Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The win reduced the gap with league leaders Arsenal to six points, with City having one game in hand. Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring in the 51st minute from a Ryan Cherki cross, followed by a goal from former Chelsea defender Marc Guehi. Jeremy Doku sealed the win in the 68th minute after dispossessing Moises Caicedo and beating goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Chelsea remains sixth in the standings.

In Germany, Bayern Munich continued its dominant Bundesliga campaign by defeating relegation-threatened St. Pauli 5-0. The victory not only secured three points but also set a new single-season scoring record with 105 goals. Leon Goretzka’s volley marked the record-breaking 102nd goal, surpassing the 101-goal mark set by Bayern’s 1971–72 team. Bayern now leads Borussia Dortmund by 12 points with five matches remaining and is closing in on another league title.

The Munich club is also eyeing European scoring records, with opportunities to surpass Manchester City’s 106 goals from 2017–18 and Real Madrid’s 121 from 2011–12.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that NATO has assured support in removing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said the alliance, once a source of disappointment for Washington, is now willing to help clear the strategic waterway. He added that the cleanup would not take long and that the strait would soon reopen for shipping.

Trump mentioned that the United States is deploying mine-clearing vessels and that the United Kingdom and several other NATO countries are also sending similar ships. According to him, these coordinated efforts aim to ensure safe passage for maritime traffic through the vital route.

The report, citing Fox News, indicates renewed cooperation between the U.S. and NATO on maritime security operations in the region.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal helped Al Nassr make club history with a 2–0 victory over Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League, marking their 14th consecutive win. The result strengthened Al Nassr’s position at the top of the league table with 70 points from 28 matches, five points ahead of nearest rivals Al Hilal. Ronaldo’s strike was his 968th career goal, while teammate João Félix added the second. The win boosted the team’s confidence as they approach the final six matches of the season.

Ronaldo now sits third in the league’s top scorers list with 24 goals, behind Julián Quiñones with 26 and Ivan Toney with 27. To secure a third consecutive top scorer title, the Portuguese forward will need to maintain his form in the remaining fixtures. Al Nassr’s upcoming matches against top-four sides Al Ittifaq, Al Ahli, Al Qadisiyah, and Al Hilal will likely determine the championship outcome.

In the United States, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a 2–2 draw by New York Red Bulls despite leading in the second half. Miami remain unbeaten in six matches and sit third in the MLS table with 12 points from seven games.

After leaving Pakistan, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington had presented its best and final offer. However, reports suggest that indirect communication between the United States and Iran continues through Pakistan, according to the BBC. Neither side has officially confirmed these behind-the-scenes discussions, but their existence indicates that diplomatic channels remain open.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said they never expected a final agreement to be reached in a single meeting. This reflects how both sides are presenting different narratives to their domestic audiences, making the true situation difficult to assess.

Meanwhile, the ongoing ceasefire remains extremely fragile. Its future, the risk of global instability, and the fate of civilians caught in the conflict all hang in uncertainty.

The European Union has emphasized that diplomatic efforts are indispensable for resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The statement came after the recent talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed to make progress, according to Al Jazeera. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anwar El Anouni told AFP that there is no alternative to diplomacy in reaching a peace agreement.

El Anouni praised Pakistan’s mediating role, saying the EU welcomes Islamabad’s efforts. He also noted that Brussels is interested in contributing further to future peace initiatives. The international community remains focused on diplomatic solutions, though the stalled discussions have left the situation uncertain.

Before leaving Islamabad, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran had not accepted Washington’s conditions and that the United States had made its “final and best offer.” Observers are now waiting to see whether Iran will accept the proposal.

A 21-hour closed-door meeting between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement to halt ongoing hostilities. The failure of the high-level talks has placed the fragile ceasefire between the two nations at serious risk. Both Washington and Tehran blamed each other for the breakdown, with US Vice President JD Vance calling the outcome a major setback for Iran.

Iran’s foreign ministry described the failure as expected, noting that it was unrealistic to resolve all issues in a single session. The conflict, now in its 44th day, has already claimed thousands of lives, most of them Iranian civilians. The war has also driven global oil and gas prices sharply higher, creating new strains on the world economy.

Despite the setback, Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said his country would continue mediating between the two long-time rivals. Analysts warned that the collapse of the talks could prolong instability in the Middle East, with direct consequences for global politics and economic stability.

The astronauts of NASA’s Artemis-2 mission expressed awe and called for global unity after completing their record-breaking lunar journey. Speaking at a press conference organized by NASA in Houston, they described Earth as a solitary “lifeboat” in the vast emptiness of space. The crew safely splashed down off the coast of California on Friday, marking the first time in over 50 years that humans have orbited the Moon.

Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Christina Koch shared their reflections on the mission’s significance. Koch urged humanity to preserve brotherhood, describing Earth as a calm and steady vessel in the universe. Hansen highlighted the mission’s milestones, noting that Glover was the first Black astronaut, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first non-American to orbit the Moon. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the crew for inspiring the world to dream again.

