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)

India-US trade negotiations have hit a deadlock as New Delhi refuses to compromise on key demands concerning its dairy sector. According to senior government sources, the Indian side has drawn a "red line" on dairy imports, citing the livelihoods of over 80 million people, mostly smallholder farmers, dependent on the sector. The United States has been pressing for greater market access for its dairy products, but Indian officials argue that such a move would threaten rural economies and traditional farming systems. Talks may resume later, but the impasse highlights the challenges of balancing trade liberalization with local employment concerns. (PC: India Today)

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended by the Constitutional Court after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The court is investigating if she broke ethics rules during a tense border dispute that led to the death of a Cambodian soldier. In the call, Paetongtarn called Hun Sen “uncle” and referred to a Thai commander as her “opponent.” This sparked protests and backlash. The court voted 7-2 to suspend her while the case continues. Paetongtarn said she will follow the court’s decision. She also faces a separate ethics probe by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. (PC: AP)

Over 130 global aid groups, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, have called for the immediate shutdown of the US-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Since GHF began operations in May, over 500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while seeking aid, and nearly 4,000 injured. The charities accuse Israeli forces of routinely firing at civilians near GHF-controlled sites, calling the system “militarized” and “inherently unsafe.” The UN has condemned the GHF, with Secretary-General Guterres stating it violates humanitarian norms. “This is not a humanitarian response,” said the aid groups, demanding a UN-led distribution model to replace the controversial operation. (PC: BBC)

After a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, calls are rising for Israeli PM Netanyahu to stop the Gaza war. A new poll shows two-thirds of Israelis want the fighting to end. Though Netanyahu gained support after the Iran war, many still want him to step down. Protesters in Tel Aviv demand a deal to bring home hostages held by Hamas since 2023. Former PM Naftali Bennett and others say Netanyahu has failed to lead. Donald Trump also urged a Gaza deal. Critics say Netanyahu’s long rule and Gaza failures can’t be ignored, even after success against Iran. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump will sign an order lifting sanctions on Syria to support its rebuilding after years of war. The White House said this is a step toward peace and stability. Sanctions on former Syrian leader Bashar Assad and his allies will remain. Trump earlier promised to help Syria during a May meeting with interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This order will end a national emergency from 2004 that had blocked Syria’s key institutions. The US still sees Syria as a terrorism sponsor. Meanwhile, Israel has shown interest in better ties with Syria and Lebanon, as Iran’s influence fades. (PC: AFP)

An Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Al-Baqa seafront café killed at least 20 Palestinians on Monday, according to rescuers and eyewitnesses. The café, popular with journalists and activists, was hit amid a wave of Israeli bombings across Gaza, displacing hundreds. Emergency workers retrieved bodies and searched a crater left by the blast. Strikes also hit schools sheltering civilians in Zeitoun and Al Shati camp. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 56,000 killed since October. Despite US pressure for a ceasefire, Israeli attacks continue. Eyewitnesses say evacuation alerts are frequent, with some forced to flee repeatedly without aid, food, or shelter. (PC: BBC)

Iran has ruled out resuming diplomatic talks with the US unless Washington pledges to halt further military strikes. Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC that recent US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—undermined negotiations. He demanded clarity on whether such “acts of aggression” would continue during dialogue. The US has reportedly signaled it does not seek regime change. Iran insists on its right to uranium enrichment, calling demands for “zero enrichment” unjust. Meanwhile, the UN’s Rafael Grossi warned Iran could resume uranium production within months. Talks remain frozen since Trump exited the 2015 nuclear deal. (PC: NDTV)

Reports suggest that Pakistan and China are in advanced talks—boosted by a June 19 trilateral meeting in Kunming with Bangladesh—to launch a new South Asian bloc, potentially supplanting the dormant SAARC . The objective is to enhance regional trade, connectivity, and infrastructure cooperation among “willing” members, possibly including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Bangladesh . Although India might be invited, its participation appears unlikely . The move reflects frustration over SAARC’s inactivity—last summit held in 2014—and signals Beijing and Islamabad's desire to reshape South Asian diplomacy. (The Hindu)  

Britain’s High Court has ruled that the UK's export of F‑35 jet components to a global parts pool accessible by Israel was lawful, despite concerns they may contribute to violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. The legal challenge, led by West Bank‑based Al‑Haq (backed by Amnesty International, Oxfam and others), targeted the government’s exemption of F‑35 parts from a broader suspension of arms licences following Israel’s October 2023 offensive . The UK admitted Israel had “shortcomings” in humanitarian access and detainee treatment, yet defended the carve‑out, citing national and NATO security and the need to uphold U.S. confidence. The court held that such decisions are political and fall under executive not judicial authority. Al‑Haq may appeal.(PC: Reuters)