The Last of Us

President Trump ordered US military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen to be called off, according to a Fox News report. The sudden reversal drew immediate attention, with viewers weighing in heavily on the decision. The move affects ongoing US operations against the Iranian-backed group, which has attacked shipping in the Red Sea, and raises questions about the direction of American policy in the region.

A intense week of international diplomacy has raised the question of whether negotiations made real progress toward ending the war between the United States and Iran. Commentators and analysts are weighing what the round of high-level talks actually achieved, with observers divided on whether the diplomacy brought the two sides closer to a ceasefire or a lasting settlement.

A Baghdad official says the US military has completed its withdrawal from Iraq, marking the end of the American military presence that lasted for over two decades. The announcement is drawing attention to what comes next for Iraq's security situation and US-Iraq relations, with details about the timing and terms of the pullout still emerging.

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972, prompting questions about why the gap lasted more than five decades. Commentators point to shifting political priorities, soaring costs, and the cancellation of earlier programs like Constellation as reasons the US pause extended so long.

The United States and China have agreed to a trade truce, pausing escalation in their ongoing tariff conflict as economic and political pressure mounts on both sides. The deal is being read as a temporary measure that buys time for negotiations rather than a lasting resolution, with observers watching to see whether talks can ease tensions before the truce expires.

Reporting from Taipei frames Taiwan as the potential deciding factor in the escalating technology rivalry between the United States and China. Taiwan's tech industry produces more than 90 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors, the chips that power AI servers, giving the island outsized strategic importance as both superpowers compete for dominance in artificial intelligence.

Attention is turning to the unresolved issues separating the United States and Iran as discussion of a possible peace deal continues. Key sticking points reportedly include Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and regional security concerns. Analysts and observers are weighing what concessions each side would need to make for negotiations to produce a lasting agreement between the two countries.

US stocks have continued climbing even as bond yields surge, a divergence that has caught investors' attention. The Wall Street Journal examined past episodes of rising yields alongside strong equity markets, finding that such periods often end badly, with stocks eventually correcting as borrowing costs weigh on valuations and economic growth.

President Trump has called for trilateral arms control negotiations between the United States, China and Russia, following Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit. The proposal comes amid ongoing tensions over nuclear arsenals and would mark a shift from bilateral US-Russia arms control frameworks. Observers are debating whether such three-way talks are realistic given current diplomatic friction between Washington and Beijing.

Poland has proposed paying the United States $15,000 a year for every American soldier stationed on its territory, along with covering the full infrastructure costs needed to establish a permanent US military base in the country. The offer reflects Warsaw's push to lock in a lasting American military presence amid ongoing security concerns in the region.

A proposed Truth and Healing Commission to investigate the history of US federal Indian boarding schools remains pending before Congress as the Day of Remembrance approaches. The commission would document abuses and lasting harms inflicted on Native American children at the schools. Advocates say formal reckoning and acknowledgment are overdue, keeping pressure on lawmakers to advance the legislation.

The US Supreme Court's SAVE ruling is being read as a signal that the Court could weaken a key protection that limits last-minute voter purges ahead of federal elections. Election law watchers say the decision may make it easier for states to remove voters close to Election Day, a practice critics warn risks disenfranchising eligible voters with little time to correct errors.

Standard Chartered is forecasting two further rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve before mid-2027, according to a report picked up by BusinessToday Malaysia. Despite the expectation of tighter monetary policy, the bank says it remains overweight on equities, suggesting it believes stock markets can still perform as rates rise. The outlook offers investors a view on how long the Fed's tightening cycle may last.

US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump chose decisive action only after diplomatic efforts had failed, according to remarks carried by DD News. The statement did not specify which action was being defended, but it frames the administration's move as a last resort following stalled negotiations. Comment is focused on what the decisive step was and its consequences.

Micron Technology, the US memory chip maker, is generating strong cash flows amid surging demand for its memory products. Analysts and investors are asking whether the company's momentum can continue, as the memory market is known for sharp cycles between shortages and gluts that can quickly reverse fortunes.

The Texas Observer reports, citing Gaige Davila, that the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in South Texas — once called a "crown jewel" of US protected spaces — faces mounting pressure from border wall construction. A final lawsuit is being weighed as a way to slow the wall's progress until Congress can intervene to protect the refuge.

Japan has gone from a national rice shortage to a rice surplus within roughly two years. The turnaround is attributed to a combination of factors: drought that squeezed harvests and drove panic buying, a surge in inbound tourism that boosted demand, and pressure linked to the United States, including trade considerations. The reversal is drawing attention to how quickly food supply dynamics can shift and what it means for prices and farm policy.

Lowe's has entered the drone delivery market, becoming one of the latest major US retailers to experiment with aerial delivery of home improvement products to customers. Details on partners, launch locations and timelines remain limited, but the move follows a broader retail push toward drone logistics as companies seek faster last-mile delivery options.

Major US airlines are waiving change fees for travellers across the Northeast as a nor'easter brings disruptive winter weather to the region. The waivers let passengers rebook flights without paying the usual change charges, a standard move ahead of storms expected to cause cancellations and delays. Travellers in affected airports are being urged to check their flight status and take advantage of the flexibility while it lasts.

The Last of Us season 3 has reportedly cast two actors from the video games, joining a major Hollywood star for the HBO adaptation's next run. The news has been picked up by entertainment outlets and is generating chatter among fans of the franchise, who are eager to see which game characters will appear on screen and how the new cast members fit into the show's story.

The Baltimore Ravens beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 on the final play of their NFL game in Brazil, winning on a walk-off field goal. Sports outlets are also highlighting an undefeated start for the Raiders and Vikings, plus a Commanders upset over the Seahawks. Fans across the US, UK and Mexico are discussing the dramatic finish.

The National League batting title will be decided on the season's final day, with Venezuelan catchers and hitters Salvador Perez-style drama as William Moreno and Luis Arráez enter the last game separated in the batting race. Venezuelan media are closely following the showdown, with both players needing strong final-day performances to claim the crown, keeping baseball fans in Venezuela and the US on edge until the last out.

HBO's The Last of Us has officially cast two actors from the original video games for its upcoming third season, according to Collider. The move continues the show's practice of bringing in talent connected to the source material, a point of interest for fans of the games. Details about which characters the two will play have not yet been announced.