israeli strikes persist
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Israeli strikes persist in Lebanon, white phosphor…

Israeli forces have continued carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire, with Arab media reports alleging that white phosphorus was used in the mountainous area of Ali al-Tahir.

The latest reported attacks come a day after an Israeli strike killed 11 people, including seven members of the same family, according to local and foreign media reports. The continued bombardment has intensified concerns over the fragile ceasefire and the humanitarian situation in southern Lebanon.

Iran has strongly condemned the Israeli military action, describing the ongoing attacks as aggression against Lebanon.

Tensions escalated earlier this year after Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel, two days after the United States and Israel began military action against Iran. Israel subsequently expanded its operations in Lebanon and took control of parts of the country’s southern region. Israeli authorities have said their forces will remain in the area to prevent further attacks against communities in northern Israel.

Foreign news reports say that at least 4,300 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2 amid the continuing escalation.

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    PTI holds nationwide protests to mark three years

      Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged demonstrations across Pakistan on Wednesday to mark three years since former prime minister Imran Khan was first taken into custody. One of the largest gatherings was held outside Lahore’s Aiwan-e-Adl, where members of the Insaf Lawyers Forum, along with party leaders, lawyers and supporters, demanded Khan’s release and called for an end to the legal cases against him. The Lahore protest took place on Upper Mall, outside the court complex, where participants waved party flags and chanted slogans in support of the jailed PTI founder. Demonstrators maintained that the cases filed against Imran Khan were politically motivated and urged authorities to withdraw all charges. They insisted that the legal proceedings were intended to prevent him from participating in politics, an allegation that both the government and state institutions have consistently denied, maintaining that the judicial process is independent and conducted in accordance with the law. Several senior PTI leaders, including Salman Akram Raja, Ali Aijaz Butta, Rehan Dar and Shaukat Basra, addressed the gathering. During their speeches, they called for Imran Khan’s immediate release and vowed that the party would continue its campaign until he was freed and all cases against him were resolved. Protesters repeatedly chanted slogans demanding his release and described the demonstrations as peaceful expressions of public support. The Lahore rally formed part of a nationwide protest campaign announced by PTI to coincide with the anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment. Similar demonstrations were organised in different cities across Pakistan, while overseas PTI supporters also held rallies in several countries to express solidarity with the former prime minister and draw attention to his continued detention. Imran Khan has remained in prison since August 2023, when he was convicted in a corruption case. Since then, he has faced several additional prosecutions and convictions, including cases involving corruption allegations, the disclosure of official secrets and marriage-related legal matters. Khan and his party have consistently rejected all accusations, describing them as politically driven. The government, however, maintains that the cases are being handled through an independent legal process and rejects claims of political interference. Wednesday’s demonstrations were the latest in a series of protests organised by PTI following Khan’s arrest. The party has repeatedly demanded his release and called for fresh general elections. Previous protests have at times faced restrictions imposed by authorities, while some demonstrations have also witnessed incidents of violence and clashes. Separately, PTI leader Shaukat Basra alleged that journalist Natiq Rehan was assaulted by Punjab Police while reporting on the Lahore protest. According to Basra, the journalist was attacked despite performing his professional duties. Punjab Police did not immediately issue a response to the allegation. A day before the nationwide protests, Amnesty International issued a statement urging Pakistani authorities to safeguard Imran Khan’s fundamental rights as his detention entered its third year. Isabelle Lassee, the organisation’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia, expressed concern over what Amnesty described as the denial of a fair trial, prolonged solitary confinement, and restrictions on family visits, legal representation and medical care. The human rights organisation also called on the authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly and avoid arbitrary action against demonstrators. It further urged that Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, be granted regular access to their families, legal counsel and appropriate medical treatment in accordance with international human rights standards.

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    Selena Gomez faces fraud lawsuit over Wondermind

