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### **Trump Pushes Ceasefire, Warns of Global War Escalation**
In a series of pivotal statements from the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed escalating global conflicts, cautioning that disputes like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war—which he noted has already resulted in thousands of deaths—risk triggering a third World War.
Speaking to the media, President Trump affirmed the administration’s willingness to engage in high-level diplomacy, stating he would attend a meeting contingent upon a strong likelihood of a successful ceasefire. The U.S. is reportedly considering sending a representative to Europe this week to participate in ongoing truce negotiations.
Stressing the severe geopolitical risks, Trump warned: “If we continue playing these games, the world will head into a Third World War.” He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to assisting Ukraine with its security needs. The President also asserted that America currently commands a level of global respect unparalleled in its history.
In related diplomatic successes, the President announced that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to halt all hostilities and attacks starting this Friday, effectively ending recent border clashes. Furthermore, Russia has indicated a desire to reduce its nuclear arsenal. This development comes as Russian forces targeted two Ukrainian ports, leaving one person injured.
### **Middle East Tensions and Humanitarian Appeals**
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened following the devastation wrought by Storm Byron. The extreme weather event, characterized by torrential rain, high winds, and structural collapses, claimed the lives of at least 14 Palestinians, including several children.
In parallel, Israel proceeded with legalizing 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Against this backdrop of ongoing conflict, the UN Special Representative for Palestine issued a sharp rebuke to arms-supplying nations—specifically naming the U.S., Germany, the U.K., and Italy—urging them to prioritize and fund the reconstruction of Gaza, given their role in providing weaponry used in previous bombardments.
Elsewhere in the region, US Special Forces successfully intercepted a vessel traveling from China to Iran in the Indian Ocean last month, seizing defensive military equipment. In Iran, the regime arrested 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nargis Mohammadi.
### **U.S. Policy, Legal Challenges, and International Appointments**
The Trump administration faces a significant legal challenge as a coalition of 20 U.S. states filed a lawsuit in federal court against the decision to impose a $100,000 fee on the H-1B skilled worker visa. Separately, the administration terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to Ethiopian migrants.
In international appointments, former Iraqi President Barham Salih has been designated as the new head of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). American officials confirmed that more than 25 nations will be represented at an upcoming diplomatic conference.
### **Global Incidents and Domestic Political Upheaval**
A tragic domestic incident occurred in Texas where a 15-year-old boy shot and killed his girlfriend’s mother and siblings.
In South Asia, the daughter of notorious Mumbai underworld figure Haji Mastan, Hussain Mastan Mirza, publicly appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for recognition of her identity and justice.
The crisis concerning the world’s polar regions escalated as scientists expressed severe alarm following the discovery of hundreds of “icequakes” surrounding the infamous ‘Doomsday Glacier’ in Antarctica.
In political developments, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, Prime Minister acknowledged that his government has worked to revive business activities previously characterized by stagnation. Finally, local politics saw former Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accuse Lt. General (Retd.) Faiz Hameed of overseeing projects aimed at imprisoning political opponents.
