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  • ‘It felt magical’: monarch butterfly swarm delights visitors and locals in Western Australia town | Butterflies

    ‘It felt magical’: monarch butterfly swarm delights visitors and locals in Western Australia town | Butterflies

    Lounging on the tulips, roosting in the eucalyptus, humming around the bottlebrush – a butterfly swarm has invaded a rural Australian town to the delight of locals and tourists alike.

    Thousands of monarch butterflies have taken over Nannup, in south-west Western Australia, although experts warn their high numbers are evidence of the advance of invasive weeds.

    Horticulturalist Colin Barlow said the butterflies, which have a life cycle of about six weeks once hatched, feed as larvae on one of two weeds, varieties of cotton bush and milkweed, which are prevalent in surrounding pine plantations.

    A monarch butterfly settles on tulips at the Nannup flower and garden festival. Photograph: Angela Rasmussen/Nannup flower and garden festival

    “The reason why it was so good this year is because they had a very good food source,” he said.

    Barlow said the species is one of few that can eat the plants, adding that the monarch’s distinctive, bright orange colouring is a warning of their potential toxicity. “There’s only a couple of species of birds that can actually eat the butterflies.”

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    But the adult butterflies are also interested in other plant species. Maggie Longmore, who runs Nannup’s annual flower and garden festival in August, said they were particularly drawn to the tulips, as well as native bottlebrush and eucalyptus plants.

    “It has been an added attraction for the festival,” she said. “It’s gone a bit viral on social media … People have been coming to see the butterflies and the tulips.

    “I’ve lived in Nannup for 25 years. We see a few butterflies around, but this year they’re in the thousands.”

    The window has also been particularly long this year – more than two months, Longmore estimates. Burana Skelton, from Mandurah to the north, was driving through Nannup with her family during the July school holidays when they started to notice the insects.

    “We were, like, counting the butterflies as we were driving down the main street, going: ‘Oh, there’s one, two.’ And we got up to 20,” she said.

    “As we got further down towards the little local park area … it was literally covered in [them].

    “My husband and the kids got out the car … We had all our windows down and even the dogs were looking at it.”

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    Monarch butterflies roost by the roadside in Nannup. Photograph: Burana Skelton

    Monarch butterflies are native to North America and are believed to have been blown across to Australia via the Pacific islands during cyclonic weather in the early 1870s.

    Barlow says the species only took hold in the last 30 years when the invasive weeds also gained a footing, describing the situation as “a delicate balance”, but still “a beautiful sight”.

    “What we recommend is people to control the milkweed and the cotton bush inside of bushland areas, and in and around roadsides, so it doesn’t spread.”

    Skelton said the phenomenon’s complicated backstory did not detract from its beauty.

    “It’s hard to put into words,” she said. “It felt magical.”

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  • Belgian painter Walter Swennen dies at 79.

    Belgian painter Walter Swennen dies at 79.

    Belgian artist Walter Swennen, known for playful and experimental paintings, has died at 79. His death was announced by Xavier Hufkens, which represents him.

    “Walter’s passing is an immense loss, both personally and artistically,” Xavier Hufkens said in a statement. “He was a dear friend and a true visionary, whose thinking was as uncompromising as it was free. We will miss him profoundly, but his spirit will endure, inspiring and challenging generations to come.”

    Born in Brussels in 1946, Swennen first pursued poetry and performance in the 1960s before turning to painting—at first privately, then publicly in the early 1980s. He briefly studied philosophy at Saint-Louis University in Brussels and engraving at Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts. He graduated with a master’s in psychology from the Université Catholique de Louvain in 1973.

    Swennen’s paintings often incorporated words in multiple languages, alongside comic book figures and everyday motifs that he treated irreverently. He drew inspiration from sources as varied as free jazz, philosophy, street signage, and art history. After his initial pursuit of poetry, language remained central to his art practice, through which he endeavored to unsettle fixed meanings.

