International

US President Donald Trump has reacted to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s decision to leave her position with a light-hearted remark about her choice to spend more time with her young children. During an interview correspondent Alexis McAdams, Trump was asked about the possibility of finding a replacement for Leavitt. The president spoke positively about her work and described her performance as highly successful. Trump praised Leavitt for doing a “great job” as press secretary but then made a joke about her priorities. He said he was “very concerned” after learning that Leavitt apparently liked spending time with her children more than being around him. The comment was made in a humorous tone, but it quickly attracted attention because Leavitt’s decision to leave the White House is closely connected to her family responsibilities. Leavitt announced last week that she planned to step down from the position at the end of August. She explained that her decision was motivated by a desire to dedicate more time to her young family. Her departure marks a significant change for the White House communications team. As press secretary, Leavitt has been one of the administration’s most visible representatives, regularly appearing before reporters and defending the president’s policies. Trump has repeatedly praised Leavitt and described her as one of the strongest press secretaries he has worked with. Although she is leaving her official position, Trump has indicated that he wants her to remain connected to his administration. According to the president, Leavitt will continue to contribute as an outside adviser after stepping down. This would allow her to maintain a relationship with the administration while giving her greater flexibility to focus on her family. During the same interview, Trump also appeared to raise the possibility of Alexis McAdams becoming Leavitt’s successor. Addressing the Fox News correspondent directly, he asked whether she would be interested in taking over the White House briefing room podium. McAdams has experience covering the Trump administration and frequently reports on political developments. Trump’s question therefore prompted speculation about whether she could be considered for the position, although it was not clear whether his comments represented a serious proposal or another informal remark during the interview. The exchange quickly spread across social media and generated mixed reactions. Some viewers interpreted Trump’s comments about Leavitt as typical of his joking and informal style. Supporters viewed the remark as a humorous way of acknowledging the importance of family in Leavitt’s decision. Others, however, were critical of the joke. They argued that Leavitt’s choice to step away from one of the most demanding political communications jobs in Washington in order to spend more time with her children should be treated seriously rather than used as the subject of a public punchline. Leavitt’s departure also highlights the challenges faced by high-profile officials who attempt to balance demanding political careers with family life. The White House press secretary position requires frequent public appearances, media briefings, travel and long working hours, making it particularly demanding for anyone with young children. Despite the joking tone of Trump’s comments, his praise for Leavitt made clear that he considers her contribution to the administration valuable. His decision to retain her as an outside adviser suggests that he wants to continue benefiting from her experience and communication skills. The White House is now expected to determine who will take over the daily briefing role once Leavitt leaves at the end of August. Until then, attention will remain focused on her final weeks as press secretary and on who may eventually step behind the White House briefing room podium.

Iran’s annual inflation rate has climbed to 66%, highlighting the growing pressure on household budgets as the prices of essential goods continue to rise sharply across the country. According to Iranian media reports, food and beverage prices recorded the most significant increase, rising by 128.1% compared with the same period last year. The steep increase has made everyday necessities considerably more expensive and placed additional strain on consumers, particularly low- and middle-income families. Officials and economic observers have increasingly raised concerns over the rapid rise in the cost of basic commodities. Reports indicate that the prices of at least eight essential items have more than doubled over the past 12 months. The sharp increase has reduced consumers’ purchasing power and made it increasingly difficult for many households to maintain their usual standard of living. The latest figures also point to continued price pressure on a monthly basis. Iran recorded a monthly inflation rate of 3.1% in July, according to the Iranian news agency. Although the monthly increase appears smaller than the annual rise, continued month-on-month price growth can further intensify inflationary pressures if the trend persists. The surge in food prices is particularly significant because food represents a major portion of household spending. Rising costs for basic groceries can quickly affect family budgets, leaving consumers with less money for other necessities such as housing, transportation, healthcare and education. Iran has faced persistent economic challenges in recent years, including currency pressures, high living costs and restrictions affecting trade and economic activity. The latest inflation figures add to concerns about the country’s economic outlook and the financial difficulties facing ordinary citizens. With food and other essential commodities recording exceptionally high annual increases, Iranian households are likely to remain under significant financial pressure unless inflation begins to slow substantially in the coming months.

