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  • Clive Lloyd’s Scathing Verdict, Demands Complete Reset Of West Indies Cricket Post Humiliating 27 All-Out – Times Now

    Clive Lloyd’s Scathing Verdict, Demands Complete Reset Of West Indies Cricket Post Humiliating 27 All-Out – Times Now

    1. Clive Lloyd’s Scathing Verdict, Demands Complete Reset Of West Indies Cricket Post Humiliating 27 All-Out  Times Now
    2. Clive Lloyd: ‘We have to examine all aspects of West Indies cricket’  ESPNcricinfo
    3. ‘Gather the legends’ – the numbers behind Windies’ 27 all out as fallout begins  BBC
    4. Australia bowls out West Indies for second lowest test score in history, secures series whitewash  Ptv.com.pk
    5. WI cricket chief calls emergency meeting after Australia Test debacle  Dawn

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  • Prince Harry retraces Diana’s footsteps by walking through land mine field in Angola

    Prince Harry retraces Diana’s footsteps by walking through land mine field in Angola

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa — CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Prince Harry followed in his late mother’s footsteps on Wednesday by wearing a flak jacket and walking down a path in an active land mine field in Angola to raise awareness for a charity’s work clearing explosives from old warzones.

    The Duke of Sussex is in the southern African country with the Halo Trust organization, the same group Princess Diana worked with when she went to Angola in January 1997, seven months before she was killed in a car crash in Paris.

    Diana’s advocacy and the images of her walking through a minefield helped mobilize support for a land mine ban treaty that was ratified later that year.

    Harry walked through a land mine field near a village in Cuito Cuanavale in southern Angola, according to Halo Trust. It’s not the first time he has retraced his mother’s steps after traveling to Angola for a similar awareness campaign in 2019.

    The land mines across Angola were left behind from its 27-year civil war from 1975 to 2002. The Halo Trust says at least 60,000 people have been killed or injured by land mines since 2008. It says it has located and destroyed over 120,000 land mines and 100,000 other explosive devices in Angola since it started work in the country in 1994, but 1,000 minefields still need to be cleared.

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    More AP news on the British royals: https://apnews.com/hub/royalty

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  • DPM to undertake day-long visit to Kabul today – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. DPM to undertake day-long visit to Kabul today  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan nearing landmark Railway agreement  Ptv.com.pk
    3. Pakistan’s FM Ishaq Dar to Visit Kabul Today  TOLOnews
    4. The thaw in Pak-Afghan ties and challenges of cross-border militancy  Arab News PK
    5. Pakistan warns UN of escalating terror threat from Afghanistan  Dawn

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  • Canada’s Couche-Tard drops offer to buy Japanese 7-Eleven convenience stores

    Canada’s Couche-Tard drops offer to buy Japanese 7-Eleven convenience stores

    TOKYO — Canadian retail chain Alimentation Couche-Tard is dropping its proposal to acquire Seven & i Holdings Co., the Japanese operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, citing frustration in ongoing negotiations that showed “a lack of constructive engagement.”

    The 7-Eleven parent company rejected an offer last year, but Couche-Tard, which runs the global Circle K chain, was still interested and tried to coax a deal with the Japanese chain known here as “conbini.”

    In a letter dated July 16 and sent to the Seven & i board, Couche-Tard stressed it had made a good offer earlier this year in a proposal of 2,600 yen ($17.50) per ordinary share in cash, which it said represented a 47.6% premium to the stock price. The initial offer, made last year, was for 2,200 yen ($14.86) per share in cash.

    In the letter, sent to media Thursday and signed by its two top executives, including founder Alain Bouchard, Couche-Tard expressed exasperation at the response it was getting from Seven & i despite repeated attempts at dialogue.

    “We have been very patient and respectful throughout this process, beginning with our meeting on July 23, 2024,” the letter said.

    “You have engaged in a calculated campaign of obfuscation and delay, to the great detriment of 7 & i and its shareholders. We believe this approach reinforces our concerns about your approach to governance. Based on this persistent lack of good faith engagement, we are withdrawing our proposal.”

    Couche-Tard, which runs nearly 17,000 stores in more than 30 countries and territories, including the U.S., said the documents it got lacked key information, executives were no-shows at meetings, and the meetings it did have ended up being “readouts” of statements, not frank discussions.