    In 1981, Swennen presented his first solo exhibition at Gallery Patrick Verelst in Antwerp. That same year, he showed his paintings at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, which would later be the venue for his first institutional show in 1986. He quickly became a central figure in Belgian painting, rising to prominence alongside artists exploring the material limits of the medium, such as Marcel Broodthaers.

    Swennen’s work was the subject of major international exhibitions, including “So Far So Good” at WIELS in Brussels in 2013, “Ein perfektes Alibi” at Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen in Düsseldorf in 2015, and “La pittura farà da sé” at La Triennale di Milano in 2018. A retrospective opened at Kunstmuseum Bonn in Germany in 2021 before traveling to Kunstmuseum Den Haag in the Netherlands and Kunstmuseum Winterthur in Switzerland.

    Xavier Hufkens began representing Swennen in 2014. In 2015, Gladstone Gallery started representing the artist and has presented three solo shows over the last decade.

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  • Ultra-processed foods undermine diet quality in Mediterranean youth, study shows

    Ultra-processed foods undermine diet quality in Mediterranean youth, study shows

    From Egypt to Italy, children who regularly eat ultra-processed foods are falling short of dietary guidelines and moving away from traditional Mediterranean eating patterns, researchers warn.

    In a recent article published in the journal Foods, researchers examined the consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods (UPFs) among children and adolescents in five Mediterranean countries, exploring how UPF intake relates to diet quality.

    Their analysis showed that higher consumption of UPFs was linked with poorer overall diet quality, reduced compliance with dietary guidelines, and lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

    Background

    In recent decades, diets have shifted from seasonal, fresh, local foods toward industrially processed alternatives, a trend especially evident among children and adolescents.

    Technological advances and globalization have reshaped food production, increasing shelf life and convenience but often sacrificing nutritional quality. This shift raises concerns, as children are particularly vulnerable due to developmental needs, marketing susceptibility, and reliance on caregivers and schools for diet.

    Early exposure to poor eating habits can disrupt healthy growth, impair cognitive and immune function, and increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

    Mediterranean countries, once known for the balanced and nutrient-rich Mediterranean diet, are also experiencing a gradual move toward Western-style eating, marked by nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods. Although overall consumption of such foods remains lower than in countries like the US or UK, these trends are concerning.

    According to the Nova classification, UPFs are industrial products high in sugars, fats, and additives but low in essential nutrients. Growing evidence links frequent UPF consumption with poor diet quality, chronic diseases, and even cognitive problems.

    About the Study

    Researchers analyzed dietary habits of children and adolescents aged between 6 and 17 years in five Mediterranean countries, namely Lebanon, Egypt, Portugal, Spain, and Italy, using data provided by 2011 parents recruited from a consumer database.

    Eligible participants had to be parents of children within the age range and have internet access, and data, including demographic information, were collected via an online survey. Weight status was calculated using established growth chart body mass index (BMI) percentiles, classifying participants as obese, overweight, or normal weight.

    Physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire, which categorized activity as low, moderate, or high. Dietary intake was assessed through 24-hour recalls and weekly food frequency questions. Special attention was given to 13 categories of UPFs, including fast food, soft drinks, pastries, and candies. UPF consumption was categorized as “high” (above the median) or “daily” (daily consumption of at least one type of UPF; not necessarily all categories).

    Diet quality was assessed using two indices: the Youth Healthy Eating Index (adapted to a maximum score of 90 in this study) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (with a high score of 12). Statistical analyses included Chi-square, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for physical activity, weight, age, and sex.

    Key Findings

    Among the 2011 participants, no significant differences by sex were found across UPF consumption groups. However, obesity and overweight were more common among children with higher daily UPF intake. Interestingly, a higher proportion of physically active adolescents also reported high UPF consumption. The authors proposed this might reflect increased hunger from higher activity rather than inherently unhealthy behaviors, but noted this contrasts with most literature and requires confirmation.

    In terms of food groups, high and daily UPF consumers ate more sweets, nuts, dairy, meat, and cereals, but showed a lower proportion consuming high fruit intake (≥3 portions/day) and a higher proportion consuming moderate fruit (1–2 portions/day), with Spain as a notable exception where high UPF consumers ate more fruit. Importantly, vegetable and whole grain intake remained consistent regardless of UPF consumption levels. Country-specific patterns largely mirrored these results.

