President Donald Trump, following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has unveiled a 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza. The plan was announced in Washington, where Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to its framework. The proposal outlines a path forward that begins with an immediate cessation of hostilities and is tied to the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The core of the plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, followed by Hamas releasing all hostages within 72 hours. A key component of the proposal is the establishment of a new, internationally supervised transitional authority to govern Gaza. This interim administration would be put in place while the Palestinian Authority undergoes reforms, with the eventual goal of it taking over governance of the territory. The plan also includes provisions for economic development.

A central element of the proposal addresses the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza. According to the plan, all parties will agree on a timeline for Israeli forces to withdraw in phases. This withdrawal is not unconditional; it will be based on "standards, milestones and timeframes linked to demilitarization" that are mutually agreed upon by the involved parties.

With Israel's approval secured, the focus now shifts to Hamas. President Trump has stated that if Hamas does not agree to the proposal, Israel will have the "full backing" of the United States "to do what you have to do." The White House plan specifies that if both sides agree to the terms, "the war will immediately end," and Israeli forces would withdraw as military operations cease.

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Other News

Washington Navigates Potential Shutdown, Economic Shifts

As a US government shutdown looms, President Donald Trump and congressional leaders are set to meet to try and avert it (Reuters). In response, the Pentagon has issued shutdown guidance outlining six priorities, including border and Mideast operations, and plans for contracting. While military personnel would continue their duties, non-essential civilian activities would halt, and new contracts would be paused (Breaking Defense).

The economic outlook is mixed amid the uncertainty. The dollar has weakened after a strong rally, and gold's price reached a record high, driven by the shutdown concerns and expectations of interest rate cuts (Reuters). However, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose as some investors disregarded the shutdown threat (Reuters). Historically, shutdowns in 2013 and 2018-19 had minimal impact on GDP or jobs (Axios).

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is advancing other policy goals. Plans are underway to expand coal leasing and provide funding for coal plant upgrades (Reuters). The US SEC chair is also fast-tracking a proposal from President Trump to end the practice of quarterly earnings reports. On the foreign policy front, US sanctions targeting India's Chabahar port project in Iran took effect as part of a strategy to pressure Tehran (Insider Paper).

Netanyahu Apologizes

In a diplomatic development, Prime Minister Netanyahu apologized to Qatar's Prime Minister for recent strikes against Hamas in Qatar that violated its sovereignty, according to a diplomat familiar with the White House-initiated call (Insider Paper). Following the apology, Qatar's Prime Minister stated the country is prepared to continue its mediation efforts to end the war (Insider Paper). Separately, Turkish drones were observed monitoring a Gaza aid flotilla sailing east (Reuters).

Europe Boosts Defenses Against Drone Threats

Amid mystery drone sightings across the Baltics and Scandinavia, European nations have bolstered security ahead of EU meetings in Copenhagen. A German frigate, a French helicopter, troops, and radars have been deployed to the Danish capital (The War Zone). France, Sweden, and Germany specifically sent anti-drone units to help secure the summit (Defense News). In response to the activity, Denmark has closed its airspace to civilian drones, and Norway has diverted some flights.

The heightened alert comes as NATO urges for the accelerated development of counter-drone technology, citing that existing missile defenses are inefficient against cheap drones. The call follows recent incidents involving Russian drones and jets in Poland, Romania, and Estonia, which prompted NATO to enhance its air defenses. France, Germany, and Poland jointly condemned the incursions as "reckless, hostile acts" (Breaking Defense).

Defense and Technology News

In the US, an Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod was spotted on an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during the Gray Flag 2025 exercise. The system, originally developed for training, is evolving to protect aircraft in combat and improve search and rescue operations in contested airspace (The War Zone). In another advancement, Northrop Grumman's Vanguard AI testbed jet is flying again, with six partners integrating AI software for functions ranging from mission planning to AR training (Breaking Defense).

Defense firms Anduril and RTX have unveiled new ground-launched munitions, including the Barracuda-500 and a variant of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker. The Senate Armed Services Committee praised Anduril's offering, pledging $25 million for development from President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" (Breaking Defense). On domestic military matters, Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed concern to the Department of Defense about expanding the privatization of barracks, seeking answers on oversight and tenant protections (Military Times). The Pentagon also announced that 200 National Guard troops will deploy to Portland for 60 days to protect ICE facilities (Insider Paper).

Global Affairs Briefs

• Afghanistan: A nationwide communications blackout has hit the country after Taliban authorities spent weeks severing fiber optic connections to prevent what they termed "vice" (Insider Paper). An internet watchdog reported that national connectivity fell to less than 1% of ordinary levels (Insider Paper).
• Venezuela: President Maduro has declared a state of emergency, citing fears of US "aggression," according to the vice-president (Insider Paper).
• North Korea: At the UN, North Korea's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that Pyongyang will never abandon its nuclear weapons but also indicated an openness to diplomacy (Insider Paper).
• Canada/India: Canada has designated India's Bishnoi gang, a syndicate known for assassinations and extortion, as a "terrorist entity" (Insider Paper).
• Serbia: Authorities arrested 11 individuals for alleged hate-motivated acts in France and Germany, including defacing Jewish sites and placing pigs' heads near mosques. A twelfth suspect remains at large (Insider Paper).
• Gulf of Aden: A Dutch cargo ship is adrift and ablaze following an attack, according to the EU maritime mission (Reuters).
• Madagascar: The country's president has dissolved the government following deadly protests (Reuters).
• Austria: Prosecutors are investigating alleged child abuse at a care facility operated by the Austria-based charity SOS Children's Villages (Insider Paper).

Business and Corporate Developments

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca plans a full US stock listing on the NYSE, replacing its American Depositary Receipts. The move is aimed at attracting more American investors and shifting its focus further to the US market, addressing concerns about a potential exit from the UK (Insider Paper, Reuters).

In other business news, oil prices fell 3% due to OPEC+'s plans to increase oil output. Barrick's chief of operations has been appointed interim CEO following the sudden departure of Mark Bristow (Reuters). In the tech world, a German music rights organization is suing OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement, claiming the company's AI systems used artists' lyrics without permission (Insider Paper).

Domestic and Social Issues

In the US, investigators are searching for a motive after a deadly attack at a Michigan church (Reuters). In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) published and then removed a report on first-cousin marriage after a public backlash. The report sparked a debate over cultural sensitivity versus health concerns, as it noted both the risks of inherited diseases and perceived benefits like family support (Fox News).

Today's VA Mortgage Rates

30-Year VA Loan Rates:

• 5.500% (Veterans United Home Loans, purchase rate)
• 5.375% (Navy Federal Credit Union)
• 7.43% (Bankrate, national average refinance rate)

15-Year VA Loan Rates:

• 4.875% (Navy Federal Credit Union)

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