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Trump threatens to reinstate ‘Project Freedom Plus’ if the Iran agreement is not finalised.

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US President Donald Trump cautioned that Washington may intensify its military presence in the Strait of Hormuz if an agreement with Iran is not concluded, threatening to reinstate and broaden the suspended “Project Freedom” operation.”We will pursue an alternative course if all agreements are not finalised,” Trump informed reporters at the White House.

In response to an inquiry regarding the US’s potential return to “Project Freedom,” Trump stated, “I don’t think so,” yet indicated that it remains a possibility.

He stated that Pakistan, acting as a mediator in discussions between Washington and Tehran, requested the United States to refrain from resuming military operations.”We might revert to Project Freedom if circumstances do not progress,” he stated. “It will be Project Freedom Plus, indicating Project Freedom along with supplementary components,” without specifying what new steps the expanded initiative would encompass.

Regional tensions have intensified following the US and Israel’s assaults on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliation from Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf, as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A truce was implemented on April 8 due to Pakistani mediation; nevertheless, negotiations in Islamabad did not yield a sustainable deal. The truce was then prolonged by Trump without a specified deadline.

Since April 13, the United States has implemented a naval blockade aimed at Iranian maritime traffic in the strait. On Tuesday, Trump declared that the US military will temporarily suspend “Project Freedom” to re-establish freedom of navigation for commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while affirming that the American embargo will remain “in full force and effect.”

Negotiations between the United States and Iran are anticipated to recommence in Islamabad.

Negotiations between the United States and Iran may recommence as soon as next week in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal, referencing sources with knowledge of the situation.

The Journal reported that both parties are collaborating with mediators to develop a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that will establish the framework for a month of negotiations intended to conclude the conflict.

The document reportedly encompasses deliberations on Iran’s nuclear program, alleviating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential transfer of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stocks to another nation, while significant issues persist unresolved.

The scope of any sanctions release, however, remains contentious and may complicate negotiations. The study states that, should negotiations advance, the initial one-month timeframe may be prolonged by mutual consent.

‘AMBIGUOUS CIRCUMSTANCE’ AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NAVIGATES ‘STATE OF UNCERTAINTY’ WITH IRAN

The entire Trump administration appears to perceive the current situation with Iran as not a state of war, but rather a state of limbo.

An end to the fighting has been established, and the US is currently focused on managing this cessation while attaining the negotiating terms it demands.

There exists a consensus among the president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defence, and other officials inside Trump’s government regarding this matter.

They all imply the war is over but the United States is standing ready to strike should it decide to and begin the war again. The scenario is somewhat perplexing.

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurs close to Naples, Italy, resulting in damage and disruptions.

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  • A magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit the Campi Flegrei area near the southern Italian city of Naples on Friday, causing power cuts, disrupting train and metro services and damaging some buildings, authorities said.

The quake was registered around 7.46 pm (1746 GMT). Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology stated the epicentre was in the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples at a depth of around 3 km (2 miles).

The Italian fire department said there had been minimal damage to buildings in and around Naples, but workers had not received immediate demands for help or rescue of occupants.

Local rail and metro services were suspended as a precaution, local officials said.

According to Italian media, it was one of the greatest earthquakes ever registered in the region, with people in some areas pouring into the street as the tremors hit.

The government has increased surveillance of the heavily populated volcanic caldera of Campi Flegrei, which spans much of western Naples and has seen growing seismic activity in the past several years.

The region is regularly hit by tiny quakes but greater ones have stoked fears of a repetition of the seismic ⁠crisis that rocked Campi Flegrei in the early 1980s, disrupting life across the region and forcing thousands of people from their homes.

Italy is a country at risk of earthquakes.

Central Italy was hit by severe quakes in 2016, destroying areas of Lazio, Umbria and the Marche provinces, killing over 300 people.

The most destructive in recent decades was a 6.9-magnitude quake that rocked the Irpinia region of southern Italy in November 1980, killing over 2,700 people and destroying hundreds of villages.

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For three days, Pakistan lowers the price of petrol and diesel.

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For a three-day period starting on August 1, the government has announced a slight decrease in the cost of petroleum products, including gasoline and high-speed diesel (HSD).

The Petroleum Division said that the price of high-speed diesel has been lowered by Rs0.66 per litre, resulting in a new retail price of Rs392.38 per litre.

Additionally, the price of gasoline has been lowered by Rs0.12 per litre, to Rs336.03 per litre.

According to the letter, the updated pricing will go into effect between August 1 and August 3.

According to the administration, the little cut was taken after accounting for both domestic economic and budgetary factors as well as global oil costs.

In light of persistent economic pressures and swings in the world’s crude oil markets, the most recent adjustment provides customers with little respite.

The most recent update comes after the government regularly reviews fuel costs, which are decided by the currency rate, domestic tax laws, and global market trends.

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FBR surpasses its July revenue goal by Rs40 billion.

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In July 2026, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs820 billion in net revenue, exceeding the monthly target by Rs40 billion.

The July tax collection target was set at Rs780 billion, but net receipts came in at Rs820 billion, according to FBR documents.

According to the papers, gross tax collections for the month totaled Rs918 billion. Net receipts were Rs820 billion after Rs98 billion of this sum was reimbursed to taxpayers under different refund categories.

Gross collections under the income tax head was Rs343 billion. Net income tax revenues fell short of the objective of Rs323 billion, coming in at Rs308 billion after the payment of Rs35 billion in refunds.

In July, sales tax collections came to Rs413 billion, while sales tax refunds were Rs53 billion.

The Federal Excise Duty (FED) collected Rs48 billion, compared to the objective of Rs47 billion, according to the FBR.

In July 2026, customs duty receipts totaled Rs115 billion, surpassing the designated objective of Rs105 billion by Rs10 billion.

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