    Diet quality was consistently lower in children with higher UPF intake. Those consuming UPFs daily or frequently scored significantly lower on both the diet quality indices. For example, daily UPF consumption was associated with about 40–60% lower odds of achieving high diet quality scores. Subgroup analyses showed particularly strong negative associations in Egypt, Portugal, and Italy, while Lebanon showed paradoxical increases in Mediterranean diet adherence among high UPF consumers, and findings were less consistent in Spain.

    Further analysis showed that high UPF consumers were less likely to meet dietary recommendations for fats, sweets, meat, and legumes across countries. Some exceptions were noted, such as higher adherence to Spanish guidelines for fish among frequent UPF consumers.

    Conclusions

    This study found that higher consumption of unhealthy UPFs among children and adolescents in Mediterranean countries was strongly linked with poorer diet quality and lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet, echoing evidence from other research.

    Although some country-level variations emerged, frequent UPF intake was associated with unbalanced diets rich in fats, sweets, and processed meats, potentially displacing minimally processed foods. The study provides a comprehensive multi-country assessment of UPF consumption in Mediterranean youth using standardized metrics.

    The study’s strengths include its standardized, multi-country design and focus on both diet quality indices and adherence to national guidelines. However, limitations include its cross-sectional design, reliance on parental reports (which may consist of recall and social desirability bias), and restricted focus on only certain UPF categories.

    In conclusion, reducing unhealthy UPF intake is essential to preserve the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. This requires multi-sectoral strategies, including education, stricter marketing regulations, school nutrition policies, and industry accountability through reformulation and labeling.

    Journal reference:

    • Unhealthy Ultra-Processed Food, Diet Quality and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Children and Adolescents: The DELICIOUS Project. Giampieri, F., Rosi, A., et al. Foods (2025). DOI: 10.3390/foods14152648, https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2648

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  • Disability, Eastern Diversity Steering, Latino, LGBTQ+ and Women’s Steering Committees Announce Election Results

    Disability, Eastern Diversity Steering, Latino, LGBTQ+ and Women’s Steering Committees Announce Election Results

    Directors Nick Copus, Ashley Eakin & Afia Serena Nathaniel have been elected as Co-Chairs of the Disability Committee; Directors Melissa Haizlip & Afia Serena Nathaniel & UPM Canella Williams-Larrabee as Co-Chairs of the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee; Directors Alejandro Brugués, Eli Gonda & Andrew Molina as Co-Chairs of the Latino Committee; and Directors Shaz Bennett, Jade Jenise Dixon & Valerie Weiss as Co-Chairs of the Women’s Steering Committee.

    Additionally, for the Disability Committee, Director Rachel Raimist has been elected as the Western Director category representative, 2nd AD Alex Martini and 1st AD Thomas McAuley Burke as the Western and Eastern AD/UPM category representatives and Associate Director Dan Bowen as the Western AD/SM/PA category representative. For the Latino Committee, Director Carlos Lopez Estrada has been elected as the Director category representative and 1st AD Rene Villarreal as the AD/UPM category representative. For the Women’s Steering Committee, Director Mary Lou Belli has been elected as the Director category representative.

    The LGBTQ+ Committee has also completed its representative elections with Directors Peter Paige, Jessica Lowrey and Steven Canals elected as Western Director category representatives; 1st AD Mark Hansson and UPM Steak House elected as Western AD/UPM category representatives; 1st AD Sarah R. Fairchild elected as Eastern AD/UPM category representative and Production Associate David B. Cooper elected as Eastern AD/SM/PA category representative. Directors Rhys Ernst and Kimberly Peirce and 1st AD Mark Hansson will continue in their posts as Co-Chairs of the Committee.