  The United States’ crude oil reserves have declined sharply since tensions with Iran began escalating, reaching their lowest level in approximately 45 years, according to recent data. The significant reduction in oil stockpiles has raised concerns among energy experts and policymakers about the country’s energy security and its ability to respond to potential supply disruptions in the future. According to a chart released by Bank of America, the United States currently has enough crude oil supplies to meet approximately 43 days of demand. This marks the lowest level since July 1983, highlighting a substantial decline in available reserves. Analysts consider this an important indicator of the country’s energy preparedness, particularly at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East. The decline in reserves comes amid ongoing tensions involving Iran, a key player in global energy markets. Any instability in the region has the potential to affect international oil supplies and prices, making reserve levels an important measure of a country’s ability to withstand disruptions. As geopolitical risks continue to rise, the shrinking U.S. oil inventory has drawn increased attention from financial institutions and energy analysts. Recent figures released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirm that both commercial and strategic crude oil reserves have remained under sustained pressure. As of July 10, the country’s commercial crude oil inventories stood at approximately 409.7 million barrels. This represents a level that is nearly 6 percent below the five-year average, indicating that inventories remain significantly lower than what is typically considered normal for this time of year. Commercial oil inventories play a vital role in meeting the daily energy demands of industries, transportation, and consumers. Lower-than-average stockpiles may leave the market more vulnerable to unexpected supply disruptions, refinery outages, or sharp increases in demand, particularly during periods of economic growth or geopolitical instability. In addition to commercial reserves, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)—the United States’ emergency oil stockpile maintained for national security purposes—has also declined substantially. According to the latest data, the SPR fell to approximately 316.5 million barrels as of July 18, marking its lowest level since April 1983. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is designed to provide emergency supplies during severe energy crises, natural disasters, or major disruptions in global oil markets. The continued reduction in the SPR has prompted discussions among energy experts regarding the need to replenish the reserve and strengthen the country’s emergency preparedness. While portions of the reserve have been released in recent years to help stabilize fuel prices and address supply concerns, rebuilding these stockpiles has become an increasingly important policy consideration. When commercial inventories and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve are combined, the United States’ total crude oil reserves currently stand at approximately 730.8 million barrels. This places overall U.S. oil stockpiles among their lowest levels in more than four decades, underscoring the long-term decline in available reserves. Energy analysts note that reserve levels alone do not necessarily indicate an immediate shortage, as the United States remains one of the world’s largest oil producers. However, lower inventories reduce the country’s flexibility in responding to unexpected supply shocks or prolonged geopolitical crises. The sharp decline in U.S. oil reserves serves as a significant reminder of the challenges facing global energy markets. With geopolitical tensions, fluctuating production levels, and evolving energy policies continuing to shape the industry, maintaining adequate strategic and commercial reserves remains a key priority for ensuring long-term energy security and economic stability in the United States.

France has approved legislation that will restrict children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, with the new rules expected to take effect in January 2027. Under the law, social media platforms will have to verify the age of every user before allowing access to their services. The government says the measure aims to protect children from the potential harmful effects of excessive social media use, particularly concerns surrounding mental health, online safety, and exposure to inappropriate content. The move would make France the first European country to introduce such a broad age-based restriction on social media access. Authorities believe stronger safeguards are necessary as concerns continue to grow over the impact of social media on young people’s emotional well-being and development. The new rules will require social media companies to introduce reliable age-verification systems to prevent children below the minimum age from creating or maintaining accounts. The government is expected to work with technology companies and regulators to ensure that platforms comply with the new requirements. The decision comes as several other countries consider similar measures. The United Kingdom and the European Union are also examining ways to strengthen protections for children online, including possible age restrictions and tighter controls on social media platforms. Supporters of the French legislation argue that children need greater protection from the risks associated with prolonged social media exposure. However, the policy may also face challenges over privacy, enforcement, and how platforms can verify users’ ages without collecting excessive personal information.

