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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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    Sushmita Sen breaks silence on marriage plans with…

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    Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen has once again sparked curiosity about her personal life after giving a witty response when a fan asked whether she plans to get married. The actress recently interacted with fans during an Instagram Live session where she answered questions about her career and personal life. Among the questions was one about her plans for marriage. When a fan asked Sushmita Sen if she was considering getting married the actress responded playfully saying that both she and the fan would continue searching for the answer to that question. Her lighthearted response quickly drew attention, particularly because Sushmita has spoken openly in the past about her decision to remain unmarried and her views on relationships. During a conversation in 2022, the actress discussed why she had never married despite having relationships over the years. She explained that some interesting men had entered her life, but the relationships did not progress toward marriage. 1open-minded and supportive when it came to her personal choices. Sushmita Sen has previously been linked romantically with model Rohman Shawl. The two dated for several years before separating in 2021. She was also briefly linked to businessman Lalit Modi, although that relationship later ended. Despite continued public interest in her personal life, Sushmita has generally maintained that marriage is a personal decision rather than something that should be pursued because of social expectations. Her latest response suggests that she is still comfortable keeping her future plans private while maintaining a sense of humor about questions surrounding marriage. The actress, who has built a successful career in Bollywood and remains popular among audiences, continues to receive strong attention whenever she discusses her personal life. For now, fans may have to wait to find out whether Sushmita Sen eventually decides to walk down the aisle. Her playful answer during the Instagram Live session has certainly kept the question open.

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    Petrol Price hits Rs320.73 after fresh hike

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    The federal government on Tuesday announced a fresh increase in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), continuing its new policy of daily fuel price adjustments. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs4.93 per litre. The new price has been fixed at Rs320.73 per litre. The price of high-speed diesel has also been raised by Rs7.15 per litre. Consumers will now pay Rs367.21 per litre for HSD. The revised prices will come into effect from July 22. The increase follows the government’s recent decision to introduce a daily petroleum pricing mechanism. Previously, fuel prices were reviewed every two weeks. Under the new system, prices are revised every day based on changes in the international oil market. Officials said the daily pricing formula uses the average international oil prices recorded over the previous seven days. The policy is intended to ensure that fluctuations in global crude oil prices are reflected more quickly in domestic fuel rates. The government had also revised fuel prices a day earlier. At that time, the price of high-speed diesel was increased, while petrol received a slight reduction for only one day. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will continue updating petroleum prices on a daily basis. The authority says the new system will improve transparency and allow consumers to see immediate changes linked to global oil prices. Officials said international crude oil prices have become highly volatile due to renewed tensions in the Middle East. Fresh conflict in the region has increased fears of disruptions to global energy supplies and pushed oil prices higher. Concerns over possible supply disruptions through key international shipping routes have also added pressure on global oil markets. Pakistan, which imports a large portion of its petroleum requirements, remains vulnerable to these fluctuations. Earlier, international oil prices had declined after hopes of easing regional tensions. However, the latest developments reversed that trend, forcing another increase in domestic fuel prices. High-speed diesel is mainly used by heavy transport vehicles, agricultural machinery and industries. Any increase in its price usually raises transportation costs and farming expenses, which can contribute to higher prices of essential goods. Petrol is the primary fuel for motorcycles, cars and other private vehicles. Officials said petrol consumption has also increased after restrictions were imposed on the use of indigenous gas in Punjab, leading more consumers to rely on petrol-powered transport.

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    Pakistani Squash player Sana Bahadur wins Australi…

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    Pakistani stars celebrate Independence Day with patriotic spirit

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    Bessent says Hormuz shipping deal with Iran could …

