**Summary:** Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, focusing on border stability and trade cooperation.

**Key points:**
- President Xi Jinping's visit to India marks his first trip to the country in seven years following the 2020 border standoff.
- Leaders of the BRICS grouping expressed concern during the New Delhi summit over rising unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that bilateral ties should be guided by mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest.

**Why it matters:** The high-level engagement between India and China signals a pragmatic thaw in relations and ongoing efforts to stabilize border tensions, while the broader BRICS summit addresses critical global trade and economic policies.

bssnews.net - China Xi departs India after BRICS summit : Indian TV

dailypioneer.com - Modi - Xi Talks at BRICS Summit : India - China Ties Enter Pragmatic Phase

sanews.gov.za - BRICS expresses concern over trade

Modi and Xi Hold Bilateral Talks as India Hosts BRICS Summit in New Delhi

**Summary:** Separate ferry accidents in Vanuatu and Indonesia amid rough weather and heavy seas have resulted in at least one confirmed death and dozens of missing passengers.

**Key points:**
- A Vanuatu government ferry, the MV Matui, sank while traveling from Santo to Ambae island with over 40 people onboard.
- Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Vanuatu, with 15 individuals accounted for alive and over 30 remaining missing at sea.
- In Indonesia, a ferry sailing between Java and Borneo was hit by severe weather, leading to 102 rescues and one fatality.

**Why it matters:** These maritime disasters highlight ongoing safety concerns and the severe risks posed by hazardous marine conditions and vessel overloading in island nations.

INQUIRER.net - Vanuatu: One dead, 30 missing after ferry sinks

hurriyetdailynews.com - One dead , 102 rescued from stricken ferry off Indonesia

Ferry sinkings in Vanuatu and Indonesia leave dozens missing and one dead

**Summary:** Indonesian authorities have launched a search and rescue operation for the passenger ship Virgo Transport 8 after it lost communication in the Java Sea while carrying over 240 people.

**Key points:**
- The vessel was traveling from Surabaya in East Java to Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan.
- The ship experienced a communication failure when its last known position was approximately 148 kilometers from a pier in Banjarmasin.
- There were no immediate reports of casualties as search operations got underway.

**Why it matters:** The sudden disappearance of a vessel carrying over 240 passengers highlights significant maritime safety concerns and demands immediate emergency response efforts.

cbsnews.com - Search underway after Indonesian passenger ship carrying more than 240 people loses contact

rtn.ch - Indonésie : le contact perdu avec un ferry , 243 personnes à bord

Deccan Chronicle - Latest India news | Breaking news | Hyderabad News | World news | Business news | Politics | Technology news - Indonesia Launches Search For Passenger Ship Carrying 240 After Losing Contact

Indonesian Passenger Ship Loses Contact in Java Sea with Over 240 Aboard

**Summary:** At the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the bloc's role for emerging markets and developing countries, urging members to advance innovation and play a peacemaking role.

**Key points:**
- Xi stated that the BRICS cooperation mechanism marks its 20th anniversary and has become the world's most influential platform for emerging markets and developing countries.
- China proposed an initiative to promote new industrialization through artificial intelligence and called for stronger technological cooperation.
- Xi urged BRICS countries to serve as a pioneer in upholding peace and stability, specifically addressing the complex situation in the Middle East.
- Analysts noted that the group represents nearly half the world's population and roughly 30 percent of the global economy.

**Why it matters:** The BRICS summit provides a major platform for emerging economies and the Global South to coordinate policy on global governance, economic development, emerging technologies, and international security.

el-balad.com - Xi Jinping Backs Brics Countries as Influential Platform in New Delhi

en.gmw.cn - Xi urges BRICS to stand on right side of history , play pioneering role _ Guangming Online

washingtonexaminer.com - Xi Jinping casts China as a peacemaker at BRICS summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping Speaks at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi

**Summary:** Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged the artificial-intelligence industry to slow development to enhance safety measures and alignment, warning of severe future risks.