    Selena Gomez and her mother, Mandy Teefey, are facing allegations of fraud in a new lawsuit involving Wondermind, the mental health and wellness company they helped launch. The legal action has brought renewed attention to the company’s financial difficulties and internal problems. Wondermind was founded in 2021 with the goal of creating a platform focused on mental health and emotional wellness. Gomez and Teefey were closely associated with the venture, while Daniella Pierson served as its co-CEO. The company initially attracted significant attention and investment because of its high-profile founders and ambitious plans. Now, investors who put approximately $1.2 million into Wondermind are suing Gomez, Teefey, Pierson and Wondermind Global Inc. They are seeking a jury trial and financial recovery, claiming they were misled about the company’s condition and future prospects. According to the lawsuit, investors were allegedly given the impression that Wondermind had the infrastructure, leadership and resources needed to become a successful mental health platform. However, the plaintiffs claim the company was actually experiencing serious problems and was already facing a financial crisis. The investors also alleged that they were told Gomez would play a major role in Wondermind’s marketing efforts. They further claimed that Pierson was presented as an experienced business leader with an impressive track record and valuable partnerships. Several potential revenue-generating projects were allegedly described as being in development. However, the lawsuit claims that many of those plans failed to materialize. The plaintiffs alleged that Gomez entered into an agreement to promote Wondermind but did not fulfill her obligations under the contract. They also claimed that expected partnerships and revenue opportunities never came to fruition and that the company’s planned app was never developed. The investors further alleged that they remained unaware of the extent of Wondermind’s financial and operational difficulties for more than three years. According to the lawsuit, the company’s internal problems became widely known after a 2025 report by The Cut detailed allegations from former employees. Wondermind reportedly experienced a major financial crisis and laid off around 60 percent of its workforce in May 2025. Former employees cited in the report made allegations about Teefey’s conduct and claimed there were serious problems inside the company. Some former staff members made allegations involving drug use and described what they claimed was an unstable working environment. One former employee reportedly referred to Teefey’s office using a highly damaging description and alleged witnessing her use what they believed was Ritalin. Teefey strongly denied the accusations, describing them as false claims made by disgruntled former employees. Following the publication of the report, the investors said they sought to rescind their investments and recover the money they had put into Wondermind. The lawsuit now places Gomez, Teefey, Pierson and the company at the center of a legal dispute over whether investors were properly informed about Wondermind’s financial condition. The allegations remain claims made in the lawsuit and have not been established as facts in court. The legal proceedings could determine whether the investors’ accusations have merit and whether they are entitled to recover their investment.

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    Justice delayed for 40 years is injustice, says Mu…

    Prominent religious scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman has called for urgent reforms in Pakistan’s justice and economic systems, saying that a legal framework that fails to deliver justice for decades cannot be considered fair. Addressing a gathering in Karachi on Tuesday, Mufti Muneeb said prolonged court cases lasting 40 years amount to injustice and place an enormous burden on ordinary citizens. He stressed that timely justice is essential for social stability and public trust in institutions. The scholar also urged those in power to focus on resolving Pakistan’s domestic challenges. He said leaders often discuss global issues, but greater attention should be given to pressing national matters, particularly economic concerns affecting millions of people. Referring to the energy sector, Mufti Muneeb called for a solution to issues related to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which have frequently been debated in Pakistan due to their impact on electricity costs and the national economy. He further highlighted the country’s financial difficulties, saying that after payments related to provincial allocations and debt obligations, limited resources remain for development and public welfare. Speaking at the same event, Maulana Bashir Farooqi expressed concern over the continuation of the interest-based banking system. He said there was a need for serious efforts to move toward alternative financial models and added that his organization was prepared to help train employees of conventional banks if reforms were introduced. The remarks come amid ongoing debates in Pakistan over judicial reforms, economic challenges and proposals for changes in the financial system.

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    Pakistan swimmers struggle again at Commonwealth Games

    Pakistan’s disappointing run in swimming continued on the second day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. All four Pakistani swimmers competing on Saturday failed to advance beyond the heats in their respective events. In the women’s 200-metre freestyle, Jehan Ara Nabi finished 29th among 36 competitors. She recorded a time of 2 minutes and 11.16 seconds. Her performance was not enough to secure a place in the final. Ahmed Durrani competed in the men’s 400-metre freestyle. He completed the race in 4 minutes and 14.85 seconds. He finished 22nd among 27 swimmers. As a result, he could not qualify for the final. Hamza Asif took part in the men’s 50-metre freestyle. He finished the race in 24.17 seconds. He stood 39th among 68 swimmers. Only the top 16 competitors progressed to the semi-finals. Asif therefore missed out on the next round. Hareem Malik represented Pakistan in the women’s 100-metre breaststroke. She clocked 1 minute and 22.51 seconds. She finished 27th among 28 swimmers. Her result also ended her campaign in the event as she failed to qualify for the semi-finals. The results added to a difficult start for Pakistan’s swimming team at the Games. None of the four swimmers competing on the second day managed to move into the next stage of their events. Durrani and Jehan Ara Nabi had also failed to advance beyond the heats on the opening day. Their second-day performances therefore continued Pakistan’s struggle to make progress in the swimming competition. Pakistan is competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a 36-member contingent. The national athletes are taking part in different sporting events and are seeking strong performances against competitors from across the Commonwealth. For the Pakistani swimmers, however, the opening days in Glasgow have proved challenging. The national contingent will now look to its remaining athletes and events for improved results as Pakistan continues its campaign at the Games.

