Editor's Note: The world during the past week has been undergoing a series of changes in terms of politics, economy, and the fight against the COVID-19. In today's 'Global Focus', we will present you with a few key headlines that may keep you well informed. 

1. Moscow attacks U.S. move to label Russians 'homeless' for visa reasons

Russia has condemned a decision by the U.S. to add Russians seeking U.S. visas to a list of "homeless nationals" who can apply for visas in third countries.

The move allowed Russians to apply for U.S. visas in Warsaw instead of their home country after the American Embassy stopped processing most visa applications in May due to Moscow's ban on employing embassy staff in Russia.

2. Global COVID-19 cases surpass 243 million

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 243 million, with more than 4.9 million deaths, the latest data from Johns Hopkins University shows.

The Chinese mainland reported 39 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, with 35 cases of local transmission and four from overseas, data from the National Health Commission showed on Monday. Top U.S. infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said Sunday that children between the ages of 5 and 11 will 'very likely' be able to receive the coronavirus vaccine by the first or second week of November. UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres on Sunday called on the G20 countries to help collect $8 billion to ensure fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world.

3. What role should the international community play in Afghanistan?

The ISIS presence in Afghanistan has been growing recently, with frequent attacks in Kabul and other parts of the country. Concerns are rising over the Taliban's ability to maintain security. The issue was one of the topics discussed during a meeting in Russia that brought together the Taliban and envoys from 10 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran.

They called for humanitarian and economic aid and the formation of an inclusive government. The Taliban said they want good relations with all countries and promised that Afghan territory would not be used against any country. What role should the international community play in Afghanistan? 

4. 17 people killed in clash between Taliban, group of armed men in Herat

At least 17 people were killed in a clash between the Taliban fighters and a group of armed men in the western Afghan province of Heart, local media reported citing a hospital source. 

The Taliban didn't comment on the clash yet. 

5. The future is frightening: 45 percent of youth affected by climate anxiety in their daily lives

Research into the topic has expanded recently, as awareness of the climate crisis has grown. One of the biggest studies to date, funded by Avaaz and led by the University of Bath in cooperation with other five universities, found that among 10,000 young people aged 16-25 years surveyed across the world, three quarters thought the future was "frightening."

Some 45 percent found that climate anxiety affected their daily lives, while over 56 percent thought our planet was doomed. Many declared feeling betrayed by their governments and stripped of their future.

6. 50 years on, China's UN story continues with hopes for peace, multilateralism, cooperation

Fifty years ago, on October 25, the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China (PRC) was restored in the United Nations (UN), marking a milestone event in the history of the international organization. 

Starting a new course of China's UN story this year, the country has vowed that it will stay true to its original aspiration after the vicissitudes of the past half-century, calling for joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind. 

China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order said President Xi Jinping in his speech at a commemorative meeting marking the historical event on Monday.

7. Chinese mainland reports 39 confirmed COVID-19 cases

The Chinese mainland reported 39 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, with 35 cases of local transmission and four from overseas, data from the National Health Commission showed on Monday. Of the local transmissions, 19 cases were reported in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, four each in Guizhou and Gansu provinces, two each in Beijing and Hunan and Shaanxi provinces.

In addition, 13 new asymptomatic cases were recorded, three of which were locally transmitted, while 380 asymptomatic patients remain under medical observation. Confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland now total 96,797, with the death toll remaining unchanged at 4,636. The latest tally of confirmed cases in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan region are as follows:

Hong Kong: 12,323 (12,019 recoveries, 213 deaths)

Macao: 77 (66 recoveries)

Taiwan: 16,368 (13,742 recoveries, 846 deaths)

8. 50 years on, China remains committed to advancing the UN cause

Five decades ago, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to restore all lawful rights of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the United Nations, opening a new era of interaction between the Asian country and the world body.

Over the past 50 years, China has offered full support for the UN cause by upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, played a constructive and increasingly important role in international affairs, and made great contributions to world peace and development.

9. World Internet of Things Exposition opens in east China

The 2021 World Internet of Things (IoT) Exposition, China's top IoT event, kicked off Saturday in the city of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province.

The three-day event includes a summit, an exhibition featuring the latest IoT applications and products, and 10 forums focusing on themes like 5G, big data, and intelligent transportation.

The IoT industry has become one of the key industries for the development of the digital economy in China, with its scale exceeding 2.4 trillion yuan (about 375.8 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2020, said Wang Zhijun, vice-minister of industry and information technology, at the summit.

Dubbed an "IoT city," Wuxi currently has more than 3,000 IoT-related companies and leads the formulation of over half of the IoT international standards.

10. China maps the path to carbon peak, neutrality under new development philosophy

Chinese authorities on Sunday unveiled a guiding document on the country's work to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals under the new development philosophy, laying out key specific targets and measures for the coming decades.

By 2030, China's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will peak, stabilize and then decline, and by 2060, China will be carbon neutral and have fully established a green, low-carbon, and circular economy, it says, reiterating the country's previous pledge.

Editor: Ye Ke