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US ‘locked and loaded’ as Iran talks continue

ByJustpaste.in

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is engaged in direct talks with Iran, signalling that diplomacy remains active despite rising tensions in the Middle East. However, he warned that the United States remains fully prepared for military action if negotiations fail.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said discussions with Tehran are ongoing and described Iranian officials as becoming “very serious” in the negotiations. He stressed that while the US is not rushing to reach an agreement, preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a top priority.

The US president also stated that a previously mentioned “massive” military strike against Iran may not be necessary if diplomatic efforts produce results. Nevertheless, he made it clear that American forces remain on high alert and are fully prepared to respond if required.

Trump said senior administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, are involved in the ongoing diplomatic contacts with Iran. He did not provide further details about the negotiations or any possible timeline for an agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by saying Tehran would not be intimidated by threats or external pressure. Speaking during a regional meeting in Kyrgyzstan, he said Iran would continue defending its national interests and would not change its policies under pressure.

Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high. Air raid sirens were reported in Bahrain as Iran claimed it continued targeting US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The situation has added to concerns over a wider conflict in the Gulf region.

The Saudi-led coalition also announced military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. Coalition officials said the strikes targeted military sites, while Houthi media reported damage to telecommunications and port facilities in Hodeidah and claimed that one civilian was injured.

Violence also escalated in the occupied West Bank, where clashes involving Israeli settlers and Palestinians left several people dead. Rights groups have urged the international community to take immediate steps to prevent further violence and protect civilians.

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    Two UAE-linked ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz,…

    ByJustpaste.in

    DUBAI: Two vessels belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday evening, according to the UAE state news agency WAM and ADNOC. No injuries or deaths were reported. ADNOC said the situation had been brought under control and that authorities were managing the incident. The company did not immediately provide detailed information about the vessels, their cargoes or the extent of any damage. The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of carrying out the attack, while Tehran has not immediately commented on the allegation. The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as a hostile Iranian attack and said targeting commercial shipping posed a threat to regional stability and global energy security. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks involving ADNOC-linked vessels in the strategic waterway. The company said earlier this month that 15 of its vessels had been attacked by missiles and drones since the conflict began, with one crew member killed and 20 injured in previous incidents. ADNOC said the safety and wellbeing of its crews, particularly maritime workers, remained its highest priority. It also stressed the importance of maintaining safe navigation and freedom of movement through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest attack comes as shipping traffic through the waterway remains well below normal levels amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. Kpler data showed that only nine commodity vessels passed through the strait on Thursday, compared with an August daily average of about 12. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Before the current conflict, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the narrow waterway. Repeated attacks and growing security concerns have forced shipping companies to reassess routes, while some vessels have delayed or avoided transit altogether. ADNOC urged the public to rely only on official and verified information about the latest incident and avoid spreading rumours or unconfirmed claims. With tensions still high around the waterway, the latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and the potential impact on global energy markets.

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    Rana Sanaullah rejects PPP claim over AJK worker?…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has rejected Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s claim about the death of a party worker during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. Rana Sanaullah said Bilawal Bhutto had not received complete information about the incident. He said the PPP worker was killed during an exchange of fire between two groups. He also clarified that the PML-N candidate was not present at the scene when the firing took place. The incident occurred in the Nikyal area of Kotli during the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections. Rana Sanaullah said tensions had already existed between the two sides in the area. He said the dispute was not limited to election day. He recalled an earlier incident involving a PML-N election rally. According to him, the rally had come under fire. One PML-N worker was killed in that incident, while four others were injured. Rana Sanaullah said another firing incident during polling resulted in one death and injuries to several people. He described the incidents as isolated. He said no major incident had been reported across AJK apart from the Nikyal incident. The PML-N leader also praised the overall election arrangements. He said authorities had made satisfactory preparations to facilitate polling and maintain security. The comments came after Bilawal Bhutto expressed concern over the death of a PPP worker in Nikyal. Bilawal had questioned the authorities over the incident. He also asked where the relevant officials were and demanded action over the death of his party worker. The incident added to political tensions during the first phase of the AJK elections. Political parties had already raised concerns about alleged disruptions and security issues at some polling stations. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said the people of AJK had rejected calls for unrest. She said voters had chosen the democratic process instead. According to Bukhari, polling was taking place despite attempts to create disorder. Bukhari also highlighted the performance of the Punjab government. She said the provincial government’s development work was being discussed among voters in AJK. She referred to the government’s response to heavy monsoon rains in Punjab. Bukhari said Lahore received several hours of continuous rainfall. She claimed that underpasses were cleared within a few hours. She also said government officials and administrative teams remained present in the field during the rain. The minister said monsoon rains had also caused rising water levels in Punjab’s rivers. She said authorities were monitoring the situation continuously. According to Bukhari, a central digital control room has been established for round-the-clock monitoring. She said the system was being used to track the situation and coordinate the government’s response. Bukhari also spoke about the Punjab Beautification Programme. She said plans were being made to shift hanging utility wires underground. The programme is aimed at improving the appearance and infrastructure of urban areas, according to the minister. The political statements came as vote counting began after polling ended in the first phase of the AJK elections. The first phase covered 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The constituencies are spread across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Election authorities have said that security arrangements were put in place to protect voters and election staff.

