Mao Zedong

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Oct. 9 reunification with Taiwan must happen and will happen peacefully, despite a ratcheting-up of China's threats to attack the island.

Xi spoke on at an official celebration in Beijing's Great Hall of the People the focused largely on the need for the ruling Communist Party to continue to lead China as the country rises in power and influence.

They're not leaders for life — not technically, at least. But in political reality, the powerful tenures of China's Xi Jinping and, as of this week, Russia's Vladimir Putin are looking as if they will extend much deeper into the 21st century — even as the two superpowers whose destinies they steer gather more clout with each passing year.

Legendary French fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died at the age of 98.

Cardin was credited with helping revolutionize fashion with his futuristic designs in the 1960s and 70s.

He was also a pioneer in business, licensing his name to be used on a range of products such as sunglasses.

He died in hospital in Neuilly, near Paris, his family told the AFP news agency.

China is organizing a gigantic military parade in Beijing on October 1 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the communist regime, BTA reported.

This will help to adapt the new inhabitants of the Moscow Zoo, reported NOVA TV.

The new inhabitants of the Moscow Zoo - the two pandas will listen to Russian President Vladimir Putin's voice through the speakers in the framework of the adaptation procedure, Vesti.ru and BGNES reported.

A major Festival of Chinese Culture kicked off on Monday in Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria, reports Xinhua. 

The lawmakers at the congress of the People's Assembly voted to lift the restrictions on the presidency in the country, which opens the way for the life-long management of the head of state, Xi Jinping, reports bgnes. 

Once, Mao Zedong said: "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." But, Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un have the most destructive weapons, atomic bombs, which form the source of their power. And, the destructive weapons allow these two statesmen to play with the world.

Despite the backlash caused by the refusal of the Greek government to take part in a conference on August 23 in Estonia focusing on crimes committed by communist regimes in the 21st Century titled “The Heritage in 21st Century Europe of the Crimes Committed by Communist Regimes”, leftist SYRIZA party doubled down on the decision praising Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis for his stance.

A "breathing" Fidel Castro is among several ex-communist leaders gathered in Hong Kong this week, one of the world's centers of capitalism, as part of a cheeky exhibition at Art Basel.