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    Ishaq Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to Com…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth during a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey at Marlborough House in London on Wednesday. As a founding member of the Commonwealth, Senator Dar reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Secretary-General’s vision to strengthen the organisation and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing the Commonwealth’s agenda on youth empowerment, climate resilience and sustainable economic development. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the importance of promoting intra-Commonwealth trade through institutionalised cooperation between banking sectors, saying stronger financial connectivity would help unlock greater economic opportunities for member states. Highlighting Pakistan’s expertise in climate change mitigation and disaster management, Senator Dar said Commonwealth countries could benefit from Pakistan’s experience in responding to natural disasters. He renewed Pakistan’s offer to host the proposed Commonwealth Disaster Resilience Hub at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Islamabad. Secretary-General Botchwey welcomed Pakistan’s offer and said the Commonwealth Secretariat looked forward to working closely with Islamabad to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience across member states. The two leaders also agreed to expand cooperation on youth development under Pakistan’s co-chairmanship of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM). They underscored the importance of creating greater opportunities for young people through enhanced Commonwealth programmes and initiatives. During the meeting, Senator Dar briefed the Secretary-General on recent developments in the Middle East, including Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in helping broker peace between the United States and Iran. Secretary-General Botchwey congratulated Pakistan, particularly Senator Dar, for his sustained diplomatic engagement and mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. She thanked him for helping avert a potentially destructive conflict and for making a significant contribution to regional peace and stability. The meeting reflected Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation through the Commonwealth while promoting dialogue, disaster resilience, youth development and international peace.

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    Frankfurt airport worker dies in rare malaria outb…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A worker at Frankfurt Airport has died after contracting malaria during a rare outbreak that has now infected six employees at Germany’s busiest airport, with health officials saying mosquitoes likely arrived on an incoming flight and spread the disease among ground staff. The remaining five infected workers are currently receiving medical treatment, according to a spokesperson for Fraport, the company that operates the airport. Officials have installed mosquito traps around the airport grounds, and any insects captured will undergo laboratory analysis to determine their species and point of origin. The Fraport spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that one employee died as a result of the infection, and said the company has shared detailed information with all staff members while urging anyone experiencing symptoms to see a doctor promptly. Reports in July indicated the outbreak initially involved four infected workers. The Robert Koch Institute, a German federal agency responsible for disease control and public health research, said at the time that the four employees became ill between July 4 and July 6, and that mosquitoes carrying the disease had entered the country aboard an aircraft. According to the institute, malaria cases in Germany almost always involve long haul travelers who contracted the disease while visiting regions where malaria remains endemic, making transmission within a German airport an unusual occurrence. The institute noted in its epidemiological bulletin that the absence of a travel history in such cases can delay diagnosis, and that a delayed diagnosis raises the risk of a more severe illness. The institute also said the last documented case of airport acquired malaria in Germany occurred in 2023, also at Frankfurt Airport. The Frankfurt Public Health Department is leading the investigation into the current outbreak. According to the World Health Organization, malaria spreads through the bites of certain mosquito species and occurs predominantly in tropical regions. The disease results from a parasite rather than direct person to person transmission, and while it remains both preventable and curable, symptoms can range from mild to life threatening depending on how quickly treatment begins. The airport has stepped up surveillance measures following the outbreak, and health authorities continue monitoring the situation as they work to determine exactly how the mosquitoes entered the facility and whether additional cases might emerge among airport staff or travelers who passed through the terminal during the affected period.

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    Trump hints at outcome from CIA chief’s surp…