**Key points:**
- Amodei outlined a plan requiring industry coordination, government cooperation, and independent safety evaluators inside AI labs.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and tech figure Elon Musk expressed agreement with aspects of Amodei's safety proposals on social media.
- The call follows recent high-profile safety resignations and internal concerns regarding the rapid race toward advanced artificial intelligence systems.

**Why it matters:** This rare public call by top industry leaders highlights growing internal and external pressure over the safety risks associated with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

globalnews.ca - Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says AI industry needs to give safety measures time to catch up

radio.wpsu.org - Anthropic and OpenAI CEOs call for AI development to slow down

tivysideadvertiser.co.uk - Anthropic boss says AI industry needs to slow down for safety

World & Nation - Anthropic chief Amodei says AI industry needs to slow down for safety

dailygazette.com - Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says AI industry needs to slow down for safety

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Calls for AI Industry Slowdown to Allow Safety Measures to Catch Up

**Summary:** Indian President Droupadi Murmu met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Delhi, emphasizing that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

**Key points:**
- The meeting took place in Delhi involving Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.
- President Murmu stressed the importance of resolving conflicts via dialogue and diplomacy.
- Iranian President Pezeshkian also met with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on the sidelines of a BRICS Summit, with New Delhi acting as a peacemaker.

**Why it matters:** This diplomatic engagement highlights India's role in facilitating regional dialogue and international relations involving Middle Eastern leaders.

iranherald.com - President Droupadi Murmu meets Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in Delhi

The Hindu - Home - Conflicts be resolved through dialogue , diplomacy : President Murmu in meeting with Iran Pezeshkian

middleeaststar.com - New Delhi plays peacemaker , Iranian President Pezeshkian meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince on sidelines of BRICS Summit

Indian and Iranian Presidents Meet in Delhi

**Summary:** At a summit in New Delhi, leaders of the BRICS emerging economies voiced deep concern over escalating Middle East conflicts and attacks on infrastructure, while condemning unauthorized unilateral sanctions.

**Key points:**
- Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the BRICS bloc to play a due role in bringing peace and stability to West Asia.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a BRICS seafarers' network to protect maritime workers amid ongoing trade disruptions.
- The joint statement criticized attacks on civilian and nuclear facilities under UN safeguards, widely interpreted as targeting US and Israeli strikes.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin called for expanding the United Nations Security Council to increase representation for Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

**Why it matters:** The BRICS summit highlights the growing alignment of emerging economies seeking to counter Western-led dominance, reform global governance, and address disruptions stemming from ongoing international conflicts.

dailyexcelsior.com - Chinese President Calls On BRICS Countries To Play Due Role In Bringing Peace In West Asia

thetelegraphandargus.co.uk - Brics leaders voice concern over Middle East and condemn unilateral sanctions

BRICS Leaders Express Concern Over Middle East Tensions and Condemn Unilateral Sanctions

**Summary:** Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi to commit to resolving their long-standing border dispute and addressing trade imbalances.

**Key points:**
- President Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi marks his first trip to India since 2019, following a gradual thaw in relations after a 2020 border skirmish.
- Bilateral goods trade reached $151 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, with India facing a record $112 billion trade deficit with Beijing.
- Dozens of Tibetan exiles staged protests in New Delhi ahead of the high-level meeting, waving placards against the Chinese leader's visit.

**Why it matters:** A thawing of relations between nuclear-armed rivals India and China is crucial for regional security and stability along their 3,500km contested border, while addressing severe trade imbalances could reshape economic ties in the region.

International: Top News And Analysis - Indian Prime Minister Modi says border peace is key to India-China ties

news.webindia123.com - BRICS Summit will open new avenues of progress for India , says UP Deputy CM Pathak

Straits Times - Modi and Xi expressed commitment to resolving border issue: India

Modi and Xi Commit to Border Resolution During BRICS Summit