Charles Michel

– Hello there! What a lovely weekend we just had—bright but chilly with the sun showing its teeth, and thankfully no rain (let’s see how long this lasts in November).

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that it is uncertain whether Vladimir Putin will extend congratulations to Donald Trump on his election victory. He emphasized that the United States is considered an enemy country by Russia, both directly and indirectly involved in the conflict against Russia.

In this handout picture taken and released by the Georgian presidential press service on October 27, 2024, Georgia's President Salome Zurabishvili, flanked by leaders of opposition parties, speaks during a press conference at the presidential palace in Tbilisi, a day after the parliamentary elections.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (L) and European Council President Charles Michel address a closing press conference after an EU summit in Brussels on Oct. 17, 2024.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the Commission plans to introduce new legislative measures aimed at facilitating the return of illegal migrants. Migration was a key issue during the European leaders' meeting that concluded last night. She noted that currently, only 20% of those not eligible to stay in the EU are being returned to their countries of origin.

For the first time, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will attend the first Summit of the EU-Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

He will attend a landmark meeting between leaders of the European Union and Arab Gulf countries in Brussels, according to a Politico article.

China must "adapt its behaviour" to solve an escalating tariff row with Europe, EU chief Charles Michel said Friday, warning of the dangers of the dispute escalating into a full-blown trade war.

An Israeli air strike killed at least 22 people in central Beirut on Thursday as Israeli ground troops in Lebanon were accused of firing on the U.N.'s peacekeeping headquarters, injuring two Blue Helmets.

The raid on Beirut was the third such attack on the center of the Lebanese capital since Israel escalated its campaign last month.

Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has urged for understanding and a "fair unblocking of the process" regarding North Macedonia's negotiations with the EU. Speaking from the UN podium, she expressed concerns following the EU's decision to commence negotiations with Albania while sidelining North Macedonia.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, today urged the Republic of North Macedonia to uphold its commitments and diligently implement legally binding agreements as it strives for EU membership, according to BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov.