BRICS Diplomacy in New Delhi: India’s BRICS summit wrapped with a joint New Delhi Declaration after hard bargaining on West Asia, with leaders calling for “maximum restraint” amid the US-Iran conflict and leaving out direct US naming, while Kremlin says BRICS did not discuss expansion but backs Cuba’s bid. Ethiopia in the Spotlight: Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed met Putin on the sidelines, with Russia praising Ethiopia’s “constructive contribution” and inviting Abiy to a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow; Ethiopia also featured in BRICS support for Ethiopia’s WTO and COP32 ambitions. Ethiopia’s Humanitarian Reality: An Amhara Association of America report says Ethiopia’s national dialogue hasn’t stopped violence, documenting 614 civilian victims since July 2026 and dozens of aerial strikes, including drone hits on schools and monasteries. Public Health Watch: WHO-linked reporting highlights malaria surging to 7.3 million cases in 2024, with conflict-linked access gaps and program shortfalls blamed for continued spread, especially in Amhara. Finance & Infrastructure: PAPSS says cross-border payments are expanding across 30+ African countries as transaction volumes jump sharply, while Optasia moves into electricity lending via its Finergi acquisition. Climate & Trade Risks: Panama canal transits will be cut again due to El Niño drought, adding pressure to global shipping costs that can ripple into Horn logistics.