In a major policy shift, former President Donald Trump now supports the crypto industry as the U.S. Congress passes the Genius Act, granting legal status to stablecoins. These digital currencies must be backed by U.S. dollars or equivalent assets, ensuring stability and safer transactions. The law addresses long-standing demands for regulation, boosting investor confidence. While critics warn of potential risks from increased tech-company involvement in finance, supporters see it as a step toward a modern, innovative financial system.

A regional passenger plane carrying nearly 50 people, including five children, has gone missing in Russia’s Amur region. The aircraft, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, vanished from radar on Thursday and lost all contact with air traffic control. The missing plane is an An-24 model, with 43 passengers and six crew members on board. Search operations are hampered by rugged terrain and severe weather, although helicopters and drones are being deployed. The Russian military has been asked to assist in the ongoing rescue efforts.

After winning the primary in the New York mayoral race on a progressive platform, Muslim candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing coordinated attacks from Hindutva groups. These groups have targeted him over his Muslim identity, criticism of Indian PM Modi, and his progressive stances. Hate speech online includes labels like "jihadi zombie" and slogans such as "New York will become Pakistan." Some Indian-American communities have joined the smear campaign, but Mamdani retains strong support from diverse religious and ethnic coalitions. Experts view the attacks as part of a broader global fascist push and consider Mamdani's candidacy a symbol of political resistance.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a “massive” trade agreement with Japan. According to Trump, the deal will see Japan invest $550 billion in the United States and impose a 15% reciprocal tariff.

The agreement will also open Japanese markets to American automobiles, trucks, and agricultural products. Speaking at the White House, Trump called the deal "one of the largest in history." Japanese negotiator Ryosei Akazawa also praised the agreement as a success.

US Senator Lindsey Graham has warned India and China that their continued purchase of Russian oil could lead to severe economic consequences, including a 100% tariff if Donald Trump returns to power. Graham accused the two nations of enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine and labeled their oil trade as “blood-soaked.” India responded firmly, asserting that its energy needs are paramount and decisions are based on market realities. NATO also urged these nations to pressure Russia toward a peace deal or face serious repercussions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s campaign proposals as “foolish and pointless.” Netanyahu questioned Mamdani’s plan to reallocate police budgets and impose higher taxes on the wealthy, warning these could destabilize the city’s economy. He argued that Mamdani would not last a full term if such policies were implemented. Mamdani previously labeled Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as “genocide,” a stance that has drawn significant attention. With New York City home to a large Jewish population, Netanyahu’s comments are likely aimed at influencing conservative Jewish voters.

The United States has announced its decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The U.S. government has accused UNESCO of being “anti-Israel,” “politically biased,” and overly reliant on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Washington also criticized the organization’s recognition of Palestine as a member state, stating it contradicts U.S. foreign policy. While the Trump administration had previously pulled out of UNESCO, the U.S. rejoined during the Biden era. The current decision, officials say, is driven by concerns over UNESCO's political stance.

US President Donald Trump has threatened renewed military strikes on Iran following the admission by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that US attacks in June caused serious damage to Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump praised the operation’s success and warned Washington would repeat it if needed. He also criticized CNN for downplaying the damage and demanded the firing of a reporter. Iran acknowledged the damage for the first time but vowed to continue its nuclear program, escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes forced the temporary closure of major airports in Moscow, leading to the cancellation of at least 140 flights and the redirection of over 130 others. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that more than 230 Ukrainian drones were intercepted since Saturday morning, with 27 targeting Moscow alone. Other regions, including Kaluga, also experienced attacks. Although airport operations have resumed, concerns over safety persist. Meanwhile, at least three people were killed in recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory.

Intel is no longer among the world’s top 10 semiconductor companies, according to CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Once a dominant force, Intel has fallen behind due to strategic missteps and late entry into AI development. Competitors like NVIDIA, AMD, and TSMC have surged ahead. While the company is trying to regain ground, experts say it faces an uphill battle. Despite challenges, Intel hopes recent leadership changes can help reclaim relevance in the rapidly evolving semiconductor and AI industries.

Three powerful earthquakes struck Russia’s Pacific coast near Kamchatka Peninsula within 32 minutes, with the strongest measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and German monitoring agency GFZ confirmed the tremors, which also included two quakes of magnitude 6.7 and one of 5.0. Following these events, authorities issued a tsunami warning to alert residents of potential coastal dangers in the affected areas.

Zohran Mamdani, Democratic leader and candidate for New York City Mayor, has strongly criticized the BBC’s reporting on the Israel-Gaza conflict, accusing the outlet of biased language.

"Why does the BBC use terms like ‘Iran-backed Houthis’ or ‘Hamas-controlled hospitals’ but not ‘US-backed IDF’ or ‘accused war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu’?" Mamdani questioned.

An outspoken critic of Israeli aggression, Mamdani also referenced the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu and called for his arrest if he visits New York. He emphasized protecting all civilian lives and pledged to increase the budget for combating hate crimes.

The United States has revoked the visas of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, his allies, and relatives over alleged political persecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the move is part of the Biden administration’s stance against the suppression of free speech. Brazilian courts have placed Bolsonaro under surveillance, barred him from contact with foreign officials, and restricted his use of social media. Bolsonaro has called the legal proceedings politically motivated. The U.S. has also threatened tariffs on Brazil amid rising tensions.

Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. National Intelligence Director, has called for legal action against former President Barack Obama and top officials for allegedly fabricating intelligence to accuse Russia of interfering in the 2016 election. She described the incident as a treasonous conspiracy aimed at removing Donald Trump from office. Gabbard is submitting classified documents to the Justice Department to support her claims. This renewed debate follows the Mueller investigation, which found no collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened to impose a 10% import tariff on goods from BRICS nations. Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump argued that BRICS is unlikely to sustain itself as a meaningful alliance. He warned that any anti-American alignment will face consequences, reaffirming his commitment to defending the dollar’s global dominance. Trump also criticized the idea of a central bank digital currency. As G7 and G20 groups weaken due to internal rifts and U.S. isolationist policies, BRICS is positioning itself as an alternative platform for multilateral diplomacy.