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    Pakistan announces Hajj 2027 packages, 107,526 government seats

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced the initial arrangements for Hajj 2027, allocating 107,526 seats under the Government Hajj Scheme and introducing a fully digital application and payment system aimed at making the pilgrimage process easier and more transparent for applicants. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said the government has set the estimated cost of the 40-day Hajj package at Rs1.2 million, while the 20 to 25-day package will cost Rs1.3 million. According to the minister, the Hajj 2027 process has been transformed into an end-to-end digital system on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the Ministry of Religious Affairs working in coordination with the Ministry of Information Technology and the National IT Board. The new arrangements are designed to allow intending pilgrims to complete most of the necessary procedures without repeatedly visiting government offices or banks. Applicants will be able to submit their Hajj applications from their homes, deposit the required dues through digital channels and access information and other facilities through the Pak Hajj App and Hajj Portal. Yousaf said the ministry’s primary objective was to reduce the difficulties traditionally faced by pilgrims during the application process. He said the digital system would help eliminate lengthy queues, unnecessary journeys and waiting periods while also making the overall process more convenient for applicants. First instalment to be collected from August 17 The minister announced that the first phase of payments under the approved Hajj Policy 2027 would begin on August 17. Applicants selected under the relevant phase will be required to deposit 50% of the total package cost as the first instalment. The government will subsequently demand the second instalment during the first week of October. The authorities have also opened the final application phase for Hajj 2027. Around 400,000 pilgrims who have already completed the pre-registration process will now be eligible to proceed with their formal applications. Officials expect the digital registration mechanism to simplify verification and reduce delays as the large number of pre-registered applicants move into the next stage. Passport information to be verified digitally The Religious Affairs Ministry has also established a data-sharing arrangement with the Passport Office as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the digital Hajj registration system. Through the integration, applicants’ passport information can be verified more efficiently, potentially reducing paperwork and manual intervention during the application process. Yousaf said linking databases of different government institutions would improve the accuracy and speed of processing while increasing transparency. The minister maintained that the use of digital verification would also reduce the possibility of errors arising from manual data entry and repeated documentation. HBL named banking partner Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has been designated as the authorised banking partner for the Government Hajj Scheme. According to the minister, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and HBL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding covering the banking arrangements associated with Hajj applications and payment of dues. Pilgrims will have three digital payment options available under the government scheme. They can pay through a OneLink PSID, use a credit or debit card, or download a digital challan through the Pak Hajj App and deposit the required amount at any HBL branch. The government has stressed that applicants should use only the officially prescribed channels when making payments. Seats to be confirmed on first-come, first-served basis Under the Government Hajj Scheme, applicants who successfully deposit the required amount through the online payment system will have their seats confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the allocated seats are filled, the authorities will stop accepting further payments for that category. The government has separately allocated 30,000 seats for the Short Hajj Scheme. Online payments for the short-duration package will be closed once the allocated quota is exhausted. Authorities have also outlined arrangements for applicants who are unable to secure a seat during the current phase. If the available Hajj 2027 quota is filled, remaining registered applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the following year. At the same time, registration for the Hajj 2028-2030 period will continue according to the announced policy. The minister said details concerning the 10% payment requirement for the Long-Term Hajj Scheme would be announced after completion of the current application phase. Private Hajj Scheme gets 71,684 seats Alongside the government programme, the federal government has allocated 71,684 seats for the Private Hajj Scheme for 2027. Under the new digital mechanism, pilgrims opting for the private scheme will be able to compare packages offered by 25 government-approved authorised Hajj organisers. The available packages and participating companies will be displayed through the official Hajj Portal and Pak Hajj App, allowing intending pilgrims to choose an organiser and package according to their preferences. The government has made it clear that the selection of private Hajj organisers and payments must also be completed through the designated official digital system. Pilgrims warned against direct payments The Religious Affairs Ministry has issued a specific warning to intending pilgrims against handing over money directly to private Hajj operators or tour companies. Yousaf said any payment or financial transaction conducted outside the officially designated government system would not be recognised. Pilgrims have therefore been advised to verify the status of Hajj organisers through the official digital platform before making any payment. The government believes that centralising the selection and payment process through the digital Hajj system will help protect pilgrims from potential fraud, unauthorised operators and disputes over payments.

