboo scaffolding, which is still widely used. Authorities have set up an investigation team to review building standards and fire resistance of materials.
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit China from December 3 to 5 to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The purpose of the trip is to further develop Franco-Chinese relations and discuss cooperation issues.
South Korea conducted the first private launch of the Nuri rocket from the Naro Space Center. This is a key milestone in Seoul's ambitions to strengthen its position in the global space race, aiming to increase its share of the global space economy to 10% by 2045.
The Taiwanese government has announced a special defense budget of $40 billion and measures to counter Chinese attacks. President Lai Ching-te stated that there would be no compromises on national security issues.
In Hong Kong, a fire engulfed several apartment buildings in a residential complex, killing four people. Two injured are in critical condition, one in stable condition.
China warned it would crush any attempts by foreign powers to interfere in Taiwan's affairs after Japan announced the deployment of missiles on an island near Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and does not rule out the use of force to establish control.
Apple plans to overtake Samsung and become the world's largest smartphone manufacturer thanks to the success of the iPhone 17 and high demand. iPhone shipments are expected to grow by 10% in 2025, and Apple's share will reach 19.4%.
The eruption of the Hayli-Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia has subsided, causing destruction in villages in the Afar region and widespread disruptions to air traffic. Residents complained of coughing, and livestock could not find clean water due to volcanic ash.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could hold up to four meetings next year. This will help maintain the stability of the trade truce between the two countries.
The State Customs Service prevented several attempts to import the narcotic tea Mitragyna speciosa and the SPIRULINA supplement into Ukraine, discovering the largest consignment at the border with Hungary. In total, hundreds of kilograms of crushed kratom leaves, which are a narcotic substance, were seized.
France will allocate 130 million euros ($150 million) for vineyard uprooting due to falling demand, climate change, and trade wars. Agriculture Minister Enny Genever said the funds would go to finance a new permanent plan for vineyard elimination.
This UAV was first demonstrated in June this year by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the escalation of the Iranian-Israeli conflict.
Brent crude futures fell to $63. 10 a barrel, WTI to $58.61. The decline comes amid fears that supply will outstrip demand next year, despite sanctions on Russian supplies.
Xi Jinping and Donald Trump discussed the war in Ukraine, where China expressed support for all efforts aimed at achieving peace.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, discussing the status of Taiwan as a key element of the post-World War II international order.
China has sharply increased its oil imports from Indonesia, which traders link to the possible masking of sanctioned Iranian oil supplies. This comes amid a reduction in imports from Malaysia, which was previously a major transshipment hub for Iranian crude.
The UN climate change summit COP30 in Belém ended in a compromise, failing to meet most of the countries' demands. Wealthy nations pledged to triple financial aid for adaptation to global warming.
Japan continues to deploy medium-range missiles on Yonaguni Island, located 110 km from Taiwan. This is part of strengthening the country's defense capabilities amid rising tensions in the region.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, reported that a Russian contingent of over 120 military personnel is present in Venezuela under the command of Colonel General Oleg Makarevich, who commanded the 'Dnipro' group of forces and organized the undermining of the Kakhovka HPP.
Porsche topped the JD Power sales satisfaction ranking in the US for the third consecutive time, followed by Land Rover and Infiniti. Land Rover rose to second place thanks to its updated lineup, while Infiniti, despite a reduced model range, maintained high positions.
The Trump administration is discussing the possibility of allowing Nvidia Corp. to sell its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China. A final decision has not yet been made, but this could be a departure from previous US policy.
A dangerous soft toy "Duck with duckling" of Chinese production was found in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. It does not meet safety requirements for labeling and stretching, creating a risk of suffocation.
