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President Donald Trump announced that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. This potential breakthrough comes after Trump expressed growing frustration over the lack of progress in stopping the conflict. While the Kremlin has yet to confirm the meeting, both the U.S. and Russia had indicated that a summit could take place soon. The war, now more than three years old, has caused tens of thousands of deaths since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Speaking at the White House before officially confirming the date, Trump suggested any peace deal might involve a territorial exchange, though he did not offer specifics. Some analysts believe Russia may consider giving up parts of Ukraine it controls outside the four regions it claims to have annexed. Trump said he plans to meet with Putin before any talks involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a decision that has raised concerns in Europe about Ukraine potentially being excluded from key negotiations. Hosting Putin on U.S. soil is also a surprising move, as meetings of this nature are typically held in neutral locations. The decision could be seen as a diplomatic win for Putin, who has long faced efforts by the West to isolate him over his actions in Ukraine. Putin hasn’t visited the U.S. since 2015, when he attended the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The last major U.S.-Russia summit was in 2021, when President Joe Biden met with Putin in Geneva. Trump announced the Alaska summit on social media shortly after revealing a separate peace initiative between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said the “highly anticipated meeting” would take place on August 15 and that more details would follow. Trump Suggests Territory SwapsTrump told reporters that the meeting would have happened sooner, but “security arrangements” delayed it. He claimed both Putin and Zelenskyy want peace and hinted at a possible land exchange between the two sides. “It won’t be easy,” Trump said, “but there will be some land switched. It’ll be to the benefit of both sides.” Pressed on whether this was the last chance for a peace deal, Trump declined to say so, adding that once violence escalates, it's hard to stop. Two weeks ago, Trump threatened new sanctions and tariffs against Russia — especially targeting nations that continue buying Russian oil — if Moscow didn’t take steps toward peace. That deadline was Friday, but following the announcement of the upcoming meeting, the White House declined to comment on whether those sanctions would still go ahead. Until now, Trump’s pressure campaign hadn’t yielded results. Russia continues to make slow but costly gains in Ukraine while heavily bombing civilian areas, and both sides remain far from agreeing on peace terms. Fighting Intensifies Across UkraineUkraine’s military is engaged in fierce battles along a 620-mile front. The eastern Donetsk region, especially around Pokrovsk, is seeing some of the heaviest fighting, as Russia tries to push into neighboring regions. Ukrainian commanders remain skeptical about peace. A drone unit leader in the Spartan Brigade, identified only by his call sign "Buda," said he believes Russia has no interest in negotiating. “The only option is to defeat them,” he said. In southern Zaporizhzhia, another Ukrainian commander using the call sign "Warsaw" said their only option is to keep defending. “We are on our own land. We have no choice but to stand our ground.” Putin Makes a Round of Diplomatic CallsOn Friday, the Kremlin said Putin spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, updating him on a recent meeting with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. China, which the U.S. says has supported Russia militarily, expressed support for a long-term solution to the Ukraine conflict. Putin also spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following Trump’s executive order this week placing a 25% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil. Other recent calls included leaders from South Africa, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus — a move analysts believe signals that Putin may be preparing his allies for a possible settlement. “This might be the first sign of a real peace agreement,” said Sergei Markov, a Moscow-based analyst with ties to the Kremlin. Analysts Remain SkepticalDespite the upcoming summit, many experts doubt Putin’s willingness to end the war. The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, said Putin is still trying to extract concessions from the West without seriously engaging in peace talks. “Putin believes time is on his side — that he can outlast Ukraine and the West,” the institute stated in its latest report.

