belgiums record wildfire
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Belgium’s record wildfire races toward German bo…

ByJustpaste.in

A wildfire in eastern Belgium has scorched around 3,000 hectares of woodland, peatland and moorland, becoming the country’s largest recorded wildfire and raising fears that flames could reach Germany.

The blaze erupted in the High Fens nature reserve, an area known for forests and fragile wetlands. Firefighters, soldiers, farmers and crews from neighboring countries have joined the operation, using helicopters, water-bombing aircraft and ground vehicles to battle the flames.

Authorities have evacuated around 600 residents from nearby areas and warned those who left their homes not to return yet. The fire has spread through difficult terrain, while dry vegetation and recent heatwaves have made containment challenging.

Rain that began falling on Monday offered firefighters a welcome boost, increasing humidity and lowering temperatures. However, officials remain cautious as the fire continues to threaten parts of the region near the German border.

The scale of the blaze has shocked Belgium, with officials saying it is far larger than the previous national wildfire record set in 2011.

The disaster comes as much of Europe faces intense heat and drought, conditions that are increasing wildfire risks across the continent. Authorities are investigating what caused the Belgian fire.

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    Saudi Arabia rolls over $5bn Pakistan deposit

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan’s external financing pressure has eased after Saudi Arabia extended a $5 billion deposit for another three years, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad said on Wednesday. The rollover will give Pakistan additional breathing space as it manages its external debt obligations and works to strengthen its foreign exchange position. According to the governor, the Saudi deposit has been extended until December 2028. The development has reduced Pakistan’s gross external financing requirement for the current fiscal year to around $21.5 billion. Pakistan has received a total of $8 billion in deposits from Saudi Arabia. This includes $3 billion received in April this year. The remaining $5 billion had previously been rolled over annually. The latest arrangement provides Pakistan with a longer repayment period and reduces immediate pressure on its external account. Ahmad said lower interest costs on foreign debt had also helped reduce Pakistan’s financing requirements. He estimated the reduction at nearly $500 million. Pakistan continues to rely significantly on external financing to meet debt repayments and cover external account needs. The government is seeking to increase exports, attract investment and improve other sources of foreign exchange. The governor said the International Monetary Fund has projected Pakistan’s external financing requirements at around $30 billion for the next fiscal year. However, he said the estimate could be revised downward if the government succeeds in securing additional longer-term financing and improving external inflows. According to Ahmad, Pakistan’s $21.5 billion financing requirement includes around $7.3 billion in cash deposits and approximately $3.5 billion in foreign commercial loans maturing during the year. Pakistan also owes around $250 million to Kuwait through a long-standing cash deposit arrangement. The governor did not comment on reports concerning Pakistan’s request for a $10 billion credit facility from the United States. He said the federal government would be in a better position to respond to the matter. Pakistan also repaid a $1.3 billion Chinese commercial loan during July. The repayment temporarily reduced the country’s foreign exchange reserves to around $17.3 billion as of July 17. Ahmad said China was expected to refinance the amount, with the funds potentially arriving next month. Of Pakistan’s total external financing needs, around $7.5 billion represents net debt repayments. The country had already repaid approximately $2.2 billion during July, reducing the pressure for the remaining months of the fiscal year. The central bank governor also revealed that the State Bank had purchased around $9 billion from the local foreign exchange market during the previous fiscal year. The purchases were aimed at strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Over the past three years, the central bank’s total purchases from the market have reached around $28 billion. The State Bank expects workers’ remittances to continue supporting Pakistan’s external position. Remittances are projected to help finance a significant portion of the expected trade deficit. The central bank has also set a target of increasing foreign exchange reserves to $20.20 billion by the end of December 2026. Meanwhile, Ahmad told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that the federal government had not allocated a subsidy for remittance transfers. He said commercial banks would now bear the cost of transferring workers’ remittances. Overseas Pakistanis sending money home would not be charged additional transfer fees. The committee also reviewed banking charges and services, including SMS alerts and card transactions.

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    Healthy diet out of reach for one in three people globally, UN report reveals

    ByJustpaste.in

    One in three people worldwide, approximately 2.69 billion individuals, cannot afford a healthy, nutrient-rich diet, according to a joint report by five United Nations agencies. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 calculates the global average cost of a healthy diet at 4.28 purchasing power parity (PPP) dollars per day. This figure significantly exceeds the international extreme poverty line of $3 PPP per person, placing diverse, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and lean meats out of economic reach for billions. Public health experts note that historic agricultural subsidies have heavily favoured starchy staples over nutrient-dense options, driving a global surge in adult obesity rates from 12.1 per cent in 2012 to 16.2 per cent in 2024. While global hunger declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, affecting 7.8 per cent of the world’s population compared to 8.1 per cent in 2024, regional disparities remain severe. Africa has become home to the highest absolute number of hungry people for the first time, with roughly 309 million affected. Across the continent, 66.6 per cent of the population was unable to afford a healthy diet in 2025, more than double the rates observed in Asia or Latin America. UN officials warn that ongoing disruptions to maritime trade, alongside potential climate shocks, threaten to reverse recent progress and jeopardise international targets to eliminate global hunger by 2030.