    ByJustpaste.in

    US President Donald Trump said something may come out of an unannounced meeting his CIA director held with Russian intelligence officials in Moscow on Tuesday, fueling speculation about the purpose of the trip amid stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine. CIA Director John Ratcliffe flew into Moscow aboard a military aircraft and departed just hours later, and neither Trump nor US officials disclosed what the two sides discussed. Trump described the meeting as semi routine and said Washington wants to see the war in Ukraine come to an end. The last comparable high level contact between the two countries occurred in the months before Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine began. The Kremlin said Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters that contacts took place with Russian intelligence services but that no meeting occurred with Putin himself, adding that the president receives immediate briefings on all such matters. Peskov made the remarks in response to a question from a reporter with a Russian state affiliated newspaper, who asked whether Putin had been informed of the talks and at what level they took place. When the BBC’s Russia editor asked Peskov what topics the CIA discussions covered, he said he had nothing further to add beyond his earlier comments. He also said it remains too early to determine what effect the meeting might have on repairing the deeply strained relationship between Washington and Moscow, calling any assessment of the broader recovery process premature at this stage. Peskov described intelligence contacts between the two countries as a positive development, noting that such channels often remain open even during the most difficult periods in bilateral relations. Ahead of the visit, US officials informed Ukraine that a senior American delegation would travel to Moscow and asked Kyiv to pause strikes until the delegation had departed, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke to another news organization. Neither the CIA, the White House nor the Pentagon has issued an official statement addressing Ratcliffe’s trip. Ratcliffe now ranks among the highest level American officials to visit Russia during Trump’s second term in office. The last time a sitting CIA director traveled to Moscow was in November 2021, when then director William Burns warned Russian officials against sending troops into Ukraine. Weeks after that visit, the Kremlin launched its full scale invasion of the country. Since the invasion began, the United States has maintained a strained relationship with Russia, which has faced international isolation and sweeping economic sanctions. Trump met with Putin at a summit in Alaska last year, though the talks failed to produce any major breakthrough, and subsequent peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine led by the United States appear to have stalled since then. John Foreman, who served as Britain’s military attache in Moscow between 2019 and 2022, told a radio program that American officials rarely send such a senior figure to Moscow unannounced and on short notice unless a significant development is underway. The unannounced nature of Ratcliffe’s visit, combined with the lack of official confirmation from Washington, has left analysts and diplomats speculating about whether the trip signals renewed backchannel efforts to break the deadlock in the Ukraine peace process, though officials on both sides have offered little indication of what practical outcome, if any, the meeting might produce.

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    Canada’s pushback against Trump tests bounda…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Two days before trade negotiations between the United States and Canada collapsed dramatically over the weekend, Vice President JD Vance told an audience at a private fundraiser that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was, in his words, a very sweet guy. According to a private audio recording obtained by a Canadian news outlet, Vance went on to describe Carney as someone who talks tough and claims he can out tough Donald Trump, before ultimately backing down on major issues, a pattern Vance called hilarious. Those remarks, which drew significant attention across Canada, may not have directly caused Carney’s negotiating team to walk away from the table, but they certainly did not help matters. Carney’s decision abruptly ended talks over a new trade agreement and triggered a fresh round of tariffs between two countries that conduct more than 872 billion dollars in annual bilateral trade. The deepening rift, paired with Vance’s comments, offers the latest example of an American administration willing to apply pressure against both allies and adversaries alike, underscoring how such tactics can produce unpredictable consequences on the world stage. If Trump anticipated that Canada would eventually yield to American pressure, following a pattern seen among other US allies over the past year and a half, that assumption may prove mistaken, and the fallout could shape the remainder of his presidency. Tension between Washington and Ottawa did not begin this weekend. It traces back to the first Trump administration and the negotiations that produced the USMCA, the agreement that replaced the original 1990s era North American Free Trade Agreement. Personal friction between Trump and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau complicated those earlier talks. As Trump prepared to return to office in late 2024, he mockingly referred to Trudeau as governor and to Canada as America’s 51st state. Behind those remarks sat a broader worldview in which the United States positions itself as the dominant power within its own hemisphere, entitled to shape political, military and economic outcomes across the region, Canada included. Administration officials have argued that Canada contributes too little to regional defense spending while benefiting disproportionately from trade with its southern neighbor. Within Trump’s framework, where economic and national security are treated as inseparable, Canada and Mexico, two of America’s largest trading partners, emerged as early targets. Drew DeLong, head of corporate statecraft at the Kearney Foresight think tank, said officials across the State, Treasury and Commerce departments frequently repeat the phrase that economic security equals national security. By early this year, as North American trade talks moved forward unevenly, Trump’s focus shifted away from Canada toward military interventions in Venezuela and later the Middle East. Even so, the central thread running through Trump’s foreign policy approach has remained consistent, treating the United States as a dominant power capable of imposing its will for national advantage. That power has limits, however, and Trump’s second term has repeatedly tested where those limits lie. Despite the obvious differences between an active conflict with Iran and a trade dispute with Canada, the underlying dynamics share similarities. In both cases, the United States confronts a counterpart with far less overall power but still capable of retaliation. Iran has leaned on its ability to threaten US allies and disrupt global commerce through chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Canada, meanwhile, has begun testing its own capacity to inflict economic pressure, with this week’s targeted tariffs marking an initial step. Future Canadian measures could include limiting American access to Canadian energy and critical minerals, alongside consumer boycotts targeting US products. DeLong said that as the broader global landscape shifts toward economic security concerns, countries increasingly search for chokepoints and leverage across global supply chains, adding that such opportunities exist for nations willing to look for them. For now, clear paths toward resolution remain limited. Trump has escalated his public rhetoric, repeatedly accusing Canada of ripping off the United States, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded sharply, telling the American president to kiss his ass. Imran Bayoumi, deputy director of the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council, said that pushing allies and partners away tends to incentivize them to seek new relationships rather than comply with American demands. Room still exists for tensions to ease. Canada’s new tariffs take effect in two weeks, while the most significant American countermeasure, a 50 percent tariff on Canadian built vehicles and auto parts, will not take effect until early 2027. Escalation cycles in economic or military conflicts can be difficult to reverse, but the several month gap before the next round of US tariffs gives both sides room to potentially resume negotiations, which had shown signs of progress before talks collapsed Friday night. A more immediate deadline looms in November’s US midterm elections. Democratic gains in Congress could limit Trump’s authority significantly, while unexpected Republican success could strengthen his position further. Ottawa currently appears to be betting on the former scenario, calculating that concern over midterm losses in industrial swing states like Michigan and Ohio will pressure Trump to soften his stance before voters head to the polls. Bayoumi said he does not see the kind of internal political division within Canada that the Trump administration may have anticipated, adding that Carney has considerable political room to negotiate a favorable outcome for Canada rather than settle for less. Carney has also raised another possibility publicly since Trump returned to office, suggesting Canada may continue drifting away from the United States altogether and deliberately widen the distance between the two nations. Carney has said Canada cannot depend on traditional alliances now that the rules of engagement have fundamentally shifted. While geographic proximity guarantees the two countries will remain connected in some form, the deeply integrated economic relationship built over recent decades may be approaching its end. This stands in contrast to Mexico, which appears to be pursuing closer economic integration with the United States rather than distancing itself. Meanwhile, other global trading partners, including US allies across Europe and Asia, are closely watching Canada’s assertive stance

