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A federal trial is set to begin Monday over a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to arrest and deport students and faculty who took part in pro-Palestinian protests and political activities. The lawsuit, brought by several university associations against President Donald Trump and his administration, is among the first of its kind to reach trial. The plaintiffs are asking U.S. District Judge William Young to declare the policy unconstitutional, arguing that it violates both the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies create and enforce regulations. “The policy’s effects have been swift. Noncitizen students and faculty across the United States have been terrified into silence," the plaintiffs stated in their pretrial brief. “Students and faculty are avoiding political protests, purging their social media, and withdrawing from public engagement with groups associated with pro-Palestinian viewpoints,” they added. “They’re abstaining from certain public writing and scholarship they would otherwise have pursued. They’re even self-censoring in the classroom.” Several academics are expected to testify, explaining how the policy and related arrests have forced them to abandon their advocacy for Palestinian rights and their criticism of Israeli government policies. Since Trump assumed office, immigration enforcement has increasingly targeted international students and scholars at American universities. Trump and his administration have accused some demonstrators and others of being aligned with “pro-Hamas” sentiments, referring to the Palestinian militant group behind the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Protesters, however, have said their demonstrations focus on opposing Israel’s conduct in the war. The plaintiffs name several activists in their complaint, including Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who spent 104 days in federal immigration custody before being released last month. His detention has become emblematic of Trump’s broader crackdown on campus activism. Israeli airstrikes kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza, another 10 people die seeking food The case also mentions Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, who spent six weeks in immigration detention after being arrested in a Boston suburb. Ozturk claims she was unlawfully detained following an op-ed she co-authored criticizing Tufts’ response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration provided universities with lists of individuals to target, initiated surveillance of social media, and used Trump’s own public remarks — including his statement after Khalil’s arrest that it was the “first arrest of many to come” — to back their claims. The government has countered that the plaintiffs are challenging a policy that doesn't formally exist. “They do not try to locate this program in any statute, regulation, rule, or directive. They do not allege that it is written down anywhere. And they do not even try to identify its specific terms and substance,” the government stated in court filings. “That is all unsurprising, because no such policy exists.” Officials also argue that the plaintiffs misunderstand how the First Amendment applies in the context of immigration, noting that constitutional protections differ for noncitizens under established Supreme Court precedent. In response, plaintiffs maintain that evidence presented at trial will show the administration implemented the policy in multiple ways, including formal guidance on revoking visas and green cards and creating mechanisms to identify those involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. "Defendants have described their policy, defended it, and taken political credit for it," plaintiffs argued. “It is only now that the policy has been challenged that they say, incredibly, that the policy does not actually exist. But the evidence at trial will show that the policy’s existence is beyond cavil.”

The BRICS group of developing nations on Sunday condemned rising global tariffs and military attacks on Iran but stopped short of naming US President Donald Trump or directly criticizing member states like Russia. The group’s joint declaration also condemned Israel's military actions in the Middle East while mentioning the ongoing war in Ukraine only once. The two-day summit, hosted in Rio de Janeiro, was overshadowed by the absence of key leaders. Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a BRICS summit for the first time since taking power in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the meeting via videoconference, continuing to limit his international travel due to an arrest warrant related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an apparent swipe at the US, the group expressed “serious concerns” over tariff hikes, stating they are “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules” and could “threaten reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.” Responding on his social media platform, Trump warned of new tariffs, saying any nation aligning with “the Anti-American policies of BRICS” would face an additional 10% tariff. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, hosting the summit, criticized NATO's plan to raise military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 — a position later reflected in the BRICS declaration. “It is always easier to invest in war than in peace,” Lula said at the summit’s opening session, which continues Monday. Iranian presence and condemnation of Middle East violence Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expected to attend, stayed away following last month’s attacks on Iran. His foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, represented the country instead. The BRICS declaration condemned the attacks on Iran but avoided mentioning the US or Israel, the countries believed to have carried them out. In his address, Araghchi urged BRICS leaders to push for strong international condemnation of Israel. He also called for accountability from Israel and the US for alleged human rights violations. “The aftermath of the war will not be limited to one country,” Araghchi warned. “The entire region and beyond will be damaged.” BRICS leaders voiced “grave concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, called for the release of hostages, and urged a return to negotiations in support of a two-state solution. However, in a later statement on Telegram, Araghchi expressed Iran’s reservations about the two-state proposal, saying