A woman who says she was sexually exploited by convicted American financier Jeffrey Epstein has alleged that he continued to abuse her even while serving a sentence for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Rosa Jiles, an alleged survivor of Epstein’s abuse, said she faced sexual exploitation by him in 2009, when he was serving his sentence following a conviction related to prostitution involving an underage girl. According to Jiles, Epstein showed no remorse for his crimes and continued to prey on young women despite his criminal conviction. Jiles said her ordeal began when she was 18 and living in Uzbekistan. She claimed that a modeling agent offered her an opportunity to travel to the United States, but after she arrived, the agency placed her under financial pressure by charging her for expenses including rent, visa costs and other fees. To earn additional money, Jiles said she eventually took a receptionist job at one of Epstein’s offices. She recalled meeting Epstein for the first time in Palm Beach, Florida, where she alleged that he forced her to undress and sexually assaulted her on the same day. Jiles further claimed that the abuse continued regularly, particularly during weekends at a property in West Palm Beach. She said the alleged sexual exploitation did not end after Epstein’s release from house arrest in 2010 and continued in New York as well. According to Jiles, the experience left her convinced that authorities would never stop Epstein. She said she eventually managed to escape his control after becoming financially independent and gaining the ability to support herself. Jiles also alleged that Epstein never demonstrated genuine regret for his actions. In her account, his criminal conviction did not stop him from continuing to exploit vulnerable young women. Her allegations add to the accounts of women who have publicly described abuse and exploitation connected to Epstein, whose crimes and relationships with powerful figures drew international attention. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.

  India’s Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the country’s education system, describing it as deeply flawed, expensive, and plagued by irregularities. His remarks came while expressing solidarity with students who have been protesting over issues related to entrance examinations and alleged paper leaks. Speaking on the growing concerns surrounding India’s education sector, Rahul Gandhi said he fully supports the feelings, frustrations, and struggles of students. He stated that the anger displayed by young people is understandable, considering the hardships they have been facing in recent years. According to him, the treatment meted out to students has naturally led to widespread dissatisfaction and protests. Rahul Gandhi argued that India’s education system is not only affected by corruption and alleged manipulation but has also become financially unbearable for ordinary families. He said that the cost of appearing in entrance examinations has increased significantly, placing an enormous financial burden on parents and students. He criticized what he described as an education system that forces families to spend huge amounts of money merely to compete for admission to educational institutions. The Congress leader claimed that charging such high fees for entrance examinations amounts to exploiting families who are already making financial sacrifices to secure a better future for their children. He said many parents invest their savings and borrow money in the hope that their children will receive quality education and fair opportunities. However, according to him, the current system fails to reward those sacrifices. Rahul Gandhi further alleged that after collecting large sums of money from students and their families, authorities often announce that examination papers have been leaked or compromised. He said such incidents destroy the trust of students who spend months, and in many cases years, preparing for highly competitive entrance examinations. The cancellation of exams or questions surrounding their credibility not only wastes students’ time but also causes severe emotional stress and uncertainty about their future. He maintained that repeated incidents of paper leaks and examination irregularities have created frustration among young people across the country. In his view, students have every right to raise their voices and demand accountability from the authorities responsible for conducting these examinations. Gandhi said the protests taking place on the streets reflect the genuine concerns of India’s youth rather than being acts of unnecessary agitation. According to Rahul Gandhi, the government should focus on creating a transparent, affordable, and reliable education system that ensures equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial background. He emphasized that education should empower young people instead of becoming a source of anxiety, financial hardship, and disappointment. His comments come at a time when debates over examination management, paper leak allegations, and the rising cost of education continue to dominate public discussion in India. Student groups and opposition parties have repeatedly demanded stronger safeguards to prevent examination irregularities and greater accountability from the authorities. Rahul Gandhi concluded by reiterating his support for students, saying their concerns are legitimate and deserve immediate attention. He stressed that the future of the country depends on its youth and that protecting the integrity of the education system should be a national priority.