    About the Disability Committee Co-Chairs

    Nick Copus
    Copus has served as a producing Director on series including Bel-Air, Titans, Animal Kingdom, Lethal Weapon, Siren, Into the Badlands, Salem, Damien, Alphas, True Tales of Terror and I Shouldn’t Be Alive. He has directed over 160 television episodes on 43 different series including episodes of American Gods, The Right Stuff, Queen of the South, Gotham, Arrow, Sleepy Hollow, Revolution, Nikita, The 4400 and The Dresden Files. A DGA member since 2006, Copus previously served as a Co-Chair of the DGA Disability Committee. 
     

    Ashley EakinAshley Eakin
    Eakin’s directorial credits include episodes of the series Growing Up and Best Foot Forward; and the shorts Forgive Us Our Trespasses, Blue and Exo. Her other short films, Single and Roommates, earned nominations for the Narrative Short Grand Jury Award at the 2020 and 2022 SXSW festival. Eakin became a DGA member in 2021. 
     
    Afia Serena NathanielAfia Serena Nathaniel
    Nathaniel’s directorial credits include the feature Dukhtar, which was Pakistan’s official submission for Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards; episodes of Chicago Med; and the shorts Nadah, Toba Tek Singh, Long After and Don’t be late, Myra. Nathaniel became a DGA member in 2022, and also serves as a Co-Chair of the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee. 
    About the Disability Committee

    The   mission of the Disability Committee is to examine a broad range of issues DGA members with disabilities face on sets, with the goal of developing recommendations to address these matters. The Committee was created in 2023 where DGA members could lead the work to destigmatize disability as a way to empower other members to feel comfortable with disclosing their disability identity and push the industry towards greater acceptance of Directors and Directorial Team members with disabilities. In 2024, the Committee was designated a permanent committee by the DGA National Board.


     

    About the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee Co-Chairs
    Melissa HaizlipMelissa Haizlip
    Haizlip’s directorial credits include the documentary features Satisfied and Mr. Soul! and an episode of the documentary series Independent Lens. Haizlip has been a DGA member since 2018.
     
    Afia Serena NathanielAfia Serena Nathaniel
    Nathaniel’s directorial credits include the feature Dukhtar, which was Pakistan’s official submission for Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards; episodes of Chicago Med; and the shorts Nadah, Toba Tek Singh, Long After and Don’t be late, Myra. Nathaniel became a DGA member in 2022, and also serves as a Co-Chair of the Disability Committee. 
     
    Canella Williams-LarrabeeUPM Canella Williams-Larrabee
    Williams-Larrabee’s credits include features such as Jingyi Shao’s Chang Can Dunk and Dayna Hanson’s Confession; and episodes of The Night Agent, The Crowded Room, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Evil, Raising Dion, NCIS: New Orleans and the DGA Award-nominated limited series, The Undoing. A DGA member since 2019, Williams-Larrabee also serves as the Chair of the Eastern AD/UPM Council, and as a Second Alternate on the DGA National Board This is her third term as a Co-Chair of the EDSC.
    About the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee

    The Eastern Diversity Steering Committee represents the concerns of Guild members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent residing in the East. Committed to improving the employment opportunities, working conditions and the skills of ethnically diverse Guild members, the Committee sponsors workshops, seminars, round-table discussions and networking events to showcase the talents of its members, recognize their contributions and increase their visibility

    About the Latino Committee Co-Chairs

    Alejandro BruguesAlejandro Brugués
    Brugués’ directorial credits include the feature films The Inheritance and Juan of the Dead; a segment in the feature anthology Satanic Hispanics; segments of ABCs of Death 2 and Nightmare Cinema; and episodes of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, 50 States of Fright and Into the Dark. Brugués has been a DGA member since 2015 and previously served as the alternate co-chair of the Latino Committee. 
     

    Eli GondaEli Gonda
     Gonda’s directorial credits include the feature films Sid Is Dead and The Outfield; and episodes of Neon, Freeridge, With Love, On My Block, Freeridge, ABC Discovers: Los Angeles Talent Showcase, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Husbands. He has been a member of the DGA since 2019 and previously served as a co-chair of the Latino Committee.
     