it “will not work, just as it has not worked in the past.” Separately, Russia's foreign ministry used Telegram to name the US and Israel directly, condemning their “unprovoked military strikes” against Iran. Russia spared criticism, Ukraine mentioned once Despite Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, the BRICS declaration mentioned Ukraine only once, while condemning “in the strongest terms” recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. “We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. General Assembly,” the declaration said. João Alfredo Nyegray, an international business and geopolitics professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, said BRICS missed an opportunity to present itself as a unified alternative to global instability. BRICS summit opens in Brazil amid Trump tariff concerns “The withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the uncertainty about the level of representation for countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are confirming the difficulty for the BRICS to establish themselves as a cohesive pole of global leadership,” Nyegray said. “This moment demands high-level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion.” Trump tariffs loom as Brazil treads carefully While Lula advocated for reform of global institutions, Brazil avoided provocative topics to shield its economy from Trump’s threats of higher tariffs. Trump has already warned of 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they attempt to undermine the US dollar. At last year’s BRICS summit hosted by Russia, the Kremlin pushed for alternatives to US-controlled payment systems to bypass sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Brazil deliberately steered the summit toward less controversial topics like boosting trade among members and global health cooperation, according to Ana Garcia, a professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” Garcia explained. Expansion and divisions within BRICS Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS expanded last year to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The group also created a new “strategic partner” category that includes Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. Brazil placed institutional development on the summit agenda to integrate new members and strengthen internal unity. Despite internal challenges, the summit remains significant for member states, particularly amid global tensions and Trump’s tariff policies, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher with the University of Sao Paulo’s BRICS study group. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. Protests and domestic backdrop Earlier Sunday, a pro-Israel group staged a protest on Rio’s Ipanema beach by placing dozens of rainbow flags, criticizing Iran's policies toward LGBT+ individuals. On Saturday, Amnesty International protested Brazil’s plans for offshore oil exploration near the Amazon River’s mouth. For Lula, the summit also provided a temporary respite from domestic political challenges, including declining popularity and tensions with Congress. The event served as a platform to advance environmental protection commitments ahead of November’s COP 30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belém.

Israel carried out airstrikes early Monday targeting ports and facilities held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, prompting the group to retaliate with missile fire aimed at Israel, officials said. The escalation follows an attack Sunday on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas in the Red Sea, which caught fire and took on water, eventually forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. The Magic Seas, owned by Greek interests, was reportedly struck by bomb-laden drone boats after an initial assault involving small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Although Houthi media reported on the incident, the rebels have yet to claim responsibility. Their confirmation of attacks often comes hours or days later. A renewed Houthi campaign against shipping in the Red Sea could draw US and Western forces back into the conflict, especially after President Donald Trump launched a major airstrike campaign against the rebels earlier this year. The attack also comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as negotiations for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war remain uncertain and Iran considers whether to resume nuclear talks following recent American airstrikes on its nuclear sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also traveling to Washington to meet with Trump. Israel strikes Houthi-held ports and seized ship The Israeli military confirmed that it had struck ports under Houthi control, including Hodeida, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib power plant. “These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which is employed to carry out terrorist operations against the state of Israel and its allies,” the Israeli military said. Israel also targeted the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle-carrying ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023 at the start of their Red Sea attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas war. “Houthi forces installed a radar system on the ship and have been using it to track vessels in the international maritime arena to facilitate further terrorist activities,” the Israeli military said. The Galaxy Leader, which sails under a Bahamian flag, is linked to an Israeli billionaire. No Israelis were on board at the time of its seizure, and the ship was operated by Japanese firm NYK Line. The Houthis acknowledged Israel's strikes but did not provide details on the damage. Rebel military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed that Houthi air defenses “effectively confronted” the Israeli attacks, though no evidence was provided. Israel has launched multiple strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, including a naval strike last month. While both Israel and the United States have targeted Houthi-controlled ports in the past — including a US strike in April that killed 74 people — Israel is now operating independently as the rebels continue to target Israel with missiles. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of more strikes if Houthi attacks continue. “What’s true for Iran is true for Yemen,” Katz said. “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.” Turkey sends firefighting planes to Syria as raging wildfires devastate border regions Houthis retaliate with missile strike on Israel Following the Israeli strikes, the Houthis fired a missile at Israel. The Israeli military said it attempted to intercept the missile, but it appeared to make impact. No casualties or significant damage were immediately reported. Sirens were activated in the West Bank and along the Dead Sea. Crew abandons stricken vessel after Houthi attack The attack on the Magic Seas, which was en route to Egypt's Suez Canal, occurred about 100 kilometers southwest of Hodeida, a port city under Houthi control. According to the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations center, an armed security team aboard the ship initially repelled gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade attacks. However, the vessel was later hit by additional projectiles. Private maritime security firm Ambrey said eight skiffs attacked the vessel before bomb-laden drone boats struck it. Two drone boats reportedly hit the ship, while armed guards destroyed two others. The Maritime Trade Operations center confirmed that the ship was taking on water and its crew abandoned it. They were rescued by a passing vessel. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet referred questions to Central Command, which acknowledged awareness of the incident but provided no further details. Yemen's exiled government blamed the Houthis for the attack. “The attack also proves once again that the Houthis are merely a front for an Iranian scheme using Yemen as a platform to undermine regional and global stability, at a time when Tehran continues to arm the militia and provide it with military technology, including missiles, aircraft, drones, and sea mines,” Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said on social media platform X. The ship’s owners have not commented on the incident. Houthi campaign linked to Israel-Hamas conflict The Houthis have repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The group’s al-Masirah satellite channel acknowledged the latest ship attack but provided no further comment. Ambrey noted that the Magic Seas fits the Houthis’ typical target profile but did not elaborate. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis have attacked over 100 merchant ships using missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. Their campaign has severely disrupted Red Sea trade, through which $1 trillion in goods normally passes each year. While Red Sea shipping has recently increased, the Houthis had paused maritime attacks until the US launched airstrikes against them in March. That campaign ended weeks later, though the Houthis have continued occasional missile attacks on Israel. On Sunday, the Houthis claimed to have launched another missile toward Israel, which the Israeli military said it successfully intercepted.

At least 82 people have died in devastating flash floods that swept through Texas during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with dozens more still missing, including children from a summer camp, officials confirmed Sunday. The disaster struck along the Guadalupe River near San Antonio, triggering a large-scale search operation amid growing questions about preparedness and the speed of emergency warnings. Floods hit at the worst possible time The flash floods, fueled by heavy rainfall, hit the region during the early hours of Friday when most people were asleep. Central Texas’ Hill Country is known to be highly vulnerable to flash floods, as its dry, compacted soil prevents water absorption, forcing rain to flow rapidly across the land. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch on Thursday afternoon, followed by an urgent warning around 4 a.m. Friday, warning of “catastrophic damage” and severe risks to human life. Locals reported that by 5:20 a.m., water levels in Kerrville were already dangerously high. The torrential rain, dropping nearly 12 inches (30 centimeters) overnight, caused the Guadalupe River to rise by 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes. Death toll likely to rise Governor Greg Abbott said on Sunday that at least 41 people across Texas remain unaccounted for. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed the recovery of 68 bodies, including 28 children, from the region, which is home to several youth summer camps. Fatalities in neighboring counties brought the confirmed death toll to 79 by Sunday evening. At Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River, ten girls and a counselor were still missing, officials said. Authorities have not yet provided updated figures for missing persons from other camps or surrounding areas. “We don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said, pointing to the large number of visitors during the holiday weekend. What to know about Texas flash floods that killed nearly 70 Officials face scrutiny over delayed warnings Survivors described the floodwaters as a “pitch black wall of death” and raised concerns over the lack of timely emergency alerts. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, whose home is along the river, insisted on Saturday that “nobody saw this coming.” Officials have referred to the disaster as a “100-year flood,” an event considered highly unlikely based on historical data. Meteorologists, however, warn that human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such disasters. While specific storms cannot immediately be linked to global warming, experts say a hotter atmosphere retains more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall. Officials also faced questions about why river communities and summer camps were not warned or evacuated before 4 a.m. Some argued that frequent false alarms can make residents complacent, while others noted that Kerr County had previously proposed a stronger flood warning system similar to tornado alerts, but the plan faced public opposition over its costs. Officials ended a press briefing on Sunday after repeated questions from reporters about the delays in warnings and evacuations. Massive cleanup and rebuilding ahead The flash floods destroyed entire campgrounds and ripped homes from their foundations, leaving widespread devastation. “It’s going to be a long time before we’re ever able to clean it up, much less rebuild it,” Kelly said after surveying the destruction by helicopter. The disaster has drawn comparisons to previous deadly floods, including last year’s Hurricane Helene, which forced many residents and businesses to abandon devastated areas. President Donald Trump has said he plans to visit the flood-affected region on Friday.

