The United States is exploring the creation of a large demilitarized buffer zone within Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is reached. Discussions involve deploying troops from non-NATO countries like Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia to secure the area, while the U.S. would lead monitoring using drones, satellites, and intelligence tools. No American troops would be stationed inside Ukraine. The plan avoids NATO symbols to stay acceptable to Russia. Negotiations remain ongoing amid continued conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior advisers are quietly preparing to attend the APEC Trade Ministers’ meeting in South Korea this October. On the sidelines, a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could take place. The trip will focus on economic cooperation, investment, trade, defense, and nuclear discussions. It may also open the door for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Previous tariffs between the U.S. and China are temporarily suspended until November due to ongoing negotiations.

Thousands protested in Washington, D.C., against President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops, demanding their withdrawal. The “We Are All DC” rally included undocumented immigrants and Palestinian statehood supporters, with slogans calling for Trump’s removal and resistance to authoritarianism. Despite Trump citing crime concerns, violent crime in the city is at a 30-year low. Over 2,000 troops from six Republican states patrol the streets, with the National Guard’s mandate extended until November 30. D.C. has filed a lawsuit calling the deployment unnecessary and illegal.

At least two people were killed and 13 others injured in overnight Russian drone strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. A child and a young woman are among the casualties. Fires broke out in several multi-story residential buildings in eastern and western Kyiv after drones crashed. Officials reported that a pregnant woman and two others were hospitalized. Kyiv authorities condemned the attacks as deliberate targeting of civilians. The strikes are seen as a warning from President Putin to Western nations supporting Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order granting tariff exemptions to certain trading partners on products including nickel, gold, pharmaceutical ingredients, and chemicals. The move, effective Monday, targets items that cannot be produced sufficiently in the U.S. and aims to strengthen reciprocal trade agreements. Countries entering such agreements will enjoy zero tariffs on over 45 products, while some existing exemptions, like plastics and polysilicon for solar production, are revoked. The measure seeks to protect U.S. economic and national interests.

The United States has revoked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) license that allowed it to send advanced technology to China. The move, similar to actions against Samsung and SK Hynix, may disrupt TSMC’s operations in China, though its factories there mainly produce older-generation chips. The U.S. government said the restriction will take full effect by year’s end, but it is unclear when new licenses might be approved. TSMC said it remains committed to its China operations while evaluating the situation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin remains unwavering on Ukraine, insisting any peace deal must meet Moscow’s conditions, with force as a possible fallback. Despite Western sanctions and U.S. pressure, his confidence is bolstered by battlefield realities, diplomatic gains, and support from allies like China and India. While showing willingness to meet Ukrainian President Zelensky in Moscow, Putin warns Western troops entering Ukraine will be targeted. Conflicting objectives between Kyiv and Moscow mean the war’s resolution remains uncertain, with tensions unlikely to ease soon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on aerospace leaders to focus on developing rocket engines for spacecraft launches, stressing the need to preserve Russia’s global standing in space technology. During a visit to Samara after trips to China and Vladivostok, he toured the Kuznetsov Design Bureau plant and highlighted Russia’s ability to innovate despite Western sanctions. Putin noted advances in energy-sector engines and said modernization of the PD–26 aircraft engine could support both military and civilian aviation projects.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that India and Russia have moved toward China after a summit hosted by President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. Trump shared a photo of Xi, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi, expressing frustration over New Delhi and Moscow aligning with Beijing. India and China declined to comment, while the Kremlin was unreachable. Trump, who has criticized India’s trade practices and expressed disappointment with Putin, said he plans to speak with the Russian leader soon.

Former President Donald Trump has stated that he is in deep discussions with Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. “I would tell Hamas to release the hostages. It will lead to positive outcomes,” Trump said, warning that failure to act could worsen the situation.

Trump highlighted the challenge posed by the small number of hostages still in Hamas’ hands, emphasizing that efforts to retrieve them must be swift and decisive. Meanwhile, protests in Israel continue, demanding both a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett has described President Donald Trump and his trade team as “frustrated” over India’s crude oil imports from Russia, while expressing hope for a positive resolution soon.

When questioned about Trump’s recent social media posts concerning India, Russia, and China, Hassett said, “We certainly want this to improve.” Earlier, Trump commented that the U.S. seems to have “lost India and Russia to the deepest hand of China,” wishing them a prosperous future.

The U.S. has criticized India for profiting from Russian oil, while Indian officials argue that singling out India is unfair since the EU continues to import Russian gas. China remains the largest importer of Russian crude. The U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on certain Russian imports starting September 27.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate virtually in the upcoming BRICS summit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed. The videoconference is expected to take place in the coming days. Reports indicate that Brazil is organizing a special online BRICS meeting on September 8. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva plans to discuss with other member nations coordinated responses to challenges facing the multipolar world order, including U.S. tariffs and sanctions, highlighting the bloc’s collective diplomatic and economic strategy.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that international recognition of Palestine would “only create more problems” and jeopardize ongoing ceasefire efforts.

Speaking after a meeting with Ecuador’s leadership, Rubio dismissed such recognition as “fake and unrealistic.” While refraining from commenting directly on Israel’s West Bank annexation plans, he called them “entirely predictable.”

Rubio accused moves to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank of emboldening Hamas in Gaza. His remarks came just days after French President Emmanuel Macron announced at the UN that France would formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western troops deployed in Ukraine, even after a peace agreement, would be targeted by Moscow. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, he criticized Western plans for an international force to guarantee Ukraine’s postwar security. French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier said 26 countries pledged such commitments. Putin insisted that NATO expansion attempts sparked the war and argued that troop deployment after peace talks would undermine any agreement.

Honda is introducing the Fastport E-Quad, a four-wheeled pedal-powered vehicle with electric assistance, designed for urban delivery in congested cities like New York and Los Angeles. The lightweight quadracycle carries more cargo than bicycles or scooters, navigates traffic easily, and comes in two sizes, with the larger model carrying up to 295 kg. Developed by Honda’s U.S. startup lab, the E-Quad aims to support logistics and delivery services, with small-batch production starting in Ohio and full-scale rollout planned next summer.