India-France diplomacy & tech pacts: PM Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice after inaugurating Bharat Innovates 2026, with talks spanning defence, AI, startups, space, trade, security and healthcare; the leaders also discussed expanding India’s UPI in France and signed 19 agreements. G7 security focus: As the G7 meets in Evian-les-Bains, analysts expect China to dominate the agenda, with Trump testing partners’ willingness to back the US in long-term competition with Beijing. China-Australia missile warning: A Lowy Institute report says China’s growing long-range and hypersonic arsenal could enable a direct missile strike on Australia, with threats rising over the next decade. Philippines-China sanctions pushback: Manila’s National Maritime Council backed Defence Secretary Gibo Teodoro Jr. after China sanctioned him and his family, citing sovereignty and the 2016 arbitral award. South Asia water politics: Bangladesh’s Padma Barrage approval lands amid a wider dam-building race across the region, with treaty deadlines and upstream projects raising cross-border water-security fears. India domestic policy—ethanol & fertilizer: India cleared rules for 100% ethanol fuels (E100/E85) and highlighted record fertilizer production and stocks to cushion Kharif supply shocks. India politics—TMC rebels: Rebel TMC MPs pressed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla over separate seating, while reports say they plan to join Tripura-based NCPI and back the NDA. Border tensions: Bangladesh’s PPP-AJK urged its election commission to withdraw refugee-seat polling amid unrest, while Bangladesh officials warned India to stop “push-ins” at the border. Climate & food risk: Reports warn a Super El Niño could disrupt India’s monsoon and affect pulse output, potentially tightening supplies and shifting imports.