  • Junk food companies caught suing the laws meant to stop them

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    The World Health Organization says something troubling is happening behind the scenes of the global obesity fight. Many of the same companies profiting from junk food sales are also dragging governments to court. Their goal is to block laws designed to curb the crisis. A joint investigation by The Guardian and Lighthouse Reports dug into this pattern. Academics and media groups across four continents took part. Together, they uncovered 235 lawsuits filed against governments over ultra-processed food policies. The cases span 2010 to 2025. Countries hit hardest include Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, the US, and the UK. Labelling rules were the most challenged policies. Junk food taxes came next, followed by marketing restrictions. Food companies did not fare well in court. They lost about 75 percent of decided cases. But WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the scoreboard misses the real damage. It is the time these lawsuits consume that hurts most. Combined, the litigation added up to nearly 600 years. Each case dragged on for two and a half years on average. The costs go beyond legal bills. Governments spend billions on healthcare and courtroom battles alike. Tedros calls the resulting hesitation a “regulatory chill.” Long, expensive lawsuits make officials think twice before trying similar reforms. Researchers managed to trace plaintiffs in many of these cases. Of those identified, 38 percent came from just eight companies. The list includes Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Mondelēz, Kellogg’s, Danone, Ferrero, Xignux, and Heartland Food Products Group. Some of these firms went a step further. They asked courts to keep their names hidden entirely. That secrecy tactic is not new. Researchers say it echoes moves once made by tobacco and alcohol companies. Both industries faced similar scrutiny in the past and used the same playbook. Tedros gave credit where it is due. He noted some companies have reformulated their products in good faith. Still, he insists that’s not enough while lawsuits keep piling up. There is also a wealth gap at play. Most legal battles are happening in richer nations. Poorer countries face the same obesity burden. But they have far fewer resources to defend new health policies if challenged in court. The scale of the crisis makes all this urgent. Nearly a billion people worldwide are currently living with obesity, per WHO estimates.

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    Pakistani Mountaineer Sohail Sakhi’s body shifte…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The body of Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, who lost his life in a tragic avalanche accident on Broad Peak, has been transported to Skardu by an Army Aviation helicopter. Sohail Sakhi was among the climbers caught in a devastating avalanche that struck Broad Peak in the early hours of July 31. The incident occurred during the night between July 30 and 31, when a massive avalanche swept across the mountain, leaving 10 mountaineers missing, including nine foreign climbers. Following the accident, rescue and recovery efforts were launched in the difficult and dangerous conditions of the Broad Peak region. The mountain, located in the Karakoram range of Gilgit-Baltistan, is one of the world’s highest peaks and is known for its challenging terrain, extreme weather and unpredictable climbing conditions. Sohail Sakhi was among the climbers who could not survive the disaster. His body was recovered from the mountain and later transported to Skardu, an important hub for mountaineering expeditions in the region. The use of an Army Aviation helicopter helped facilitate the transfer of the body from the remote mountainous area. The tragedy has caused grief among the mountaineering community in Pakistan and abroad. Broad Peak attracts climbers from different parts of the world every year, but the extreme environment can make rescue operations extremely challenging. Avalanches, sudden changes in weather, freezing temperatures and difficult terrain pose serious risks even to experienced mountaineers. The July 31 incident involved 10 missing climbers, nine of whom were foreign nationals. Rescue teams and authorities continued efforts to locate and recover those affected by the avalanche. The recovery operation was complicated by the harsh weather and the dangerous conditions at high altitude. The bodies of seven climbers who died in the accident had already been transported to their respective countries. Their repatriation was carried out after recovery operations and the completion of necessary procedures. The transfer of Sohail Sakhi’s body to Skardu marks an important step in the process of returning the deceased Pakistani climber to his family. Further arrangements will be made for the transportation of his body to his hometown, where his family and friends are expected to receive him. The incident once again highlights the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering in the Karakoram. Despite advances in climbing equipment, communication systems and rescue technology, climbers continue to face life-threatening dangers when attempting some of the world’s highest and most difficult peaks. Sohail Sakhi’s death is a significant loss for Pakistan’s mountaineering community. His passing has drawn attention to the courage and determination of climbers who undertake expeditions in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. Authorities and rescue teams remain focused on recovery and repatriation efforts following the Broad Peak avalanche. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of high-altitude expeditions and the importance of safety, weather monitoring and coordinated rescue operations in mountainous regions.

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    England name 16-man squad for first two Tests against Pakistan

    ByJustpaste.in

    England have unveiled their 16-member squad for the first two Tests of their three-match series against Pakistan, with Joe Root set to lead the side after Ben Stokes’ retirement. The first Test will begin on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds, marking the start of what promises to be a closely watched series between the two sides. Root has been handed the captaincy once again following Stokes’ retirement, placing the experienced batter at the centre of England’s plans against Pakistan. England have also welcomed back several familiar faces. Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Brydon Carse and Sam Cook have returned to the squad, adding experience and depth to the team. However, England will be without Jacob Bethell, who has been ruled out of the Pakistan series because of a right knee injury. With Root back in charge and several key players returning, England will look to make a strong start at Leeds before the teams move on to the second Test. Pakistan will be hoping to challenge England’s home advantage and seize an early lead in the three-match contest. England Squad Joe Root (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.

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