Hello Delegates!
A fundamental part of being a representative at the United Nations (and, thus, at a MUN Conference) is an awareness of global events. Given that the theme of OG’s 2025 Home Conference is ‘The Spirit of Inquiry’, we think it is important to stay inquisitive about international news. From October, we will discuss three articles, with related questions to allow you to inquire about what is going on worldwide.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet for the first time in six years
On October 30, 2025, U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Busan, South Korea, to address persistent trade issues, with Trump calling the talks "amazing."
China agreed to suspend its export control measures on rare earths, which are materials essential for the production of consumer electronics and military jets, and the U.S. dropped some tariffs related to the flow of fentanyl ingredients into the country. However, many tariffs on Chinese imports remain, leaving U.S. importers facing taxes of over 40%.
Some questions to think about: How might the outcome of this meeting, particularly the retention of most tariffs, influence the strategies of companies looking to move their supply chains out of China?
Read more here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl25xl1gjpo
Heist at the Louvre
The Louvre Museum in Paris was the victim of a jewel heist shortly after opening hour on October 19. A gang of four suspects used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to reach a first-floor balcony near the River Seine. Two thieves cut through a window with power tools to gain entry to the Galerie d'Apollon, where they threatened guards and forced an evacuation. They then smashed display cases, stealing several priceless pieces of French royal jewelry, including a tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie and an emerald necklace from Empress Marie Louise. The museum's wider alarms sounded, but investigators noted the gallery's localised alarm was recently broken.
Some questions to think about: What does the use of a mechanical lift and power tools reveal about security vulnerabilities in high-profile museums? What role do museums play in diplomacy?
Read more here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7nrlkg0zxo
Toxic haze in Delhi after Diwali firecrackers
India's capital, Delhi, awoke to a toxic haze on October 2, after residents defied a court directive to use only 'green' firecrackers for the Hindu festival of Diwali. The city's air quality quickly deteriorated, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 360, which is categorised as "very poor." This critical level of pollution is caused by fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which poses significant health risks. The problem is worsened during the colder months when low wind speeds trap pollutants, such as vehicular emissions and the practice of crop stubble burning.
A question to think about: How does sustained "very poor" air quality affect public health and economic productivity in a major global city like Delhi?
Read more here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8vxl0k15ro