US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that several large trade agreements, including those with Switzerland and India, are pending completion. He expressed hope to finalize these talks by the end of October, noting that India had been less cooperative in negotiations.
Australian Prime Minister Albanese's announcement to recognize a Palestinian state has been met with criticism from both Australian Jewish and Palestinian groups. Israel's envoy to Australia, Amir Maimon, accused the move of elevating Hamas, a group considered a terrorist organization by Australia. In contrast, Nasser Mashni, President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, believes recognition came too late to address the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has been documented for two years.
Brazil has strengthened ties with Russia by signing a memorandum, amid increased pressure from the US to sever trade relations due to secondary sanctions and tariffs. The move comes after the US authorities threatened to impose penalties if Brazil continues its economic cooperation with Russia. This development highlights the growing diplomatic efforts of Brazil to diversify its international partnerships and mitigate potential economic repercussions.
The US government is seeking to recoup billions of dollars in unpaid tariffs from China, with a report suggesting that Beijing has been evading payments. The investigation, led by the US Trade Representative's office, found that Chinese companies had paid only $1 billion out of $50 billion in tariffs imposed on Chinese goods.
China's Wing Loong-2, a multi-role UAV, has proven combat capabilities and is being exported to various countries due to its cost-effective modular platform. The drone has been used in conflicts such as Nigerian raids on Boko Haram hideouts and Saudi strikes against Houthi positions along the Red Sea. A variant of the WL-2, known as the GJ-2 or "Attack 2", is conducting live-fire exercises around Taiwan and patrolling the South China Sea, serving as a key component of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) reconnaissance and combat capabilities.
China is expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through infrastructure projects, research vessels, and naval capabilities. The country has surpassed the US Navy as the world's largest naval force with over 15 new ships annually. China's strategic interest in consolidating its position in the IOR is evident in its military and commercial infrastructure development, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the "String of Pearls" strategy. This has raised concerns about India's national security and broader strategic interests. To counter this, India must bolster its deterrence capabilities, conduct joint exercises with partner countries, and enhance maritime domain awareness through advanced technologies like satellite-based surveillance systems and artificial intelligence.
The EU's Kaia Kalas announced plans for the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, urging no further concessions to Moscow. She stated that European foreign ministers support US-led efforts towards a just peace in Ukraine, citing Russia's refusal to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire as reason not to discuss additional concessions.
Global leaders are reacting to rising tensions in Asia and the Middle East as the rules-based international order faces its toughest test during the Trump presidency. The UN and media groups have condemned Israel's deadly strike on Al Jazeera's team in Gaza, while India has been urged to counter a combined naval threat from China and Pakistan. Meanwhile, other news includes Ravichandran Ashwin's uncertainty over his future with the Chennai Super Kings franchise, and India's defence cooperation discussions with Kazakhstan.
The Indian government has announced a 50-country export plan to offset the impact of US tariffs on its economy. The plan aims to boost exports and counter the effects of the trade tensions with China. As part of this initiative, India plans to focus on exporting goods such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT services. The move is seen as an effort to diversify its export markets and reduce dependence on a few key countries.