Flash floods in Texas killed dozens and left an unknown number of July Fourth visitors and campers missing, including many girls attending Camp Mystic. The devastation along the Guadalupe River, outside of San Antonio, has drawn a massive search effort as officials face questions over their preparedness and the speed of their initial actions. Here's what to know about the deadly flooding, the colossal weather system that drove it in and around Kerr County, Texas, and ongoing efforts to identify victims. Massive rain hit at just the wrong time, in a flood-prone place The floods grew to their worst at the midpoint of a long holiday weekend when many people were asleep. The Texas Hill Country in the central part of the state is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. Friday's flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark early morning hours. After a flood watch notice midday Thursday, the National Weather Service office issued an urgent warning around 4 a.m. that raised the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat to human life. By at least 5:20 a.m., some in the Kerrville City area say water levels were getting alarmingly high. The massive rain flowing down hills sent rushing water into the Guadalupe River, causing it to rise 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes. Death toll is expected to rise and the number of missing is uncertain At least 59 people in Kerr County, and eight elsewhere in central Texas were confirmed dead as of Sunday morning. In Kerr County, 38 of the victims dead were adults and 21 were children, including 16 girls recovered from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river. Eleven more girls were still unaccounted for. For past campers, the tragedy turned happy memories into grief. Beyond the Camp Mystic campers unaccounted for, the number of missing from other nearby campgrounds and across the region had not been released. “We don’t even want to begin to estimate at this time,” Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said Saturday, citing the likely influx of visitors during the July Fourth holiday. Officials face scrutiny over flash flood warnings Survivors have described the floods as a “pitch black wall of death” and said they received no emergency warnings. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who lives along the Guadalupe River, said Saturday that “ nobody saw this coming.” Various officials have referred to it as a “100-year-flood,” meaning that the water levels were highly unlikely based on the historical record. And records behind those statistics don’t always account for human-caused climate change. Though it’s hard to connect specific storms to a warming planet so soon after they occur, meteorologists say that a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture and allow severe storms to dump even more rain. Additionally, officials have come under scrutiny about why residents and youth summer camps along the river were not alerted sooner than 4 a.m. or told to evacuate. Officials noted that the public can grow weary from too many flooding alerts or forecasts that turn out to be minor. Kerr county officials said they had presented a proposal for a more robust flood warning system, similar to a tornado warning system, but that members of the public reeled at the cost. On Sunday, officials walked out of a news briefing after reporters asked them again about delays in alerts and evacuations. Monumental clearing and rebuilding effort The flash floods have erased campgrounds and torn homes from their foundations. "It’s going to be a long time before we’re ever able to clean it up, much less rebuild it," Kelly said Saturday after surveying the destruction from a helicopter. Other massive flooding events have driven residents and business owners to give up, including in areas struck last year by Hurricane Helene. AP photographers have captured the scale of the destruction, and one of Texas' largest rescue and recover efforts.

China's farthest offshore wind power project has achieved its first grid connection, marking a significant step forward in the country's deep-sea renewable energy development, the state-owned China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC) has announced. At 3:12 a.m. Friday, during a critical period for summer electricity demand, the first batch of units from the 800-megawatt offshore wind power project in Dafeng, east China's Jiangsu Province, was successfully connected to the grid as the blades of Unit 9 began to turn, the CTGC confirmed to Xinhua on Sunday. Located northeast of Yancheng City, the Dafeng project consists of four subsites. Subsite H8-1 is the most distant, with its center located 80 kilometers offshore and its outermost point extending to 85.5 kilometers, making it the farthest grid-connected offshore wind power project in China so far. The wind farm comprises 98 wind turbines and three offshore booster stations, with a total installed capacity of 800 megawatts, according to the CTGC. Discussing the major construction challenges, Shi Shuaishuai, the project manager, noted that the site is so far offshore that it takes six to seven hours by boat to reach the construction area one way. "We faced difficulties like large ocean swells, harsh weather conditions, and seabed sediment erosion," he said, adding that the construction team often held on-site meetings to address specific issues as they arose. "We used our self-developed meteorological warning platform to precisely identify optimal weather windows. At peak periods, over 1,000 workers were working simultaneously at sea," Shi added. Liu Yu, another manager of the Dafeng project, said the wind farm is scheduled to achieve full-capacity grid connection by the end of December. It is expected to generate about 2.6 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, which is enough to meet the yearly power needs of approximately 1.1 million households with three members each, Liu added. According to a National Energy Administration (NEA) report released this January, China's newly installed wind power capacity reached 79.82 million kilowatts in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 6 percent. This includes 75.79 million kilowatts from onshore wind and 4.04 million kilowatts from offshore wind. By December 2024, the cumulative wind power grid-connected capacity in China reached 521 million kilowatts, reflecting an 18 percent year-on-year increase, with onshore wind contributing 480 million kilowatts and offshore wind contributing 41.27 million kilowatts, according to the NEA report. Globally, offshore wind energy resources exceed 71 billion kilowatts, with deep-sea areas accounting for over 70 percent. However, less than 0.5 percent has been developed, despite higher potential due to average wind speeds above nine meters per second and greater power generation hours compared to near-shore sites, the CTGC said. The Dafeng project demonstrates the feasibility of deep-sea wind power, the CTGC said, adding that the development not only provides additional green energy to support Jiangsu's economic and social growth but also holds significant importance for China's advancement into deeper offshore wind power.

