Dozens killed as Pakistani army, fighters clash near Afghan border

The Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack on a military convoy, which triggered a deadly gunfight near the Afghan border in Pakistan’s northwest.

The confrontation involved Pakistani security forces and armed fighters, including members of banned groups such as the Pakistan Taliban, also referred to as “Khawarij” by the military. During an intelligence operation in Orakzai district, a fierce exchange of gunfire broke out, resulting in the deaths of eleven Pakistani military personnel, including Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif and Deputy Major Tayyab Rahat, along with nine other soldiers. Pakistani security officials indicated that the fighters ambushed the convoy with a roadside bomb before engaging in a firefight, with 19 fighters killed during the incident. The conflict underscores the ongoing violence in Pakistan’s northwest, attributed to militant groups seeking to overthrow the government and establish their interpretation of Islamic governance. The Pakistan Taliban has increased attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent months, leveraging neighboring Afghanistan for training and planning, a claim denied by both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses India of backing and funding these militant groups, a charge both countries deny. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces’ efforts and paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives, emphasizing their service amid escalating insurgent violence. The incident reflects broader regional tensions, with cross-border militant activity complicating Pakistan’s security landscape and ongoing efforts to combat extremism.

Is it legal for Trump to put his picture on US Mint dollar coin?

The Trump administration plans to issue a $1 commemorative coin featuring Donald Trump’s image on both sides, marking the US’s 250th anniversary, despite the longstanding norm against featuring living persons, especially sitting presidents, on US currency.

While US currency typically avoids depicting living people, there have been instances where living individuals, including presidents, appeared on US paper currency, such as Lincoln, Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, and General Winfield Scott, often through legal loopholes or special circumstances. Historically, legislation has prohibited portraying living persons on US coinage; for example, a 2007 law banning images of current or recent presidents on coins during certain periods, though this law specifically applied to a presidential series and not broadly to all coins. The legal framework for the proposed Trump coin comes from the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, signed by Trump in January 2021, which authorizes redesigns for various coins for the US’s 250th anniversary in 2026. This law explicitly prohibits images of living persons solely on the reverse (back) of coins within the series, but it does not explicitly ban portraits on the obverse (front) of the coin, potentially allowing Trump’s image on the front. From a legal standpoint, there appear to be no insurmountable obstacles preventing the creation of a Trump coin, especially if Congress does not intervene; presidential authority could potentially be exercised to produce such a coin. Experts suggest that challenging the coin’s legality might be difficult, as it’s unclear who would have standing to sue, and courts might see no direct harm resulting from its production. The longstanding tradition and norm in the US is not to feature living persons on coins, rooted in the country's republican values and historical practices, as the US sought to differentiate its currency from monarchies where reigning monarchs are depicted on coins. Despite this norm, previous examples exist where living individuals have appeared on US currency, such as a 1921 coin honoring Alabama’s first governor, a 1926 coin featuring Washington and Coolidge, a 1995 coin for the Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and a 2016 coin for Ronald and Nancy Reagan. There is also a recent example from Liberia, which in 2025 produced a coin depicting Trump as a Roman emperor, but such instances are rare and often limited to commemorative or special purpose coins. Overall, while there is some historical precedence and legal latitude for a Trump coin, such a move would break with long-standing tradition and could provoke political or public debate, but legally, it appears feasible under current legislation unless Congress explicitly blocks it.

LIVE: Israel kills 8 people in Gaza in 24 hours as talks under way in Egypt

Israel has carried out attacks killing eight Palestinians and injuring 61 others in Gaza within the past 24 hours, with total Palestinian casualties since October 7, 2023, reaching over 67,000 dead and nearly 170,000 injured.

Israeli forces also recovered two bodies from previous strikes, amidst ongoing intense military operations in Gaza. A new documentary, "Inside Gaza," features AFP journalists who were trapped during the initial Israeli attacks, highlighting their documentation of the suffering amid restricted access and discrediting efforts by Israel, with the journalists now residing in Qatar, Egypt, and the UK experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Gaza Strip faces critical humanitarian conditions with only 14 of its 36 hospitals partially operational, primarily due to shortages of electricity, water, medicine, and damaged infrastructure, forcing hospitals to endure repeated attacks and repairs.

The WHO reports that seven in ten pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza suffer from malnutrition, and a significant proportion of newborns are underweight or premature, pointing to worsening health crises. Humanitarian aid is severely impeded by Israeli restrictions, including the denial of access to northern Gaza to retrieve a neonatal incubator and repeated interception of aid vessels attempting to break the Gaza blockade, enhancing the humanitarian crisis. Tensions escalate as Israeli far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir provocatively entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, claiming ownership and provoking further unrest, which Palestinians and international observers condemn as a deliberate provocation. Several aid seekers near a food distribution center in southern Gaza were shot at by Israeli forces, causing injuries and deaths, further complicating efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies amid ongoing conflict. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is engaged in discussions with Hamas and advocates for Palestinian governance, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution and a ceasefire, especially following a request from US President Donald Trump. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad condemns Israel's interception of aid flotillas and wider violations of international law during the blockade of Gaza, criticizing the silence of European governments which they say encourages Israeli military actions. Additional conflicts include clashes near the Afghan border involving Pakistan's military, and international criticism of various figures' remarks on Gaza, highlighting the global and regional geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.

Pakistan’s mediation brings Gaza ceasefire closer, says PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a ceasefire in Gaza is closer than ever since the conflict began, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

The statement followed Hamas’s acceptance of key parts of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, including ending hostilities, Israel’s withdrawal, and the release of hostages and captives. Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, aiming to secure the release of Israeli hostages, and has instructed the military to reduce offensive activities in Gaza. Shehbaz highlighted the development as a significant step towards peace, expressing gratitude towards Trump and Arab countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia for their diplomatic efforts. He emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic and moral support to Palestinians and committed to working with international partners for a lasting peace in Palestine. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed Hamas’s response and insisted that it must now lead to an immediate ceasefire, the end of Palestinian suffering, hostage releases, and unrestricted humanitarian aid. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for establishing a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Dar engaged in diplomatic talks with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, discussing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and joint efforts for a ceasefire, emphasizing regional cooperation for peace and aid delivery.

In conversations with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Dar underlined the importance of a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access, and long-term peace efforts based on a two-state solution. Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia expressed support for ongoing diplomatic initiatives, highlighted the importance of an immediate ceasefire, and reaffirmed commitment to Palestine’s sovereignty, with negotiations focused on achieving a comprehensive peace settlement including East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.