World Bulletin / News Desk

UNITED NATIONS

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson presides over a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the North Korean nuclear threat. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also participating. 

CAIRO

​Pope Francis visits Egypt on a two-day trip to bolster relations with Muslims and show solidarity with the country's Coptic community following devastating church bombings 

MANILA

Leaders and foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations gather in Manila for two days of talks hosted by controversial Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. 

WASHINGTON

The US Congress, scrambling to meet a midnight Friday deadline, faces a possible government shutdown if they fail to strike a deal on a new federal budget. 

Human rights watchdog Freedom House releases its annual survey on global press freedom. 0400 GMT. Expect coverage. 

MALTA

EU foreign ministers meet to discuss issues including relations with Turkey, and to meet their Turkish counterpart. 

BERLIN

​Following developments after German lawmakers were expected overnight to approve a partial ban on the full-face burqa Islamic veil and a package of security measures aimed at preventing extremist attacks.