देश-विदेश

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    Newcastle complete signing of goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Braga

    ByJustpaste.in

    Newcastle, currently without a permanent manager, announced Monday that they have signed Czech Republic goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek from Portuguese club Braga. Hornicek has agreed to a five year contract after Newcastle triggered his 30 million euro release clause, a fee equivalent to roughly 25.7 million pounds or 34.6 million dollars. He becomes the club’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window. The 24 year old, who is expected to challenge Nick Pope for the starting goalkeeper role, described the past few days as an emotional experience since first learning of the move, and said he is thrilled to have completed the transfer. He said he is aware of Newcastle’s reputation as a major football city, pointing to the roughly 52,000 fans who fill St James’ Park and create an atmosphere he said pushes the team in every match, adding that he is eager to play in front of them. Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson said Hornicek has firmly established himself as one of the top young goalkeepers in Europe. The signing comes during a turbulent period for the club. Eddie Howe stepped down as Newcastle manager last week after five years in charge, following a difficult campaign that saw the team finish 12th in the Premier League. The club has also faced a challenging summer transfer window on other fronts. Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has completed a move to Tottenham, while England forward Anthony Gordon has departed for Barcelona. Captain Bruno Guimaraes has also been strongly linked with a switch to Premier League champions Arsenal. Newcastle will open their Premier League season at home against Liverpool on August 23.

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    Auqib Nabi earns maiden India call-up as replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah

    ByJustpaste.in

    Right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi has been added to India’s squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, replacing injured fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The series begins in Galle on August 15, followed by a second Test in Colombo on August 23. It marks India’s first assignment in the World Cup Test Championship cycle since a 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in 2025. Auqib, a tall right-arm quick from Jammu and Kashmir, earns his first national call-up after strong performances in domestic cricket. He topped the wicket-taking charts in India’s premier first-class competition, the Ranji Trophy, across the past two seasons. He played a central role in Jammu and Kashmir’s historic Ranji Trophy title win, taking 60 wickets in 17 innings during that campaign, an effort that earned him the player of the tournament award. He also featured for India A against Sri Lanka A during a recently concluded tour, picking up six wickets across two four-day matches. Should he make his Test debut in the upcoming series, Auqib would become the first cricketer from Jammu to represent India in the format. Across his first-class career, Auqib has taken 162 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 18.63, including four ten-wicket hauls in a match and 16 five-wicket innings hauls. Bumrah, meanwhile, has been ruled out after failing to recover in time from a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series against England. He had originally been named in India’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour before the setback. His workload has been closely monitored since he suffered a back injury during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, and the recent ODI series against England marked his first appearance in the format since the 2023 World Cup final. India’s updated squad for the Sri Lanka Tests reads: Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), B Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.

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    No date finalised for renewed US-Iran talks, sources say

    ByJustpaste.in

    Efforts to revive direct negotiations between the United States and Iran are continuing through diplomatic channels, but no date or venue has been finalised for the next round of talks, according to informed sources. The sources said discussions are ongoing with the help of mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, who are working with both Washington and Tehran to arrange a fresh round of negotiations aimed at reducing tensions and restoring dialogue after months of conflict. Officials familiar with the process said there is currently no scheduled meeting between American and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad. They added that both Islamabad and Doha remain possible venues for future talks, although no final decision has been made. According to the sources, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is expected to visit Tehran in the coming days to discuss diplomatic efforts and explore ways to help restart negotiations between the two countries. Diplomatic contacts between the two sides have reportedly continued despite recent hostilities, with mediators exchanging messages in an effort to revive dialogue under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year. The sources said both countries are expected to begin with indirect discussions through mediators before moving to direct negotiations. The initial phase is likely to focus on maintaining the current reduction in hostilities and building mutual confidence rather than addressing Iran’s nuclear programme. One of the main issues expected to dominate future discussions is the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes. Mediators are reportedly working on proposals to ensure safe maritime navigation and reduce tensions in the Gulf. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said there are currently no direct negotiations taking place with the United States. Iranian officials confirmed that Tehran is engaged in discussions with Oman regarding a temporary maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz but stressed that these talks should not be interpreted as an agreement to fully reopen the strategic waterway. Iran also maintained that any broader agreement would depend on changes in the regional security situation and an end to what it described as continued US pressure. Regional tensions remained high as Iranian media reported that the country’s Revolutionary Guard had shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, several oil tankers reportedly changed their shipping routes to avoid potential security threats near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, increasing transportation costs for energy shipments. At the same time, Israel launched military exercises involving naval and ground forces, saying the drills had been planned in advance. Israeli forces also continued military operations in southern Lebanon, while cross-border tensions remained elevated despite an existing ceasefire. US President Donald Trump recently said he had postponed a planned military strike against Iran after receiving requests from regional countries to allow more time for diplomacy. He expressed hope that negotiations could eventually lead to agreements on the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional security issues.