The UK and Germany are co-chairing a high-level virtual meeting on Monday to discuss President Donald Trump’s push for NATO allies to supply weapons to Ukraine, a week after he announced that military deliveries would reach Ukraine within days. British Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will lead the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, are expected to join the discussion. The talks come amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials reporting around 300 drone strikes on Saturday alone. Analysts warn that such assaults are likely to escalate further. In a shift of tone last week, President Trump gave Russia a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face harsher sanctions. Under Trump’s new arms plan, European nations will send U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine via NATO—either from their current stockpiles or by purchasing and donating new equipment. A key focus is on advanced Patriot air defense systems. Although Trump said deliveries would begin “within days,” officials last week indicated that transfers had not yet started. Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over Epstein coverage Gen. Grynkewich told the Associated Press on Thursday that “preparations are underway,” while U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said he could not confirm a timeline. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany would finance two new Patriot systems for Ukraine and may supply additional systems from its own inventory, to be replaced by the U.S. However, he noted delivery could take “days, perhaps weeks.” Switzerland may also contribute, as its defence ministry said five previously ordered Patriot systems would be reprioritized for Ukraine. Meanwhile, NATO continues coordinating other military aid, including artillery and ammunition, some of which had been briefly paused. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said peace talks were proposed this week, with Istanbul likely as host. Russia has yet to set a date but remains open to negotiations

President Donald Trump is set to visit flood-ravaged areas of Texas on Friday, even as questions grow over his administration’s pledge to shutter the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The trip comes after catastrophic flooding left at least 120 people dead and over 170 missing. Despite earlier promises to shift disaster response to states, Trump has focused on the tragedy’s human toll. “It's a horrible thing,” he said Friday. Speaking to NBC News, he described it as “a once-in-every-200-year deal.” Trump approved Texas’ request to expand the federal disaster declaration to eight additional counties, enabling direct financial assistance. He will tour the damage by air and meet with first responders and victims’ families, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Governor Greg Abbott, and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Trump administration sanctions UN investigator probing Gaza abuses Trump has used past disaster tours to attack political opponents but has stayed silent this time on FEMA’s future. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Whether that assistance comes from states or the federal government, that is a policy discussion that will continue.” OMB Director Russell Vought also avoided clarifying FEMA’s fate but said the agency has “billions” in reserves. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted, “We’re cutting through the paperwork of the old FEMA. Streamlining it, much like your vision.” Local officials in Texas face criticism over preparedness, but some residents, like Darrin Potter of Kerr County, urged understanding, saying evacuation could have been more dangerous.

US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism over the prospects of a Gaza ceasefire, saying a breakthrough could come as early as next week. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump welcomed Hamas's statement that it had responded to a US-brokered ceasefire proposal "in a positive spirit."  However, he noted he had yet to receive a full briefing on the status of the negotiations. Meanwhile, Israeli military attacks have intensified across the Gaza Strip, leaving at least 18 Palestinians dead since midnight, according to Gaza health officials. International charities, NGOs call for end to controversial Israeli-backed aid group in Gaza In Gaza City's Zeitoun neighbourhood, an Israeli strike hit al-Shafi’i School, killing at least five people and wounding several others. In central Gaza, Israeli forces also bombed the Abu Breik family home in the Maghazi refugee camp, killing two people. The overnight assault included an attack on tents sheltering displaced civilians in al-Mawasi, which left at least seven dead. The Palestinian Information Center and Quds News Network report the overall death toll from Israeli operations across Gaza has reached 18 in the past few hours. More updates are expected. Source: ALJAZEERA

US President Donald Trump has been formally nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in securing the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The nomination came from Republican Congressman Buddy Carter of Georgia, who submitted a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee praising Trump’s “extraordinary and historic role” in ending the armed conflict and preventing Iran—described as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism—from acquiring nuclear weapons. “President Trump’s influence was key to forging a swift agreement that many thought impossible,” said Carter, who has represented Georgia’s 1st District since 2015. He said Trump’s actions reflect the Nobel Prize’s core principles: promoting peace, preventing war, and fostering global harmony. Carter also acknowledged the complexity of the Middle East, saying Trump displayed both courage and clarity in achieving the breakthrough. Israel holds back on further Iran strikes after Trump call Trump  announced the Israel-Iran ceasefire on Monday night, suggesting the conflict be named the “12 Day War.” This announcement came just two days after Trump ordered unprecedented US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities to support Israeli military actions. Under Nobel rules, national lawmakers, university professors, and other qualified individuals can nominate candidates for the prestigious prize. However, Trump himself expressed doubt over winning, citing previous peace efforts that went unrecognized. “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do,” Trump posted on Truth Social last Friday, following his administration’s role in brokering peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He added, “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for this, I won’t get one for stopping the war between India and Pakistan, I won’t get one for stopping the war between Serbia and Kosovo.” #With inputs from New York Post  