The first-half 2025 media exchange program by the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) ended on Saturday on an optimistic note, emphasizing renewed shared understanding and strengthened cooperation among participants. The China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) hosted the event. Hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), the event was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei, CPDA President Wu Hailong and Zhang Jianbo, Director of the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC). A total of 119 journalists from 101 countries, who participated in the four-month program, gathered to mark the conclusion of their intensive journey across China. Addressing the journalists, Wu Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), said that over the past four months, you have observed and covered many significant events in China. Your reports have helped introduce the world to China’s governance philosophy, diplomatic principles, and its approach to engaging with the international community. During your stay here, you traveled to 18 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Through your cameras and writing, you documented China's diverse regional development and various aspects of Chinese people's lives. I was also fortunate to share some of these unforgettable moments with you. Together, we learned how Inner Mongolia is celebrated as China’s “Dairy Capital” and “China Cloud Valley,” how efforts to combat desertification benefit not only China but the wider region, and how the China-Europe Railway Express enhances global connectivity and supports high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Brazil is hosting a two-day summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, where topics like Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs are expected to be addressed cautiously. Analysts say the lack of unity within the expanded BRICS, which doubled its membership last year, could limit its ability to emerge as a powerful alternative in global affairs. They also believe the summit’s moderate agenda reflects an effort to avoid drawing unwanted attention from Trump’s administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has placed issues such as artificial intelligence and climate change at the center of the summit, though several key leaders are absent. In his opening speech on Sunday, Lula warned, “We are witnessing the unparalleled collapse of multilateralism,” adding that the meeting is taking place “in the most adverse global scenario” of all four times Brazil has hosted the summit. He called on BRICS nations to promote peace and mediate conflicts. “If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to the BRICS to contribute to its renovation,” Lula said. Notably absent from the summit is China’s President Xi Jinping, marking the first BRICS summit he has missed since taking power in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also absent but will join via videoconference, avoiding travel due to an international arrest warrant related to the invasion of Ukraine. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egypt’s Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi are also missing from the gathering in Rio de Janeiro. Three joint statements expected This year’s restrained approach marks a sharp contrast with last year’s summit in Kazan, Russia, where the Kremlin pushed to develop alternatives to U.S.-dominated financial systems to bypass Western sanctions following the Ukraine invasion. A source familiar with the summit’s negotiations said some members are pushing for stronger language regarding Gaza and Israel’s attack on Iran. The source requested anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the talks publicly. “Brazil wants to keep the summit as technical as possible,” said Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation think tank. Observers now expect only a vague final declaration on Russia’s war in Ukraine and other Middle East conflicts. According to Stuenkel, the absence of Putin and Xi, who have advocated for a stronger anti-Western stance, makes it easier for Brazil and India to steer the summit toward non-alignment. A Brazilian government official told The Associated Press that the summit is expected to produce three joint statements and a final declaration, “all of which less bounded by current geopolitical tensions.” The official spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to speak publicly. João Alfredo Nyegray, a geopolitics professor at the Pontifical Catholic University in Parana, noted that the BRICS summit could have presented an alternative to global instability but is unlikely to do so. “The withdrawal of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the uncertainty about representation from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE confirm the difficulty for the BRICS to establish themselves as a cohesive global leadership pole,” Nyegray said. “This moment demands high-level articulation, but we are actually seeing dispersion.” Turkey sends firefighting planes to Syria as raging wildfires devastate border regions Avoiding Trump’s tariffs Brazil, which currently chairs the bloc, has set six strategic priorities: global healthcare cooperation; trade, investment, and finance; climate change; governance for artificial intelligence; peace and security; and institutional development. The country has opted to focus on less controversial areas, such as strengthening trade and health cooperation, especially after Trump’s return to the White House, said Ana Garcia, a professor at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. “Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,” Garcia explained. While Lula on Sunday called for reforming Western-led global institutions, a central policy for the bloc, Brazil is eager to avoid becoming a target for Trump’s tariffs — a situation it has so far mostly avoided. Trump has warned he would impose 100% tariffs against the bloc if it takes steps to undermine the U.S. dollar. ‘Best opportunity for emerging countries’ Founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the BRICS group expanded last year to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. The bloc also created a new category for 10 “strategic partner” countries, including Belarus, Cuba, and Vietnam. With this rapid expansion, Brazil has placed institutional development on the summit agenda to better integrate new members and improve cohesion. Despite the absence of key leaders, the summit remains important for emerging economies, especially amid the instability fueled by Trump’s tariff policies, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher at the University of São Paulo’s BRICS study group. “The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,” Scheidl said. For Lula, the summit provides a temporary respite from domestic political challenges, including falling approval ratings and clashes with Congress. It also gives Brazil the opportunity to advance climate negotiations ahead of COP 30, the United Nations climate conference scheduled for November in Belém, in the heart of the Amazon.

