US President Donald Trump announced that Israel has agreed to conditions for a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the US will work with all sides to end the war. Hamas responded positively, saying it’s ready if the deal ensures a complete end to the conflict. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said there's majority support for a hostage-release framework. Netanyahu’s stance remains uncertain, though Trump hinted a deal could be finalised next week. Over 56,000 have died in Gaza since Israel’s offensive began. Aid groups continue to condemn civilian deaths near aid zones. (PC: Reuters)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court by the International Crimes Tribunal. A three-judge panel gave the verdict in Dhaka. Hasina, who fled to India 11 months ago, was tried in absentia. Her party, the banned Awami League, called the trial a “show trial.” She also faces five charges linked to crimes against humanity. The UN says up to 1,400 people died during her government’s crackdown on protests in 2024. Hasina is accused of failing to stop the violence. Two other top officials are also facing trial with her. (PC: AP)

Germany and the UK are set to sign a defence treaty on July 17, 2025, introducing a mutual assistance clause that says, any strategic threat to one is considered a threat to both, Reuters reports. This pact builds upon an August declaration by British PM Keir Starmer and former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, deepening cooperation on trade, security and now formalizing defence. It marks a shift under Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz toward stronger European defence collaboration and reduced reliance on the U.S., particularly amid concerns over U.S. unpredictability under President Trump. The agreement, final text close to completion, reaffirms NATO allegiance while emphasizing Europe’s emerging defence autonomy. German government offices have yet to comment. (PC: Reuters)

Zohran Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old Indian‑origin, Ugandan-born U.S. citizen and Democratic Socialist, has responded defiantly to former President Donald Trump’s threats to arrest, strip his citizenship, place him in a detention camp, and deport him if he obstructs ICE raids in New York City. Trump labelled him a “communist” and questioned his legal status despite Mamdani naturalizing in 2018. Clinched after defeating Andrew Cuomo in the June primary, Mamdani leads polls in the upcoming November mayoral race. He vowed, “We will not accept this intimidation,” and emphasised his campaign’s focus on working‑class and immigrant communities, not fear. (PC: History & New York City)

Zohran Mamdani, New York’s Democratic mayoral nominee, said he won’t back down after US President Donald Trump threatened to arrest and deport him. “We will not accept this intimidation,” Mamdani posted on X. Trump attacked Mamdani for promising to block ICE raids, calling him a “communist” and questioning his citizenship. Mamdani responded, “The President… threatened to have me arrested… not because I broke any law, but because I refuse to let ICE terrorise our city.” The White House said it may review his immigration history. Mamdani, born in Uganda, moved to the US in 1998 and became a citizen later. (PC: AFP)

France’s government has enacted sweeping new anti-smoking regulations that ban smoking in most outdoor spaces where children are present—such as parks, beaches, school zones, bus shelters, pools, and libraries—supplanting France’s long-standing image of the “smoking Parisian.” A penalty of €135 (up to €700) will be imposed on violators, though an initial grace period is expected . With around 30% of French adults still smoking and 15% of 17‑year‑olds lighting up, health officials aim to “denormalize” tobacco use and reduce France’s 75,000 annual smoking-related deaths . Restaurants and cafés, already smoke-free since 2007–08, still allow smoking on outdoor terraces, a symbol of French social life—a concession lobbyists defended as essential to France’s café culture. (PC: AFP)    

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Israel has agreed to a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire plan in Gaza, urging Hamas to immediately accept the proposal. The deal, mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, includes a temporary pause in hostilities in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages and some Palestinian prisoners. Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that “it will not get better—it will only get worse” if the deal is rejected. The ceasefire aims to ease ongoing humanitarian suffering and revive peace negotiations amid the prolonged Middle East conflict. (PC: AP)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk reacted sharply after US President Donald Trump said he might consider deporting him. Trump made the comment amid a growing feud over spending policies. Musk, a US citizen since 2002, posted on X, “So tempting to escalate this. But I will refrain for now.” Trump also hinted at using DOGE, a government cost-cutting unit Musk once led, to investigate him. The clash began after Musk criticised Trump’s tax and spending bill. Trump accused Musk of anger over losing EV subsidies and warned he “could lose a lot more.” (PC: AP)

West Bengal minister Manas Bhunia sparked outrage after allegedly calling the Kolkata law student gang-rape a "small incident." The BJP slammed his remarks, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of normalizing rape and shielding the accused, who is linked to TMC’s student wing. BJP’s Amit Malviya shared the video and demanded accountability, calling it a sign of institutionalized misogyny. Bhunia later clarified his comments were misrepresented, condemned the June 25 assault, and defended Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s zero-tolerance stance. The TMC accused BJP of running a smear campaign, warning defamation has consequences and insisting the truth will prevail. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he hopes for a Gaza ceasefire "sometime next week," ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's July 7 visit to the White House. Responding to reporters, Trump said, “We hope it's going to happen.” The United States has renewed diplomatic efforts following the end of Israel’s 12-day war with Iran. Trump has previously urged Israel to “make the deal in Gaza.” Despite ongoing airstrikes and humanitarian crises affecting over 2 million Palestinians, Israeli forces have continued their operations. Washington is reportedly pushing both sides for a temporary truce to allow humanitarian aid access. (PC: NDTV)