BRICS Summit Diplomacy: BRICS leaders meeting in New Delhi urged “maximum restraint” amid Middle East escalation and backed Palestinian rights, including rejecting forced displacement and calling for an end to occupation, while Xi signaled China’s readiness to help broker peace. Global Governance Push: Indonesia and Malaysia used the summit to argue developing countries must shape international rule-making, warning that exclusion leaves them bound by decisions made elsewhere. Energy Security Shock: Saudi Arabia shut its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack linked to Iraqi territory, underscoring how regional conflict is choking major supply routes. Epidemic Update: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 7,000 confirmed cases across a seventh province, with thousands dead and more cases likely. Sweden Election: Sweden votes in a tight race that could bring the far-right Sweden Democrats into government for the first time, as immigration and civil liberties dominate the debate. U.S. Markets & Policy: The U.S. Treasury announced a larger-than-usual buyback of long-dated Treasuries to support bond markets as yields rise. Local Politics & Governance: Kazakhstan’s “Shanyraq Dialogues” in Brussels highlighted a new political era, including plans for a People’s Council and institutional reforms. Public Services & Trust: A new poll finds Americans’ satisfaction with K-12 education at a record low, feeding broader political fights over schools. Health & Education at the Grassroots: Scotland shortlisted a pupil-led healthy school food project for national awards, spotlighting local solutions to access and uptake. Anti-Settlement Trade Move: The UK, France, and Canada announced bans on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, escalating pressure tied to the two-state solution.