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    Italy’s fourth summer heat wave peaks as rec…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Italy’s fourth heat wave of the summer reached its most intense point on Monday, with a record 25 cities placed under red heat alerts as temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, according to local media reports. Italy’s Health Ministry raised the number of cities under its highest heat risk warning from 23 on Sunday to 25 on Monday, marking the highest total recorded so far this summer. Only Reggio Calabria and Messina avoided the red alert designation, though both remained under yellow level warnings. The Po Valley and central regions of the country are experiencing the harshest conditions, while inland areas and Sardinia could also see temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. In parts of central and northern Italy, overnight temperatures are expected to stay above 25 degrees Celsius, a pattern meteorologists have described as super tropical nights. The central province of Terni recorded a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Experts have linked the extreme heat to a persistent African anticyclone combined with continued warming of the Mediterranean Sea, where surface temperatures have reached or surpassed 30 degrees Celsius across much of the basin. Meteorologist Lorenzo Tedici of iLMeteo.it said the accumulated heat is expected to fuel atmospheric instability, warning of strong afternoon thunderstorms forming over the Alps and Apennines. Italy’s Civil Protection Department has issued yellow alerts for heavy rainfall along the Apennine mountain range stretching from Umbria to Calabria, as well as in inland areas of Sicily. Tedici said a genuine shift away from the hottest phase of summer 2026 is unlikely before at least mid August. Authorities have also flagged an elevated risk of wildfires, placing Sicily and Emilia Romagna under orange alerts as the heat wave continues to grip the country. The extreme temperatures fit a broader pattern of intensifying summer heat across southern Europe in recent years, as scientists have repeatedly linked rising Mediterranean sea temperatures and more frequent heat waves to long term climate trends affecting the region’s weather systems.

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    Israeli court halts Ben-Gvir plan to place crocodi…

    ByJustpaste.in

    An Israeli court has temporarily blocked National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s plan to install crocodiles around Ketziot Prison in southern Israel’s Negev desert, where Palestinian detainees from Gaza are being held, according to Israeli media reports on Monday. Israeli authorities had already begun digging trenches around the section of the prison holding Palestinians detained from Gaza over alleged involvement in the events of October 7, 2023. Under the plan championed by Ben-Gvir, crocodiles would be placed inside these trenches as a security measure. Israel’s public broadcaster reported that the Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary injunction on Sunday evening after the animal rights group Let the Animals Live filed a legal petition challenging the plan, which has the backing of the National Security Ministry and the Israel Prison Service. Judge Avraham Rubin ordered authorities to halt any action based on a decision by Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman to classify crocodiles as tended wild animals, a legal designation that would have permitted their transfer to and use at the prison facility. According to the broadcaster, the ruling followed an administrative petition the organization filed against Silman, Ben-Gvir and the Israel Prison Service just hours earlier. The temporary order will stay in place until authorities file their formal response, which the court expects by mid August. The dispute centers on a decision Silman made on July 15 that was designed to allow crocodiles to serve as what officials described as a deterrent and security measure inside prisons. The petition filed against the plan argues that the decision effectively strips crocodiles of protections normally applied to wild animals by removing the licensing and oversight mechanisms that would otherwise govern their care and control. Let the Animals Live told the broadcaster that the Israel Prison Service had already started infrastructure work, including digging a canal around the prison, and said the National Security Ministry had set aside 21 million shekels, or roughly 6.9 million dollars, to fund the pilot project. The group said the decision was made without adequate legal authority and disregarded expert and legal warnings about risks to the animals themselves, to the public and to the surrounding environment. Officials have not yet submitted the government’s formal position to the court, though a response is expected as part of the proceedings tied to the injunction request. Representatives from Let the Animals Live and the Environmental Justice and Animal Rights Clinic at Tel Aviv University said the court’s order prevents irreversible construction work from moving forward for now and protects the animals’ welfare while they continue pursuing a permanent cancellation of the plan. Since taking office in late 2022, Ben-Gvir has overseen a broader tightening of detention conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including measures involving food deprivation, denial of medical care, mistreatment and prolonged isolation. Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations report that approximately 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, are currently held in Israeli facilities under harsh conditions, with dozens reported to have died as a result of starvation, mistreatment and medical neglect.

