World
IEA Report Estimates $6.5 Trillion in Non-China Production Exposed if Beijing's Suspended Rare-Earth Rules Take Full Effect
China's expanded October 2025 export-licensing rules are suspended until November 10, 2026; a separate set of controls from April 2025 has stayed in force throughout.
China's Pacific Envoy Says There Will Be 'Consequences' After Taiwan's Foreign Minister Attends Pacific Islands Forum Opening in Palau
Taiwan's Lin Chia-lung joined the Aug. 31 opening ceremony of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Koror; Beijing says Taiwan is not a forum dialogue partner, while the U.S. says it backs Taiwan's participation.
Mexico's Rejection of White House 'Cartel Alliance' Claim Dates to February 2025; Threatened Counter-Tariffs Were Never Imposed
A White House fact sheet accompanying Trump's first tariff order accused Mexico's government of an "intolerable alliance" with cartels; President Sheinbaum called it slander and ordered a retaliation plan that Mexico never put into effect.
EU Defense Ministers Discuss Patriot Interceptors for Ukraine; Spain and Greece Make No New Commitments
At an informal meeting in Wicklow, Ireland on September 1, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said ministers discussed possible Patriot missile transfers from Greece and Spain but reached no decisions.
China Says Its 'Lawful Rights and Interests' in Venezuela Must Be Protected After U.S.-Venezuela Oil Deal
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on September 1 that Beijing's investments in Venezuela are shielded by international law, days after President Trump announced a venture giving the United States a stake in Venezuelan oil fields.
Xi, Putin and Modi Attend 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek; Modi Tells Putin the Ukraine War Should End
Leaders of China, Russia, India, Iran and Pakistan met August 31 and September 1 in Kyrgyzstan and signed the Bishkek Declaration, with Modi telling Putin in a sideline meeting that the world must "move away from endless war."
Seoul's Spy Agency Tells Lawmakers a US–North Korea Summit Is 'Possible at Any Time,' While Saying Direct Contact Is Unconfirmed
South Korea's National Intelligence Service briefed a parliamentary committee on September 1, 2026 that it sees signs of renewed U.S.–North Korea dialogue, though it said no actual contact between the two governments has been verified.
Colombia's President Ends 'Total Peace' Talks and Signs Extradition Orders for Five Armed-Group Leaders
Abelardo de la Espriella issued resolutions closing the negotiation tables his predecessor opened and stripped the peace-negotiator status that had blocked five men's extradition to the United States.
Niger's Junta Says It Put Down an Army Mutiny in Niamey; Russia's Africa Corps Backed Loyalist Troops
State television said dozens of soldiers were killed or arrested after mutineers hit Air Base 101, the state broadcaster and the presidential palace on August 29; Algeria sent four fighter jets the next day.
Russia Extends Diesel Export Ban to September 30 After Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Refineries
A government decree signed August 29 keeps Russian producers from exporting diesel, marine fuel and gasoil for another month; separate bans on gasoline and jet fuel exports were set earlier in 2026 and run into November and January.
Sweden to Send Gripen Jets and a Visby Corvette to Help Patrol Finland's Territory Through End of 2026
Stockholm and Helsinki announced on August 28 that Swedish aircraft and a warship will join Finnish territorial surveillance under Finnish command, days after Finland accused a Russian reconnaissance plane of crossing its airspace.
NBC News Crew and Palestinian Woman Injured in Attack by Masked Men in West Bank Village of Jalud
Four NBC News staff, including correspondent Matt Bradley, and a Palestinian woman were hurt on Aug. 29, 2026; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned what he called criminal violence by rioters, and Israel's Shin Bet opened an investigation.