Xi to flaunt China's vision of new global order at military parade
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a massive military parade on September 3 in Beijing, marking 80 years since Japan’s World War II surrender. The event, highlighting China’s growing military capabilities, aims to project the nation’s vision for a new global order, according to Reuters
Over 20 foreign leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, are expected, underscoring China’s ties with authoritarian states. The parade will showcase advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles and drones, while promoting China’s own historical narrative of the war.
While critics, particularly from Taiwan, decry the $5bn cost as a display of military assertiveness, the event signals China’s ambition to challenge US influence and assert itself in global politics, Reuters reported.
India-US Launch 21st Yudh Abhyas military exercise amid Trump tariff tensions
An Indian Army contingent has arrived at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, for the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas with US forces, running from September 1–14. The drills focus on heliborne operations, mountain warfare, unmanned aerial systems, and joint tactical exercises to enhance multi-domain readiness and UN peacekeeping capabilities, Firstpost reported.
The exercise takes place amid US-India trade tensions following President Trump’s proposed 50 percent tariff on Indian goods. Defense officials stress that despite these disputes, the India-US strategic partnership, especially in defense cooperation, remains strong. The Indian contingent, from the Madras Regiment, is training alongside US troops from the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team.
According to Firstpost, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the collaboration on social media, emphasizing continued military preparedness.
Chicago braces for National Guard amid fears of Trump 'invasion' plan
Chicago is on alert as President Trump plans to send National Guard troops and federal immigration agents to tackle crime and undocumented immigration. ICE agents handle deportations, CBP agents monitor borders, and the National Guard would assist locally, according to CNN.
Governor J.B. Pritzker called the plan an “invasion,” while Mayor Brandon Johnson is preparing city agencies to protect residents. Communities are protesting, worried about civil rights and militarization. Legal experts warn of possible constitutional conflicts, highlighting a tense standoff between federal and local authorities.
Brazil's Lula likely to host virtual Brics meet on Sept 8 to discuss Trump's tariff moves
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is set to host a virtual BRICS summit on September 8 to discuss the impact of US tariffs on Brazilian goods, including a 50 percent tariff on key products such as orange juice, while some items like airplanes are exempt. The meeting aims to foster a coordinated response among BRICS nations without framing it as an anti-US forum, Firstpost reported.
The summit coincides with broader diplomatic engagements involving China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, reflecting shifting global trade and geopolitical dynamics. The outcomes could influence future economic policies and strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries.
Rescue efforts resume after Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800
A powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province late Sunday, killing at least 800 people and injuring over 2,500 across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Entire villages have been flattened, and many residents are still trapped under rubble, BBC reported.
Rescue teams face major challenges navigating blocked roads and mountainous terrain, with helicopters deployed to reach the hardest-hit areas. As of Monday, 40 flights have evacuated 420 casualties, and medical teams continue to provide urgent care.
The UN is delivering hot meals and blankets, while the Taliban has appealed for international aid. The UK pledged £1m in relief, bypassing Taliban control. Tremors were also felt in Kabul and neighboring Pakistan, according to BBC.
At least 1,000 killed in Sudan landslide, rebel group says
A devastating landslide in Sudan’s remote Marra Mountains has killed at least 1,000 people, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army reported. Triggered by days of heavy rain on Sunday, the disaster “leveled” the village of Tarasin, leaving only one survivor, BBC reported.
The group warned of urgent humanitarian needs, including food, shelter, and medical aid, as survivors face life-threatening conditions. Many affected residents were already displaced from North Darfur due to ongoing conflict.
According to BBC, the landslide adds to the hardship in a region already suffering from civil war, displacement, and famine, highlighting the compounded risks faced by vulnerable communities in western Sudan.
Foreign tourism to the US drops amid Trump-era policies
Foreign visits to the United States have dropped for most of this year, with July showing a 3 percent decline from last year. Analysts link the downturn to President Trump’s trade policies, stricter immigration rules, and rising travel costs, according to Al Jazeera.
Tourism Economics projects an 8.2 percent fall in international arrivals for 2025, still well below pre-pandemic levels. Canada has seen the steepest decline, while visits from Western Europe, China, and India have also dropped. Chinese arrivals fell nearly 14 percent, and India recorded a 5.5 percent slide.
Although travel from Mexico rose slightly, a new $250 “visa integrity fee” taking effect in October is expected to make trips to the US even less attractive. Industry experts warn that higher costs and political uncertainty are undermining the country’s appeal as a global destination, Al Jazeera reported.
Belgium to recognise Palestine, impose sanctions on Isarel
Belgium will formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly later this month and impose new sanctions on Israel, Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot announced. Measures include banning settlement goods and reviewing Israeli firms’ access to public contracts, citing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The move aligns Belgium with France, which pledged recognition in July. So far, about three-quarters of UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.
The decision comes as Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 63,000 people and injured over 160,000, according to local health authorities. In July, Belgian prosecutors also referred alleged Israeli war crimes to the International Criminal Court







