Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, signaling a bid to rally an alternative pole to U.S. influence. Beyond security coordination, Beijing is pushing to broaden the SCO’s economic toolkit and cement new alignments as Russia deepens ties eastward and India navigates strategic autonomy.
Source: NPR World
U.S. suspends visas for Palestinian passport holders; UNGA participation in question
Washington has suspended visas for Palestinian passport holders ahead of the UN General Assembly, a move that will disrupt travel for medical, educational, and diplomatic reasons. Separate reports say the U.S. will deny a visa to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, intensifying debate over access to the UN and prompting calls to relocate sessions to Geneva if necessary.
Source: The New York Times
Houthis raid UN agencies in Sana’a after Israeli strike kills senior officials
Iran-backed Houthi forces raided WFP and UNICEF offices in Yemen’s capital, detaining UN staff and heightening risks to humanitarian operations. The raids followed Israeli strikes that the Houthis say killed their de facto prime minister and other political figures, raising the specter of further retaliation and regional spillover.
Source: The Washington Post
Suspected Russian jamming hits EU leader’s plane, spotlighting hybrid warfare
A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced radar jamming over Bulgaria in a suspected Russian operation, underscoring growing electronic interference over European airspace. The incident aligns with broader concerns about hybrid tactics targeting critical infrastructure and navigation systems across the continent.
Source: The Washington Post
Israeli assault on Gaza City accelerates as mass displacement looms
Israel’s military says its takeover of Gaza City is underway, warning that a large-scale southward evacuation is inevitable for civilians trapped amid intensifying urban combat. The offensive comes as targeted strikes and shifting negotiating positions suggest the conflict could endure despite international pressure for a cease-fire.
Source: NPR World
Deadly Afghanistan earthquake complicates aid under Taliban rule
A 6.0-magnitude quake near Jalalabad killed hundreds and injured thousands, with the death toll expected to rise as rescuers reach remote mountain communities. The disaster tests already strained humanitarian channels and raises urgent questions about international assistance and access in Taliban-controlled areas.
Source: The New York Times
Modi meets Putin as U.S. tariffs squeeze India over Russian oil imports
On the sidelines of the SCO summit, India’s Narendra Modi conferred with Russia’s Vladimir Putin while facing steep U.S. tariff penalties tied to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude. The talks highlight India’s balancing act between energy security and mounting trade pressure from Washington, with implications for global oil flows and supply chains.
Source: The Washington Post
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