Revive

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit to discuss strengthening business ties and restoring border peace. • The meeting marks a recovery in diplomatic relations following a violent border clash between the two nations in 2020. • Improved cooperation between these two global powers could stabilize regional trade and reduce geopolitical tensions in Asia.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Saturday to strengthen business and transport links to revive diplomatic ties. • The leaders focused on resolving structural trade imbalances, supply chain issues, and the need for predictable market access. • This agreement aims to stabilize the economic relationship between the two largest Asian markets by addressing mutual trade concerns.

• Belgium voiced opposition on Monday, August 7, to a push by the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, and Sweden to use frozen Russian assets. • Belgian officials warned that seizing these reserves, largely held by the Euroclear depository, creates serious legal risks for the European financial system. • The dispute threatens the reputation of European financial institutions and complicates potential efforts to revive talks between Russia and Ukraine.

US envoys expected to meet Vladimir Putin before going to Kyiv, after peace efforts floundered in recent monthsThe US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow to try to resuscitate a deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as both sides said they would halt airstrikes for the visit.The envoys were met at the airport on Saturday by the Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, a key interlocutor for the Trump administration’s efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia war. The US outlet Axios reported that they were expected to meet the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, later in the day. The visit came as Trump suggested on Friday a new proposal to end the war, without providing any details on what his new plan might be. Trump made ending the war a priority early in his second term, but his efforts have so far yielded little results. Continue reading...

• BET and CBS are reviving the Soul Train Awards this November after a three-year hiatus. • The production team includes executive producers Orlando, Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, with Spotify serving as the exclusive music streaming partner. • The event celebrates a musical legacy dating back to 1971 by featuring both legendary honorees and current artists.

• Democrats in Congress renewed calls to expand the U.S. Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices ahead of the midterm elections. • The House Committee on the Judiciary advanced legislation intended to protect the court's legitimacy and preserve the system of checks and balances. • This move seeks to ensure American rights remain secure regardless of which political party holds power.

• The Trump administration has petitioned the First Circuit Court of Appeals to revive key portions of a U.S. Postal Service rule regarding mail-in ballots. • The request seeks to pause a federal judge's temporary 14-day block on the rule, arguing the lower court's order should be treated as an appealable preliminary injunction. • This legal battle is significant as it impacts the administration's ability to implement specific USPS regulations governing the handling and processing of mail ballots.