Analysis ✳
India stalls Pakistan and Bangladesh joining BRICS while chairing the group in 2026
India leads the 11-country BRICS group this year and is hosting its summit, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are trying to join.
#China
World ✳
Taiwan uses its lead in advanced chip making to push back on US and EU demands
Taiwan makes most of the world's most advanced computer chips, which power artificial intelligence.
Analysis ✳
This Week's Defense Deals Show Weapons Buildup Depends on Raw Materials, Not Factories
Four defense stories broke this week: a U.S.
Analysis ✳
China and Russia work closely together without signing a defense treaty
In August 2026, Chinese and Russian navies ran joint military drills in the Pacific, showing how closely they cooperate without a formal defense pact obligating either to fight for the other.
World ✳
Zelensky Says Russian Airspace Is No Longer Safe for Passenger Planes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says airlines should treat Russian airspace as completely unsafe, as Ukraine steps up long-range drone strikes inside Russia and Russia vows to hit back harder.
World ✳
Xi Tells Summit China Won't Bow to US Pressure Over Iran and Russia
At a summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said China would keep supporting Iran and Russia despite pressure from the United States to pull back.
World ✳
China threatens Pacific nations for hosting Taiwan's envoys at forum summit
China has warned of 'consequences' against Taiwan and against the small Pacific Island nations that hosted Taiwanese diplomats at the Pacific Islands Forum summit.
World ✳
Nepal-China border floods kill more than 950, rescuers dig for trapped hydropower workers
Floods on the border between Nepal and China have killed more than 950 people, up from about 900 a day earlier, France24 reports.
World ✳
Taiwan says China's military moves near island are less predictable
Taiwan's defense ministry says China has stepped up 'unpredictable' military activity in the air and sea around Taiwan, but gave no numbers on flights, ships or incursions.
World ✳
Nepal flood deaths near 900 as thousands stay missing on Tibet border
Deaths from flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border have nearly doubled in a week, from over 500 to more than 900, and mass burials began Monday.
World ✳
Putin and Xi host summit in Kyrgyzstan with Iran and India leaders
Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping are meeting in Kyrgyzstan for two days, along with the leaders of Iran and India.
USA ✳
Chinese chipmaker CXMT sues Pentagon over 'military company' label
ChangXin Memory Technologies, a major Chinese maker of memory chips, is suing the US Department of Defense in an American court over being placed on a Pentagon list of alleged Chinese military companies.