China remains committed to upholding true multilateralism, pursuing win-win cooperation, and fulfilling its responsibilities as a significant stakeholder in the international community, said the country's Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei. He emphasized that China will stand alongside other developing nations to build a shared future. Hong Lei made the remarks during the reception and closing ceremony of the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) 2025, organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) on Saturday. He reaffirmed that China has always been, is, and will continue to be a member of the developing world. "We are prepared to collaborate with other Global South countries to promote sustainable development, foster peaceful coexistence among civilizations, uphold peace and stability, and work towards prosperity, peace, and progress for all," Hong Lei said. China reaffirms commitment to dialogue and cooperation following U.S. trade restrictions lift He also highlighted that, amid profound changes unseen in a century, unilateralism and protectionism are increasing. "President Xi Jinping stressed that history should progress forward, not backward; the world should unite, not divide; and humanity must avoid reverting to the law of the jungle. Instead, we should stand together to build a community with a shared future for mankind," Hong Lei added. Addressing journalists, Lei said that over the past four months, you have recorded what you have seen here through the cameras in your hands and with every word you wrote. You visited several provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and special administrative regions of China, attended almost 500 (five hundred) activities, and produced some 5,000 (five thousand) news stories. "Through your activities, you have shown to the world the unfolding chapters of Chinese modernization in a multi-dimensional, multi-angled and in-depth way, and, from the Global South’s unique perspective, introduced China’s wisdom and proposals to the world," he added. China, EU aim to deepen cooperation on global issues He also remarked that your reporting has opened windows for fellow Global South countries to gain a clearer understanding of China.

A ship came under attack Sunday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen by armed men firing guns and launching rocket-propelled grenades, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, a group overseen by the British military. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas war and recent conflicts involving Iran and the United States. The attack took place approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, a city controlled by Houthi rebels. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center stated that an armed security team aboard the ship returned fire and described the situation as ongoing. “Authorities are investigating,” the center added. Maritime security firm Ambrey issued a warning saying that a merchant ship was “attacked by eight skiffs while transiting northbound in the Red Sea” and believed the attack was still in progress. Ukraine pursues joint weapons production with allies as US pauses some arms shipments The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet referred questions to the U.S. Central Command, which had not immediately responded to requests for comment. The Houthi rebels have previously launched missile and drone attacks against commercial and military vessels in the region, describing their actions as efforts to end Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Their al-Masirah satellite news channel confirmed the attack but offered no further comments, instead airing a speech by their leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. These attacks significantly disrupted the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees goods worth $1 trillion annually. The Houthis had paused their attacks under a self-imposed ceasefire until mid-March, when the U.S. launched a broad assault against them. The ceasefire ended weeks later, and while the Houthis have not attacked any vessels since, they have continued missile attacks targeting Israel. On Sunday, the group claimed to have launched a missile at Israel, which the Israeli military said was intercepted. Meanwhile, the decade-long war in Yemen between the Houthis and the exiled government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, remains at a stalemate. The Yemeni Coast Guard, loyal to the exiled government, has also engaged in firefights with vessels in the Red Sea. In addition, Somali pirates have operated in the region, typically targeting vessels for robbery or ransom.