pogacar verge fifth
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Pogacar on verge of Fifth Tour de France title aft…

ByJustpaste.in

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar is on the verge of winning a record-equalling fifth Tour de France after taking a storming victory on stage 19 to Alpe d’Huez. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider pulled more than three minutes back on a breakaway group on the hors category final climb up to the famous ski resort, which was flanked by thousands of spectators from around the world.

Pogacar, 27, is aiming to become the joint-most successful rider in the Tour’s history with five wins, alongside legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain. He holds a dominant lead over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel of seven minutes 11 seconds, despite the Belgian’s improved climbing form this year. Pogacar’s Mexican teammate Isaac del Toro remains third and in the white young riders’ classification leader’s jersey, nine minutes 42 seconds down.

The peloton will take on Alpe d’Huez once again on Saturday for the three-week race’s mountainous ‘queen’ stage, which includes an extra 2,000 metres of climbing. “It was very cool to win up here – it was a crazy atmosphere all climb and I’m thankful for the team that I could pull it off,” said Pogacar. “When I heard some of the guys [were] dropped when [teammate] Felix [Grosschartner] set a super good pace at the beginning of the climb, I was already going full gas, as the breakaway was so strong. Every kilometre of Alpe d’Huez I had good legs and not many could follow [me].”

Pogacar crossed the line six seconds ahead of France’s Lenny Martinez of Bahrain-Victorious, who thumped his handlebars several times in frustration as he crossed the line. Ecuador’s in-form rider Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost, who won Thursday’s stage to Ocieres Merlette, finished a further three seconds behind in third.

A 40-plus strong breakaway had established a lead over the peloton and yellow-jersey wearer Pogacar by several minutes mid-stage, but the main pack began to slowly reel them in. It was Martinez, the USA’s Sepp Kuss of Visma-Lease a Bike, and a typically animated Carapaz who eventually emerged as the three seemingly set to battle for victory as they began Alpe d’Huez’s legendary twisting ribbons of tarmac. But Pogacar had other ideas and set a record time on the final climb of 35 minutes 27 seconds, beating the time set by Italy’s legendary Marco Pantani in 1997.

The victory puts Pogacar in a commanding position heading into the final stages of the Tour. With a lead of over seven minutes, he is all but assured of his fifth title, provided he avoids any mishaps in the remaining stages. The Slovenian rider has been in dominant form throughout the race, winning multiple stages and showcasing his incredible climbing ability. As the Tour enters its final days, fans will be eagerly watching to see if Pogacar can cement his place among the legends of the sport. His performance on Alpe d’Huez has already etched his name into Tour history, and a fifth victory would confirm his status as one of the greatest riders of all time. The final stages promise more excitement as the peloton battles for stage wins and final classification positions, but the spotlight remains firmly on Pogacar as he closes in on another historic achievement.

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    Pakistan warns India against Kashmir ‘adventuris…

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    Pakistan has strongly condemned recent remarks by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad warned New Delhi against any move that could increase tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The Foreign Office said Singh’s comments were provocative and irresponsible. It said the remarks misrepresented the internationally recognised position on the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan maintained that the Jammu and Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. Islamabad said relevant UN resolutions remain an important part of the international framework surrounding the dispute. The Foreign Office said India could not change the disputed status of Kashmir through political statements. It also rejected what it described as attempts to present the issue as settled through unilateral claims. Pakistan warned India not to underestimate the resolve of its government and people. The Foreign Office said Islamabad was determined to protect the country’s interests and respond to any attempt at military adventurism. The statement also called on the international community to take notice of India’s policies. Pakistan specifically urged the United Nations to pay attention to what it described as India’s failure to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions. Islamabad said the Indian minister’s comments appeared to divert attention from other issues. The Foreign Office referred to Pakistan’s allegations concerning the situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The statement also accused India of contributing to regional instability. Pakistan said threatening rhetoric could have wider consequences for peace and security in South Asia. The latest response came a day after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected Singh’s remarks. Asif said political statements from New Delhi could not alter the internationally recognised nature of the Kashmir dispute. Asif also criticised what he called intimidation and threatening rhetoric. He said Pakistan would not accept attempts to change established positions through unilateral declarations. Relations between Pakistan and India have remained tense for decades, with Kashmir continuing to be a major source of disagreement. Both countries claim the disputed region, while controlling separate parts of it. Pakistan has consistently called for the Kashmir issue to be resolved through the relevant international framework. Islamabad has also stressed the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their political future. The latest exchange of statements has further highlighted the deep differences between the two countries. Pakistan has urged India to avoid actions and statements that could worsen the regional security situation. Islamabad’s warning comes as both sides remain highly sensitive to developments involving Kashmir. Pakistani officials have repeatedly said that peace in South Asia requires dialogue and respect for international commitments.

