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US House approves $1.15 trillion defense budget package

ByJustpaste.in

The US House of Representatives has passed a $1.15 trillion defense budget bill by a narrow vote of 216 to 212. Supported by a majority of Republicans and six Democrats, the legislation includes provisions to deepen defense ties and military technology integration with Israel.

The bill faced internal pushback, with Congressman Thomas Massie raising concerns over integrating US military technology and supply chains with Israel.

The passage follows a major funding request from the Trump administration, which asked Congress for nearly $87 billion in supplemental appropriations to support ongoing operations against Iran.

Appropriations Committee, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that military action against Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, including projected costs through September 30. Hegseth urged lawmakers to maintain robust military spending, arguing that failing to provide the full defense budget represents the single greatest threat to national security.

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    Sohail Afridi fires warning over Imran Khan’s sa…

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    PTI leader and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that the party does not want any harm to befall its founder, Imran Khan. Speaking at a press conference alongside other PTI leaders, Afridi said there was no alternative to resisting what he described as a “fake government”. He warned that young people were increasingly frustrated about their future and would come out of their homes on September 27. Afridi said PTI leaders had repeatedly sought a meeting with Imran Khan but had received no positive response. He said Khan’s family members were non-political and that both his family and lawyers were willing to give assurances that no political press conference would be held after the meeting. The chief minister also expressed concern about Khan’s health. He said the party wanted him to receive proper medical treatment and warned that PTI workers would stage a sit-in outside the Supreme Court if they were not allowed to meet him. Afridi reiterated that the party did not want Imran Khan to suffer any harm. He said PTI’s political struggle was centred around its founder and that his supporters would continue to raise their concerns over his treatment. Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said Imran Khan’s health was currently the party’s most important concern. Raja said no further interference with Khan’s health would be tolerated. He also indicated that the political campaign being planned by the party would continue and would not be stopped. He criticised the government and alleged that PTI supporters were being treated unfairly. He said the party would continue its political struggle against what he called an imposed government.

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    Sherry Rehman flags polling delays, security lapse…

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    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman has voiced concern over delays in polling at several constituencies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying the disruption has caused significant hardship for voters and raised serious questions about election management. In a statement issued on Sunday, Rehman said delayed arrival of election staff had affected the voting process at a number of polling stations, preventing many voters from casting their ballots on time. She identified constituencies LA-28, LA-31, LA-25 and LA-34 among the areas where polling was reportedly delayed, calling on the Election Commission to immediately investigate the matter and ensure that the electoral process proceeds without further disruption. The PPP leader also expressed concern over security arrangements at a women’s polling station in Shark Kamal Bandi in LA-31, claiming that only one police officer had been deployed despite the polling station having previously been declared sensitive. According to Rehman, inadequate security at such locations could undermine voter confidence and create unnecessary challenges for women participating in the electoral process. She further highlighted transportation problems affecting voters in the region. Rehman said the road connecting Rangla to Katkair had remained blocked since Saturday night, leaving more than 50 vehicles carrying voters stranded and preventing many people from reaching their designated polling stations. The senator said these issues had been formally reported to the Election Commission, urging the electoral body to conduct an immediate inquiry into the reported irregularities and take prompt corrective measures wherever necessary. “Every voter must be given the opportunity to exercise their democratic right without obstacles,” she said, emphasizing that transparent, impartial and well-managed elections are essential for strengthening democratic institutions. Rehman maintained that any compromise on the sanctity of the vote would be unacceptable and stressed the need for election authorities to ensure equal access to polling facilities for all eligible voters. Her remarks come amid ongoing polling across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where election authorities have been working to address logistical and weather-related challenges in some areas. The Election Commission has yet to issue a detailed response to the specific concerns raised by the PPP senator, while voting continues in constituencies where polling arrangements remain unaffected.

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    PCB unveils squads and schedule for Champions Cup