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    US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to normal shipping traffic could be reached within a day or two, as diplomatic activity intensified across the Gulf region. Speaking in a television interview, Bessent said American officials are in active discussions with Iranian counterparts and expressed optimism about a near term breakthrough. “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow,” he said, adding that the goal is to move toward a more normalized posture in the conflict. Asked whether any agreement would let Iran charge ships a toll for using the waterway, Bessent said he expects the outcome to guarantee freedom of movement rather than a fee based system. He noted that vessel traffic through the strait has picked up in recent days despite lingering danger, and predicted that energy prices would ease once a deal takes hold. His comments followed a report from The New York Times saying Iran and Oman have moved close to an arrangement that would restore commercial shipping through the strait. Under the terms described in that report, inbound vessels would travel through a corridor close to the Iranian coast while outbound ships would use a route nearer Oman. Iranian officials told the newspaper that no formal tolls would apply, though they said a service charge tied to environmental protection, cargo security and staffing costs would be split evenly between Tehran and Muscat. A US official pushed back on that characterization, calling the Iranian version inaccurate and insisting any temporary shipping lanes would not need Iranian sign off or involve fees. The report also noted that some Pentagon officials worry the arrangement could look like a concession to Tehran, while some Iranian officials privately questioned whether it would actually stop further American strikes. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that mediators including Doha, Pakistan and Oman continue to coordinate closely to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran, exchanging draft proposals between the two sides. Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said there is still no clear timeline for a final agreement, and Qatar separately called for a return to normal conditions in the strait while diplomacy continues. Tension over the waterway remained visible even as talks progressed. A dry bulk carrier called the Minoan Pioneer, sailing under the Liberian flag, was struck by an unidentified projectile near Oman’s coast on Tuesday, according to maritime security sources. The strike reportedly hit the engine room and sparked a fire in the crew’s living quarters, forcing the entire crew to abandon ship. One crew member, the vessel’s third engineer, was reported missing. The ship’s Greece based operator did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The incident followed an earlier report from the UK Maritime Trade Operations center, which said a separate cargo vessel had broadcast that it was hit by an unknown projectile about 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. No group has claimed responsibility for either strike, and authorities have opened an investigation. In Tehran, President Masoud Pezeshkian used a televised address to reject reports that he had offered his resignation amid the ongoing standoff with Washington. “If I were going to resign, I would announce it publicly,” he said, denying any rift with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or the armed forces and insisting the leadership is working in full coordination. He separately said Iran intends to defend its territorial integrity but has no interest in expanding the conflict, while claiming Iranian missile and drone strikes had disrupted US military goals during a recent 17 day period of fighting. The regional picture grew more complicated elsewhere. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for a drone strike on Najran Airport in southern Saudi Arabia, with military spokesman Yahya Saree saying the attack struck its target accurately. He described the strike as retaliation for alleged Saudi drone incursions over Yemen’s Saada and Hajjah provinces and warned that further violations would draw a response. Saudi authorities had not commented on the claim as of Tuesday. In Lebanon, a seventh round of direct negotiations with Israel opened in Rome under American sponsorship, continuing talks tied to a framework agreement the two sides signed in June covering a phased Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory in exchange for Lebanese army deployment and the disarming of armed factions, a clear reference to Hezbollah. Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem used a speech at an Arbaeen commemoration in Baalbek to criticize the talks, saying they have delivered only “shame, humiliation, despair and repeated concessions” for Lebanon. He accused Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of acting with bias rather than serving as a unifying figure and argued that only the earlier US brokered truce between Washington and Tehran had kept Israeli strikes at bay. Financial markets showed relief at the signs of diplomatic movement. Brent crude futures fell about 7 percent to near $83.77 a barrel on Monday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high. Asian stocks and oil prices ticked higher again on Tuesday. In a Truth Social post, Trump described Iran’s leadership as “unbelievably duplicitous” while claiming more talks were scheduled for the near future. He also reasserted that the US Navy maintains full control over the strait, writing that nothing passes through unless Washington allows it. The exchange fits a broader pattern that has defined the conflict since it began roughly five months ago under the codename Operation Epic Fury. Trump has repeatedly threatened major military escalation only to step back and cite diplomatic openings, while Iran has publicly refused direct talks with Washington since a memorandum of understanding both sides signed collapsed in early July. Washington maintains that June’s memorandum obligated Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, while Tehran insists the agreement preserved its authority over traffic through the waterway, a disagreement that continues to sit at the center of the standoff.

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    Rubina Ashraf urges greater awareness of postpartum depression

    ByJustpaste.in

    Rubina Ashraf, one of Pakistan’s most respected television veterans, recently spoke about the importance of recognizing postpartum depression and supporting women through pregnancy and motherhood. Appearing on a morning television show, the actress shared her thoughts on the emotional and psychological challenges many women experience before and after childbirth, emphasizing that these struggles deserve greater awareness and compassion. Having spent decades in the entertainment industry as an actress, director, and producer, Rubina has earned widespread recognition for her memorable performances in dramas such as Pas-e-Aaina, Tapish, Kasak, Do Bol, Khuda Aur Muhabbat 3, and Iqtidar. She also received praise for directing the acclaimed drama serial Ruswai. Beyond her successful career, Rubina is a devoted mother of two, and her daughter, Nawal Tariq, has also established herself as an actress in Pakistan’s television industry. During the conversation, Rubina highlighted how discussions around postpartum depression were almost nonexistent in previous generations. She explained that society traditionally viewed childbirth as a routine responsibility for women, often overlooking the immense physical and emotional changes they experienced. According to Rubina, people now need to understand that pregnancy is far more than a physical process. She said that a woman undergoes significant transformations in her body, skin, hormones, and emotions, making the journey both physically demanding and mentally exhausting. While pregnancy is often associated with happiness and excitement, it can also bring anxiety, stress, and emotional vulnerability. She stressed that pregnancy-related anxiety and postpartum depression are genuine medical and psychological conditions rather than signs of weakness. Rubina noted that many women silently struggle because their emotional health is ignored or misunderstood. Without proper care and emotional support, these feelings can develop into severe depression, affecting both the mother and her family. The actress urged families to become more aware of these challenges and encouraged them to provide women with understanding instead of judgment. She explained that a pregnant woman should not be expected to manage every household responsibility while dealing with the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy. Instead, she needs kindness, patience, and reassurance from those around her. Rubina particularly emphasized the crucial role of husbands during this period. She said that a husband’s support should begin during pregnancy and continue after childbirth, as these months can be among the most difficult in a woman’s life. Emotional encouragement, practical help, and compassion can make a significant difference in a mother’s mental well-being and recovery. She added that expecting mothers often feel overwhelmed because they are trying to balance multiple responsibilities while their bodies and emotions are constantly changing. Without a supportive environment, these pressures can become unbearable. Rubina’s heartfelt remarks have resonated with many viewers, drawing attention to the importance of maternal mental health. As awareness of postpartum depression continues to grow, her message serves as a reminder that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health during pregnancy and after childbirth. By encouraging empathy, open conversations, and stronger family support, she hopes more women will receive the care they need during one of the most life-changing phases of their lives.

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