    Andrew MolinaAndrew Molina
    Molina’s directorial credits include an episode of the series Uncharted; and numerous shorts and commercials including Heaven on Earth, You’ve Got This All in a Day’s Work, Fantasy, and People are Great. Molina has been a DGA member since 2016. 
     
    About the Latino Committee

    The Latino Committee was created as a networking group to advance career and job opportunities for Latino DGA members by improving craft skills, networking, and making Latinos better known to the Hollywood creative community. To achieve this mandate, the LC sponsors workshops, seminars, networking sessions and major events to showcase members’ talent, enhance qualifications, improve employment opportunities, and recognize our contributions to the industry.

    About the Women’s Steering Committee Co-Chairs
    Shaz BennettShaz Bennett
     Bennett’s directorial credits include the feature film, Alaska is a Drag — based on her short of the same name — as well as episodes of the series Billions, Queen Sugar, Animal Kingdom, Ordinary Joe and Bosch; and the short films Desert Rats, Top of the Circle and Tunnels. She has been a member of the DGA since 2019 and previously served as a Co-Chair of the Women’s Steering Committee.
     
    Jade Jenise DixonJade Jenise Dixon
    Dixon’s directorial credits include the features Truth Hall and Dog Park; and episodes of Raven’s Home and Kold x Windy. She has been a DGA member since 2022.
     
    Valerie WeissValerie Weiss
    Weiss’s directorial credits include the feature films, Mixtape, The Archer, A Light Beneath Their Feet and Losing Control; the movie for television, An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas; and episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Echoes, Monarch, Outer Banks, Why Women Kill, Suits, Impulse and Echoes. A DGA member since 2016, Weiss currently serves on the Sustainable Future Committee and previously served as a Co-Chair of the Women’s Steering Committee.
     
    About the Women’s Steering Committee

    The Women’s Steering Committee was created to advance the professional interests of its members, and to heighten their visibility and career opportunities. The WSC currently promotes diversity through sponsoring networking events, screenings and seminars, and fosters relationships between the members to provide support, mentoring and networking opportunities.

    About the LGBTQ+ Committee

    The LGBTQ+ Committee was founded in 2021 as a provisional committee to explore ways to educate, inform, address the concerns of and create opportunities for members who identify in these categories. At the DGA National Board meeting on January 8, 2022, the Board voted make the LGBTQ+ Committee an official standing committee. The Committee is dedicated to empowering and advancing the professional interests of LGBTQ+ and to promoting and working for employment equity throughout the entertainment industry.

     

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  • “My b**bs have gotten bigger”: Samantha Busch’s shocking orgasm confession on podcast sends Kyle Busch community buzzing | International Sports News

    “My b**bs have gotten bigger”: Samantha Busch’s shocking orgasm confession on podcast sends Kyle Busch community buzzing | International Sports News

    Samantha Busch’s shocking orgasm confession on Certified Oversharer podcast sends Kyle Busch community buzzing (Image via Getty)

    Samantha Busch, wife of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, surprised many on August 18, 2025, when she hosted a talk on her new podcast Certified Oversharer that left fans talking. She invited Dr. Marley Quinn, a holistic wellness doctor, into the conversation. They spoke about a woman’s supplement called Her Package, and Dr. Quinn shared a personal, NSFW detail: she said she started having orgasms in her sleep. That line, delivered right at the start of the episode, grabbed attention and made many listeners do a double-take. This episode was no ordinary wellness chat; it was bold, unfiltered, and exactly what the podcast’s name promised.

    Samantha Busch hosts Dr. Marley Quinn and sparks overshare moment

    On August 18, 2025, Samantha Busch opened her Certified Oversharer podcast with Dr. Marley Quinn. They talked about how to keep a regular cycle and recommended Her Package, a supplement for women. Dr. Quinn went off-script and said, “my b**bs have gotten bigger… and I started having orgasms in my sleep, like quite a lot, like my own.” That line was so unexpected, Samantha joked that every woman listening was typing down the website. “Write that down,” she said to her friend Darby, “I’m gonna get that.” Samantha Busch laughed and added, “With supplements, it’s like you can have an orgasm in your sleep. Yes please!” It was playful, cheeky, and far from anything you’d hear at a normal office. The host and guest leaned fully into the “overshare” vibe, and listeners were stunned but entertained.

