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Two firefighting helicopters collide as Greece battles wildfires near Athens

ByJustpaste.in

Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air west of Athens while tackling a major wildfire, killing a Greek and a Danish pilot aboard one of the aircraft.

The two crew members on the second helicopter survived and were rescued, while the destroyed aircraft had been leased from Australia’s McDermott Aviation to support Greek operations. The tragic crash occurred as high winds whipped up severe blazes across the region, destroying more than 100 homes overnight in the coastal village of Porto Germeno.

More than 500 firefighters remain deployed to combat the active flames despite extreme weather conditions hampering aerial firefighting efforts.

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    Morocco names 655-Mile coastal highway

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      RABAT: Morocco has officially named its 655-mile (1,055-kilometer) coastal expressway after U.S. President Donald J. Trump, according to reports. The decision was announced through a royal decree issued by King Mohammed VI, recognizing the highway as the Donald J. Trump Expressway. The expressway stretches from the city of Tiznit in southern Morocco to Dakhla, a strategically important city located in the country’s southern region. Previously known as the Tiznit–Dakhla Expressway, the highway is one of Morocco’s most significant infrastructure projects. It covers approximately 655 miles (1,055 kilometers) and was built at an estimated cost of around US$1 billion. The project was designed to improve transportation and strengthen economic links between Morocco’s northern and southern regions. The expressway is expected to facilitate trade, encourage tourism, and provide easier access to remote areas. It also plays an important role in connecting communities and supporting regional development. The decision to rename the highway reflects Morocco’s recognition of President Donald Trump’s contributions to strengthening relations between the United States and Morocco. The announcement has attracted international attention because of the symbolic significance of naming such a major national infrastructure project after a foreign leader. In response to the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI. In a message, President Trump thanked the Moroccan monarch for what he described as a “great honor.” He said he deeply appreciated the gesture and praised the strong friendship between the two countries. President Trump also stated that he hopes to have the opportunity to travel on the newly renamed expressway in the near future. He described the highway as an impressive achievement and said he looked forward to visiting Morocco again. The Tiznit–Dakhla route is considered one of Morocco’s largest transportation investments in recent years. It was developed to improve road safety, reduce travel time, and support economic activity throughout the country’s southern provinces. The highway also serves as an important transportation corridor for commercial vehicles carrying goods between different regions. Infrastructure projects of this scale are often viewed as symbols of national development and long-term economic planning. Renaming the expressway after President Trump has generated interest internationally and is likely to be seen as a diplomatic gesture highlighting the close ties between Morocco and the United States. Morocco and the United States have maintained longstanding diplomatic relations, cooperating in areas such as trade, security, investment, and regional stability. The renaming of the expressway further underscores the importance both countries place on their bilateral partnership. The announcement has been widely reported by regional media and has sparked discussion about the significance of honoring foreign leaders through national landmarks. Whether viewed as a diplomatic tribute or a symbolic act of friendship, the decision marks a notable moment in Morocco–U.S. relations and adds another chapter to the history of cooperation between the two nations.

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    Five-wicket star Mohammad Abbas dropped for key Test

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    Gigi Hadid fuels relationship buzz with ring in Paris

