Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to remove homeless people from Washington, D.C., drawing sharp criticism from the city’s mayor. Speaking on Sunday, Trump said, “We’ll give you a place to stay, but far from the capital. Criminals will be sent to prison, where they belong. This will happen very quickly.”

Trump argued the move was part of his crime-fighting plan. However, the mayor countered that crime rates are not currently rising. Despite this, preparations are underway to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops in the city. Sharing images of tents and garbage, Trump wrote, “No gentlemanly posturing— we want our capital back. Thank you for your attention!” The mayor firmly opposed his decision.

Following the lead of the UK, France, and Canada, Australia has announced plans to officially recognize the Palestinian state. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that this decision will be taken after receiving commitments at the United Nations General Assembly and from the Palestinian Authority. He emphasized, “A two-state solution remains humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and end the suffering, conflict, and famine in Gaza.” Albanese further revealed that the recognition comes after assurances from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas will have no role in any future state. This decision follows discussions over the past two weeks with leaders from the UK, France, New Zealand, and Japan.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern warning to India over the Indus River dispute. Speaking at an event in Florida during his second visit to the US in just two months, Munir declared, “If Pakistan’s existence is threatened and we are pushed to the brink of destruction, we will not fall alone—we will take half the world with us.”
Following India’s cancellation of the Indus Water Treaty after a Kashmir attack and a four-day conflict in May, Munir said, “We will wait for the dam to be completed. Once it’s built, we’ll destroy it with 10 missiles. The Indus River is not India’s private property, and we have no shortage of missiles.” The treaty, brokered with World Bank assistance, dates back to the 1960s.

The U.S. will launch a one-year pilot program on August 20 requiring certain B-1 and B-2 visa holders from countries with high overstay rates to pay a refundable bond of $5,000–$15,000 before entry. Zambia and Malawi will be the first affected, with more nations possibly added. The policy aims to curb overstays, a major source of undocumented immigration. Exceptions apply for humanitarian needs and official travel, and deposits will be refunded if visa terms are met.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton revealed that Washington’s long-standing policy aimed to keep India distant from Russia and China’s influence. While successful for years, President Trump’s tariff wars have strained US-India trade relations, pushing India closer to Russia and China. Experts warn this shift could impact defense cooperation and the Indo-Pacific balance. Amid Modi-Putin talks and China’s strategic moves, India’s future alignment remains uncertain, influencing Asia-Pacific geopolitical dynamics.

Russia’s air defense shot down a modern Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet over the Zaporizhzhia region. The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported destroying multiple Ukrainian drones, guided bombs, and rockets from the US-made HIMARS system. Meanwhile, Ukraine repelled a Russian cruise missile attack and downed 31 Russian drones. Over 70% of Zaporizhzhia remains under Russian control. Former US President Donald Trump plans to meet Vladimir Putin on August 15 to discuss a possible peace deal, though Ukraine’s President Zelensky insists no territory will be ceded.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Russia’s Kuril Islands on Saturday morning. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake’s epicenter was located 10 kilometers underground in the eastern part of the islands. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have emerged. This comes after a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Russia on July 30, triggering tsunami warnings in at least 14 Pacific nations. Waves up to four meters were recorded in Kamchatka during that earlier event.

During a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington has no plans to recognize Palestine as a state. Instead, the US sees the destruction of Hamas as a top priority.
Vance said, “Recognition is an issue we need to discuss. Naturally, the UK will make its own decision. But as President Trump has made clear, given the current situation in Israel and Gaza, we have two clear objectives: first, to ensure Hamas can never again attack innocent Israeli civilians, which is only possible through its complete destruction; and second, to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has deeply concerned the President.”
Earlier, the UK had indicated it might recognize Palestine in September if relief efforts were obstructed and the war continued.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a new population census that excludes undocumented immigrants, challenging constitutional norms. He directed the Commerce Department to base the count on data from the 2024 election and modern records. The move revives Trump’s earlier attempt to alter census procedures, previously blocked in 2020. Critics warn this could negatively impact cities with large immigrant populations. The White House has not confirmed if an early census will be conducted before the next official one in 2030.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin even if Putin does not first meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This statement contradicts earlier reports that a Putin-Zelensky meeting was a prerequisite for a Trump-Putin summit. Trump emphasized his commitment to stopping the killing and said the decision depends on Putin. Following talks by his envoy in Moscow, Trump remains hopeful for a ceasefire but refrained from confirming a deadline.

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT-5, its most advanced AI model yet, offering it for free to users worldwide. CEO Sam Altman describes it as faster, smarter, and capable of delivering expert-level responses. Though it doesn’t learn from real-time data, it's considered a major step toward Artificial General Intelligence. The model is trained to provide safe, honest answers and avoid harmful content. OpenAI also released two customizable models, signaling greater transparency and intensifying competition in the global AI race.

The Trump administration plans to construct the largest federal immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss, a military base in Texas. Initially, 1,000 immigrants will be held starting mid-August, with a long-term goal of building a 5,000-bed facility. The Department of Homeland Security will oversee detainee management, despite the location being on military grounds. This move is part of a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants, with record-high detentions reported. Additional centers are also planned, including one in Indiana called the "Speedway Slammer."

Australia has urged Israel not to assume military control over Gaza, warning that such action would worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated, “Australia has called on Israel to avoid steps that would further exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian disaster.” She emphasized that forced displacement violates international law and reiterated calls for a ceasefire, unhindered aid access, and the release of hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023.

While Australia has not joined countries like the UK, Canada, and France in recognizing Palestine, it says it will make that decision “at an appropriate time.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended trade negotiations with India until a tariff dispute is resolved. The U.S. recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods, citing national security risks linked to India’s continued import of Russian oil. A 25% additional tariff took effect on August 7, with more to follow in 21 days. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India will not compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and the dairy sector, even if it comes at a cost.

After over three decades of conflict, Azerbaijan and Armenia are set to sign a historic peace agreement at the White House today, with former U.S. President Donald Trump acting as mediator.

Under the proposed deal, Armenia will grant Azerbaijan a special corridor through its territory to connect Nakhchivan with mainland Azerbaijan. Additional energy cooperation agreements may also be signed.

The two nations have been at odds since the collapse of the Soviet Union over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, where ethnic Armenians have long held control. A turning point came in September 2023 when separatist forces in Karabakh surrendered, allowing Azerbaijan to regain full sovereignty. By March 2025, both countries had agreed on a peace framework.