Live Wire
China’s Djibouti Base Is Becoming a Bigger Military Intelligence Hub
Satellite imagery shows China has added new communications, satellite and surveillance systems to its Djibouti military base near Bab el-Mandeb. Analysts say the upgrades could give Beijing a much wider intelligence picture across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Middle East and East Africa.
Italy Prepares Naval Mission to Protect Shipping Near Bab el-Mandeb
Italy is preparing a possible naval mission to protect its merchant ships near Bab el-Mandeb as Houthi advances and attacks raise fresh risks to Red Sea trade. Rome has activated the navy to prepare protective measures but has not yet announced which ships could be deployed.
Pakistan Slashes Government Fuel Use as Bangladesh Struggles With Blackouts
Pakistan has revived emergency fuel cuts and spending restrictions as the Gulf war drives up oil prices, while Bangladesh is battling LNG shortages, blackouts and factory disruption. The crisis is exposing how deeply both economies depend on imported energy.
Tata Sons Extends Chandrasekaran’s Tenure Amid Boardroom Rift
Tata Sons has reappointed N. Chandrasekaran as executive chairman for another five years, reversing his earlier plan to step down in 2027. The decision gives Tata leadership continuity but has exposed a boardroom rift with Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata as listing pressure mounts.
India Says Pakistan-China Border Panel Has No Legal Standing
India has rejected a newly operationalised Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, saying it has no legal basis because it concerns territory part of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The dispute revives India’s long-standing objection to the 1963 China-Pakistan border agreement.
Argentina Judge Moves to Stop Major Oil Project Near Falkland Islands
An Argentine federal judge has ordered Navitas Petroleum and Rockhopper Exploration to halt work on the Sea Lion oil project near the Falkland Islands. The ruling cites environmental and sovereignty concerns, but enforcement remains uncertain because Argentina does not control the territory.
Thirteen Years Later, 10 Get Death for Jhiram Ghati Maoist Attack
A special NIA court in Jagdalpur has sentenced 10 Maoists to death for the 2013 Jhiram Ghati ambush that killed 27 people, including senior Chhattisgarh Congress leaders. The convicts plan to appeal, while 28 others named in the case remain wanted.
China’s Huawei Unveils New AI Chip Roadmap to Take on Nvidia
Huawei will launch the 960DT and Ascend 960PR AI chips in 2027 as it intensifies its challenge to Nvidia. The Chinese company is betting on large-scale chip clusters and its UnifiedBus networking technology to narrow the performance gap despite continuing US export restrictions.
EU Opens Door to Canada Becoming Its First ‘Associate Member’
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the bloc’s first “associate member”, opening the door to an unprecedented new relationship. The status does not yet exist in EU law, but could deepen cooperation in defence, trade, energy, technology and critical minerals.
Meta Rejects Calls for Industry-Wide AI Slowdown
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has rejected calls for an industry-wide slowdown in advanced AI development, arguing that individual companies can manage safety risks themselves. The stance puts Meta at odds with OpenAI and Anthropic, which are pushing for coordinated efforts to pace frontier AI.
EU Calls China Trade Deficit “Unsustainable” and Warns of Tougher Action
The EU has declared its trade deficit with China “unsustainable” after the gap reached €359.8 billion in 2025. Brussels says Chinese overcapacity, weak European exports and dependence on critical supply chains are now forcing it to consider tougher trade and industrial measures.
India Says Pakistan Violated 1991 Naval Safety Pact After Collision
An Indian and Pakistani naval vessel collided in international waters in the northern Arabian Sea on September 15. India blamed the Pakistani unit for approaching at high speed, summoned Islamabad’s top diplomat and said the incident violated a 1991 bilateral naval safety agreement.