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    Pakistan High Commission London launches direct digital property transfer service for British Pakistanis

    ByJustpaste.in

    In a major step to improve consular services for overseas Pakistanis, the Pakistan High Commission in London has launched a digital property transfer facility, enabling British Pakistanis to transfer property in Punjab without travelling to Pakistan. Introduced in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives to enhance services for the Pakistani diaspora, the initiative allows overseas Pakistanis to complete the property transfer process directly at the High Commission after verifying their identity. Under the new system, applicants are no longer required to issue a Power of Attorney or appoint an agent to handle property transfers on their behalf, reducing the risk of fraud and unnecessary legal expenses. The digital property transfer process is designed to be transparent, secure, efficient and cost-effective, offering overseas Pakistanis a streamlined alternative to the traditional method of property transactions. The service is part of a collaboration between the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing digital land record services closer to the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom. Officials said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to modernising public services and facilitating overseas Pakistanis by allowing them to manage property matters from London without the need to travel to Pakistan.

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    Family in India welcomes first baby Girl after 52 years

    ByJustpaste.in

    A family’s long-awaited dream came true in India when the birth of a baby girl after 52 years brought immense joy and celebration to their home. The heartwarming moment, captured on video, has gone viral across social media, touching the hearts of millions and drawing congratulatory messages from people around the world. According to media reports, the remarkable event took place in Indore, a city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The family had reportedly gone more than five decades without the birth of a daughter, making the arrival of the newborn girl a truly historic and emotional occasion for everyone involved. The birth of the baby girl marked a memorable milestone for the family, ending a 52-year wait for a daughter. Relatives described the occasion as one of the happiest moments in the family’s history, with generations gathering to welcome the newest member with immense love and excitement. A video of the celebration quickly spread across social media platforms, capturing the emotional reactions of family members. In the footage, relatives can be seen embracing one another, shedding tears of joy, and celebrating the newborn’s arrival with smiles, laughter, and heartfelt affection. The family’s emotional response reflected just how significant the moment was after decades of waiting. The newborn was welcomed with great enthusiasm, and the family made every effort to make the occasion unforgettable. The atmosphere in the home was filled with happiness as loved ones gathered to celebrate the little girl’s arrival. Family members expressed their gratitude and excitement, describing the birth as a blessing that had brought new hope and joy into their lives. The touching video resonated strongly with social media users, many of whom praised the family’s celebration of the birth of a daughter. Thousands of people shared congratulatory messages, wishing the baby a healthy, happy, and successful life. Many users also expressed appreciation for the family’s obvious affection and excitement, noting that the video served as a positive reminder of the importance of valuing daughters. The viral clip sparked widespread discussion online, with users commenting on how emotional and uplifting the celebration was. Many highlighted the changing attitudes toward the birth of girls in South Asia, where awareness campaigns over the years have encouraged greater appreciation for daughters and emphasized gender equality. Several commenters said the family’s joyful reaction reflected a positive social message and inspired hope for a future where every child, regardless of gender, is equally celebrated. Although the family’s story is unique because of the unusually long gap before the birth of a daughter, it has become a symbol of happiness, love, and togetherness. The overwhelming response on social media demonstrated how stories of genuine family joy can unite people across cultures and borders. As the video continues to gain attention online, the newborn girl has become the center of countless prayers and good wishes from strangers and well-wishers alike. People have expressed hope that she will grow up surrounded by love, opportunities, and good health. The emotional celebration not only marked a historic moment for one family in Indore but also served as a heartwarming reminder of the joy that the arrival of a new life can bring to an entire community.