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    Saudi Arabia detains more than 14,000 people in nationwide enforcement campaign

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    Saudi authorities arrested more than 14,000 people during a week long nationwide campaign targeting violations of residency, labour and border security laws, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior. The ministry said joint inspection operations carried out between July 23 and July 29 resulted in the detention of 14,154 individuals. The campaign formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and ensure compliance with the country’s immigration and labour regulations. Official figures showed that 7,103 people were arrested for violating residency rules, while 3,654 were detained for breaching border security laws. Another 3,397 individuals were taken into custody for labour related offences. Authorities said the inspections were conducted across different regions of the Kingdom with the participation of several government agencies. The ministry also reported that 1,418 people were arrested while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. Among them, 54 percent were Yemeni nationals and 45 percent were Ethiopian nationals, while the remaining one percent belonged to other nationalities. In addition, security forces detained 23 people who were allegedly trying to leave the country through illegal routes. Authorities also arrested 17 individuals accused of helping violators by transporting, sheltering, employing or concealing people who had breached residency, labour or border security regulations. Officials stressed that anyone assisting illegal entry or providing support to those staying in the Kingdom unlawfully would face strict legal action. According to the ministry, 30,679 people are currently undergoing legal procedures related to residency, labour and border security violations. This group includes 28,187 men and 2,492 women. Officials said 17,903 individuals have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents needed for their return, while 5,424 have been directed to complete travel arrangements. So far, 12,613 people have been deported after completing the required legal process. The Ministry of Interior warned that facilitating illegal entry into Saudi Arabia or providing transportation, accommodation or any other form of assistance to violators is considered a major criminal offence. Those found guilty could face prison sentences of up to 15 years, fines reaching one million Saudi riyals and the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in committing the offence. Authorities also said offenders may be publicly identified as part of the legal penalties. The ministry urged residents to report any suspected violations through emergency numbers designated for different regions of the Kingdom. Officials said public cooperation remains essential in supporting efforts to enforce immigration laws and maintain national security. Saudi Arabia regularly conducts nationwide inspection campaigns aimed at regulating the labour market, strengthening border controls and ensuring that foreign residents comply with the country’s legal requirements. The latest operation reflects the government’s continued focus on enforcing immigration and employment regulations across the Kingdom.

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    Afghan resistance launches armed campaign against Taliban

