Round-trip flights between China and Japan are expected to drop by more than 50% in July and August compared to last year, with 2,629 flights scheduled for July and 2,641 for August. This significant reduction, tracked by OAG, is attributed to ongoing geopolitical challenges and a Chinese travel warning issued earlier this year.
The 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity opened on South Korea's Jeju island, focusing on "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World." The three-day event features global experts discussing peace, security, economic and climate transitions, digital governance, and AI.
Top security officials from BRICS nations, including China's Wang Yi and Russia's Shoigu, are in New Delhi for a two-day conclave chaired by NSA Ajit Doval. Discussions will focus on terrorism, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and West Asia, with Iran also expected to attend.
EU leaders meet in Brussels for a two-day summit addressing competitiveness, trade, Ukraine, the Middle East, defense, and the bloc's next seven-year budget. The summit is the first since leadership changes in Hungary and Bulgaria.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams and three host nations is projected to generate massive revenues. However, geopolitical tensions and legal challenges, including a European Commission complaint and investigations in New York and New Jersey, threaten his pursuit of a new term.
UN peacekeeping missions have fallen to a 25-year low in 2025 due to funding gaps and geopolitical blockades, according to a SIPRI report. The number of personnel has dropped by 49% in a decade, raising concerns about multilateral conflict resolution and the UN's role.
