Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a fierce verbal assault on Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday. Khan accused the military leader of specifically targeting women in his family and alleged that the country is being governed under what he termed the "Dacoits and Duffers Alliance." This scathing attack represents a significant escalation in tensions between the imprisoned former premier and Pakistan's military establishment. Khan's inflammatory rhetoric highlights the deepening political crisis gripping Pakistan, where civil-military relations remain severely strained. The accusations against the Army chief underscore Khan's continued defiance despite his imprisonment and reflect the ongoing power struggle between civilian political leadership and military authorities that has dominated Pakistan's turbulent political landscape. (PC: The Hindu & Financial Times)

Former US President Donald Trump claimed that using paracetamol during pregnancy may raise the risk of autism in children. Experts, however, say there is no strong evidence to support this. Studies showing a link cannot prove causation, as genetics, environment, or illness could be factors. A large Swedish study of 2.5 million children found no real connection when comparing siblings. UK health authorities continue to recommend paracetamol as the safest painkiller during pregnancy. Doctors warn avoiding it could harm both mother and baby. Experts also caution that blaming parents adds stigma and misleads families. (PC: Sky News)

American actress Angelina Jolie expressed concern over free speech in the United States while attending Spain’s San Sebastián Film Festival. Presenting her latest film, Couture, Jolie said, “I love my country, but I don’t recognise it at this time,” citing threats to personal expression. She warned about the dangers of limiting freedom and the divisive times everyone is facing. Jolie, 50, plays Maxine Walker, a film director dealing with illness, divorce, and love. She also shared her personal connection to the role, reflecting on her own health struggles and the impact of cancer in her family. (PC: India Today)

France has formally recognised a Palestinian state, joining other countries that recently took the step. President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision at the UN in New York, saying “the time for peace has come.” He urged an end to the Gaza war and called for freeing Israeli hostages. Macron said only a two-state solution can bring lasting peace, with Israel and Palestine living side by side. Israel rejected the move, calling it a reward for Hamas. More than 65,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since October 2023. The EU also announced new funding to support Gaza’s reconstruction. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump shocked many by raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000, a 50-fold increase. The White House later clarified it applies only to new applicants, but confusion has unsettled Indian workers and US industries. Indian nationals make up over 70% of H-1B holders, many working in tech and medicine. Experts warn the high cost could cause US labor shortages, hurt hospitals, startups, and universities, and push skilled Indians to other countries. India’s IT sector may adapt by shifting work offshore. Analysts say the policy could weaken US innovation, competitiveness, and global talent flow. (PC: BBC)

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK and NATO would confront Russian planes operating in NATO airspace without permission. Speaking at the UN Security Council in New York, she called Russia’s actions “dangerous and reckless” and warned they could lead to direct armed conflict. “We stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend NATO’s skies and territory,” Cooper said. She expressed full solidarity with allies and warned President Putin of the risks. France, Slovakia, and other nations echoed her condemnation. As a UN Security Council permanent member, Russia can veto resolutions, limiting formal action against it. (PC: Reuters)

British pop star Dua Lipa has reportedly fired her agent, David Levy, after he signed a letter calling for Irish rap group Kneecap to be removed from the Glastonbury Festival. The letter, leaked before the event, urged festival founder Michael Eavis to drop the pro-Palestine band but was criticised in the music industry. Kneecap later performed as planned. Sources said Lipa viewed Levy’s action as support for Israel’s war in Gaza, which clashed with her pro-Palestine stance. The move comes as over 400 musicians signed the “No Music for Genocide” campaign, pulling their work from Israel in protest. (PC: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images via AFP)

France is preparing to recognise a Palestinian state, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia. The announcement is expected at the UN General Assembly in New York with support from other European nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the move, calling it “a huge reward to terrorism” and saying a Palestinian state “will not happen.” UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also urged Israel not to annex parts of the West Bank in response. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported 61 deaths from Israeli airstrikes in the last 24 hours, raising the total toll since October 2023 to 65,344. (PC: X)

At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed after the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday. Reports said eight LS-6 bombs hit Matre Dara village in Tirah Valley around 2am, targeting Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. Police claimed the Taliban stored explosives in a compound, which worsened the blasts. Opposition leaders condemned the attack, accusing the government of killing its own citizens. “This is an open crime against humanity,” PTI’s Abdul Ghani Afridi said. Locals shared videos showing injured children on makeshift beds. The Pakistan government has not issued a statement yet. (PC: HT)

Elon Musk's position on the H-1B visa program reflects a complex interplay of personal experience, corporate imperatives, and public statements that often appear contradictory. Musk himself entered the United States on an H-1B visa, a fact he credits with enabling his entrepreneurial journey and the growth of companies such as Tesla and SpaceX. While he openly praises the program for attracting critical talent from across the globe, he has also criticised its systemic flaws, calling it “broken” and advocating for reforms such as higher salary thresholds to prevent misuse and protect domestic workers. This nuanced stance places Musk at the center of a broader debate over immigration policy and its impact on the tech industry. (PC: AP)