    Seven & i acknowledged the dropped offer Thursday and said it considered talks “in good faith and constructively.”

    “We remain fully committed to our standalone value creation plan, which we have been pursing in parallel, and to unlocking the value of our businesses, including our North American convenience store business. Our plan is concrete and actionable,” it said in a statement.

    Some analysts say Seven & i management has not fully leveraged the business’ global potential or delivered enough value to shareholders, and could use better marketing, although its bottom line is unlikely to be affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

    The 7-Eleven franchise, which spans more than 85,000 stores in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, has a new chief executive, Stephen Hayes Dacus, the first foreigner tapped to head 7-Eleven. Dacus, an American whose mother is Japanese, has promised a leaner business by focusing on the supply chain and tailoring shop offerings to various regions.

    For the first quarter of this fiscal year, Seven & i reported a doubling in profits to 49 billion yen ($330 million), mainly due to previously announced sales of property and equipment at its Ito-Yokado Co. retail chain.

    Quarterly sales held up, as a favorable exchange rate helped some overseas earnings, according to the Tokyo-based chain. The seemingly omnipresent 7-Eleven chain speckles the streets of Japan, offering everything from stationery items and rice balls to hot coffee and utility bill payments.

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    Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

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  • Rescue 1122 preparedness reviewed in DIK

    Rescue 1122 preparedness reviewed in DIK

    DERA ISMAIL KHAN   –  In light of the ongoing monsoon season and potential flood threats, Rescue 1122 Regional Director Operations (South), Imran Khan Yousafzai, conducted a surprise visit to the District Emergency Service to review its preparedness. The visit, conducted on the directives of Director General Rescue 1122 Dr. Tayyab Abdullah, was received by District Emergency Officer Engineer Fasihullah, who provided a detailed briefing on the operational readiness of the department.

    During the visit, Yousafzai observed ongoing water rescue mock drills at the Indus River and personally inspected the skills of rescue personnel and the functionality of their equipment while aboard a rescue boat.

    He expressed satisfaction with the professionalism and preparedness of the rescue teams and assured them of continued departmental support.

    In addition, he visited the under-construction rescue station near the Indus River to assess the progress of development work.

    The visit underscored Rescue 1122’s commitment to maintaining full preparedness to safeguard lives and property during any emergency situation throughout the monsoon season.


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  • US FDA approves GSK’s Shingrix in a prefilled syringe presentation

    US FDA approves GSK’s Shingrix in a prefilled syringe presentation

    • Prefilled syringe presentation offers a convenient administration option to healthcare professionals
    • An estimated one million people develop shingles in the US each year1

    GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a prefilled syringe presentation of Shingrix (GSK’s Recombinant Zoster Vaccine or RZV) for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster). The new prefilled syringe removes the need to reconstitute separate vials prior to administration, simplifying the vaccine administration process for healthcare professionals. 

    The existing vaccine presentation consists of two vials, a lyophilised (powder) antigen and a liquid adjuvant, which healthcare professionals combine prior to administering. The approval of the new presentation is based on data demonstrating technical comparability between the new and existing vaccine presentation.2

    Brigid Groves, Vice President of Professional Affairs, American Pharmacists Association, said: “The prefilled syringe presentation of GSK’s shingles vaccine is good news, providing a convenient method of administration. The FDA approval is a positive step toward driving prevention of this painful disease, and as a practicing pharmacist I welcome the availability of this new presentation.”

    Consistent with the existing indications for Shingrix, the prefilled syringe presentation is licenced in the US for immunisation of adults aged 50 years and older, as well as those aged 18 years and older who are or will be at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.3 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of GSK’s shingles vaccine to prevent shingles and related complications in adults aged 50 years or over, and two doses for adults aged 19 years or over who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed.4

    Tony Wood, Chief Scientific Officer, GSK, said: “At GSK, we are committed to advancing scientific innovation and delivering practical solutions that address the needs of the healthcare community. This new presentation of Shingrix was developed to streamline the vaccination process, supporting healthcare professionals to provide protection against shingles, a disease that 1 in 3 US adults will develop in their lifetime.”

    The prefilled syringe presentation of GSK’s shingles vaccine is also undergoing regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), with filing acceptance received in January 2025, marking another important regulatory milestone. In addition to GSK exploring submission of this presentation to other markets, this highlights GSK’s commitment to providing solutions to help increase adult immunisation rates.

