Donald Trump will meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. Reports say a plan to swap land in eastern Ukraine for a ceasefire is on the table. Russia could get the rest of Donetsk, while fighting stops elsewhere. Ukraine has rejected the idea, saying it will not give up land. People in towns like Sloviansk fear losing homes again. Critics warn such a deal could reward Russia’s invasion. Trump wants a 30-day full ceasefire first. Ukraine is not part of the talks, raising concerns about decisions being made without them. The meeting could end without any agreement. (PC: Reuters)

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin launched a scathing attack on Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, calling him “Osama bin Laden in a suit” after Munir issued nuclear threats during a visit to the US. Munir reportedly said Pakistan would “take half the world down” if it faced an existential crisis from India. Rubin condemned the remarks as unacceptable on American soil and urged the US to revoke Munir’s visa, declare him persona non grata, and strip Pakistan of its major non-NATO ally status. India’s Ministry of External Affairs also slammed Munir’s rhetoric, warning of nuclear blackmail and questioning Pakistan’s control over its nuclear arsenal amid ties with terrorist groups.

US President Donald Trump has extended the suspension of steep tariffs on Chinese goods until November 10, continuing a fragile trade truce with Beijing. The decision follows months of tit-for-tat tariff hikes that saw rates soar to 125% before a May agreement temporarily reduced them. The White House cited ongoing negotiations to address “lack of trade reciprocity” and noted China’s “significant steps” toward resolving disputes. Earlier this year, both nations imposed sweeping duties and non-tariff measures affecting industries from agriculture to technology. The pause, announced via Trump’s Truth Social post, is aimed at maintaining dialogue and avoiding further economic escalation. (PC: HT)

Ahead of his August 15 summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, US President Donald Trump declared he would know “within the first two minutes” whether a peace deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war is possible. Calling it a “feel-out meeting,” Trump said he may walk out if no progress is made. He emphasized his desire for a ceasefire and hinted at future talks involving Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Trump linked Russia’s economic struggles to US-imposed tariffs and claimed European leaders are eager for resolution. He reiterated that the war wouldn’t have happened under his presidency, calling it “Joe Biden’s war,” and expressed readiness to broker a deal if Putin shows flexibility. (PC: CBS & AP News)

During Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s second US visit in two months, President Donald Trump designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The timing of the announcement is seen as a diplomatic win for Munir, who has faced criticism for nuclear threats made on US soil. The BLA has claimed responsibility for multiple deadly attacks, including the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express. The move follows the US designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, as a terror group. India expressed concern over Trump’s growing bonhomie with Munir, warning against nuclear blackmail and the erosion of regional stability. (PC: India Today & OpIndia)

President Donald Trump announced his administration is actively considering reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. Speaking at a White House press briefing, Trump said a decision could come within weeks, calling the issue “very complicated” due to mixed public opinion. Reclassification would not legalize marijuana federally but would ease criminal penalties, open doors for medical research, and allow cannabis businesses to claim tax deductions. The move continues efforts initiated under the Biden administration. Trump acknowledged both positive medical uses and concerns about youth exposure. Industry groups have reportedly donated millions to Trump’s political organizations, hoping to influence the decision amid projected $34 billion cannabis revenue this year.

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin has sharply criticized Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, calling him “Osama bin Laden in a suit” after Munir allegedly threatened that if Pakistan “goes down, it will take half the world down.” The remarks were reportedly made during a meeting with US officials in Tampa, Florida. Rubin condemned Pakistan’s nuclear rhetoric as “completely unacceptable,” likening it to ISIS-style threats and urging the US to reconsider Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally. He proposed declaring Munir persona non grata, stripping US visas, and even deploying SEAL teams to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Rubin warned Pakistan is behaving like a rogue state, risking global security. (PC: Wikipedia)

China has suspended 24% in additional tariffs on US goods for 90 days starting August 12, following a 90-day extension of the US-China tariff truce announced by President Donald Trump. The move, confirmed by China’s Customs Tariff Commission, retains a 10% ad valorem rate on affected US imports. Trump signed an executive order delaying higher tariffs until November 10, citing ongoing discussions to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns. China also postponed adding US firms to its trade restriction list. The extension provides relief for US retailers ahead of the holiday season, allowing imports of electronics, apparel, and toys at lower tariff rates. (PC: YouTube & The Street)

US President Donald Trump appeared to confuse Alaska with Russia during a press conference on Monday. Speaking about crime in Washington, DC, Trump said, “I’m going to Russia on Friday” when referring to his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The summit will actually take place in Alaska on August 15 to discuss ending the Ukraine war. Critics noted Alaska’s historical ties to Russia before its 1867 purchase by the US. Senator Lisa Murkowski voiced cautious optimism about the talks. The meeting will be Putin’s first visit to the US in a decade, despite an ICC arrest warrant. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will visit Russia on August 15 for a high-stakes meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss a potential ceasefire in the Ukraine war, now in its fourth year. The leaders were earlier scheduled to meet in Alaska but relocated the talks to Russia. Washington is reportedly pushing for a breakthrough to end the prolonged conflict, which has strained global energy markets and heightened geopolitical tensions. The meeting comes amid growing calls for diplomatic resolution from European allies and increased pressure on Moscow to scale back its military operations in Ukraine. (PC: News18)