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    Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper have once again fueled speculation about the status of their relationship after they were spotted wearing matching rings during a recent outing in Paris. The couple, who have been romantically linked since October 2023, were photographed leaving a gym together on Thursday. During the outing, Hadid was seen wearing a ring on her left hand, drawing renewed attention to the jewellery that has recently sparked engagement and marriage rumours. For the casual workout session, Cooper kept his look simple, wearing a backwards white baseball cap, a blue One Tribe Foundation “Hero 365” T-shirt, and matching athletic shorts. Unlike Hadid, however, he was not seen wearing the ring during the gym visit. The pair first ignited speculation earlier this week when they appeared together in Paris wearing matching rings. Fans quickly questioned whether the accessories signaled an engagement or a secret wedding. Reports suggest Hadid’s ring is a luxury wedding band crafted by French jewellery house Boucheron. The model’s piece is believed to be the Quatre Radiant Edition Wedding Band, valued at approximately $6,450. Cooper’s matching ring is said to be the Godron Pink Gold Wedding Band, priced at around $2,120. The complementary designs have attracted attention because they symbolize unity and commitment. The double-band style of Cooper’s ring is often associated with the strength of a lasting relationship, adding to the speculation surrounding the couple’s romance. Despite the growing rumours, multiple reports indicate that the rings do not necessarily mean wedding plans are underway. According to an insider, the couple have owned the rings for several months and consider them commitment rings rather than engagement or wedding bands. The source claimed that Hadid and Cooper are happy with their relationship but are not interested in having a traditional wedding or getting married at this stage. The insider also noted that their relationship continues to grow stronger and that they are in a good place together. The latest sighting comes as Cooper spends time in Paris for professional commitments. The actor is reportedly preparing for a major film project in which he is expected to write, direct and star. The upcoming production is said to explore the backstory of Danny Ocean’s father and is set years before the events of the popular Ocean’s 11 franchise. In addition to the live-action film, Cooper is also expected to lend his voice to an upcoming animated feature directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon Ho. The project features an ensemble voice cast and is scheduled for release in 2027. Both stars have children from previous relationships. Hadid shares five-year-old daughter Khai with former partner Zayn Malik, while Cooper co-parents nine-year-old daughter Lea De Seine with model Irina Shayk. Although marriage rumours continue to circulate, neither Hadid nor Cooper has publicly commented on the significance of the matching rings, leaving fans to continue speculating about the future of their relationship.

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    Houthis deny reports of Red Sea transit fees

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    Imran hospital move: security tightened at Shifa

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    Security has been intensified around Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad as the deadline approaches for the government to comply with a Supreme Court directive regarding the transfer of PTI founder Imran Khan for medical treatment. A significant number of police personnel and senior officers were deployed outside the hospital on Thursday. Officials inspected security arrangements and cleared roads around the facility of parked vehicles. The heightened security comes ahead of the midnight deadline set under the Supreme Court’s order issued on Tuesday. The court directed authorities to shift Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital for medical treatment and also ordered arrangements for weekly meetings between him and his family. The federal government has challenged aspects of the order through a review petition, describing the decision as discriminatory and raising legal concerns over its wider implications. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government still had time until midnight to implement the order. He said the responsibility for making arrangements rested with the Islamabad administration and that officials were working on the matter. Speaking in the Senate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government would follow the Supreme Court’s decision. He said the government had no intention of preventing Imran Khan from receiving necessary medical treatment. According to the minister, existing rules generally provide for convicted prisoners to receive medical care through government hospitals. However, he said a legal question concerning the scope of such arrangements was currently before the Supreme Court. Fazal said that if the required treatment was not available at a government hospital, the authorities would have to arrange treatment at Shifa International Hospital or another facility with better medical capabilities. He stressed that the government would comply with the court’s final determination regarding the matter. The minister also addressed concerns about the health of PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid. He said the government was concerned about her condition and would again contact the Punjab government and prison authorities to obtain an updated assessment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government’s review petition was expected to be dealt with by the Supreme Court. Sanaullah said the government had raised technical and legal objections to parts of the court’s order. He argued that the decision could create difficulties for the broader judicial system if similar applications were filed by other prisoners seeking treatment at private hospitals. He maintained that the government would respect whatever decision the Supreme Court reached on its review petition. According to sources, the Supreme Court’s registrar’s office had returned the review petition after raising an objection concerning the completion of required paper books. The government was expected to address the objections and resubmit the petition, with possible amendments to its contents. The development has triggered a fresh dispute between the government and PTI over implementation of the court order. Imran Khan’s lawyer, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, announced that he would approach the Supreme Court with a contempt petition if the government failed to transfer his client to the hospital. The lawyer accused the government of delaying implementation of the court’s directive and said the legal team was preparing the contempt proceedings. He also visited Adiala Jail to obtain Imran Khan’s signatures on the required documents, including the contempt petition and power of attorney. Earlier, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that the government had withdrawn its review petition after objections were raised by the Supreme Court’s filing branch. Raja demanded immediate implementation of the August 18 order and argued that there was no legal justification for further delaying Imran Khan’s transfer. The government, however, maintained that the legal process concerning the review petition was still underway and that it would act according to the law and the final position of the Supreme Court. Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum also reached Adiala Jail amid the ongoing developments.

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