    Samantha Busch brings real talk and bold moments to her podcast

    Samantha Busch launched Certified Oversharer earlier this year to give women a safe place to talk about the things people usually keep quiet, fertility, wellness, boundaries, life as a mom, and honest feelings. The show airs everywhere: Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and more. Also Read: Iga Swiatek Waves Off Cameraman While Changing Clothes After Beating Elena Rybakina At Cincinnati Open Semi FinalJust a few days before this daring episode, NBC Sports reporter Kaitlyn Vincie appeared on the same podcast and revealed how scary it felt to interview Kyle Busch during his intense “Rowdy” phase, saying she felt ready to interview a serial killer over him when he was angry. It gave fans a rare glimpse into the high-pressure world behind NASCAR cameras. This latest episode continues that trend, blending real-life, unfiltered talk with just a dash of shock value. It’s exactly what fans signed up for with Certified Oversharer.


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  • Millie Bobby Brown jokingly recreates Hailey Bieber’s lip gloss phone case

    Millie Bobby Brown jokingly recreates Hailey Bieber’s lip gloss phone case

    Millie Bobby Brown gives Hailey Bieber a playful shoutout

    Millie Bobby Brown just gave Hailey Bieber’s viral lip gloss phone case her own DIY twist

    Taking to Instagram, the Stranger Things star, 21, posted a mirror selfie video over the weekend, showing off a makeshift version of Bieber’s now-famous Rhode lip gloss phone case.

    Instead of the viral sleek accessory by Rhode, Brown fastened a simple hair tie around her phone and tucked in a lip balm from her own beauty line, Florence by Mills.

    The funny recreation was set to the tune of Go Baby, a track by Hailey’s husband, Justin Bieber, which gives a direct nod to his wife’s product placement. “That’s my baby / She’s iconic / iPhone case / lip gloss on it.”

    Brown also gave the fellow beauty founder, 28, a shoutout in the caption, writing, “@haileybieber did it first,” with a purple heart emoji.

    The move got a sweet acknowledgement from the Rhode founder herself as Hailey dropped a like and commented “Hehe” along with a slew of heart emojis.

    Florence by Mills’ official account chimed in with an enthusiastic, “ICONICCC,” while the brand’s fashion arm added its own cheeky nod to Justin’s lyric, writing, “that’s my baby, she’s iconic.”


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  • ‘Skibidi’, ‘delulu’ included in Cambridge dictionary – Newspaper

    ‘Skibidi’, ‘delulu’ included in Cambridge dictionary – Newspaper

    LONDON: Words popularised by Gen Z and Gen Alpha including “skibidi”, “delulu”, and “tradwife” are among 6,000 new entries to the online edition of the Cambridge Dictionary over the last year, its publisher said on Monday.

    Cambridge University Press said tradwife, a portmanteau of traditional wife, reflected “a growing, controversial Instagram and TikTok trend that embraces traditional gender roles”.

    The dictionary also took on the challenge of defining skibidi, a word popularised in online memes, as a term which had “different meanings such as cool or bad, or can be used with no real meaning”.

    The gibberish word was spread by a YouTube channel called “Skibidi Toilet” and is associated with the mindless, “brain rot” content found on social media and consumed by Gen Alpha’s overwhelmingly digital lifestyle.

    The dictionary defined delulu, derived from the word delusional, as “believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to”.

    As an example, it cited a 2025 speech in parliament where Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the phrase “delulu with no solulu”.

    “It’s not every day you get to see words like skibidi and delulu make their way into the Cambridge Dictionary,” said Colin McIntosh, Lexical Programme manager at the Cambridge Dictionary.

    “We only add words where we think they’ll have staying power. Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the Dictionary.”