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    India passes bill prescribing three-year Jail term 

    ByJustpaste.in

      India has passed a controversial bill that introduces penalties for insulting or disrupting the singing of Vande Mataram, the country’s national song. Under the proposed legislation, anyone found guilty of obstructing the performance of Vande Mataram or showing disrespect toward it could face up to three years in prison. The bill has triggered widespread political debate, with opposition parties and minority groups expressing concern that it undermines India’s secular principles and religious freedoms. The bill was presented by India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai. Once it receives the approval of the President, it will officially become law. According to Rai, the legislation is not aimed at targeting any individual, religion, or political ideology. Instead, he argued that it is intended to safeguard the dignity of the nation and strengthen a shared sense of national identity and unity among Indian citizens. However, the bill has faced strong opposition from several political parties, including the Indian National Congress and other opposition groups. Critics argue that the legislation violates the secular character of the Indian Constitution and threatens the constitutional right to freedom of religion. Opposition leaders have warned that compelling citizens to participate in or show reverence toward Vande Mataram could create unnecessary religious and social tensions in a country known for its cultural and religious diversity. Opposition parties also pointed out that there was no need to enforce the entire version of Vande Mataram through legislation. They noted that during the framing of the Indian Constitution, the Constituent Assembly had recognized only the first two stanzas of the song for official purposes. In their view, extending legal protection to the entire composition goes beyond the historical constitutional understanding and could lead to disputes over interpretation and implementation. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticized the bill, describing it as a violation of the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. He argued that Vande Mataram contains references to the worship of Hindu goddesses and deities, making it incompatible with the religious beliefs of many citizens, particularly those belonging to non-Hindu faiths. Owaisi claimed that forcing respect for the song through legal penalties amounts to imposing a particular religious belief on the entire population. He further alleged that the legislation reflects an attempt to transform India into a “Hindu Rashtra,” or Hindu nation. According to Owaisi, such measures weaken India’s constitutional commitment to secularism and equal treatment of all religious communities. He warned that laws based on religious symbolism could deepen divisions rather than promote national unity. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board also expressed serious concern over the bill’s approval. In its statement, the organization argued that using legislation to impose a specific religious concept or belief on all citizens contradicts the fundamental spirit of the Indian Constitution. The Board maintained that India’s democratic framework guarantees equal rights and religious freedom for people of all faiths and that no law should compel citizens to endorse religious practices or beliefs that conflict with their convictions. The debate surrounding the bill has highlighted the broader discussion over nationalism, constitutional values, and religious freedom in India. Supporters believe the legislation promotes national pride and respect for national symbols, while critics argue that it risks eroding the country’s secular foundations. As the bill now awaits presidential approval, it continues to generate significant political and public debate across the country.

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    China reaffirms support for independent Palestinia…

    ByJustpaste.in

    China has reaffirmed its steadfast support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while pledging to continue providing humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian people. Speaking to the media, Chinese Ambassador to Palestine Sun Xin said Beijing remains firmly committed to strengthening its ties with Palestine and advancing bilateral cooperation. He noted that China is eager to deepen its strategic partnership with Palestine and further expand collaboration in the years ahead. The ambassador said his meetings with Palestinian leaders gave him a firsthand understanding of the immense hardships and suffering faced by Palestinians. He stressed that China remains concerned about the humanitarian situation and is committed to supporting efforts that contribute to relief, reconstruction, and long-term development. Sun Xin also highlighted that this year marks the third anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and Palestine, describing it as an important milestone in the two sides’ growing relationship. He reiterated that China will continue to stand by the Palestinian people through humanitarian assistance and development initiatives while maintaining its support for an independent Palestinian state.

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    Escalating clashes in northern Ethiopia spark mass displacement across Sudanese border

    ByJustpaste.in

    Hundreds of displaced Ethiopian citizens from the Tigray region have fled into neighboring Sudan following intense military engagements between regional forces and the Ethiopian national army, raising international concerns over a potential resurgence of full-scale civil war. The recent outbreak of violence centered around Shererina, a strategically sensitive locality near the border with Sudan, marking the most severe military confrontation in the region since the conclusion of the 2020–2022 conflict. Eyewitnesses and regional representatives reported sustained exchanges involving heavy artillery shelling and aerial drone strikes across the weekend. The renewed hostilites follow growing instability surrounding the incomplete execution of the 2022 African Union-mediated peace agreement, alongside the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regaining control over regional administrative institutions. Regional analysts have also expressed concern that the border area could become entangled in the wider Sudanese conflict through external proxy alignments. Both sides have traded blame for initiating the offensive. Officials representing the Tigray regional administration accused federal forces of launching an unprovoked military assault aimed at suppressing the region. Conversely, federal minister Abraham Belay accused TPLF leadership of instigating the skirmishes, warning of severe repercussions while urging both parties to seek a negotiated diplomatic resolution to prevent further devastation. While formal casualty figures remain unconfirmed, Sudanese medical teams and local authorities verified that civilians alongside wounded combatants continue to seek asylum across the border.