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    Kriti Sanon responds to Kangana Ranaut’s critici…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has responded to criticism surrounding a jewellery company’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement after the campaign sparked controversy over her outfit. The advertisement featured Sanon celebrating Raksha Bandhan a Hindu festival during which sisters traditionally tie a sacred thread, known as a rakhi, around their brothers’ wrists. In the campaign Sanon was shown wearing a top and skirt while taking part in the festival celebrations. The advertisement was removed following criticism from some sections of social media users who considered the actress’s outfit inappropriate for a traditional Hindu festival. Responding to the criticism Sanon said that culture and traditions are part of a woman’s heart rather than being determined by the neckline of her clothing. The controversy intensified on Tuesday after Bollywood actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut criticized the advertisement. Although Ranaut did not directly mention Sanon’s name in her social media post, her comments appeared to be directed at the actress and the campaign. Ranaut questioned why a woman would choose to wear what she described as a bikini while tying a rakhi to her brother when women have many different clothing options available to them. Her comments quickly attracted attention online with some social media users agreeing with her criticism of Sanon’s outfit. Several users argued that clothing choices should be more sensitive to the cultural and religious significance of traditional festivals. One social media commentator described Sanon’s top as too short and argued that there should be clear limits when portraying Hindu festivals in advertising. The debate has since expanded beyond the advertisement itself raising broader questions about women’s clothing, cultural traditions and the way religious festivals are represented in commercial campaigns. Sanon’s response has also added another dimension to the discussion with the actress emphasizing that cultural identity and traditions should not be judged solely by a woman’s clothing. The controversy highlights the growing influence of social media on advertising campaigns in India where brands can face significant public pressure over the representation of religion, culture and social values. As the debate continues the Raksha Bandhan advertisement has become a wider discussion about personal choice, cultural sensitivity and the expectations placed on women’s appearance during traditional celebrations.

