China
COMMENT: Kyrgyzstan’s New Nomadism
Hosting the 6th World Nomad Games, small Central Asian nation united world powers around ancient steppe sports. Team GB even strained on the tug-of-war rope against both Russia and Iran.
Vance says Turkey, Saudis, UAE and others “privately helping” US on Iran but “not willing to say so publicly”
Azerbaijan and Qatar also among emerging, unacknowledged alignment designed to squeeze Iranian economy, adds vice president.
DR Congo copper captures 23.9% of US cathode imports as July shipments hit record
Record July shipments show DRC cathode becoming a meaningful part of the US physical copper market despite lacking COMEX approval, broadening US supply beyond Latin America and giving Congolese producers a larger outlet outside China.
Nuclear generation hits fresh record as Asia drives expansion
Nuclear reactors worldwide generated 2,702 TWh of electricity in 2025, up 35 TWh from 2,667 TWh in 2024.
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China pumps $53.6bn into state banks and insurers
The capital injection, organised by the Ministry of Finance, targets three major state lenders and five insurance firms.
Thailand foreign tourist arrivals fall 3.1% in first eight months of 2026
Thailand received 20,935,135 foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2026, down 3.08% year on year.
Uganda appoints Vitol to market 'Pearl Sweet' crude ahead of 2027 exports
Uganda, close to commercial oil exports, appoints global commodities trader Vitol to market the government and Uganda National Oil Company’s allocation of newly branded 'Pearl Sweet' crude.
US swings sanctions stick at Turkish bank accused of smuggling Chinese oil payments to Iran in gold
American ambassador to Ankara at great pains to describe move as aimed at “one entity”, not at a nation, banking system or ally.
Typhoon nears southern Japan with heavy rain forecast across the country
The slow-moving system is set to combine with an autumn rain front stalled along the southern coast of Honshu, drawing warm, humid air northwards and raising the risk of sustained downpours across Japan through about September 7.
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Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit comes up short on achievements
Iran left in lurch.
Peru's rupture with Iran was never about Tehran
Peru's break with Iran cost almost nothing economically but sends a clear geopolitical signal. As Lima moves closer to Washington and Israel, its roughly $50bn annual goods-trade relationship with China creates a much harder strategic dilemma.
Africa’s last holdout: Eswatini’s Chinese dam project exposes limits of Beijing’s pressure over Taiwan
Eswatini is one of only a dozen countries in the world with formal ties with Taiwan. Its $136mn Mpakeni Dam, being developed by Chinese contractors, embodies the limits of Beijing's diplomatic isolation.
Taiwan snubs claims of checkbook diplomacy over Palau aid
Taiwan's foreign ministry has dismissed a Solomon Islands newspaper report accusing Taipei of practising "checkbook diplomacy" in the South Pacific, saying the article "deviated from the truth" and was "driven by malicious intent.".
11 EU members push to curb foreign policy vetoes as bloc weighs wider reform
Reform discussion ongoing amid questions over whether the EU's institutions are equipped for another round of enlargement.
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COMMENT: COP17 desertification summit delivered mixed results but important momentum
Nature Conservancy’s director of biodiversity and infrastructure policy releases closing statement after Ulaanbaatar conference.
Nepal flood death toll rises further to 955
Debris has obstructed nine hydropower tunnels under construction in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, trapping more than 900 workers from Nepal, South Korea and China. The scale of the underground emergency has complicated rescue operations.
Leaders of Russia, China, India and middle powers holding face-to-face meetings at Bishkek SCO summit
Event is a “must watch” for followers of the international geopolitical agenda. Iranian and Turkish presidents among those present.
Serbia launches Europe's first mass-production factory for humanoid robots
The plant is part of a wider €200mn investment plan that Serbia hopes will establish the country as a European base for an industry still in its early stages.
Fast fashion giant Shein prices Hong Kong IPO at $27bn valuation
Debut follows years of attempts to secure a public listing in New York or London, that were derailed by political and regulatory scrutiny.
Nepal death toll nears 800 as desperate rescue efforts continue
Rescue teams have purportedly been unable to establish communication with individuals trapped inside the affected hydroelectric facilities and the tunnels underneath them