    About shingles

    Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that can last for weeks. Approximately 99% of US adults over 50 years old have the virus that causes shingles inside their body, although not everyone will develop shingles.1 An estimated one million people develop shingles annually in the US.1 

    Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.5 By age 50, VZV is present in most adults6 and may reactivate with advancing age.7 As people age, the strength of the immune system response to infection wanes, increasing the risk of developing shingles.7

    About Shingrix (Recombinant Zoster Vaccine or RZV)

    Shingrix (GSK’s Recombinant Zoster Vaccine or RZV) is a non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine indicated for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 and over. It combines an antigen, glycoprotein E, with an adjuvant system, AS01B, and may help overcome the natural age-related decline in responses to immunisation that contributes to the challenge of protecting adults aged 50 and over from shingles.8,9 RZV is not indicated to prevent primary varicella infection (chickenpox). In several countries, RZV is also approved for adults aged 18 years or over at increased risk for shingles. The use of RZV should be in accordance with official recommendations and local product label.
     
    The following information is based on the US Prescribing Information (PI) for Shingrix. Please refer to the US PI at this link: https://gskpro.com/content/dam/global/hcpportal/en_US/Prescribing_Information/Shingrix/pdf/SHINGRIX.PDF

    About GSK 

    GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.

    Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

    GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section in GSK’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2024, and GSK’s Q1 Results for 2025.

    References

    1. CDC. About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html. Last accessed: May 2025.
    2. GSK. Data on file 2025.
    3. Shingrix prescribing information. SHINGRIX (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted), suspension for intramuscular injection. Last accessed: May 2025.
    4. CDC. Shingles Vaccine Recommendations. Available at Shingles Vaccine Recommendations | Shingles (Herpes Zoster) | CDC. Last accessed: May 2025.
    5. Harpaz R, et al. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008;57(RR-5):1–30.
    6. Johnson, R.W., et al. Herpes zoster epidemiology, management, and disease and economic burden in Europe: a multidisciplinary perspective. Therapeutic advances in vaccines. 2015;3(4):109–20.
    7. Mueller, N.H., et al. Varicella zoster virus infection: clinical features, molecular pathogenesis of disease, and latency. Neurologic clinics. 2008;26(3):675–97.
    8. Cunningham, AL, et al. Efficacy of the Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Adults 70 Years of Age or Older. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;375(11):1019–32.
    9. The GSK proprietary AS01 adjuvant system contains QS-21 Stimulon® adjuvant licensed from Antigenics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN), MPL and liposomes.

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  • British and Irish Lions: Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu & Huw Jones start first Australia Test – BBC

    British and Irish Lions: Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu & Huw Jones start first Australia Test – BBC

    1. British and Irish Lions: Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu & Huw Jones start first Australia Test  BBC
    2. British and Irish Lions: Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu set to start first Test  BBC
    3. Owen Farrell misses out on Lions squad for first Australia Test  The Telegraph
    4. Marcus Smith defies odds to claim Lions spot for first Wallabies Test  The Guardian
    5. Lions team announcement Live as Jac Morgan set to miss out against Wallabies  Wales Online

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  • NASA Discovers “Super Earth” TOI-1846 b Using TESS

    NASA Discovers “Super Earth” TOI-1846 b Using TESS

    NASA Discovers “Super Earth” TOI-1846 b Using TESS (Representative Image from Space)

    “We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolor ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, spectroscopic observations,”

    NASA Discovers “Super Earth” TOI-1846 b Using TESS Latest News

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed the discovery of a new “Super Earth” located about 154 light-years away in the northern constellation Lyra.

    In March 2025, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) recorded a flicker of starlight. Scientists have since tracked the source of this flicker to a planet now named TOI-1846 b, a Super Earth—a type of planet larger than Earth but smaller than gas giants like Neptune.

    According to reports from Earth.com, the discovery was made by Abderahmane Soubkiou and colleagues at the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco. NASA later confirmed the find after the research team combined TESS data with ground-based telescopic images, light measurements, and archival star photos.

    What is TOI-1846 b?

