Chinese Communist Party may be set for a dramatic transformation but Xi’s grip on power as strong as ever
Leader signals willingness to move with the times, but removal of term limits leaves Xi well placed to stay in power
The siege of a city in Sudan’s civil war ‘could put 500,000 at risk of atrocities’
Global Briefing: El-Obeid is facing drone attacks from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that have hit civilian targets and public utilities
Putin’s Russia faces fuel shortages amid Ukrainian drone strikes and diplomatic setbacks
Moscow’s scope for exerting hegemonic power is diminished in an increasingly multipolar world order
EU-China talks on trade imbalance is best news for their relations in years
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and China’s commerce minister begin a process to address the widening trade gap
US and Iran agree to stop tit-for-tat strikes, but obstacles to peace deal remain
Washington’s Gulf allies have lost faith in US security guarantee, offering Iran an advantage as it asserts its control over Strait of Hormuz
Dragon boats, ancient rituals – and a modern fear of being left behind
Amid holiday celebrations in Beijing, a friend’s stark worry captures the anxiety of a weakening jobs market
Israeli companies that make weapons killing children in Gaza set for European growth
UN report identifies weapons used in Israel’s targeted killing of Gaza children, as well as the military units responsible
African and Caribbean nations push to put slave-trade reparations firmly on global agenda
Global Briefing: Conference in Ghana calls for a formal apology from countries that benefited, financial compensation, debt relief and the return of looted artefacts
Cuba makes sweeping changes to its socialism model but are they enough for Trump?
US president mused last week that invading Cuba would be an easier military operation than his war against Iran
They’ll say Starmer was a triumph on the world stage. It’s not true
His achievements abroad are outweighed by failures of strategy, judgement and political courage
China endorses Myanmar president and keeps door open to economic corridor
Beijing’s primary interest is in ensuring instability in the neighbouring country does not spill over into China
South Africa struggles to stop anti-immigrant violence
Ghana and Nigeria among countries to remind South Africans of solidarity shown during fight against apartheid
Taliban’s growing partnership with Russia could have significant consequences
Russia has signed a military agreement with Afghanistan that could allow Moscow to extend its influence and shape regional security
Trump’s failure in Strait of Hormuz accelerates move towards a post-US world
Washington ignored allies’ interests in its illegal Iran war, and they are now likely to become more independent from the United States
Iran peace deal will not restore pre-war status quo in Strait of Hormuz
Global Briefing: Washington has upended its decades-long Middle East strategy of keeping energy and trade flowing