Regal Chowk to be renamed Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Chowk

US President Donald Trump announced that the international Board of Peace has reached a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. Under the proposed framework, Hamas has agreed to the phased inventorying, storage, and decommissioning of its heavy and light weaponry under Palestinian supervision, marking the first time in the group’s history that it has accepted a formal plan to disarm completely. The agreement forms the core of the second phase of the US-brokered 20-point peace plan designed to end the long-running war. According to the terms, Israeli military forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza as disarmament milestones are met, transferring local security to an International Stabilisation Force operating alongside a newly formed Palestinian police force. Civil administration will simultaneously transition to a technocratic governing body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The breakthrough follows months of intensive negotiations in Cairo mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Internal momentum within Hamas shifted following leadership elections that elevated Gaza-based leader Khalil al-Hayya, alongside mounting pressure from the severe humanitarian crisis affecting over two million residents in the enclave. Senior Hamas officials confirmed their acceptance of the framework and indicated an official statement would be issued shortly, expecting mediators and the Board of Peace to guarantee Israeli compliance with the withdrawal timeline. Uncertainties remain regarding full implementation, as Israeli officials have expressed skepticism and maintained that complete demilitarisation remains a non-negotiable prerequisite. US officials acknowledged that whilst full disarmament and troop withdrawal could take up to a year, the consensus represents the most viable operational roadmap for ending the conflict to date.

King Charles III has expressed grief over the death of former British soldier and renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, who was killed in an avalanche on Broad Peak in northern Pakistan. According to international media reports, the British monarch paid tribute to Purja’s life and achievements. He said the former soldier had rendered distinguished service in the British Army before becoming one of the world’s most respected high-altitude climbers. King Charles praised Purja for his dedication, courage and outstanding achievements in mountaineering. He acknowledged that Purja earned global recognition after completing several challenging climbing expeditions and inspiring climbers around the world. The monarch said Purja’s contribution extended beyond mountaineering, noting that he had first built an impressive military career before gaining international fame through his record-breaking achievements in the world’s highest mountain ranges. Meanwhile, rescue teams in Pakistan continue recovery operations following the deadly avalanche on Broad Peak. Authorities have confirmed that the bodies of eight climbers who lost their lives in the incident have been recovered. Search and rescue teams are still looking for two missing mountaineers. The operation remains difficult because of harsh weather conditions, deep snow and the challenging terrain of one of the world’s highest peaks. Emergency personnel have continued the mission despite the risks, using all available resources to locate the remaining missing climbers. Officials said the operation will continue until all those affected by the tragedy are accounted for. The avalanche has shocked the international mountaineering community and prompted tributes from climbers, officials and supporters around the world. Many have remembered Nirmal Purja for his remarkable achievements, leadership and commitment to pushing the limits of high-altitude climbing. Broad Peak, located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range, is among the world’s highest mountains and is considered one of the most demanding peaks for climbers because of its extreme weather and difficult climbing conditions.

Yemen’s Houthi movement has rejected reports claiming it plans to charge commercial vessels for passing through the Red Sea, insisting that navigation through the strategic waterway remains free. In a statement issued by the Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), the group said its safe transit service for ships using the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is voluntary and does not involve any fees. It emphasized that no authorized Houthi body is collecting payments from shipping companies. The HOCC also warned shipping operators against making payments or sharing sensitive information with unauthorized individuals or organizations claiming to represent the group. It said any such demands are fraudulent and should not be recognized as official. The clarification came after recent reports suggested that the Houthis were considering introducing transit charges for vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The reports claimed the proposal had been discussed during meetings with Iranian officials and that plans were being explored to establish a system for regulating such payments. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Thousands of commercial vessels carrying oil, fuel and other goods use the passage every year, making it a vital corridor for global trade between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Security concerns in the Red Sea have remained high since attacks on commercial shipping began in late 2023. The conflict significantly disrupted international shipping, forcing many companies to divert vessels to longer and more expensive routes around southern Africa. Although attacks temporarily declined following a ceasefire last year, commercial traffic through the region has yet to return to previous levels. Shipping companies continue to monitor the security situation closely before routing vessels through the area. The latest reports have also prompted regional efforts to strengthen maritime security. Saudi Arabia recently announced a multinational maritime coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board has urged Congress to end months of legislative delays and pass a major aviation safety package aimed at reducing the risk of deadly midair collisions. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said lawmakers already have clear recommendations from investigators and should move quickly to turn them into law. Homendy said the agency has provided Congress with a detailed plan to strengthen aviation safety and prevent another disaster like the one that claimed dozens of lives near Washington last year. She stressed that the necessary reforms have been discussed for months and that it is now time for lawmakers to take action. Her appeal comes after the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army helicopter near Washington, DC. The crash killed 67 people and became the deadliest aviation accident in the United States since 2001. Following the tragedy, the House of Representatives approved a broad aviation safety bill in April with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 396 to 10 vote. The legislation includes dozens of recommendations made by investigators after the crash. The Senate had earlier passed its own proposal, known as the ROTOR Act, but the measure failed to secure enough support in the House under fast track voting procedures, leaving the reforms stalled. According to the NTSB, the collision could have been prevented if both aircraft had been equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast technology, commonly known as ADS-B. The system allows aircraft to continuously share their position with air traffic controllers and nearby aircraft, improving awareness in busy airspace and reducing the risk of collisions. Earlier this year, the NTSB concluded that failures within the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to the fatal accident. Investigators found that the FAA had allowed helicopters to operate too close to commercial flight paths near Washington’s airport without maintaining adequate separation. The agency was also criticized for failing to properly review safety data and for not acting on earlier recommendations to redirect helicopter traffic away from the area. The House approved legislation would require most US military aircraft to be fitted with collision prevention technology by 2031. Fighter jets, bombers and drones would be exempt from the requirement. The bill also introduces new standards for collision mitigation systems on civilian airplanes and helicopters to improve safety across the aviation sector. Lawmakers from both chambers are continuing negotiations to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation before a final bill can be approved. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford recently said the agency has been providing technical guidance to Congress throughout the legislative process. He noted that the FAA has the authority to expand the use of ADS-B technology without waiting for new legislation but said clear direction from Congress would provide a stronger framework for implementing long term safety improvements. The NTSB believes the proposed reforms would significantly strengthen aviation safety and reduce the chances of another catastrophic midair collision. With negotiations continuing in Congress, transportation officials are urging lawmakers to finalize the legislation as soon as possible to better protect passengers, flight crews and military personnel.