Donald Trump has alleged that Iran is denying access to nuclear inspectors and has not agreed to halt uranium enrichment. Speaking on Friday, he expressed concern that Iran may be continuing its nuclear program covertly at undisclosed locations. Trump confirmed that he will raise this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in their upcoming White House meeting. Iran had earlier suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached as early as next week, following positive signals from Hamas. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that Hamas has responded constructively to a U.S.-brokered proposal and has shared its stance with mediators Qatar and Egypt. Trump also mentioned that Israel has agreed in principle to the proposed 60-day ceasefire plan.

A drive-by shooting outside a lounge in downtown Chicago has left four people dead and 14 injured. The attack occurred in the River North area during a private event hosted by rapper Melo Buckzz. Victims, mostly aged 21 to 32, include both men and women. At least three are critically injured. Police recovered two types of shell casings, suggesting multiple shooters. No arrests have been made, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage. The lounge will remain closed during the investigation.

Within hours of the Trump-Putin phone call, Russia launched one of its most severe assaults on Kyiv, Ukraine, using a combination of drones and missiles. Of 539 drones launched, 476 were intercepted, but the attack left one dead and 23 injured. The city was engulfed in smoke, fire, and widespread damage. Local authorities described it as one of the most intense attacks in the past three years. Public anger rose over the Trump administration’s continued halt on military aid. The strike also worsened air pollution, prompting health warnings across Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed his departure from a conference on Thursday to take a scheduled call with U.S. President Donald Trump—their sixth public conversation since Trump’s second term began. Apologizing to the attendees, Putin joked, “Trump might get angry if I keep him waiting.” The call occurred amid growing geopolitical tensions, as U.S. military aid to Ukraine was paused and Russia intensified its military operations. Reports also suggest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to join the conversation.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was asked to leave the Oval Office during a high-level defense meeting led by former President Donald Trump, according to NBC News. Lacking proper security clearance, his presence reportedly raised concern among officials. However, Daily Mail reports that Zuckerberg voluntarily stepped out at the President’s request and later held a separate meeting with Trump. While Zuckerberg’s political stance has shifted over time, he was seen as supportive of Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign and attended the 2025 inauguration.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on a network smuggling Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi exports, allegedly operated by Iraqi-British citizen Salim Ahmed Said. His companies reportedly used forged documents to sell the oil to Western buyers, evading sanctions. Several vessels involved in the scheme were also sanctioned. Additionally, the U.S. targeted senior officials linked to Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial institution controlled by Lebanon's Hezbollah. The sanctions freeze U.S.-based assets and bar any transactions with the designated individuals and entities.

Tesla’s sales fell 13.5% in Q2 2024 compared to the same period last year, marking two consecutive quarters of decline. The company delivered 384,122 vehicles and produced slightly fewer cars than the previous year. Tesla’s stock price dropped nearly 26% this year, its worst among major tech stocks. Increased competition from affordable Chinese EVs and political backlash against CEO Elon Musk, including protests and strained ties with Donald Trump, are impacting the company’s sales and reputation.

In a powerful open letter published by Reuters, eleven imprisoned Russian political activists have appealed to world leaders to stand with those persecuted for their beliefs. They claim over 10,000 Russians and Ukrainian civilians are currently jailed for opposing the government or supporting democracy.

The letter condemns Russia's repressive legal system, citing over 100 oppressive laws passed between 2012 and 2022. It calls for the unconditional release of ill prisoners and demands an immediate exchange of prisoners of war and civilians caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Though Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is reportedly eyeing the post of UN Secretary-General, his candidacy is under scrutiny due to perceived bias and controversial actions. Grossi’s reports on Iran’s nuclear program have allegedly been influenced by Western political agendas, casting doubt on his neutrality.

Critics point out that in 2023–24, unverified claims about high-enriched uranium particles in Iran were politically weaponized, leading to Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. These events have prompted Iran to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. With growing distrust among developing countries—including China, Russia, and India—Grossi’s aspirations face serious hurdles.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on individuals, entities, and vessels involved in smuggling Iranian oil under the guise of Iraqi exports. The U.S. Treasury revealed that the network, led by Iraqi-British national Salim Ahmed Said, has sold billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil since 2020 using falsified documents. Additionally, senior officials of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution in Lebanon, have been sanctioned. Their assets have been frozen, and all business dealings with U.S. citizens are now prohibited.

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that all Middle East crises, including those involving Iran, must be resolved through political and diplomatic means. During a one-hour phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the Iran-Israel conflict, and various global issues. According to the Kremlin, Russia supports peaceful resolution to all international disputes. However, on the Ukraine issue, Putin reaffirmed that Moscow will not compromise on its strategic goals, although it remains open to negotiations.

The U.S. government has resumed accepting visa applications from international students, but Deputy State Department Spokesperson Mignon Houston warned that any misuse of student visas or disorderly conduct on campuses would not be tolerated. “A visa is not just an entry permit—it carries ethical responsibility,” she said. Houston also emphasized the importance of U.S.-India strategic relations, especially within the Quad framework and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, former President Trump expressed optimism over a new fair trade agreement.

Recent U.S. airstrikes have reportedly damaged several Iranian nuclear facilities, delaying Tehran's nuclear program by nearly two years, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The strikes involved heavy use of bombs and missiles on three key sites. However, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that Iran could still produce weapons-grade uranium in the coming months, casting doubt on the long-term impact of the strikes. Analysts believe Iran may have hidden enriched uranium before the attacks.

The Trump administration has threatened legal action against CNN for reporting on "IceBlock," an app designed to help users identify the locations of ICE officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Justice Department is considering a lawsuit. CNN defended its reporting, stating that publishing information about the app was not illegal. The app’s developer, Joshua Aaron, said it was his form of protest against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies, which he compared to Nazi Germany.