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    Why is the risk of an India-China clash rising in …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Tensions along the India-China border remain a major security concern, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh despite recent efforts by both countries to improve relations and maintain peace along their disputed frontier. India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held talks in Beijing on the long-running border dispute. The meeting marked the 25th round of discussions between the two countries special representatives on the boundary issue. Following the talks China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wang Yi emphasized the importance of stable relations between China and India. He described the two countries as important neighbours and emerging economies arguing that improved and stable bilateral relations are in the fundamental interests of both populations. According to the Chinese statement Wang called for a strategic and long-term approach to bilateral relations stronger communication and efforts to reduce differences. He also urged both sides to remove obstacles and promote cooperation as good neighbours and friendly partners. Doval also struck a conciliatory tone during the discussions. According to the Chinese statement he said India and China are ancient civilizations with large populations and important economies adding that the two countries should be viewed as partners rather than rivals. Doval reportedly said that under the guidance of the leadership of both countries India-China relations had returned to the right track. He also said overall peace had been maintained in border areas and that exchanges and cooperation in several fields were making progress. However, the disputed border remains a sensitive issue. Arunachal Pradesh is particularly important because China claims large parts of the Indian-administered territory and refers to the region as “Zangnan” or southern Tibet. India firmly rejects China’s territorial claims and considers Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of the country. The two sides have previously experienced serious confrontations along the Line of Actual Control making border management and military deployments highly sensitive. During the latest talks both sides discussed advancing negotiations on boundary demarcation strengthening border management mechanisms improving procedures and expanding cross-border cooperation. Although the latest diplomatic engagement indicates that both countries are seeking to prevent further escalation unresolved territorial claims and military activity continue to create the possibility of confrontation. The key challenge for India and China will be to maintain dialogue while managing their competing territorial claims and preventing local disputes from developing into a broader military crisis.

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    Singapore offers $55,000 per child to tackle birth crisis

    ByJustpaste.in

    Singapore has announced a major expansion of financial support for families as the city-state struggles with a record-low birth rate and a rapidly ageing population. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled the new measures during his annual National Day Rally speech, saying the government wants to make it easier for Singaporeans who wish to have children to start and raise families. Under the revised package, families will receive nearly S$70,000, equivalent to about US$55,150, in direct financial support for each Singaporean child up to the age of 17. The assistance includes a S$10,000 payment at birth, while another S$10,000 will be provided to help with further education. The government plans to distribute the financial support over a child’s early years rather than concentrating most of the assistance around birth. Singapore will also expand parental leave, particularly for families with more children. The government intends to cover a greater share of the costs associated with extended leave, reducing the financial burden on employers and working parents. Housing support is another part of the initiative. Authorities plan to make it easier for families with children to purchase their first homes through subsidised housing schemes. The measures come as Singapore’s fertility rate continues to fall. The country’s total fertility rate dropped to a record 0.87 children per woman last year, compared with 0.97 in 2024. The figure is far below the estimated replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population without relying on immigration. The demographic decline is becoming an increasingly serious challenge for Singapore. Longer life expectancy combined with fewer births means the country is rapidly moving towards an older population. Singapore is expected to enter the United Nations’ category of a “super-aged” society this year, when more than 21 per cent of its population is aged 65 or above. The proportion is expected to increase further, with one in four Singaporeans projected to be aged 65 or older by 2030. Wong acknowledged that financial incentives alone may not reverse the trend. Many younger Singaporeans are postponing parenthood because of concerns about financial stability, housing, careers and the responsibilities associated with raising children. Others are choosing not to have children. The prime minister said the government must be realistic about the limits of its policies and warned that the fertility rate is likely to remain below replacement level. With fewer births, Singapore’s working-age population could shrink while the number of elderly citizens continues to rise. This could place greater pressure on the younger population to support healthcare, pensions and other social services.

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    Iranian flight plunges, makes emergency Ankara landing

    ByJustpaste.in

    ANKARA: An Iranian passenger aircraft travelling from Istanbul to Tehran made an emergency landing at Ankara International Airport after reportedly developing a serious technical problem during the flight. According to sources, Iranian Flight 7282 departed from Istanbul at 11:43am Pakistan Standard Time with Tehran as its destination. The flight initially proceeded normally after takeoff. At around noon, the aircraft was reportedly cruising at an altitude of approximately 35,000 feet when a sudden technical malfunction occurred. The aircraft subsequently began losing altitude, prompting the crew to take emergency measures. The pilot formally declared an emergency at approximately 12:13pm. During the emergency descent, the aircraft rapidly lost altitude and reportedly descended to around 10,975 feet. Sources said the aircraft later disappeared from radar at an altitude of approximately 7,815 feet. It reportedly reappeared on radar around five minutes later at an altitude of about 5,150 feet. As the situation developed, the pilot contacted Ankara Air Traffic Control and requested permission to divert the aircraft to Ankara for an emergency landing. The request was granted, and the aircraft landed safely at Ankara International Airport at approximately 12:29pm. Following the landing, security and emergency personnel immediately moved into position around the aircraft. The plane was surrounded as a precaution and subsequently transferred to a designated area of the airport. Sources said the aircraft remained at Ankara Airport following the emergency landing. Its engines were reportedly still running while the aircraft remained under observation. There were no immediate reports of casualties or injuries following the landing. The exact nature of the technical malfunction has not yet been officially disclosed. It is also unclear whether the problem involved the aircraft’s engines, flight-control systems or another critical component. A technical inspection is expected to determine what caused the aircraft to lose altitude so rapidly during the flight. The incident comes as aviation authorities continue to maintain strict emergency procedures for aircraft experiencing technical problems while operating in international airspace.