President Donald Trump issued a fiery rebuke of Israel on Monday morning, as the fragile ceasefire he brokered between Israel and Iran showed signs of collapse just hours after it was announced. Trump, known for his often combative rhetoric, lashed out at both nations, accusing them of undermining the agreement he had personally touted as a breakthrough. However, the former president directed his most scathing criticism at Israel, accusing the country of launching a large-scale bombing campaign against Iran mere hours after the deal was struck. “We have two countries that have been fighting for so hard and so long they don’t know what the fuck they are doing,” Trump told reporters in an impromptu address before departing Washington for a NATO summit in the Netherlands. He claimed that while both parties had acted recklessly, Israel’s actions were particularly disappointing. ‘Please do not violate ceasefire’: Trump to Israel and Iran “Israel, as soon as we made the deal they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” Trump said. “The biggest load that we’ve seen.” Despite stating that he did not officially believe the ceasefire had been fully breached, Trump expressed clear dissatisfaction with the way events were unfolding. “I’m not happy with Israel,” he said. “You know, when I say, ‘OK, now you have 12 hours,’ you don’t go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have. So I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either.” The rebuke marked a rare public falling out between Trump and Israel, a nation he has historically backed during his presidency and post-presidency tenure. His frustration boiled over on social media shortly after his departure from the White House aboard Marine One. In a blunt post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” The latest tensions add another layer of uncertainty to a region long plagued by instability, and raise questions about the sustainability of Trump’s Middle East diplomacy efforts. While details of the ceasefire agreement remain unclear, the breakdown in trust between the involved parties threatens to reignite broader conflict unless immediate restraint is exercised. Neither the Israeli nor Iranian governments issued an official response to Trump’s statements at the time of publication. # With inputs from CNN

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran is ‘now in effect’, US President Donald Trump has announced, urging both nations to honour the agreement. “Please do not violate it!” Trump stated emphatically on Tuesday, following a period of heightened conflict that rattled the region. 3 dead in Iranian missile attack after Trump’s ceasefire announcement The ceasefire, announced by Trump several hours ago, has yet to receive an official response from Israel. Iran, on the other hand, has said it will only halt its attacks if Israel does the same. The fragile truce follows days of cross-border strikes and retaliatory missile launches. Overnight, Israel reported the deaths of four people as a result of attacks launched from Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran-based state media claimed a "last round of missiles" was fired just before the ceasefire came into force. Tehran itself was not spared in the overnight escalation. A reporter on the ground described the situation as harrowing, with residents visibly shaken. “I feel traumatised,” said one local, reflecting the emotional toll of the recent attacks. According to Iranian state media, the ceasefire was "imposed" on Israel following what they described as a "successful" Iranian missile attack on a US base in Qatar on Monday. Iran has framed this action as a direct response to strikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend. Qatar, which hosts the targeted US base, confirmed that all missiles launched towards it had been intercepted. The situation remains tense despite the ceasefire announcement, with international observers urging restraint from all parties involved. # With inputs from BBC  