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    The United Front of Afghanistan has announced the launch of an armed campaign against the Afghan Taliban, marking what it describes as a new phase in its efforts to challenge the Taliban-led administration. The group’s leader, General Sami Sadat, also appealed to the United States, NATO and other members of the international community for political support. In a video message, General Sadat said the resistance movement had formally begun military operations in Kandahar. He described the campaign as an effort to free Afghanistan from Taliban rule and restore stability to the country. Sadat said the group’s military activities are not limited to targeting the Taliban. He claimed that United Front fighters are also operating against Al-Qaeda, Daesh (ISIS) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying these organisations pose a serious threat to Afghanistan and the wider region. He stressed that the resistance movement does not seek conflict with neighbouring countries. According to Sadat, the group’s objective is to establish peaceful relations with Afghanistan’s neighbours and promote regional cooperation. He argued that the Taliban’s policies have created security concerns for neighbouring states, while the United Front aims to contribute to long-term regional stability. General Sadat also pledged that his forces would conduct all military operations in accordance with international law. He said the movement would respect humanitarian principles during its campaign and insisted that it would not seek permission from any foreign country before carrying out its operations. Calling for international engagement, Sadat urged the global community to provide political backing to the resistance movement. He appealed to the United States, NATO and other governments to support what he described as the Afghan people’s struggle for freedom, saying the international community should stand on the “right side of history.” The announcement comes amid continuing political and security tensions in Afghanistan, where anti-Taliban resistance groups have periodically claimed attacks against Taliban positions, particularly in northern and central parts of the country. Despite these claims, the Taliban remain in control of most of Afghanistan and continue to reject the legitimacy of armed opposition groups.

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    Goods transport strike enters fourth day

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    Trump says US has ample weapons, ammunition stockpiles

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    US President Donald Trump has said the United States possesses extensive stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, dismissing concerns about shortages during recent military operations. In a statement, Trump said the country is continuing to manufacture weapons on a large scale while also procuring additional supplies as needed. He added that defense companies are building a record number of plants and factories to strengthen America’s military production capacity. Trump also warned that those responsible for leaking what he described as “treasonous statements” would be identified and face lengthy prison sentences. His remarks came after reports in the US media claimed that he had questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over alleged shortages in US weapons stockpiles during the conflict with Iran. According to the reports, the issue had limited Washington’s military options against Tehran. The reports stated that Trump raised the matter during a Cabinet meeting held at Camp David in Maryland last week, where he reportedly sought an explanation from Hegseth about the significant decline in ammunition reserves. However, US officials have denied the media reports, rejecting claims that the country faced a critical shortage of weapons or that military options against Iran were constrained because of depleted stockpiles.

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    Amir Muqam rejects Bilawal’s claims over AJK…

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    Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam has strongly rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s allegations regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He urged the PPP to accept the public mandate instead of questioning the election results. Addressing a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) public gathering in the Khawra area of Muzaffarabad, Muqam said the people of Mirpur had freely voted for the PML-N. He stated that the election outcome reflected the will of the people and should be respected by all political parties. Muqam said the PPP should review the reasons behind its electoral defeat instead of making accusations of rigging. According to him, the party should reflect on why voters chose another political party rather than blaming the election process. The federal minister also pointed out that the government and administrative setup in Azad Kashmir are under the influence of the PPP. He argued that, under such circumstances, allegations of election manipulation were difficult to justify. He maintained that political leaders should avoid making baseless claims and instead respect the democratic decision of the electorate. Responding to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s warning directed at the federal government, Muqam said repeated threats were not appropriate in a democratic system. He remarked that the PPP should remember it is itself part of the country’s political structure and continues to hold important constitutional positions. He further said that political stability should remain a priority and warned that if one government falls, the consequences could affect the entire political system. He stressed that responsible political leadership requires dialogue and respect for democratic institutions rather than confrontational statements. The exchange of remarks follows Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s speech in Muzaffarabad, where he warned that if the AJK elections were manipulated or the public mandate was ignored, the federal government’s “countdown” would begin. Bilawal had alleged that any attempt to undermine the election results would have political consequences and called for transparency in the electoral process. The controversy has intensified political tensions following the AJK elections, with leaders from different parties exchanging criticism over the results. Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal also responded to Bilawal’s allegations. He questioned why the PPP accepted election results when it formed governments elsewhere but raised allegations of rigging after losing in Azad Kashmir. Iqbal urged the PPP leadership to respect the outcome of the elections and accept the decision made by voters. He said political parties should strengthen democratic traditions by honoring the people’s mandate regardless of the results.

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