Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has cut nearly $900 million from the U.S. Education Department’s research arm. The move ended 169 contracts, including long-term studies tracking student progress and research on teaching strategies. Critics say these cuts will harm education accountability and student learning. The decision also faces legal challenges, with the agency temporarily blocking DOGE workers from internal systems. Some small businesses lost contracts and had to lay off staff. While supporters argue this is a chance to rethink outdated programs, many warn it could weaken efforts to improve education in the U.S.

US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a long phone call about ending the Ukraine war. Trump said both leaders wanted to stop the deaths and agreed to start peace talks. The Kremlin confirmed the call, saying it lasted 90 minutes. Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow, and Trump plans to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon. This is the first confirmed talk between them since Trump took office. The conversation happened after the US ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, signaling a shift in US policy on the war.

A Russian ballistic missile attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv killed one person and injured four others, including a nine-year-old girl. The Ukrainian military were able to shoot down six of the seven missiles and 71 drones launched by Russia, which caused several fires in the city. The Holosiivskyi, Podilskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Obolonskyi districts in Kyiv were affected. The city of Kryvyi Rih was also damaged in another Russian attack. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned Russian actions, stating that President Putin is not preparing for peace but still destroying Ukrainian cities.

A Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, has arrived in Cairo for talks on the Gaza ceasefire. The group is meeting with Egyptian officials to discuss the ceasefire agreement and ensure Israel follows its terms. An official told AFP that the discussions will focus on ending the crisis and preventing further conflict. Tensions remain high, with concerns that the ceasefire may collapse. Egypt continues to mediate between Hamas and Israel, pushing for a lasting peace. The situation remains uncertain as both sides hold firm on their demands.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US will not send troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers. Speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels, he also said Ukraine joining NATO is "not realistic." He stressed that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. The US will focus on threats from China and protecting its borders. Hegseth stated that America will not tolerate an unbalanced relationship that creates dependency. His remarks signal a shift in US policy, urging European nations to lead in supporting Ukraine while the US reduces its role in European security.

Palestinians and Israeli hostage families fear the fragile Gaza ceasefire may collapse after Israel's security cabinet backed Donald Trump’s demand for all 76 remaining hostages to be freed by Saturday. Hamas insists it remains committed to the deal, blaming Israel for any delays. In West Jerusalem, hostage families urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to complete the prisoner exchange. Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah rejected Trump’s Gaza takeover plan, opposing Palestinian displacement. The region remains tense as negotiations continue. The ceasefire’s fate now hinges on both sides’ willingness to uphold agreements.

The United Nations Human Rights Office reports that up to 1,400 individuals were killed during a six-week crackdown on student-led protests in Bangladesh between July 1 and August 15, 2024. The protests, initially targeting a government job quota system, evolved into a broader movement against then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently fled to India. The UN cites credible sources indicating widespread violence by security forces, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture, actions potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. A UN fact-finding team is currently investigating these allegations.

Elon Musk joked about claims that 150-year-olds are receiving US Social Security. "I think they're probably dead, is my guess, or they should be very famous, one of the two," he said. The US Social Security program supports retired and disabled people, but living to 150 is extremely rare. Musk is leading a government team under US President Donald Trump to cut spending. Trump plans to reduce the federal budget by $1 trillion. The US debt has reached $36.2 trillion. Critics argue the cuts are extreme, but Musk's team is reviewing payments and jobs to reduce waste.  

The Supreme Court of India criticized the culture of announcing freebies before elections, stating it discourages people from working. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih, hearing a case on urban homelessness, observed, “People are getting free rations and money without working.” The court suggested integrating them into society for development. Attorney General R Venkataramani informed that the Centre is finalizing an urban poverty alleviation mission. The court directed the Centre to specify its timeline and scheduled the next hearing in six weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Trump have warned Hamas that the ceasefire is terminated if they do not release Israeli hostages by Saturday. Netanyahu stated that they will resume hostilities if the hostages are not freed. Trump also threatened that there would be severe consequences if the hostages are not freed. The warning comes after Hamas announced that it would delay the release of more hostages, accusing Israel of breaching the ceasefire deal. The two leaders made it clear on the deadline, and Israel is preparing for possible violence if Hamas does not comply.