Pakistan claims to have killed 145 terrorists in counterterrorism operations across Balochistan following coordinated suicide and gun attacks that killed 33 people, mostly civilians. Provincial Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the militants belonged to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, alleging Indian backing. The Saturday attacks killed 18 civilians, including five women and three children, and 15 security personnel. Bugti claimed some dead militants were Afghan nationals and accused Afghanistan of harboring BLA leaders despite the 2020 Doha agreement. The BLA, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US in 2025, regularly targets security forces and Chinese interests in resource-rich Balochistan, where separatist insurgency continues.

US President Donald Trump responded after the US Justice Department released millions of pages linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the documents “absolve me” and are “the opposite of what people were hoping.” He said others had reviewed the files and told him they clear his name. The Justice Department said some claims against Trump were “false” and “sensational.” Officials stressed that being named in the files does not prove wrongdoing. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial. (PC: AP)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a US attack would trigger a regional war. He said Iran would respond strongly if harmed. His warning came after Donald Trump said large and powerful US warships were moving towards the region. Trump did not say if the United States would strike but said talks were still possible. Iran’s army chief said forces were on high alert and “fingers are on the trigger”. Tensions rose further after deadly explosions in Iran, though officials denied foreign involvement. Fears of escalation across the Middle East continue to grow. (PC: Reuters, AP)

At least 12 people were killed after a Russian drone strike hit near a company shuttle bus in eastern Ukraine, officials said. Seven others were injured in the attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Energy firm DTEK said the bus was carrying mine workers returning after a shift and called it a targeted strike. Separate Russian attacks overnight killed three more people and injured several others. A drone strike also hit a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, injuring women in labour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said peace talks involving Russia and the US will now begin later this week. (PC: State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said former Prince Andrew should testify before a US congressional panel over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. His remarks came after new US Justice Department files showed Andrew stayed in contact with Epstein years after his 2008 conviction. The files include emails and images linked to Epstein’s network. Starmer said anyone with information must cooperate and share facts. Andrew, stripped of royal titles by King Charles III, has denied wrongdoing. US lawmakers renewed calls for his testimony. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. (PC: AP)

Billionaire Elon Musk spotlighted International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections showing a major shift in the global economic landscape in 2026, emphasizing that “the balance of power is changing.” According to IMF data, China and India together are expected to contribute about 43.6% of global real GDP growth, with China at 26.6% and India at 17%, markedly higher than the United States’ 9.9% share. The chart Musk shared on social media underlines an eastward shift in growth drivers, with Asia-Pacific economies leading global expansion amid ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions. (PC: Reuters)

A wave of coordinated militant attacks across Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province has become one of the deadliest in years, killing over 150 people, including civilians, security personnel and militants, officials said. Militants of the Baloch Liberation Army struck multiple locations — including Quetta, Gwadar and other towns — targeting security installations, banks and public sites. Pakistan’s military launched intense counter-operations, killing scores of militants and imposing sweeping security restrictions, including cutting mobile internet services to curb coordination. Islamabad vowed retaliation, while India rejected accusations of involvement in the unrest. (PC: Reuters)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any US attack would lead to a “regional war” as Washington increases its military presence near Iran. State-linked media quoted him saying Iran would not be intimidated by US naval deployments. The warning comes as Iran prepares live-fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. US Central Command said its forces are operating in nearby waters and cautioned Iran against unsafe actions. US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were under way and could produce an acceptable outcome. Iranian officials also confirmed progress on a negotiation framework.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be ready to give evidence to the US Congress if he has relevant information linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer said anyone holding useful details should share them and stressed that victims must come first. His remarks followed a new US Department of Justice release of Epstein case files, including photos that appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor inside Epstein’s New York residence. No context was provided with the images. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. US lawmakers earlier invited him to answer questions as part of their investigation. Being named or pictured in the files does not itself indicate wrongdoing. (PC: BBC)

U.S. President Donald Trump said India has agreed to buy oil from Venezuela rather than Iran, asserting a shift in New Delhi’s energy sourcing amid strained ties with Tehran. Trump stated that an agreement was already in place and emphasized the strategic move during comments aboard Air Force One. He framed the shift as part of a broader U.S. effort to reshape global oil trade and reduce reliance on Iran and Russia. There has been no official confirmation from the Indian government on a formal deal yet, and India continues to balance its energy needs with geopolitical pressures.