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Global Flashpoints: China, Iran, Venezuela in the Headlines

World News Roundup: Visa-Free Travel to China, EU Action on Iran, and More

Several significant international developments unfolded on Thursday, January 29, 2026, ranging from eased travel restrictions to escalating tensions and crackdowns on criminal activity.

Keir Starmer, during his visit to Beijing, secured an agreement for visa-free travel to China for UK citizens, according to PA Media and Downing Street. The agreement will allow individuals visiting China for business or tourism for less than 30 days to enter without a visa. This change aligns the UK with over 50 other countries, including France and Germany, that already have similar arrangements. While the start date is yet to be confirmed, Beijing has committed to the unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens. Starmer stated that businesses have been "crying out for ways to grow their" operations in China, highlighting the potential economic benefits of the agreement.

In other news, the European Union designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the decision was a "decisive step" taken by the bloc's foreign ministers in response to a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran. Sky News reported that doctors shared disturbing accounts of the alleged brutality used against protesters, though accurate information remains difficult to obtain due to sporadic internet access.

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the reopening of Venezuelan commercial airspace. During a cabinet meeting, Trump stated that he had informed Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez that US oil companies would soon be arriving to explore potential projects in the country.

In China, authorities executed 11 members of a Myanmar-based mafia family for the murder of 14 Chinese citizens and other crimes. Sky News reported that the Ming family members, including Ming Guoping, Ming Zhenzhen, Zhou Weichang, Wu Hongming, and Luao Jianzhang, had been sentenced to death in September for running a crime syndicate worth over 1 billion. The Wenzhou city Intermediate People's Court announced the executions in a statement. The family was found guilty of illegal detention and fraud in addition to the murders.

AI-Assisted Journalism

This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.

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