    Other new phrases include “lewk”, used to describe a unique fashion look and popularised by RuPaul’s Drag Race, and “inspo”, short for inspiration.

    Work from home culture has given rise to “mouse jiggler”, referring to a way to pretend to work when you are not.

    There is also “forever chemical”, man-made chemicals that stay in the environment for years and have gained traction as concerns grow about the irreversible impact of climate change on the health of humans and the plant.

    Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025

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  • US envoy says it’s now Israel’s turn to ‘comply’ as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah – Newspaper

    US envoy says it’s now Israel’s turn to ‘comply’ as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah – Newspaper

    BEIRUT: US envoy Tom Barrack on Monday called on Israel to honour commitments under a ceasefire that ended its war with Hezbollah, after the Lebanese government launched a process to disarm the group.

    Under the November truce, which ended more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group was to withdraw its fighters from near the Israeli border and weapons were to come under the control of the Lebanese state.

    Israel was to withdraw its troops from the country but has kept them at five border points it deems strategic and has continued to strike Lebanon, threatening to do so until Hezbollah has been disarmed.

    “There’s always a step-by-step approach but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They’ve taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply,” Barrack said following a meeting in Beirut with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

    “We’re all moving in the right direction,” he said after meeting parliament speaker Nabih Berri. Berri, a Hezbollah ally, said Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire and its troop withdrawal was “the gateway to stability in Lebanon”, a statement said.

    ‘Progress’

    Asked by reporters whether he expected to see Israel fully withdraw from Lebanese territory and stop its violations, Barrack said that “that’s exactly the next step” needed. “We need participation on the part of Israel, and we need an economic plan for prosperity, restoration and renovation,” the US diplomat added, with Lebanon weighed down by an economic crisis.

    Barrack said Washington was “in the process of now discussing with Israel what their position is”, adding that “in the next few weeks you’re going to see progress on all sides.” “It means a better life for the people… and at least the beginning of a roadway to a different kind of dialogue” in the region, he said.

    The visit comes after Lebanon’s cabinet tasked the army with developing a plan to disarm Hezbollah by year end — an unprecedented step since civil war factions gave up their weapons decades ago.

    The cabinet has also tackled a US proposal that includes a timetable for Hezbollah’s disarmament, with Washington pressing Lebanon to take action.

    The cabinet endorsed the introduction of the US text, which lists 11 objectives including to “ensure the sustainability” of the ceasefire, and to phase out “the armed presence of all non-state actors, including Hezbollah” across all Lebanese territory.

    It also provides for demarcating Lebanon’s land borders with Israel and neighbouring Syria, and a process involving the international community to support reconstruction.

    ‘Lebanese process’

    Aoun told Barrack that what was needed was for “other parties to adhere to the contents” of the joint declaration, “more support for the Lebanese army”, and expedited steps towards reconstruction, the presidency said.

    Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Washington needed to “fulfil its responsibility in pressuring Israel halt hostilities”, withdraw troops and release Lebanese prisoners it holds.

    Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025

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  • Hamas ‘accepts’ proposed truce deal, claims official – Newspaper

    Hamas ‘accepts’ proposed truce deal, claims official – Newspaper

    CAIRO: Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza, after a fresh diplomatic push to end more than 22 months of fighting, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim claimed in a Facebook post on Monday.

    Mediators Egypt and Qatar, backed by the United States, have struggled to secure a lasting truce in the conflict, which has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

    After receiving a new proposal from mediators, Hamas said it was ready for talks. “The movement has submitted its response, agreeing to the mediators’ new proposal. We pray to God to extinguish the fire of this war on our people,” senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said.

    Egypt said it and Qatar had sent the new proposal to Israel, adding “the ball is now in its court”. Israel has yet to respond.

    Thousands flee Gaza City fearing Israeli offensive

    A Palestinian source familiar with the talks said mediators were “expected to announce that an agreement has been reached and set a date for the resumption of talks”, adding that guarantees were offered to ensure implementation and pursue a permanent solution.

    According to a report in Egyptian state-linked media Al-Qahera, the deal proposed an initial 60-day truce, partial prisoners release and provisions to allow for the entry of aid.

