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    Iran rejects US claims over Strait of Hormuz control 

    ByJustpaste.in

      Iran’s military on Thursday rejected US claims that ships were continuing to pass normally through the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that no vessel could safely transit the strategic waterway without permission from Tehran. According to news agency, Ebrahim Zolfghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the strait remained under Iran’s “full management and control.” He warned that commercial vessels and oil tankers would not be able to secure safe passage without the permission and supervision of Iran’s armed forces. Zolfghari’s remarks came amid growing tensions between Tehran and Washington over the strategically important waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil and energy shipments traditionally passes. The conflicting statements from Iran and the United States have further intensified uncertainty surrounding maritime traffic in the region. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington had the capability to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports for as long as necessary. Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said the US Navy could sustain such an operation indefinitely by rotating ships in and out of the region. His comments came as Washington continued to assert its ability to control maritime activity around Iran. Tehran, however, has strongly disputed those claims and maintained that it retains authority over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have also issued increasingly forceful warnings about a potential future conflict. Brigadier General Rasoul Sanaei-Rad said on Thursday that Iran would respond more aggressively if another war occurred. Sanaei-Rad, who currently serves as a political adviser in the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, said Iran had stood firm during the recent conflict and would be prepared to respond with greater determination in any possible future war. Although he did not directly name the United States, he accused Iran’s “enemy” of attempting to create divisions inside the country through economic pressure. According to the general, those efforts had failed to achieve their intended objective. His comments reflected the increasingly confrontational rhetoric coming from Iranian officials as tensions with Washington remain high. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also criticised US assessments of the conflict, saying Washington had repeatedly miscalculated because of intelligence failures. Referring to the recent war, Araghchi said the United States had made serious errors in assessing the situation and was now making an even bigger mistake regarding the Strait of Hormuz. “Worse than fake news is fake intelligence. Be careful,” Araghchi said, warning against what he described as flawed assessments of Iran’s capabilities and intentions. His comments came a day after US President Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that the United States had “total control” over the strategic waterway. Iran has rejected the assertion, with officials continuing to emphasise Tehran’s role in regulating passage through the strait. Iranian officials have also sought to project confidence in the country’s ability to withstand continued pressure. A former Iranian diplomat, Abbas Khameyar, said the United States had failed what he described as a test of economic and military warfare against Iran. Khameyar argued that Tehran would not accept American conditions or surrender to US ambitions. He also claimed that Washington had effectively fallen into a “trap” involving the Strait of Hormuz. The latest statements from both sides underline the deepening confrontation over the waterway. While Washington maintains that it has the military capability to sustain a blockade, Tehran insists that maritime passage remains subject to its authority. With both countries issuing conflicting claims over control and navigation, the Strait of Hormuz has once again emerged as a major flashpoint in the wider regional confrontation.

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    High Commissioner Tipu Usman inaugurates Quaid-e-A…

    ByJustpaste.in

    LONDON: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, inaugurated an art exhibition titled “Legacy Beyond Time”, celebrating the life, vision and enduring legacy of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, at the historic National Liberal Club, where the founder of Pakistan was once a member. The exhibition was organised by the Mont Rose Foundation in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission, London, as part of the commemorative events marking the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, being celebrated this year. Featuring a collection of watercolour paintings by renowned artist Amera Rashid, the exhibition attracted a large gathering of British and Pakistani admirers of Quaid-e-Azam, who viewed artistic depictions reflecting his leadership, statesmanship and contribution to the creation of Pakistan. Delivering the keynote address, High Commissioner Tipu Usman said Quaid-e-Azam firmly believed in the rule of law, reasoned argument, dialogue and political negotiation despite political differences. He said Jinnah’s legacy was not merely about remembering the struggle that led to the creation of Pakistan, but also about understanding the principles, democratic values and vision that guided that historic movement. The High Commissioner praised the efforts of Bilal Sheikh, Chief Executive of the Mont Rose Foundation, for organising the exhibition and for commissioning a permanent portrait of Quaid-e-Azam, now displayed at the National Liberal Club. Speaking on the occasion, Bilal Sheikh described it as a privilege to host the exhibition at such a prestigious venue closely associated with Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said Quaid-e-Azam’s vision had inspired millions across generations and noted that the National Liberal Club was a place where Jinnah frequently held meetings during his time in London. He reaffirmed the Mont Rose Foundation’s commitment to continuing the promotion of Jinnah’s ideals and legacy through similar initiatives. Other speakers paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam’s exceptional legal acumen, unwavering commitment to democratic principles and his leadership in the struggle that culminated in the independence of Pakistan. The exhibition, “Legacy Beyond Time,” forms part of a wider series of cultural and educational events being organised jointly by the Pakistan High Commission, London and the Mont Rose Foundation to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founder of Pakistan

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    Abu Dhabi offers free three-month visas to Indian tourists