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    Iran declares CDF Asim Munir’s visit highly prod…

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    The Iranian government has described Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s recent visit to Iran as highly productive, saying the trip resulted in important diplomatic progress and strengthened engagement between the two countries. According to a statement from the Iranian Presidential Office, the visit produced beneficial outcomes and provided an opportunity for detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest. The Iranian side said several important issues were discussed during the visit. The talks also focused on strengthening bilateral engagement and maintaining close communication between Pakistan and Iran. Iranian presidential official Syed Mehdi Tabatabai described the visit as a diplomatic success. He said the discussions had produced valuable results and could contribute to further progress in relations between the two neighbouring countries. The Iranian Presidential Office said the outcomes of the visit would begin to emerge in the coming days. It indicated that follow-up measures would be important in translating the understandings reached during the visit into practical steps. The visit took place at a time of heightened tensions in the region. Pakistan and Iran have maintained close consultations on regional security and political developments, while seeking to strengthen bilateral coordination. The Iranian assessment of Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit reflects Tehran’s positive view of the discussions and their potential impact on bilateral relations. The visit is also expected to contribute to continued diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Tehran on regional issues and areas of common interest.

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    Iran vows to withstand sweeping new US sanctions

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    TEHRAN: Iran has said it is fully prepared to deal with the latest expansion of US economic sanctions, as Washington launches what it describes as a major campaign to cut Tehran off from international financial and trade networks. Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said the government had anticipated the new measures and prepared a long-term strategy to limit their impact. He said Tehran had its own economic tools and expected to continue commercial relations with countries willing to trade with Iran. The remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a broad package of sanctions targeting Iran’s financial connections and revenue sources. Washington said the measures were designed to put further pressure on Tehran and force it to choose between greater international isolation and a return to normal economic relations. Bessent described the campaign as an unprecedented financial offensive against Iran. He said the United States would target networks and channels allegedly used by Tehran to generate revenue and bypass existing sanctions. The new measures cover several sectors, including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. The US Treasury also announced sanctions against dozens of entities, individuals and vessels allegedly connected to Iran’s economic activities. Washington warned governments, banks and businesses that continue dealing with Iran that they could also face consequences. Bessent said the administration would move quickly against entities that continued to support Tehran’s financial networks. Iran, however, rejected the pressure campaign and said it expected to maintain economic relations with key trading partners. China has also criticised the latest US measures, describing unilateral sanctions as illegitimate. Beijing said economic pressure would not resolve disputes and stressed that it would protect its own economic interests. China is particularly important to Iran because it remains a major buyer of Iranian oil. Analysts say the effectiveness of the latest sanctions will depend heavily on whether countries such as China enforce Washington’s restrictions. Experts have also questioned how much additional pressure the new measures can place on Iran’s energy sector. Some analysts argue that existing restrictions and disruptions to oil exports have already significantly affected Tehran’s energy revenues. The confrontation is also affecting global energy markets. Oil prices have risen sharply since the conflict began, raising concerns about inflation and fuel costs in several countries. Iran has warned that it could take further action against regional oil exports if the conflict continues. Tehran has also issued warnings to vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a significant share of global oil and gas shipments normally travels. The latest sanctions come after months of escalating pressure between Washington and Tehran. The United States has repeatedly sought to use economic measures to force Iran to change its policies, while Tehran has continued to reject what it calls unilateral American pressure. The economic consequences are also being felt in the United States. Higher oil prices have pushed gasoline costs above $4 per gallon in parts of the country, adding to concerns over household expenses ahead of the November midterm elections. For Iran, the latest US campaign presents another major economic challenge. However, Tehran’s response indicates that it intends to rely on existing trade relationships, particularly with countries that oppose unilateral US sanctions, to keep its economy functioning.