Submit your Article

Israeli airstrikes killed 64 Palestinians in Gaza today, including nine near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid hub in Rafah, hospital sources said. The death toll at GHF centres has reached 743, Al Jazeera reported.

Hamas says it is ready for immediate talks on a 60-day ceasefire to allow aid access. Islamic Jihad supports talks but demands guarantees for a permanent truce.

The announcement comes ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where US President Trump is pushing to end the 21-month war.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 57,338 Palestinians killed and over 135,000 wounded. Israel recorded 1,139 deaths in the October 7 attacks, according to Al Jazeera.

US President Donald Trump expressed support for providing Patriot missile systems to Ukraine following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said Ukraine needs the systems for defense amid intensifying Russian airstrikes and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for refusing to consider a ceasefire, calling their recent conversation “very disappointing”, Firstpost reported.

Zelensky stated the two leaders discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, including joint production, investment, and purchases. Ukraine has repeatedly urged the US to resume Patriot missile deliveries, warning that delays weaken its ability to protect cities and resist Russian advances.

A source familiar with the Trump-Zelensky call described it as “very good,” raising hopes that US support will continue. Germany is also exploring Patriot acquisitions to assist Ukraine, according to Firstpost.

Sri Lankan authorities arrested over 300 people on Friday night during a joint operation in the Western Province. Police and military forces carried out the raid to tackle rising crime and recent shootings, according to Xinhua.

The government said the move was meant to improve public safety and trust. Similar actions are planned in other high-risk areas.

India has reported two new cases of Nipah virus in the southern state of Kerala, resulting in the death of an 18 year old girl and leaving a 38 year old woman in critical condition. The cases were confirmed by the National Institute of Virology, according to Xinhua.

The teenager, referred to a hospital in Kozhikode from Kottakkal, was declared brain-dead on arrival whereas other patient developed symptoms nearly 20 days ago and is undergoing treatment.

The resurgence of the virus has raised fresh concerns among health officials. The World Health Organization describes Nipah as a zoonotic virus that causes severe illness in humans, often leading to encephalitis, coma, and death, Xinhua reported.

US President Donald Trump said Iran has refused nuclear inspections and continues to enrich uranium, warning that any attempt to restart its programme at new sites would be “a problem.” He will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss Iran and a possible Gaza ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the withdrawal of inspectors following joint US-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran denies wanting nuclear weapons, insisting that its program is civilian. However, the United States and Israel maintain that Tehran is working toward weaponization. Despite these accusations, neither US intelligence nor the IAEA have discovered substantial evidence of a nuclear weapons program. Talks about resuming inspections have stalled, according to Al Jazeera.

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has fined Chelsea €31m for breaching financial regulations, including €20m for violating football earnings rules and €11m for exceeding squad costs. The club faces a further €60m penalty if targets under a four-year settlement are not met, according to BBC.

Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Lyon also got fines, with Villa sentenced to pay €11m. All four teams would be restricted from registering new players in UEFA tournaments.

Lyon’s agreement allows Europa League participation, pending a successful appeal against relegation by French financial body DNCG. All clubs must meet full compliance by the end of their agreed settlement periods, BBC reported.

Iran’s energy sector is booming despite years of US-led sanctions. In 2024, oil output achieved a 46-year high, with energy exports hitting $78bn, up from $18bn in 2020, Firstpost reported.

Experts say sanctions are becoming increasingly ineffective as Iran, aided by China, continues to bypass restrictions using discreet shipping and non-dollar transactions. China now buys around 90 percent of Iran's oil.

Iran has also expanded exports of gas liquids and relies on the South Pars field for most of its gas production. The Revolutionary Guards have strengthened domestic infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign partners, according to Firstpost.

Geopolitical tensions, including with Israel, have had minimal impact, keeping Iran’s oil industry resilient and well-funded.

Nasser Hospital in Gaza is overwhelmed with trauma patients, most of whom are injured near aid distribution points run by the non-UN Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, said the hospital, originally a general facility, has suspended outpatient services due to rising casualties and limited supplies, effectively functioning as a trauma center, UN News reported.

The GHF, which is run by US security contractors and approved by Israel, operates only four fortified distribution facilities throughout Gaza, replacing the UN's previous 400 assistance hubs.

The UN human rights office said that at least 613 individuals were killed in attacks near relief centers since late June, 509 of them were near GHF-run locations, raising major concerns about the foundation's operations, according to UN News.