US-Iran negotiations have hit a sudden roadblock after Tehran pulled back from talks, linking any further engagement with Washington to an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon. The move comes in the aftermath of devastating Israeli airstrikes in Beirut that have reportedly left hundreds dead, shaking an already fragile diplomatic landscape. Iran has made its position clear, no ceasefire, no talks. At the same time, the situation is being further inflamed on the political front. Israeli envoy Yechiel Leiter and US politician Mike Huckabee have publicly slammed Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over controversial remarks on X, adding another layer of friction to an already volatile geopolitical moment.

Donald Trump has pushed for a dramatic change to one of America’s oldest financial traditions, the US dollar. For the first time in history, a sitting US president’s name is set to appear on official American currency, replacing a long-standing practice that dates back to 1861. The White House has backed the decision, with Treasury officials, including Scott Bessent, defending it as a symbolic step ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Supporters within the MAGA camp are calling it a bold assertion of leadership and national identity, a mark of economic strength and political dominance. But critics aren’t holding back. Across social media and political circles, the move is being labelled as unprecedented, with accusations of self-promotion and concerns over breaking institutional norms. WATCH