    ByJustpaste.in

    Abu Dhabi has introduced a special visa-fee waiver for eligible Indian tourists as part of efforts to boost tourism in the United Arab Emirates. Under the initiative, selected Indian travellers will receive a waiver of the full UAE entry visa fee. The offer is available from August 1 to October 31, 2026, during a pilot programme that will cover up to 20,000 eligible travellers. To qualify, Indian passport holders must book a travel package from India to Abu Dhabi. The package must include a stay of at least three consecutive nights at a hotel in Abu Dhabi and a return flight. The booking must also be made through a participating travel partner or an online travel agency. Travellers cannot apply for the free visa independently or directly. The visa-fee waiver will only be available to passengers who meet the specified conditions and book their trip through the designated travel channels. The three-month initiative is designed to attract more Indian visitors to Abu Dhabi and increase tourism activity during the late summer and early autumn period. Although the visa fee will be waived, travellers will generally remain responsible for the cost of flights, accommodation and other travel expenses, unless additional discounts are included in their selected package. The initiative is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to introduce attractive tourism offers and strengthen visitor numbers. The UAE has been seeking to support its tourism sector amid regional tensions and their impact on travel patterns. Authorities are introducing promotional packages and other incentives to maintain tourism activity and attract visitors from key international markets.

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    North Korea’s fake remote workers rake in $800m a year

    ByJustpaste.in

    North Korean operatives have quietly built a hidden workforce inside American companies. They are using stolen identities, AI tools and fake profiles to secure remote jobs. The money earned through this scheme is funneled straight back to North Korea. Investigators say it could be channeling millions of dollars annually to Kim Jong Un’s regime. A new investigation pieced together leaked data, interviews and previously unseen videos to expose how the operation actually works. The findings offer a rare, detailed look at how Pyongyang’s undercover workers get recruited and placed. According to the investigation, a single tracked operative applied to more than 1,000 companies in just three months. That volume points to a highly organized, large-scale effort rather than isolated cases. Investigators also found that AI tools played a direct role in helping operatives write convincing cover letters and resumes. Screen recordings reportedly captured workers reading answers straight from ChatGPT during live hiring interviews. North Korea’s IT operatives typically rely on stolen American identities to pass candidate screening and background checks. Many are said to juggle multiple jobs simultaneously, all operating under the same stolen name. Some of these workers reportedly earn as much as $300,000 a year through these remote positions. The US Treasury Department has found that up to 90% of those earnings get funneled directly back to the regime. Officials estimate the overall operation generates as much as $800 million annually for North Korea. That scale has made it one of the more lucrative sanctions-evasion schemes uncovered in recent years. Investigators traced the flow of funds through a wider network involving North Korean IT workers and affiliated cybercriminals. That trail eventually led to a company being sanctioned by the US, reportedly tied to Pyongyang’s broader defence development program. The findings highlight how North Korea has adapted its sanctions-evasion tactics for the remote work era. By blending stolen identities with AI-assisted job applications, the regime has found a modern, low-visibility way to bypass international restrictions on its economy. As remote hiring becomes more common globally, cases like this are raising fresh questions about how companies verify who they’re actually hiring.

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    Natalie Harp tipped as Karoline Leavitt’s likely successor

    ByJustpaste.in

    White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Wednesday that she is stepping down from the Trump administration by the end of the month. She cited wanting more time with her family as the reason behind the decision. In a social media post, the 28-year-old explained that returning to the White House after having her daughter left her struggling to balance the demands of the role with being present for her two young children. She called it a bittersweet decision to move into a new chapter of her life. President Trump responded publicly, saying he understood and respected her choice. He added that Leavitt would remain part of his inner circle, describing her as one of his top outside advisors and an influential voice within the Republican Party going forward. The sudden announcement caught many off guard, sparking a wave of speculation online about what actually prompted her exit. No official replacement has been named yet, but multiple reports have pointed to Natalie Harp as a likely contender for the role. The 34-year-old serves as Trump’s executive assistant and is frequently seen by his side at public events. She reportedly manages much of his digital presence, including posting pre-approved content to his social media accounts after hours, according to a Wall Street Journal report from May 2026. Given her closeness to the president, Harp has emerged as one of the more plausible names being floated to take over the press secretary role. Alongside the succession talk, unverified theories have also surfaced online suggesting Harp may have played a role in Leavitt’s exit. Some reports, including one from the Irish Star, claim Harp accompanied Trump during a security-related jet switch amid threat concerns, while Leavitt was left behind, though this remains unconfirmed. A source told the Daily Mail that Harp holds an unusually close position within Trump’s team, describing her as closer to the president than anyone else on his staff. Separately, a widely circulated video appeared to show Leavitt seemingly sidelined during a tense exchange involving Trump and another woster believed to be Harp, shortly before her resignation announcement. None of these claims have been independently verified so far.