Al Jazeera

The leaders of China, Russia and Iran are among those attending the 11-nation BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend. The meeting comes at a time when the Trump administration has jolted global trade. And the U.S. war with Iran has disrupted energy supplies. The conflict is a major test for the bloc's cohesion, with Tehran wanting condemnation of Washington. But BRICS also includes the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, two countries that have faced Iranian attacks. Will the members agree on a common stance on the war? And how far will they go in rebalancing the global economy?

Goods from illegal Israeli settlements, worth billions of dollars, are now sanctioned. Led by the UK, several European countries and Canada have announced a ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. They say Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory undermine the possibility of a two-state solution. They have also condemned the sharp increase in settler violence. Targeting illegal settlements isn't new, but this time Israel has been quick to respond. It's announced the closure of the British consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, and threatened further measures. But will the import ban make a difference on the ground?

Jamaica is petitioning the British king to refer three questions about the Transatlantic slave trade to a London court. Was the enslavement of Africans unlawful under English law at the time? Does it constitute crimes against humanity under international law? Does Britain therefore have a legal obligation to provide redress? Jamaica hopes the answers could establish a legal basis for reparations. This campaign is part of a broader push for countries to pay for their roles in the Transatlantic slave trade. A UN committee said last month that governments are obliged by law to consider paying damages.

The Alternative for Germany is on top in Sunday's election in the east German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with about 44 percent of the vote. It's benefited from voters' economic concerns and anger over immigration. The party is also leading in national polls. But Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified its branch in Saxony-Anhalt as a proven right-wing extremist group, a label the AfD rejects. Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists there can be no co-operation with the AfD, and mainstream German parties have been maintaining a 'firewall' against forming coalitions with the far-right. But it's not clear if the strategy will hold.

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. And he's hoping to win another term when voters choose a new parliament next month. He's spent most of the past three years fighting Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran. His aim was to end what he calls the existential threat from Israel's enemies. On October 27, his leadership will be put to the test, as recent opinion polls suggest the opposition is in the lead. So, does Netanyahu stand a chance of staying in power?

It's been dormant for decades... But the row between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands has been revived. It started with a joint British-Israeli oil exploration project off the archipelago's north coast -- to which Buenos Aires vehemently objected. President Javier Milei has now threatened to impose sanctions on companies operating there. His push to reclaim the islands was bolstered by Donald Trump's comment that he may reconsider Washington's position on the territory. Britain and Argentina went to war over the islands more than four decades ago. Could the dispute escalate into another armed confrontation?

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the U.S. has provided Kyiv with billions of dollars in military assistance. Much of it was delivered during the Biden administration. President Donald Trump is now complaining that those weapons and ammunition were transferred free of charge. He says Europe should have covered the cost, and that the U.S. will be asking for that money back. Funding Ukraine’s defences against Russia has been a thorny issue between the U.S. and its European allies. With no end in sight to the fighting, will the two sides reach common ground—and keep supporting Kyiv?

Israeli settler violence against Palestinians intensifies, while plans to expand illegal settlements forge ahead. Israel's largest trading partner, the European Union, has condemned the attacks. But the bloc is split on taking action. Could that change?

The Achilles Shield is one of the largest military deals in Israel's history. It will see Greece take delivery of a multilayered air defence system to counter what it and Israel say are common threats. The multibillion-dollar agreement comes as tensions increase between Greece and Turkiye. The neighbours have been at odds over a range of territorial issues for more than five decades. Relations between Israel and Turkiye have also deteriorated. With Israel and Greece strengthening their alliance, what are the ramifications for the region?

On August 7, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed a security agreement in Mecca. Now their defence and foreign affairs ministers are working out how to turn the pact into an operational framework. The terms clearly state that an attack against one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all of them. The Istanbul meeting focuses on coordinating defence production capabilities and deepening cooperation in the industry. But what are the hurdles to these three countries forming a functioning military and security model?