The UK government faces many economic and political challenges at home ahead of the budget in late November. However, the mood continues to be more optimistic abroad.

Wales rarely makes the international news headlines. However, last week it produced a political earthquake that saw the UK’s ruling Labour Party lose an election in Caerphilly for the first time since 1910.

Fifteen months into his time in office, the domestic challenges facing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are often highlighted. However, what is less discussed is his string of achievements abroad.

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party leadership election has been extensively viewed, domestically. However, the wider world has also been watching the crucial contest closely too, not least G7 allies in the West given the importance of Tokyo to this club of industrialized nations.

So far this year, much of the world has been consumed by the second US presidency of Donald Trump. By contrast, the second term of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has flown under the global radar, despite its international importance.