International
Clashes between insurgents and the military cause 44 deaths in southern Pakistan
Clashes between insurgents and members of Pakistan’s security forces caused at least 22 deaths in the southern province of Balochistan, police sources reported on Monday, and that add to the death of 22 other travelers in the conflicting region at the hands of armed men.
In addition, at least three people died and 18 others were injured on Monday when a bomb exploded in a market in the northwest of the country, according to the police.
A first attack took place last night, when a group of insurgents tried to assault an Army camp in the Lasbela district, which resulted in a shooting that continues on Monday.
“We have no information about how many members of the security forces have died, but at least 12 insurgents have been killed in the exchange of fire so far,” an officer from the control room of the district police, Nasir Uddin, told EFE.
The assault was claimed in a statement by the main separatist group in the region, the Liberation Army of Balochistan (BLA), where he claimed to have taken “total control of all the main roads of Balochistan” and that 56 soldiers had died and dozens had been injured.
The insurgent formation also announced the launch of a large-scale operation throughout the province.
The district of Kalat was the scene of another shooting between insurgents and the Pakistani security forces, which began shortly before last midnight and ended in the death of ten people.
“In the exchange of fire, ten people were killed, including eight security officers, and another eleven were injured,” an officer of the Kalat Police control room, Abdullah Hussain, told EFE.
No insurgent group claimed the attack so far.
To these deaths is added the murder of 22 other people last night also in Balochistan, in an insurgent attack against travelers mostly from the Pakistani Punjab region.
These actions coincide with the 18th anniversary of the death of a popular Baluchi leader in a Pakistani Army operation.
Balochistan, where insurgent groups operate that fight for the independence of the region, is along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa one of the provinces of Pakistan that have experienced a greater increase in violence in recent years.
Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban, who took control of Kabul in August 2021, of sheltering insurgent groups such as their Pakistani ideological brothers, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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