    TOI-1846 b is estimated to be nearly twice as wide as Earth and about four times heavier. This size-and-mass combination suggests it is denser than planets with thick, gassy atmospheres, but less dense than rocky planets like Earth. Scientists speculate it may have a layer of dense ice, a thin atmosphere, and possibly even a shallow ocean.

    Despite an estimated surface temperature of around 600°F (315°C) and the likelihood that it is tidally locked (always showing the same face to its star), scientists believe water could exist in some form if these initial findings hold true.

    How TESS Observes Planets

    TESS, launched on April 18, 2018, scans large stripes of the sky, watching for minute dips in starlight — a sign that a planet may be transiting, or passing in front of, its host star. These dips are flagged as TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs).

    So far, TESS has detected over 7,600 such dips, and more than 630 of those have been confirmed as real exoplanets.

    Why TOI-1846 b Stands Out

    According to The Sun’s report, TESS is especially sensitive to small, cool stars, and TOI-1846, the host star of TOI-1846 b, fits that profile. The star is only about 40% the size and mass of our Sun and glows at around 6,000°F (3,300°C).

    This lower brightness means the star’s habitable zone—the region where liquid water could exist—is located much closer in. TOI-1846 b orbits its star in just four days, far closer than Mercury’s orbit in our solar system.

    Despite the star’s dimness, TESS’s four wide-field cameras and 30-minute observational cadence allow it to detect even subtle changes in light from such distant systems.

    What Scientists Say

    “We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolor ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations,” wrote Abderahmane Soubkiou in the discovery announcement.

    The findings have been published on arXiv, a preprint server for scientific research.

    (For more news apart from “NASA Discovers “Super Earth” TOI-1846 b Using TESS,” stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)

    end-of


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  • ITTF Enters Exclusive Dialogue with Saudi Table Tennis Federation to Host Next World Esports Championships

    ITTF Enters Exclusive Dialogue with Saudi Table Tennis Federation to Host Next World Esports Championships

    The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has entered into an exclusive targeted dialogue with the Saudi Table Tennis Federation (STTF) to explore the hosting of the next edition of the World Esports Table Tennis Championships.

    This milestone follows the resounding success of the inaugural ITTF World Esports Table Tennis Championships in 2024, which culminated in a spectacular Final Stage in Helsingborg, Sweden. The groundbreaking event firmly established table tennis as a rising force in the competitive gaming arena, engaging new and younger audiences while reaffirming the sport’s relevance in today’s digital-first world.

    The formalisation of discussions was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ITTF President Petra Sörling, STTF President HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and ITTF Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Dainton. The signing took place on 11 July 2025 in Las Vegas, on the sidelines of the inaugural US Smash.

    The MoU signals a joint commitment to enter in-depth discussions with a view to awarding the next edition of the Championships to Saudi Arabia. This initiative also reflects ITTF’s wider ambition to strengthen Esports table tennis as a core part of the Federation’s digital evolution.

    The first edition of the Olympic Esports Games, a landmark event both in the world of esports and within the Olympic Movement, will be held in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While the full programme has yet to be announced, the ITTF reiterates its intention to serve as a proactive and collaborative partner. By sharing knowledge and engaging with all relevant stakeholders, the ITTF aims to ensure Esports in general – and Esports table tennis in particular – continues to flourish on the global stage.

    President Sörling commented, “The continuation of ITTF’s involvement in Esports table tennis aligns seamlessly with the vision of the International Olympic Committee. This dialogue with Saudi Table Tennis Federation represents an exciting next step for us, and I would like to thank Prince Mohamed Al Saud and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their collaborative approach. As Riyadh prepares to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027, this partnership illustrates ITTF’s readiness to embrace the future and play a meaningful role in shaping a new chapter of Olympic engagement. We believe in the unique power of digital innovation to broaden table tennis’s appeal and impact.”

    HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud said, “Through this memorandum of understanding, we look forward to exploring the possibility of hosting the Table Tennis Esports World Championships in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has already shown leadership in Esports by hosting the 2025 Esports World Cup and soon the 2027 Esports Olympics. Together with the ITTF, we aim to leverage that experience to create a tournament that engages fans, raises the level of competition, and unites communities worldwide. Saudi Arabia is proud to contribute to this mission as part of Vision 2030, a national roadmap in which sport plays a central role in fostering global connection, youth empowerment, and cultural exchange. We look forward to inviting every ITTF member nation, esports athlete, and fan to join us for an unforgettable Table Tennis Esports experience.”

