New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- Every month, Mint's Plain Facts gives you an update on key global data to help you thread together the biggest developments worth paying attention to. The accompanying analysis and charts explain how each story is creating ripples on the global stage, where it is headed in the coming weeks, and whether it could have an impact on India.

India is set to host the Brics summit on 12-13 September as the world grapples with heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The bloc, established as an alternative to the Group of Seven (G7) and a major voice for the Global South, has expanded significantly in the past 15 years.

What began with Brazil, Russia, India and China, added South Africa in 2010 and has since expanded to include...