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    Lionel Richie takes a dig at Chris Brown during co…

    Lionel Richie has sparked a conversation among music fans after taking a pointed swipe at Chris Brown and Usher during one of his recent concerts. The 77-year-old music legend made the comments while performing with Earth, Wind & Fire in Phoenix on August 11. During the show, Richie compared the current R&B tour featuring Brown and Usher with the tours he performed decades ago with the Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire. (People.com⁠) Richie suggested that Brown and Usher were not doing something completely new by bringing two major R&B performers together for a large-scale tour. He pointed out that the Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire had already been performing major joint shows about four decades ago. However, Richie’s comparison took a sharper turn when he referenced the legal troubles surrounding Brown. He joked that the biggest difference between his generation and today’s artists was that his group members had not gone to jail. The comment appeared to be a reference to Brown’s past legal issues. (Billboard⁠) The remark quickly spread online, with clips from Richie’s concert gaining attention across social media. While some fans viewed the moment as an amusing example of the veteran singer defending his generation’s legacy, others debated whether the joke went too far. Richie later appeared to soften the tone of his comments. He described both Brown and Usher as “fine Christian men” and suggested that the internet often creates unnecessary controversy around celebrities. (People.com⁠) Brown, for his part, did not appear to take the comment too seriously. The singer responded on Instagram with a playful message directed at Richie, calling him “paw paw” and adding laughing emojis. His reaction suggested that he viewed the exchange more as friendly teasing than a serious feud. (TMZ⁠) The comments come as Brown and Usher continue their joint R&B stadium tour, which launched earlier this year. The collaboration has attracted considerable attention because both singers are major figures in modern R&B, with their careers spanning different eras of the genre. Richie’s own career gives him plenty of experience with massive R&B performances. As a member of the Commodores and later as a solo artist, he became one of the most recognizable voices in popular music. For now, there is no indication of a serious feud between the three singers. Instead, Richie’s remarks and Brown’s playful response appear to have created an unexpected exchange between two generations of R&B stars.

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    Shaheen Afridi returns as Kandy Royals eye LPL 2026 Title push

    COLOMBO: The Kandy Royals have received a timely boost ahead of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 playoffs, with Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi set to rejoin the squad for the tournament’s decisive knockout stage. Afridi’s return comes as welcome news for the Royals, who are preparing for a high-stakes Eliminator after sealing a dramatic place in the playoffs. The left-arm fast bowler had briefly left the tournament last week due to personal commitments, leading to widespread speculation that his LPL campaign had ended. However, the franchise has confirmed that the Pakistan star will return just in time for the business end of the competition. Adding further firepower to the squad, Kandy have also recruited Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah and explosive batter Hassan Nawaz. The trio is expected to significantly strengthen both the batting and bowling departments as the Royals chase their first LPL title in recent years. The arrivals come following the departure of experienced all-rounder Moeen Ali, Afghanistan opener Sediqullah Atal, and Scotland international Brandon McMullen, who have left the squad after completing their commitments. Despite losing three key overseas players, Kandy management moved swiftly to secure quality replacements capable of making an immediate impact. Kandy Royals’ road to the playoffs was anything but straightforward. At one stage, their qualification hopes appeared to be fading, but fortune smiled on the franchise when a rain-affected clash between Jaffna Kings and Dambulla Sixers produced the result they needed to advance. The dramatic turn of events kept their championship dream alive and set the stage for an exciting knockout campaign. With Shaheen Afridi leading the pace attack once again, expectations among supporters have risen considerably. The Pakistani left-armer has consistently been one of the world’s premier white-ball bowlers, renowned for his ability to strike early with the new ball and deliver under pressure in crunch moments. The LPL 2026 playoffs begin on August 5 at Colombo’s iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. The opening day will feature a Qualifier between Jaffna Kings and Galle Gallants, while Kandy Royals will face Colombo KAPS in a must-win Eliminator. Victory would keep Kandy’s title hopes alive and move them one step closer to lifting the LPL trophy. With Shaheen Afridi back in the lineup and two more Pakistani stars joining the squad, the Royals believe they have the experience, balance and firepower needed to challenge for championship glory in Sri Lanka’s premier T20 competition.

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