    Dainton added, “Our collaboration with the Saudi Table Tennis Federation and Prince Mohamed Al Saud is built on a shared ambition to push boundaries, attract younger audiences, and diversify the experience of table tennis globally. We look forward to shaping a visionary event together that bridges the physical and digital worlds.”

    The exclusive discussions between ITTF and STTF underscore a growing commitment to building a future where physical and digital experiences in table tennis coexist and complement each other, offering fresh pathways for global engagement, players’ development, and innovation.


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  • The 1970s-Inspired Mido Ocean Star Worldtimer

    The 1970s-Inspired Mido Ocean Star Worldtimer

    The Ocean Star series by Mido has been the brand’s dependable answer to robust water resistance and everyday reliability since 1944, helping solidify Mido’s reputation as a maker of adventure-ready watches designed to withstand the elements. Over the decades, the Ocean Star has become a go-to for those who appreciate classic dive watch style with a subtle vintage edge. This summer, Mido dives into its archives, reviving a distinctive 1970s model (see here), the Multi Star World time, although just like its modern successor we’re looking at today, or the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer, it doesn’t quite fit the textbook definition of a true world time watch.

    By classic standards, a world time watch, like created by Louis Cottier, shows the time in 24 time zones at once via an ingenious system, which dates back to the 1930s, and typically combines a 24-hour rotating ring with a fixed city ring on the dial, allowing the wearer to check the time around the globe with a single glance.

    By contrast, the new Mido Ocean Star Worldtimer keeps things refreshingly straightforward, staying true to the spirit of the original. It displays local time with hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date, while a rotating bezel with 24 city names allows for “manual” tracking of a second time zone. There’s no synchronised 24-hour disc and no automatic time zone shifting, so it’s more of a GMT bezel (without the GMT hand) than a pure world timer. However, that’s exactly what gives this watch its laid-back, practical charm: it’s useful for travellers who prefer stylish simplicity over mechanical complexity. And it looks cool!

    The stainless steel case of the new Ocean Star Worldtimer measures 40.5mm in diameter and approximately 47mm lug-to-lug, making it suitable for a sporty daily wearer. It is shared with the dive-oriented Ocean Star Tribute. The unidirectional rotating bezel, with its black aluminium insert and engraved city names, brings the “worldtimer” theme to life. While not a true complication, the city bezel is handy for quick time checks when hopping between time zones or daydreaming about your next destination.

    Topping the case is a box-shaped sapphire crystal, a modern, scratch-resistant nod to the vintage acrylic crystals of the past. A screw-down crown and a screw-on case back decorated with the Ocean Star’s signature starfish motif complete the details. With 200 m of water resistance, it has genuine dive watch capacities and is not just a travel accessory.

    The dial stays true to its retro roots. Silver-toned with a soft velour finish, it’s set apart by bold black-and-red chequered markings that channel classic 1970s sports watch feel, reinforced by the vintage Mido logo. The practical day and date display sits at 3 o’clock. Baton hands filled with Super-LumiNova ensure legibility in low light, complemented by a lollipop seconds hand with a luminous dot at its tip. Luminous dots mark the hours on the dial’s periphery.

    The watch is powered by the Mido Calibre 80, an automatic movement based on the ETA C07.621 (Powermatic 80) with a Nivachron balance spring for improved resistance to magnetism. Running at 21,600 vibrations/hour, it delivers an impressive power reserve of up to 80 hours – more than enough for a long weekend away.

    Completing the vintage explorer vibe is a black Bund-style leather strap with a removable under-layer for added versatility. White stitching, subtle red highlights, and a polished steel pin buckle finish off the look in true retro tool-watch style. Of course, you can remove the leather plaque for a more subtle and thinner look.

    The new Mido Ocean Star Worldtimer is priced at CHF 850 (excl. taxes) or EUR 990 (incl. taxes), fair value for a practical, robust piece that stays true to the Ocean Star legacy. Sometimes, simple, good-looking and dependable is exactly what you want on your wrist when your next adventure calls. For more, visit www.midowatches.com.

    https://monochrome-watches.com/mido-ocean-star-worldtimer-1970s-re-edition-chequered-dial-review-price/

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