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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU leaders that Beijing fears a Russian defeat in Ukraine could lead the US to shift its full focus toward confronting China. The remarks, made during talks with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, surprised Brussels officials, Firstpost reported.

Wang denied claims that China is arming Russia, saying if Beijing were providing real support, the war would be over. The Chinese foreign ministry declined to clarify his comments.

Ukraine's President Zelensky has accused China of supporting Russia while cutting off drone sales to Ukraine. Meanwhile, US military aid to Ukraine continues to decline with critical arms shipments halted on July 1.

China-Russia ties are strengthening ahead of a planned meeting between Xi and Putin in September, according to Firstpost.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday criticized US President Donald Trump’s proposed immigration plan, which includes $170bn for border security and detention centers. She voiced opposition to the US House-approved budget, saying migration should be addressed through cooperation, not repression, Xinhua reported.

At her daily briefing, Sheinbaum stressed the necessity of addressing migration at its root through development-based solutions. She credited Mexico for lowering border crossings, reporting only 220 arrests the day before—significantly lower than prior years' figures.

She also defended migrants from Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, describing them as hardworking individuals who contribute to both their home countries through remittances and to the US economy through labor, according to BBC.

US President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law on Friday during an Independence Day-themed ceremony at the White House, featuring a B-2 bomber flyover. The bill narrowly passed the House 218–214, with all Democrats and two Republicans opposing it, BBC reported.

The legislation includes major tax cuts, increased funding for the military and border security, and deep cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs. It is projected to add $3.3trn to the national debt.

Trump praised Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson for their leadership, calling them “a team that is not going to be beat.” The White House called the bill a “victorious day” and a fulfillment of Trump’s core campaign promises, according to BBC.

Hamas says it has delivered a “positive response” to a US-backed ceasefire and hostage deal, expressing readiness for immediate negotiations. While accepting the proposal’s general framework, the group seeks amendments, including a US guarantee against renewed hostilities if talks fail, according to BBC.

US President Donald Trump said a deal could be reached within a week, noting Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. He urged Hamas to accept what he called the “final offer.”

The proposal includes phased hostage-prisoner exchanges, Israeli troop withdrawals, and increased UN-led humanitarian aid. Hamas demands the exclusion of the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and full Israeli withdrawal to pre-March positions.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu maintains the war will continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled, BBC reported.

At least 24 people died and around 25 girls remain missing after flash floods struck Texas on Independence Day. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in 45 minutes, causing severe damage, BBC reported.

A large-scale overnight rescue operations are ongoing with helicopters, drones, and over 400 personnel. So far, 237 people have been rescued. Governor Greg Abbott confirmed federal support, and US President Donald Trump called the event “shocking” and “terrible.”

Floodwaters hit Camp Mystic in Kerr County, where communication outages have hindered contact with campers. Officials stressed that missing persons may be out of reach due to telecom disruptions, not necessarily lost.

The Hill Country and Concho Valley regions have declared states of disaster. Local officials said there was no early warning for the flood, which surpassed previous disasters, including a deadly 1987 church camp flood. Authorities urged residents to avoid flooded roads and seek higher ground, according to BBC.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, three people died due to storm-related incidents, including falling trees during severe thunderstorms.

Russia launched its biggest drone attack on Kyiv since the war began, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital, officials said Friday. The strike came just hours after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Reuters.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported 539 drones and 11 missiles were launched, triggering hours-long sirens and forcing residents into shelters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack as “deliberately massive and cynical,” linking its timing to the Trump-Putin call and urging more air defence support.

About 40 apartment blocks, schools, railway infrastructure, and vehicles were damaged. A Polish embassy office was hit, though no injuries were reported. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 14 of the injured were hospitalized. Russian strikes on Kyiv have intensified, with growing civilian impact, Reuters reported.

BRICS has expanded from a forum of four emerging economies in 2006 to a bloc of 11 nations by 2024, positioning itself as a non-Western alternative for global economic cooperation. Originally conceived in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill, the group includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with recent additions aimed at strengthening multilateralism, according to Firstpost.

Key initiatives, such as the New Development Bank and alternative trade arrangements, have attempted to minimize dependency on Western-dominated institutions like the IMF and World Bank. However, the group faces increasing internal and external challenges.

Internally, China’s push to lead the bloc and align it with its larger anti-Western agenda backed by Russia has created worries, particularly among founding members like as India. Externally, US President Donald Trump has threatened 100 percent tariffs if the BRICS pursues dedollarization or introduces a common currency, Firstpost reported.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Trump administration to deport eight migrants from a US military base in Djibouti to South Sudan, extending its earlier decision permitting third-country deportations, CNN reported.

The group—originally from Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mexico, and South Sudan—was diverted to Djibouti in May after a lower court blocked their removal. The Supreme Court ruled that its June 23 order lifting that stay applies to both related injunctions.

Liberal justices Sotomayor and Jackson dissented, warning the men could face “torture or death.” The administration says the eight are convicted violent criminals and defends third-country deportations as necessary when home countries refuse returns, according to CNN.