CHINA: The government reached an agreement with Vietnam today on cross-border railway development and took steps to expand agricultural imports from its neighbour.

Prime Minister Li Qiang, on an official visit to Vietnam, pledged that his country would further open its market to high-quality fruits, seafood and other Vietnamese products, state media reported.

China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner and second-largest export market after the United States. 

LITHUANIA: The first round of parliamentary elections took place today, with the centre-right governing coalition at risk of defeat by the opposition Social Democrats and smaller centre-left parties.

Despite economic successes, strict Covid-19 measures and an influx of migrants have cast shadows over right-wing Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte’s government, which took office in 2020.

BRAZIL: Around 1.4 million households in Sao Paulo were left without power on Saturday, almost 24 hours after a powerful storm swept through South America’s largest city. At least seven people were reportedly killed.

Officials in Sao Paulo state said that record wind gusts of up to 67mph on Friday night had knocked down power transmission lines and uprooted trees, causing severe damage in some parts. The storm also shut several airports and interrupted water supplies in several areas.

INDIA: Prominent politician Baba Siddique was shot dead today in the commercial capital Mumbai.

Mr Siddique was a member of the National Congress Party, which is part of the national governing coalition led by the far-right Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.