Nato summits typically aim to present a united front, and next week's gathering in The Hague will be no different—though behind the scenes, the spotlight is firmly on one man: Donald Trump. Newly appointed Secretary General Mark Rutte has carefully orchestrated the two-day event to ensure there are no confrontations with the alliance’s most influential member, the United States. A key focus will be a renewed pledge from European members to boost defence spending, aligning with President Trump’s longstanding demand—a message he has delivered consistently since his first term, when he publicly chastised allies for falling short and claimed they owed the US “massive amounts of money.” Geneva hosts talks on Iran-Israel conflict Though Trump is only one of 32 leaders attending, his presence has shaped the entire agenda. The main deliberations have been condensed to just three hours, and the final summit declaration trimmed to five paragraphs—reportedly due to Trump’s preferences. The Netherlands is hosting what will be the most expensive Nato summit to date, with Dutch authorities deploying an unprecedented security operation costing €183.4 million. Trump’s scepticism of multilateral organisations, including Nato, remains unchanged. His America First policy continues to clash with many European leaders on key issues such as trade, Russia, and the conflict in the Middle East. Rutte, known for his good rapport with Trump, has worked behind the scenes to offer the US president a policy win. The summit’s streamlined format, some say, is partly designed to suit Trump’s aversion to lengthy meetings. But the real benefit, analysts argue, is that it limits opportunities for divisions to become visible. “Trump likes to be the star of the show,” says Ed Arnold of the defence think tank Rusi, who expects the former president to take credit for pushing European allies to act. While several US presidents have urged Nato countries to contribute more to defence, Trump has arguably been more effective than most. Kurt Volker, a former US ambassador to Nato, acknowledges that not all European governments appreciated Trump’s confrontational approach—especially his demand that allies raise defence spending to 5% of GDP. Nonetheless, some have conceded that the pressure had a necessary impact. “We needed to do this, even if it’s unfortunate that it took such a kick in the pants,” Volker says. A few countries, particularly those close to Russia like Poland, Estonia and Lithuania, are now aiming for that 5% mark. But for others, even the previously agreed 2% remains out of reach. To reconcile these gaps, Rutte has proposed a compromise: increasing core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% earmarked for defence-related expenditures. However, critics warn the broad definition of “defence-related” spending—potentially including infrastructure like bridges and roads—opens the door to “creative accounting.” Arnold notes that the flexibility could dilute the seriousness of the target. Even if the new spending goals are adopted, many nations may not have the political will or resources to meet them by 2032 or 2035. Spain’s prime minister has already pushed back, calling the targets unrealistic and counterproductive. In the UK, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has not committed to a timeline, though the British government’s Nato-centric defence stance means he will likely support the framework. Israel and Iran exchange new strikes as US weighs military role, diplomatic efforts intensify The pressure for higher defence spending isn't just about appeasing the US—it aligns with Nato’s classified war plans, which outline responses to a potential Russian attack. Rutte has warned that Moscow could strike a Nato member within five years. In a recent speech, he detailed the alliance’s urgent needs: a 400% increase in air and missile defences, thousands more tanks and vehicles, and millions of artillery shells. Many member states, including the UK, fall short of these capability commitments. Sweden is doubling its army, and Germany plans to increase its military personnel by 60,000. US Army Europe head General Christopher Donahue recently stressed the need to reinforce Poland and Lithuania near Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave, admitting Nato’s current defences are insufficient. Despite the focus on Russia, the summit is expected to sidestep direct debate on the Ukraine war—reflecting deep transatlantic differences. “Under Trump, the US does not see Ukrainian security as essential to European security but our European allies do,” says Volker. Trump has previously undermined Nato unity by engaging with Vladimir Putin and delaying military aid to Ukraine. According to Arnold, potentially divisive issues have been stripped from the agenda, including a much-anticipated review of Nato’s Russia strategy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the summit dinner but has not been invited to participate in the main North Atlantic Council sessions. As Rutte prepares to chair his first summit as secretary general, he hopes for a smooth event. But with Trump’s views diverging from much of the alliance—especially on Russia—the outcome remains uncertain. #Source: BBC