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    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads and schedule for the National Champions Cup 2026, with the tournament set to launch Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season in Multan next month. The seven-match 50-over List A competition will be played from August 11 to 18 at Multan Cricket Stadium. All matches will be day-night fixtures and are scheduled to begin at 3pm local time. Four teams — Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold — will compete in the tournament. The teams will play each other once in a single round-robin format, with the top two sides advancing to the final on August 18. The PCB has also announced fixed playing XIs for all four teams. Reserve players will only be allowed to enter the playing XI in case of injury or concussion. The reserves will remain with their respective squads during training and match days. The tournament will feature several prominent Pakistan players in leadership roles. Shadab Khan will captain Pakistan Greens, Saim Ayub will lead Pakistan Whites, Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan Blues, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan Gold. Pakistan Greens include experienced names such as Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain alongside emerging players. Saim Ayub’s Pakistan Whites feature Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr, while Sahibzada Farhan’s Pakistan Blues include Abdullah Shafique, Hasan Ali, Arafat Minhas and Hussain Talat. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Pakistan Gold side includes Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz and Faisal Akram. The PCB has selected a 44-player squad and reserve pool as part of its preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The domestic tournament is expected to provide selectors with an opportunity to assess players and identify emerging talent ahead of the global event. The reserve pool includes batters Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Faiq and Muhammad Irfan Khan. All-rounders Mubasir Khan and Danish Aziz are also included, along with pacers such as Arshad Iqbal, Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Amir Khan. Haseebullah has been named as the reserve wicketkeeper. The tournament will begin on August 11 with Pakistan Greens facing Pakistan Whites. Pakistan Blues will meet Pakistan Gold on August 12, followed by Blues against Whites on August 13. Gold will take on Greens on August 14, while Blues and Greens will meet on August 15. Gold will face Whites on August 16.

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    Spanish royals captivate with Mediterranean charm

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    Spain’s royal family has officially begun its annual summer holiday with a traditional public appearance in the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, where members of the royal household showcased relaxed yet elegant fashion that reflected the country’s coastal culture. Every August, Spain’s monarchs spend part of their summer in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearic Islands. The visit begins with an official reception at the historic Marivent Palace, where the royal family meets local government officials, community leaders and representatives from across the islands before starting their private vacation. This year’s gathering brought together King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, their daughters Crown Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, as well as the King’s mother, Queen Sofía. The appearance highlighted the close relationship between Spain’s monarchy and the Balearic Islands while offering the public a glimpse of the family’s more casual summer style. Unlike the formal attire usually seen during official state events, the royal family opted for lightweight outfits suitable for the warm Mediterranean weather. Queen Letizia, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most stylish royals, wore a flowing white dress by Spanish designer Sybilla. The elegant outfit featured soft pleats and subtle striped details, giving it a simple yet sophisticated look. She paired the dress with gold high-heeled sandals, while King Felipe chose a light blue shirt and neutral trousers, keeping his appearance relaxed. Their elder daughter, Crown Princess Leonor, selected a sleeveless orange two-piece outfit by Spanish fashion label Thinking Mu. The colourful ensemble featured artistic shades of blue, yellow and orange, inspired by Mediterranean sunsets. She completed her look with gold bracelets and naturally styled hair. Meanwhile, Infanta Sofía wore a long pastel-coloured maxi dress decorated with soft pink, cream and lavender tones, creating a fresh summer appearance. The youngest royal’s outfit complemented the vibrant floral caftan worn by Queen Sofía, whose multicoloured dress reflected the cheerful atmosphere of the Mediterranean season. The annual reception is considered one of the final public engagements for the Spanish royal family before they begin their private summer holiday. The event has become a long-standing tradition and attracts significant public and media attention each year, with many observers focusing not only on the royal family’s activities but also on their fashion choices. For many Pakistanis unfamiliar with Spain’s monarchy, the country’s royal family plays a largely ceremonial constitutional role similar to several other European monarchies. While the elected government manages day-to-day political affairs, the King serves as the country’s head of state and represents Spain during official ceremonies, national events and international engagements.

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    Islamabad High Court extends stay on 50% additiona…

