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The US Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments over President Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, a move that could reshape US immigration policy, BBC reported.

The central question in the case is whether lower federal courts can issue nationwide injunctions against presidential orders. The Trump administration claims that this option threatens executive authority, but a coalition of states cautions that it may result in uneven citizenship laws across the country.

The justices also looked into whether Trump's order violated the 14th Amendment, which provides citizenship to anyone born in the United States. A judgment is expected within the next months. A verdict in Trump's favor might give him more authority to enact immigration policies without congressional approval, according to BBC.

US President Donald Trump has called for an urgent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying no progress can be made in the Russia-Ukraine conflict without their direct talks.

Peace talks, mediated by Turkey, are scheduled to commence in Istanbul. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also in town for discussions with Turkish and Ukrainian officials, expressed low expectations for the outcome, as reported by BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is sending his military minister, but criticized Russia for not being serious about genuine negotiations.

US, Ukrainian, and Turkish officials met Friday at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul ahead of upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Tom Barrack, and Special Representative Keith Kellogg. Ukraine was represented by Andriy Yermak, Rustem Umerov, and Andrii Sybiha. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired the meeting, joined by intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin, as reported by Associated Press.

A follow-up session with Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish delegations is scheduled, led by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky. It marks the first direct Ukraine-Russia contact since March 2022.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced over $200bn in agreements across aerospace, energy, and advanced technology.

Etihad Airways committed $14.5bn to purchase 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft with GE engines. Emirates Global Aluminum will invest $4bn in a new aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, according to Xinhua.

ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources will partner with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on a $60bn oil and gas expansion. RTX will collaborate with Emirates Global Aluminum and the UAE’s Tawazun Council on a Gallium project.

President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East tour with a visit to the UAE, where the country pledged to invest $1.4trn in the US over the next decade, Xinhua reported.

At least 170 people have been killed in Gaza, including 50 in a major Israeli offensive in the north, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. The assault reportedly began early Friday with smoke bombs and heavy shelling, BBC reported.

This marks the largest ground operation in northern Gaza since March. The Israeli military has not commented.

Gaza remains under a full blockade for the 10th week, with no access to aid. US Senator Marco Rubio said the US is “troubled” by the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Ceasefire talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas continue without progress, according to BBC.

Vietnam and Thailand on Friday agreed to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to Hanoi.

The two countries outlined a cooperation roadmap for 2025–2030, aiming to boost regional stability and development. They committed to enhancing connectivity and tourism, particularly between Vietnam and northeastern Thailand, according to Xinhua.

Eight cooperation agreements were signed in areas including trade, law enforcement, infrastructure, and semiconductor workforce training.

A person killed his daughter and nephew by attacking them with a sharp weapon in Chitwan on Friday.

Leela Raj Giri (42) of Bharatpur Metropolitan City also tried to kill himself after murdering his daughter and nephew.

Giri attacked his seven-year-old daughter Prabha Giri and five-year-old nephew while they were getting ready for school, said Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Govinda Puri. 

All of them were brought to Chitwan Medical College for treatment where the two children died during the course of treatment while the condition of Giri is serious, added Puri.

Giri is a former soldier and was reportedly suffering from mental illness, said Puri.

The film city under construction at Dangdunge Danda, Bhimeshwor Municipality-9, has been largely neglected, and it remains unclear when filming will begin at the government-built studio. Although construction began in 2011, less than 25 percent of the work has been completed.

Initially, the project was expected to cost Rs 12–13bn, with support from the Chinese government. However, a later government-led detailed study estimated the required investment at Rs 1.637bn. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report recommended allocating 3.52 percent of the total budget for tree plantation, conservation, and environmental monitoring to minimize the project’s ecological impact.

According to the report, 76.25 hectares of land would be required for the film city. This includes 64 hectares from Seti Devi Dadar Community Forest in Bhimeshwor Municipality-9, Dolakha, and 12 hectares from the Sindhupalchowk district. Although the full area is designated for indoor and outdoor filming, the main structures will occupy just 9.61 hectares. Back in 2011, when there were limited filming facilities in the country, locals of Dolakha had voluntarily offered 30–35 ropanis of land to support the initiative.

So far, three buildings—a cultural museum, an administrative block, and a guest house—have been constructed with a Rs 650m investment from the Bagmati Province government. While this initial infrastructure is in place, interest in the project has waned. Stakeholders argue that establishing a film city in such a scenic, high-altitude location could attract global filmmakers, bolster the national economy, and transform Dolakha into a prosperous hub for the Nepali film industry.

The proposed film city sits at an altitude between 2,800 and 3,400 meters. Located 105 kilometers east of Kathmandu, the area offers a favorable climate, abundant public land, minimal environmental damage, and enthusiastic local support—factors that stakeholders say make Dangdunge Danda an ideal site.

The location is home to over 50 species of flora and 14 types of ferns. Locals say that from Dangdunge Danda, one can view iconic landmarks such as Swayambhu and Phulchoki in Kathmandu, and mountain ranges including Rolwaling, Gaurishankar, Jugal, and Ganesh Himal. The site also overlooks about 60 percent of Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Solukhumbu, Ramechhap, and Okhaldhunga districts.

The Government of Nepal had earlier introduced a public-private partnership model for the project. Under the Companies Act, the Film Development Board prepared a framework to invite investment from government, local, and foreign stakeholders. However, both the Ministry of Communications and the Film Development Board have been criticized for failing to move the project forward.

Madandas Shrestha, coordinator of the Film City Construction Committee, expressed concern that the infrastructure already built might go to waste. “It is unfortunate for the people of Dolakha that construction work has stalled. It is time for local stakeholders. This is not just a development project for Dolakha—it is a national pride project. It’s disheartening to see initiatives that could benefit the entire country being stalled,” he said.

Shrestha accused the Film Development Board of negligence and blamed the government for its lack of commitment. He believes there is growing government disinterest in completing the film city in Dolakha. However, he said if the land was given to the local government, Dolakha people could complete the project themselves.

The governments of Mauritius and China had previously expressed interest in supporting the project, as showcased at the International Investment Summit. “We don’t oppose the government’s plan to build a film city in Kavre. Let film cities be built across Nepal. Let development flourish. But the infrastructure already built should not be left to decay,” Shrestha added.