Over the past week, U.S. President Donald Trump has made a series of conflicting statements regarding Iran, raising questions about his strategy and intentions. While at times he has spoken of ending conflict and hinted that peace might arrive “soon,” he has also floated the idea of targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and aligning with Israel’s military campaign against Iran. In the latest development, the White House announced on Thursday that Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the U.S. will enter the conflict. This inconsistency in messaging has led some analysts to suggest that Trump lacks a coherent strategy and may be getting drawn into a war at the urging of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long advocated for U.S. military action against Iran. Others believe Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric might be a tactic aimed at pressuring Iran into fully abandoning its nuclear program. However, experts caution that such brinkmanship could spiral into a full-scale war between the U.S. and Iran. Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, said Trump might be trying to gain leverage by making extreme threats in order to force Iran into a position of “total surrender.” “I think he’s trying to present himself as this madman who is unpredictable, and in so doing, he can then insist on this very hard line that Iran has refused to accept for decades—full dismantlement of its enrichment programme,” Abdi told. He also suggested another possible scenario: that Trump is being manipulated by Netanyahu into committing the U.S. to a direct and potentially catastrophic military conflict with Iran. ‘He says one thing. He does another’Iranian American analyst Negar Mortazavi has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for what she describes as inconsistent actions and statements regarding Iran, accusing him of being “outmaneuvered” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I don’t even know if President Trump knows what he wants,” Mortazavi told Al Jazeera. “He campaigned as the president of peace… he promised to end conflicts. Russia-Ukraine hasn’t ended. Gaza has escalated, and now he’s allowed a third major Middle East war—which resembles a regime-change operation—to begin under his watch. So, he says one thing and does another.” The latest conflict erupted after Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran last week, just two days before a scheduled sixth round of talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman. Mere hours before the attacks began, Trump reaffirmed his support for diplomacy, and the U.S. initially distanced itself from the strikes, stating it was not involved. However, Trump’s tone quickly shifted. Days later, he appeared to take partial credit for Israel’s actions. In a social media post on Tuesday, he claimed, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” though he did not clarify who he meant by “we.” “Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured ‘stuff.’ Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA,” Trump added. Israel’s ongoing air campaign has struck Iran’s air defense systems, military installations, nuclear facilities, oil infrastructure, and residential areas. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, including senior military and political figures, as well as many civilians. In retaliation, Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles, killing at least 24 Israelis and causing widespread destruction. While Israeli officials claim their aim is to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, they also acknowledge that the strikes could lead to the collapse of Iran’s ruling system—an outcome they would welcome. However, experts widely believe that Israel alone lacks the capability to destroy Iran’s heavily fortified uranium enrichment site at Fordow, which lies deep inside a mountain, without U.S. military assistance. Mortazavi warned that hawkish advisors and Israeli leaders appear to be persuading Trump that such a strike on Fordow would be simple. “They’re making it look like it’s a one-and-done deal—just drop your bunker busters and that’s it,” she said. “But in reality, this would be a catastrophic and unnecessary war with Iran—the very kind of war Trump campaigned against.” A wider conflict would put thousands of U.S. troops in the region at risk of Iranian missile attacks. Additionally, if tensions escalate, Iran could retaliate by disrupting global energy supplies through the Gulf. Iranian lawmakers have already indicated that Tehran might close the Strait of Hormuz—a key maritime passage linking the Gulf to the Indian Ocean—through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply is transported.  ‘Catastrophic’ warIranian American analyst Negar Mortazavi has warned that escalating the conflict with Iran could have devastating consequences for the entire region. “It will look like Iraq and Afghanistan combined, if not worse. Iran is a big country,” she told Al Jazeera. She drew parallels to past U.S. regime-change interventions: in Iraq, President George W. Bush’s war led to prolonged sectarian violence and the emergence of extremist groups like ISIL (ISIS), while in Afghanistan, the U.S. fought a two-decade-long war after removing the Taliban from Kabul, only to see the group reclaim power swiftly after American troops withdrew. Even if Iran’s leadership is brought down by joint U.S.-Israeli military action, experts caution that such an outcome may unleash chaos rather than stability. With a population exceeding 90 million, Iran's collapse could spark internal strife, mass displacement, and significant regional — possibly even global — instability. “This isn’t a colour revolution. This would be outright war and chaos — possibly civil war and widespread unrest,” Mortazavi warned. Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of the rights group DAWN, echoed these concerns, saying that even if President Trump is using threats merely as a bargaining tool rather than actively seeking war or regime change, the risk is dangerously high. “The chances of these assaults on Iran expanding into a broader regional war — or even a global one — are extremely high,” Whitson told Al Jazeera. “Trump’s continued belligerent and aggressive rhetoric is only adding fuel to the fire.” Source: Al Jazeera  

US President Donald Trump is weighing involvement in Israel’s military strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, as hostilities between the two countries enter their sixth consecutive day. Earlier, Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” claiming he knows the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader but has decided not to target him — “for now.” Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared he would never compromise with Israel and vowed to show “no mercy.” Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as strikes continue, supreme leader is safe 'for now' Israel stated it targeted a centrifuge facility in Tehran and additional weapons sites in a fresh wave of overnight strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel, triggering two sets of sirens during the night. However, the scale of Tehran’s response appears to have weakened, reports BBC.