    The proposal comes more than a week after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to expand operations into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps, which has sparked international outcry as well as domestic opposition.

    Palestinians leave homes

    Fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive, thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and south in the shattered territory.

    In Gaza City, many Palestinians have also been calling for protests soon to demand an end to a conflict that has destroyed much of the territory and wrought a humanitarian disaster, and for Hamas to intensify talks to avert an Israeli ground offensive.

    Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025

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  • Country ‘running well’, no need for 27th amendment: Dar – Newspaper

    Country ‘running well’, no need for 27th amendment: Dar – Newspaper

    LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said that the country was “running well” and experiencing stability and economic improvement, adding that there was no need for a 27th Const­itutional Amendment, Dawn­.com reported.

    Even as the 26th Amendment remains mired in controversy, the power corridors in Islamabad have been abuzz with talk of a possible 27th Const­itutional Amen­dment, which, according to insiders, would further ‘fine tune’ the structure and the functioning of the superior judiciary.

    Speaking to reporters in London during a visit to the United Kingdom, the deputy premier said: “We are still digesting the 26th Constitutional Amendment, so there is no need for a 27th right now. The country is running well. There is stability and economic improvement.

    “We are putting our full attention towards GDP growth and development. Under [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, all efforts are being made.”

    Meets British under-secretary, parliamentarians of Pakistani origin

    Dar said that under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 2017, Pakistan was “the 24th-biggest economy” and added that the government was working to bring the economy back to that point.

    “We are headed that way very quickly, and we are getting ready to become part of the G20,” he said.

    In June, amid speculation in legal circles about the government planning to bring in the 27th Amen­dment, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association had endorsed a possible amendment while calling for broa­d-based judicial reforms, including the nationwide rotation of judges.

    Sources had said certain contentious matters, such as a separate constitutional court, left unresolved in the 26th Amendment, would be taken up in the new amendment. Though speculations had been rife since then, there had been no official word regarding the 27th Amendment.

    Meets British-Pakistani lawmakers

    Separately, Mr Dar held “productive meetings” with British lawmakers of Pakistani origin, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

    The deputy PM arrived in the UK on Saturday ahead of diplomatic engagements with British and Comm­onwealth leadership from August 17-19.

    The FO said earlier this week that he would meet British Deputy Prime Min­ister Angela Rayner and Parli­amentary Under-Secr­etary of State for Pakistan Hamish Falconer.

    In a fresh statement, the FO said Dar met British mem­­­bers of parliament (MP) Mohammad Yasin, Tahir Ali, Imran Hussain, Ayoub Khan and Adnan Hussain.

    “The deputy prime minister/foreign minister underscored the deep historical and cultural bonds between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, which are further strengthened by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in the UK,” the statement read.

    During these meetings, the deputy premier highlighted the diaspora’s pivotal role as a bridge between Islamabad and London, fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchanges and robust people-to-people connections, the FO added.

    Dar “emphasised Paki­stan’s strong commitment to enhancing bilateral parliamentary exchanges with the United Kingdom”, the statement read. “He noted that such engagements facilitate the sharing of democratic experiences, international best practices and core democratic values, which are vital for the growth and stability of democratic institutions in both countries.”

    The FO said the deputy premier appreciated the efforts of the MPs to bring greater attention to the issue of human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and commended them for raising awareness on the situation in the UK.

    Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also met UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hamish Falconer at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in a “productive” meeting.

    “During the meeting, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across political, economic, climate and people-to-people domains,” the FO stated.

    Dar and Falconer also exchanged views on regional and global developments, while the deputy PM highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to economic reforms and shared Pakistan’s perspective on peace and stability in South Asia. “He (Dar) underscored the importance of the just and peaceful resolution of [the] Jammu and Kashmir Dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions,” the FO statement read.

    According to the FO, both sides appreciated the trajectory of UK-Pakistani relations and noted the importance of regular, high-level interactions to maintain ties and open up new avenues for cooperation.

    With input from APP

    Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025

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