Artemis-2 is the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a step toward deeper space exploration. NASA expects humans to walk on the lunar surface again by 2028.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the regional situation and the ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The discussion took place amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasizing the need for restraint and adherence to ceasefire agreements.

Macron stated on social media platform X that they first discussed the situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire and ensure that it includes Lebanon. He added that both sides urged respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the importance of achieving a strong and lasting diplomatic solution.

The conversation reflects continued diplomatic engagement between France and Turkey over regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation between Iran and the United States.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the upcoming peace talks between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to participate with genuine intent. According to a BBC report, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a regular UN press briefing that the Secretary-General called on both parties to seize this diplomatic opportunity to move toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement and to reduce tensions.

Dujarric added that dialogue remains the only effective path to avoid conflict and prevent a return to a state of war. Guterres emphasized that there is no alternative to peaceful resolution of international disputes, which must be pursued in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The UN also confirmed that the Secretary-General’s personal envoy is currently in the region to support ongoing diplomatic efforts.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the upcoming peace talks between Iran and the United States, calling on both sides to participate with goodwill. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, conveyed the message during a press briefing at the UN on Friday, emphasizing the importance of using this opportunity to work toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement aimed at easing tensions and preventing renewed conflict.

Dujarric added that the Secretary-General reaffirmed there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of disputes in full compliance with the UN Charter and international law. The UN’s position underscores its continued commitment to diplomatic solutions amid ongoing regional and bilateral strains.

The call comes as both nations prepare for discussions amid complex regional dynamics, including issues related to Iran’s assets and ceasefire efforts in Lebanon, as noted in related reports.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen very soon, regardless of Iran’s cooperation. He made the remarks on Friday while speaking to reporters before peace talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Pakistan. The strategic waterway has been effectively blockaded by Tehran, causing instability in global energy supplies.

Trump said the United States would open the Gulf region and that other countries were ready to assist. However, he acknowledged that the task would not be easy, emphasizing that the reopening would happen soon. He did not provide details on how Washington plans to remove the blockade but made clear he would not accept the tolls imposed by Iran on the strait.

The statement comes amid complex negotiations in Islamabad, where key issues include Iran’s frozen assets and a Lebanon ceasefire, with the United Nations Secretary-General urging both sides to engage constructively.

A fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel has been announced, but experts caution that oil and gas prices will take months to return to previous levels. During the conflict, Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas exports, causing prices to surge. Attacks on energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries also pushed up helium prices and disrupted fertilizer production, worsening inflation and shortages, particularly in developing nations across Asia and Africa.

Tufts University professor Rockford Wizd said no one knows when conditions will normalize, emphasizing that stability depends on safe and regular shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, 120 to 140 ships crossed daily, but only five and seven ships passed on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Reports suggested Iran was charging tankers fees, prompting former U.S. President Donald Trump to call for an end to such charges. The IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva warned that global growth forecasts will be lowered next week, even if the ceasefire holds.

Iraq could resume production of 3.5 million barrels per day, which may help reduce prices, but uncertainty over the ceasefire and past attacks keeps its output outlook unclear.

Israel and Lebanon are set to meet in Washington next Tuesday to discuss a possible ceasefire aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah. The meeting will be mediated by the United States, according to a statement from the office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Representatives from both countries will convene at the U.S. Department of State to determine a date for announcing a ceasefire and initiating direct negotiations.

The arrangement for the talks followed a phone conversation between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel to the United States and the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon. The discussions are part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The upcoming meeting signals a potential step toward renewed dialogue between the two nations, though the outcome of the talks remains uncertain.

Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar, stated that the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Israel includes a provision to halt attacks in Lebanon. He questioned why confusion was being created over Lebanon’s inclusion, asserting that it is a clear part of the proposal.

Earlier, the White House had clarified that Lebanon was not included in the two-week ceasefire agreement announced between the United States and Iran. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said this during a briefing, noting that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken by phone on Tuesday night. Netanyahu expressed support for the ceasefire efforts and was described as an important partner in the discussions.

The differing statements from Pakistan and the White House highlight uncertainty over the scope of the ceasefire and whether it extends to Lebanon, a point that could affect regional stability if not clarified.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of acting in violation of existing international agreements by imposing fees on tankers passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that Iran should immediately stop collecting such fees if reports are accurate. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global energy route, carrying about 20 percent of the world’s oil and LNG shipments.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to begin direct talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations. The U.S. State Department is expected to host a meeting in Washington next week to discuss a possible ceasefire. However, Netanyahu told northern Israeli residents that no ceasefire is currently in effect.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have caused heavy casualties, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting at least 303 deaths and 1,150 injuries. The World Health Organization warned that evacuation orders in southern Beirut threaten hospitals treating hundreds of patients, calling the situation nearly impossible to manage.