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.

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.

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.

In a trilateral prisoner exchange, 10 Americans were released from Venezuela and returned to the US, while over 200 Venezuelans—many previously held in El Salvador’s CECOT prison—were repatriated. Most of the Venezuelans had been deported from the US under a controversial act, sparking human rights concerns. Only seven had serious criminal records. The deal also included the return of seven Venezuelan children separated from their parents in the US, and Venezuela is expected to release 80 more political prisoners soon.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, seeking $1 billion in damages.

In the lawsuit, filed in Miami, Trump alleges that the publication falsely claimed he sent a controversial letter in 2003 for Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday. Trump contends the article damaged both his reputation and financial interests.

The suit names not only the journalists involved but also Dow Jones, News Corp, and CEO Robert Thomson as defendants. Trump described the legal action as a step not just for himself but on behalf of the American people against what he calls the “fake news media.”

The US State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, has directed diplomats worldwide not to comment on the transparency or fairness of foreign elections unless it involves clear US foreign policy interests. This marks a shift from longstanding US support for free and fair elections globally. Election-related statements will now be limited to congratulating winners and referencing shared interests, with any official comments coming only from senior officials. The move aligns with President Trump’s non-interventionist stance, emphasizing national sovereignty over election oversight.

Donald Trump has threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal following a report claiming he sent a controversial letter featuring a drawing of a naked woman to Jeffrey Epstein on his 50th birthday. Trump denies the allegations, calling the letter “fake” and “defamatory,” and plans to take legal action against the newspaper’s parent company, News Corp. The controversy adds to ongoing debates about Trump’s past ties to Epstein and recent developments in the Epstein case.

In response to a recent attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the decision, identifying TRF as a proxy group responsible for several violent incidents, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the move, calling it a strong reaffirmation of counterterrorism cooperation. Tensions have escalated along the India-Pakistan border following the attack.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is close to finalizing a new trade agreement with India. Talks are progressing rapidly, with Indian commerce officials currently in Washington. India aims to secure better terms than Indonesia recently received. However, issues remain over tariffs on agricultural, dairy, steel, and automotive products. While the U.S. trade deficit with India grew to $45.7 billion in 2024, both countries are optimistic about enhanced market access through tariff reforms and an eventual deal.

Around 500 tons of high-calorie biscuits intended for 27,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan have expired and will now be destroyed. The food aid, provided by USAID, had been stored in a Dubai warehouse and was never distributed due to a suspension ordered by the Trump administration. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Riggs informed Congress that the biscuits, valued at around $800,000, will be incinerated or buried—at an additional disposal cost of $100,000 to U.S. taxpayers. The move has drawn heavy criticism from policy analysts, who questioned the rationale behind the aid freeze and its humanitarian consequences.