China, Brazil can be models of ‘self-reliance’ for Global South, Xi says
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke on Monday, emphasizing stronger cooperation between their countries. Xi called for China and Brazil to set an example of unity for the Global South and pledged support for Brazil’s sovereignty, Al Jazeera reported.
The leaders agreed to deepen ties in areas like health, energy, and the digital economy, and stressed the importance of multilateralism through groups like BRICS and the G20. Lula highlighted China’s key role in the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil.
Their discussion comes amid growing trade tensions with the US, which recently imposed tariffs on both nations. China remains Brazil’s largest trading partner, with trade reaching $188bn last year, according to Al Jazeera.
Iran says IAEA talks will be ‘complicated’ ahead of agency’s planned visit
Iran says its upcoming talks with the UN’s nuclear watchdog will be “technical” and “complicated,” marking the IAEA’s first visit since Tehran cut ties after June’s conflict with Israel.
IAEA deputy chief Massimo Aparo met Iranian officials in Tehran but was not granted access to nuclear sites. Relations soured after the agency accused Iran of breaching non-proliferation rules, a claim Tehran denies, while criticizing the IAEA for not condemning Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities, according to Al Jazeera.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has vowed to defend Iran against any future Israeli attack, insists the program is for peaceful purposes, but future cooperation will need approval from Iran’s top security body.
US puts Balochistan armed group in Pakistan on ‘foreign terrorist’ list
The United States has designated the Pakistan-based Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a “foreign terrorist” organization, expanding its 2019 terrorist listing to criminalize any support from within the US, according to Al Jazeera.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the step reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to fighting terrorism. The BLA, also known as the Majeed Brigade, has carried out deadly attacks, including a March train siege in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The group seeks independence, accusing Islamabad of exploiting the resource-rich but impoverished region.
The move follows similar action against The Resistance Front, tied to Lashkar-e-Taiba, after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Al Jazeera reported.
Zelensky says Putin readying for ‘new offensive’ in Ukraine, not ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Vladimir Putin is preparing for “new offensive operations,” not a ceasefire, ahead of peace talks with US President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday.
Citing intelligence reports, Zelensky said Russian forces are redeploying, particularly in the Zaporizhia region, to continue the war. He accused Putin of seeking to present the meeting as a personal victory and stressed that “concessions do not persuade a killer,” rejecting any land-for-peace deal, Al Jazeera reported.
Trump has suggested territory swaps could form part of an agreement but said he will urge Putin to end the war and may include Zelensky in future talks.
