BRICS Summit in New Delhi: Leaders including PM Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are converging for the 18th BRICS summit, with trade, energy security, cross-border payments, and “local currency” deals high on the agenda as the bloc tries to turn expansion into practical cooperation. Indonesia in the BRICS orbit: Indonesia is listed among the expanded BRICS members, while India pushes initiatives like incubators, MSME portals, and startup funds to link businesses and finance across the group. Geopolitics and payments: Iran urged BRICS to shift toward national currencies to reduce vulnerability to political shocks, while China called for Modi-Xi ties to be handled “properly” and from a strategic, long-term perspective. Indonesia’s wildfire pressure: Indonesia’s 2026 fires are reported to be on track for emissions comparable to the worst seasons this century, raising health and climate concerns across the region. Local life, Jakarta mobility: Gojek and KAI are adding GoRide/GoCar pickup points at 37 stations to improve first- and last-mile access for commuters. Student protest in Bandung: Hundreds of Bandung students staged a #EmergencyIndonesia protest, citing governance failures, forest fires, and welfare concerns.