Protesters in Israel staged a nationwide strike on Sunday, blocking roads and shutting businesses. Families of Gaza hostages led the campaign, demanding a ceasefire and a deal to free the captives. Police said 32 people were arrested during clashes. Demonstrators lit bonfires, chanted slogans, and gathered outside officials’ homes. Former hostages and families said military pressure puts lives at risk. About 50 hostages remain in Gaza, though many are feared dead. The strike follows videos released by militants showing hostages. Prime Minister Netanyahu faces pressure as far-right allies reject any deal that could allow Hamas to keep power. (PC: SKY News)

The US State Department has suspended all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza to conduct a "full and thorough" review. The move follows social media claims by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who alleged Palestinian "refugees" had entered the United States. While no specific figures were given for the recent temporary medical-humanitarian visas, analysis of department data shows over 3,800 B1/B2 visas have been issued to Palestinian Authority travel document holders in 2025. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the decision as "intentional cruelty," while the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) warned it would prevent critically ill and wounded children from receiving life-saving medical care. (PC: Al Jazeera)  

3 men were killed and 8 others injured in a shooting at a Brooklyn lounge early Sunday, New York police said. The attack happened around 3:30am at Taste Of The City Lounge in Crown Heights. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed multiple shooters were involved after a dispute. At least 36 shell casings were found at the scene. The victims were aged between 27 and 61. Eight survivors, including three women, were taken to hospital. A firearm was recovered nearby, but no arrests have been made. Detectives are reviewing CCTV as the investigation continues. Police said the shooters remain at large. (PC: Sky News)

Thousands of Palestinians fled Gaza City’s Zeitoun area after six days of heavy Israeli air strikes and shelling. Gaza’s civil defence said at least 40 people were killed on Saturday. Israel plans to force over 1 million residents into camps in southern Gaza. The UN warned famine is unfolding, with 251 people, including 108 children, already dead from malnutrition. In Israel, a one-day nationwide strike saw roads blocked and trains disrupted. Protesters, led by hostage families, demanded the war end and hostages be freed. The war has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians since Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan's Army Chief, Asim Munir, has revealed a plan to revive the country's economy by highlighting its "rare earth treasure." His remarks were made after the U.S. expressed interest in Pakistan's mineral reserves, which are crucial for the electronics and defense industries. The U.S. is seeking to reduce its dependence on China for these resources. Munir stated that with this treasure, "Pakistan's debt will also be reduced, and Pakistan will soon be counted among the most prosperous societies." This interest from the U.S. comes at a time of strained relations between the U.S. and India. The Washington Post reported that the US President’s new-found interest in Pakistan is "less about oil than about access to minerals and rare earths," even as Islamabad received its first-ever crude oil shipment from the US under the trade deal. (PC: News18)

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, but the summit concluded without a concrete deal. Both leaders called the talks "productive" and "constructive," but neither mentioned a ceasefire. The meeting, which included a red carpet welcome for Putin, drew criticism from some European allies and Ukrainians. Following the summit, Trump announced he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington to discuss a potential peace agreement. The lack of a definitive outcome on the war leaves the situation unresolved, but signals a path for continued diplomacy. (PC: CNN & X)

Following the recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump has shifted his stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, now advocating for a full peace accord instead of a mere ceasefire. This move comes after Trump supported a proposal where Russia would control Donetsk and Lugansk in exchange for halting its offensive in southern Ukraine, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to cede the Donbas region. Trump stated that peace agreements are the most effective way to end the "horrific war." While both leaders described the talks as "productive," European leaders have shown mixed reactions, with some acknowledging progress and others expressing skepticism about Russia's intentions. (PC: CNBC TV18 & CNN)

U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their Alaska summit: halt fighting along current front lines in exchange for Kyiv ceding full control of Donetsk. Zelenskyy rejected the offer, according to Reuters. Trump publicly urged Ukraine to accept a peace deal, stating, “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.” The three-hour Alaska summit marked the first direct U.S.-Russia engagement since the 2022 invasion. Trump and Putin agreed that peace should proceed without a ceasefire, a stance that diverges from Ukraine’s and Europe’s insistence on ceasefire as a prerequisite. Russia currently controls 20% of Ukraine, including most of Donetsk. (PC: The New York Times)

Following the Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed Putin’s proposal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: halt Russian advances in exchange for Ukraine surrendering full control of Donetsk. Zelenskyy rejected the offer, maintaining Ukraine’s stance against territorial concessions. Trump publicly stated Ukraine should accept a peace deal, arguing “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not.” He and Putin reportedly agreed that peace should proceed without a ceasefire, diverging from prior U.S. policy. Russia currently occupies 20% of Ukrainian territory. The summit marked the first U.S.-Russia meeting since the 2022 invasion, amid strained ties and heightened NATO-Russia tensions. (PC: NDTV & CBC)

Russian President Vladimir Putin described his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska as “very frank” and “timely,” emphasizing its usefulness in advancing discussions on ending the Ukraine conflict “on a fair basis.” Speaking to top officials in Moscow, Putin noted the rarity of such high-level direct negotiations and praised the opportunity to calmly and thoroughly reiterate Russia’s position. He stated the conversation was substantive and believed it brought both nations closer to making necessary decisions. The meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid ongoing global tensions. (PC: X/Whitehouse)