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    Bangladesh signals interest in joining Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye defence framework

    ByJustpaste.in

      DHAKA: Bangladesh has indicated that it is open to joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, as Dhaka looks to broaden its strategic partnerships while maintaining a foreign policy centred on national interests. According to the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kobir said the country maintained a positive outlook towards the possibility of becoming part of an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. Kobir said any decision regarding participation would be considered in light of Bangladesh’s national interests as well as changing global economic and trade dynamics. He stressed that Dhaka was pursuing a balanced foreign policy under its “Bangladesh First”approach, with national priorities remaining at the heart of its international engagement. He said Bangladesh was also working to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Pakistan through normal diplomatic channels. According to Kobir, the two countries were particularly focusing on expanding trade and improving people-to-people contacts and connectivity. The Bangladeshi adviser’s remarks come amid signs of improving diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and Islamabad. He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Riyadh, following an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman was expected to be finalised after the summer. The possibility of Bangladesh joining the defence framework comes shortly after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on August 7. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three participating countries is to be treated as an attack against all three. The pact also provides a framework for greater defence cooperation, coordination and collective deterrence among the signatories. The agreement has attracted regional and international attention because of its potential to expand security cooperation among key Muslim-majority countries. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has described the arrangement as technically comparable to NATO’s Article 5 principle of collective defence, while emphasising that the agreement is not aimed at Iran or any other specific country. Ankara has also suggested that the framework could potentially be expanded to include additional regional states. Egypt has previously been mentioned as a possible participant in the broader security arrangement. Pakistan has similarly maintained that the agreement is defensive in character and is not directed against any particular country. Islamabad has also indicated that the framework remains open to states that are willing to support its principles and objectives. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said the agreement does not seek to replace existing bilateral or multilateral defence and security arrangements. Instead, he said, it provides an additional platform for cooperation based on mutual respect, shared interests and peaceful resolution of disputes. Bangladesh’s latest position suggests that Dhaka is carefully assessing emerging regional partnerships while seeking to preserve strategic flexibility. Its potential participation could further broaden the Makkah agreement’s regional significance and strengthen cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and other interested countries. For Bangladesh, however, any decision to join would ultimately depend on how the proposed framework aligns with its national interests, foreign policy priorities and assessment of the evolving regional and global security environment.

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    AJK fully prepared for polls as Mirpur voting begi…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MUZAFFARABAD, July 26: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) authorities have completed preparations for the first phase of the general elections, with polling scheduled to begin in the Mirpur division on Monday. AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said all necessary arrangements had been finalised for the elections. He assured voters that the process would be conducted peacefully, transparently and fairly. Speaking at a joint press conference with Election Commission Secretary Raja Mohammad Shakeel Khan, the chief secretary said the formal election process would begin on July 27 in accordance with the Constitution. He said polling material had already been sent to returning officers and all state institutions were ready to perform their responsibilities during the elections. Around 17,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain peace during polling. Police contingents from all four provinces will also assist AJK Police with security arrangements. Khushal warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb law and order or interfere with the electoral process. Authorities are also monitoring social media activity ahead of polling. The chief secretary said action would be taken against individuals involved in spreading misleading propaganda aimed at creating confusion or disrupting the elections. Election Commission Secretary Raja Mohammad Shakeel Khan said preparations for the first phase in Mirpur division had been completed. Polling material has already been delivered to the relevant polling stations. Around 22,000 election staff have been assigned duties for the voting process. Khan said election personnel had received training to ensure that polling is conducted efficiently and transparently. He said the chief election commissioner recently visited Mirpur and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. Police, Rangers and the Federal Constabulary have also been placed on high alert. Security officials will remain deployed to protect polling stations and voters. Khan urged citizens to participate in the elections. He described voting as one of the most important democratic rights available to the public. He also warned voters about misleading material circulating online. According to him, old videos related to election boycotts were being reshared on social media to create confusion. The election official said no major untoward incident had been reported during the campaign. He added that political parties and candidates had accepted the election code of conduct. He urged voters to ignore rumours and uncertainty and cast their votes for their preferred candidates. The first phase of the AJK general elections will be held across Mirpur division on July 27. The AJK Information Department has separately urged media organisations and journalists to exercise extra caution during election coverage. It asked them to publish only verified and balanced information, particularly during polling, counting and the announcement of results. The department also warned against sharing unverified material that could create panic, confuse voters or affect public order during the sensitive election period.

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