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      The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended its earlier interim order preventing the collection of an additional 50 percent toll tax from vehicles that do not have an M-Tag installed. The relief will remain in effect until the next hearing of the case, providing temporary protection to motorists while the legal proceedings continue. During the hearing, the National Highway Authority (NHA) submitted its written response before the court, outlining its position regarding the policy of imposing an additional toll charge on vehicles that are not registered under the M-Tag system. The response is expected to form the basis of further arguments in the case. The petitioner’s counsel requested additional time to carefully review the written reply submitted by the NHA before presenting a detailed response. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the proceedings to a later date, allowing both parties sufficient time to prepare their arguments. While postponing the hearing, the Islamabad High Court announced that its previous order would continue to remain in force until the next hearing. As a result, authorities have been restrained from collecting the additional 50 percent toll tax from vehicles that either do not have an M-Tag installed or have insufficient balance in their M-Tag accounts. The interim relief means that motorists falling into these categories cannot be charged the extra amount until the court issues further directions. However, the regular toll charges applicable under existing rules may still be collected. The dispute centers on the National Highway Authority’s policy requiring motorists to register their vehicles with the M-Tag electronic toll collection system. Under the authority’s regulations, vehicles that are not registered with M-Tag are subject to a 50 percent higher toll fee when using motorways and designated highways. Similarly, vehicles with an M-Tag account that does not have sufficient balance may also be charged the additional amount under the same policy. The NHA introduced the M-Tag system to modernize toll collection, reduce congestion at toll plazas, promote cashless payments, and improve the efficiency of traffic management on Pakistan’s motorway network. The electronic system enables vehicles to pass through toll plazas more quickly, minimizing delays and reducing manual cash transactions. Despite these objectives, the policy of imposing an additional 50 percent toll charge has faced criticism from some motorists and legal experts. Opponents argue that the surcharge is excessive and places an unnecessary financial burden on drivers, particularly those who have not yet registered for the M-Tag system or encounter technical issues with their accounts. They also contend that such a financial penalty should have a clear legal basis and should not be enforced without proper safeguards. The NHA’s decision has therefore been challenged before the Islamabad High Court, where the petitioner seeks to have the additional toll charge declared unlawful. The court will examine the legal validity of the policy after considering the arguments of both parties, including the authority’s written response and the petitioner’s objections. Until the next hearing, the High Court’s interim order will continue to provide temporary relief to affected motorists by preventing the collection of the disputed 50 percent additional toll tax. The outcome of the case is expected to determine whether the National Highway Authority can lawfully enforce the surcharge in the future or whether changes to the policy will be required.

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    Sunita, Hassan reflect on 18 years of marriage

    ByJustpaste.in

    Actors Sunita Marshall and Hassan Ahmed have shared heartwarming and humorous insights into their 18-year marriage, revealing how time has strengthened their relationship and admitting that they are equally clumsy in everyday life. Appearing together on a comedy show, the celebrity couple reflected on their journey, memorable incidents and the lessons they have learned over nearly two decades together. Speaking about married life, Hassan said understanding develops naturally over the years and eventually reaches a point where words are no longer necessary. “If you take out the first eight to 10 years, after that you understand each other so well that you don’t even have to ask why the other person is quiet. You also learn to ignore some faults.” He also credited Sunita with changing the way he approaches life. “She has taught me not to worry over every small issue and to avoid overthinking.” The couple, who belong to different faiths, married in 2008 through both an Islamic Nikah and a Catholic church ceremony. They are now parents to two children and are regarded as one of Pakistan’s most admired celebrity couples. Sunita recalled a funny incident from the early days of their marriage when the pair were walking to a nearby shoot. Hassan realised he had forgotten his sunglasses and insisted on going back because he wanted to look “cool.” Despite Sunita repeatedly telling him he would have to remove them once inside the dark studio, he refused. She recalled: “As soon as I entered the studio, I turned around to tell him again to take them off. The next thing I heard was a loud noise. He was lying on the floor.” The actor explained that Hassan had failed to notice a small step at the entrance because he walked straight from bright sunlight into the dimly lit studio while still wearing the sunglasses. The couple also laughed about another accident at home, when Sunita slipped while walking downstairs. Hassan recalled: “She kept sliding down and just wouldn’t stop.” Instead of panicking, he admitted he burst into laughter, adding that he himself has fallen at least three times because of his own clumsiness. Hassan also confessed that his awkward moments extend to driving. He remembered accidentally reversing his car into a drain while his father was sitting beside him and being immediately scolded. The actor further narrated a spooky incident from his younger days when he believed he saw a woman dressed in white while driving home late at night. He said his car stalled, and after restarting it, the mysterious figure had disappeared. Frightened, he called a friend, who jokingly replied: “Wait, let me switch on my room lights first, then tell me.” The interview also touched on their acting careers. Hassan revealed that his role in Pinjra was emotionally exhausting. “I would never want to relive that character because it had a huge impact on my mind and heart.” Sunita said she was grateful for the roles she had played despite many being tragic. “Still, I am very content with all the roles I have done but I wouldn’t want to do them again because they were all tragic.” Hassan also admitted that audiences often confuse him with the villains he portrays. “After playing so many negative characters, people start believing that is how you are in real life.” Filled with laughter, heartfelt reflections and amusing stories, the interview gave fans another glimpse into the chemistry that has made Sunita Marshall and Hassan Ahmed one of Pakistan’s most beloved celebrity couples both on and off screen. 

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