Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter of Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, the United States Secret Service confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. ET (06:30 GMT) while Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington, D.C.

Authorities said the suspect, later identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from Cameron, North Carolina, was carrying a shotgun and a fuel canister when confronted by Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy. Officers ordered him to drop the items, but he raised the shotgun toward them, prompting them to fire and neutralise the threat. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Martin’s family had reported him missing hours before the shooting. Moore County authorities said the missing-person report was turned over to federal investigators. Officials are examining whether he acquired the firearm during his drive from North Carolina to Florida. A box for the shotgun was later recovered from his vehicle.

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Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the encounter: the suspect dropped the fuel can but lifted the shotgun into a threatening position. “At that point, agents fired their weapons to neutralise the threat,” Bradshaw said. Officers involved were equipped with body cameras, which captured the incident. The FBI is leading the investigation with support from the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Officials are analyzing bodycam footage, gathering evidence, and creating a psychological profile of the suspect. Authorities have yet to determine a motive.

Mar‑a‑Lago is heavily guarded, with an outer cordon maintained by local Palm Beach deputies and an inner perimeter secured by the Secret Service. Visitors are screened, and vehicles and bags are checked with metal detectors and sniffer dogs. The shooting adds to a history of threats against Trump. In July 2024, Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one bystander was killed and two others injured. Another would-be assassin, Ryan Routh, attempted an attack at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and was recently sentenced to life in prison. Following the Mar‑a‑Lago shooting, Secret Service Director Sean Curran traveled to Florida to oversee “after-actions” and reinforce operational communication and response protocols.

Political violence has become a prominent topic in the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized what he described as “normalizing violence” in politics, referencing previous assassination attempts and recent high-profile attacks, including the public shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and the fatal shootings of a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota. The FBI and Secret Service are continuing the investigation to determine the suspect’s motive and possible affiliations, with authorities pledging to release updates as more information becomes available.

Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service

Women, Children Killed as Pakistan Launches Overnight Strikes on Afghanistan

Pakistan has carried out deadly overnight airstrikes on Afghanistan, killing at least 18 people, including women and children, according to the Afghan Taliban, in a major escalation of Pakistan–Afghanistan tensions along their volatile border.

Islamabad confirmed that the operation involved precision airstrikes against seven alleged militant camps and hideouts close to the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, saying the attacks were launched in retaliation for recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan. Pakistani officials said the strikes were intelligence-based and aimed at eliminating armed groups accused of orchestrating cross-border attacks.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Pakistan of bombing civilian homes and a religious school. Afghan authorities described the attacks as a violation of national sovereignty and warned that continued military action could worsen regional instability.

According to Afghanistan’s defence ministry, the airstrikes hit civilian areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. In Girdi Kas village in the Bihsud district of Nangarhar, residents said entire families were affected when homes were destroyed. Local Taliban officials said 18 members of one family were killed, while only a few survived. Earlier casualty estimates had placed the death toll at around 20 people, though figures were later revised.

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In Paktika province, strikes reportedly hit a guesthouse and a religious school in the Bermal and Urgun districts. Local officials said those facilities were empty at the time, and no deaths were reported there.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the military action involved “selective targeting” of fighters linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad refers to as Fitna al Khawarij, as well as elements of the Islamic State-Khorasan Province. The ministry described the operation as a retributive response to terror attacks it said were planned from Afghan soil.

The latest escalation follows a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad earlier this month and additional assaults in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the start of Ramadan. Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban of failing to rein in militants, claiming it had conclusive evidence that some of the attacks were directed from across the border. Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing Afghan territory to be used against neighbouring countries.

In a strongly worded response, the Taliban’s defence ministry described the airstrikes as a “blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity” and a “clear breach of international law.” It warned that an “appropriate and measured response” would be taken at a suitable time, accusing Pakistan of flawed intelligence for hitting civilian targets and religious institutions.

The strikes come despite a fragile ceasefire reached in October after deadly cross-border clashes, the worst since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Although that truce reduced large-scale fighting, sporadic clashes and air operations have continued to strain relations.

Tensions had briefly eased earlier this week after Saudi Arabia mediated the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured during last year’s border clashes. However, analysts warn that the latest airstrikes could undermine diplomatic efforts, worsen humanitarian conditions in border communities, and heighten the risk of further retaliation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,600-mile mountainous border, long plagued by militancy, smuggling, and recurring military confrontations, making it one of the region’s most unstable frontiers.

Women, Children Killed as Pakistan Launches Overnight Strikes on Afghanistan

Trump Imposes 15% Global Tariff Hours After Supreme Court Blocks Previous Tariffs

President Donald Trump has announced a 15 % global tariff on imported goods just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his earlier tariff programme as unconstitutional. The decision marks a major escalation in U.S. trade policy and signals potential disruptions for global markets.

The Supreme Court, in a 6‑3 ruling, found that Trump overstepped his authority by using emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs. The Court ruled that only Congress has the power to levy broad import taxes, effectively invalidating the president’s previous tariffs on most trading partners.

In response, Trump moved swiftly to raise tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows temporary import duties of up to 15 % for 150 days without congressional approval. Trump described the increase as “fully allowed and legally tested” and indicated his administration will explore additional legally permissible tariffs in the coming months.

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Official statements confirmed that the new tariff takes immediate effect, covering imports from all countries. The White House framed the move as a measure to protect U.S. workers and industries from unfair foreign competition, even as analysts warn it could increase costs for consumers and invite retaliatory trade measures from other nations.

Economic and Political Reactions

The Supreme Court decision and Trump’s rapid tariff escalation drew mixed reactions. Business groups and economists cautioned that higher tariffs could disrupt supply chains, increase inflation, and slow economic growth. Some companies have already filed legal claims seeking refunds for previously collected tariffs.

Meanwhile, global trading partners are monitoring the situation closely, warning that the 15 % tariff could strain diplomatic and trade relations. Supporters of Trump’s trade stance argue that tougher tariffs are necessary to address U.S. trade deficits and protect domestic manufacturing.

Section 122 authority expires after 150 days unless Congress extends it, meaning the long-term enforcement of the 15 % tariff may require legislative backing. Analysts say the move highlights the tension between executive authority, judicial oversight, and congressional power in U.S. economic policymaking.

Global Implications

Markets around the world have reacted cautiously to the announcement. Some trading partners may implement retaliatory tariffs, while global supply chains could face disruptions, particularly in consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial sectors. Analysts predict that ongoing uncertainty will affect trade flows and investment decisions in the short term.

Trump’s announcement comes at a politically charged moment, with midterm elections and international trade negotiations influencing domestic and global economic strategies. The move underscores the complex interplay of law, politics, and economics in U.S. trade policy.

Trump Imposes 15% Global Tariff Hours After Supreme Court Blocks Previous Tariffs