World News Today Live Updates: Pakistan government to challenge Supreme Court’s order to move Imran Khan to hospital
The apex court ordered authorities to move Khan to Islamabad's Shifa International Hospital within two days.
· The Indian Express · JoinPakistan’s government has said that it will challenge the Supreme Court order directing authorities to move jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to a hospital for a medical check-up, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said in a video statement.
“This order is not within the four walls of the law,” Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said in a video-recorded statement issued on Tuesday night. He said the authorities had deliberated on the ruling and decided that the court should be approached for a review of the decision.
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UAE suspends trade, financial transactions with Iran until further notice
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) suspended all trade, financial transactions and other activities with Iran until further notice. Afra Al Hameli, the Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the development in the early hours of Wednesday (Aug 19). The official said that the UAE rejected all allegations regarding the status of its economic relationship with Iran. Meanwhile, she added that the UAE remains committed to “dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration as essential means to enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.”
“The Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Afra Al Hameli, rejected all allegations regarding the status of the economic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Al Hameli reiterated the UAE’s steadfast commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration as essential means of advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” the official statement said.
UAE detects new attacks from Iran after a month
The UAE’s Ministry of Defense, on Tuesday (Aug 18), said that it had detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, in a first such incident reported since July 12. The ministry stated that the missiles were targeting maritime navigation and fell into the sea.
“The Ministry of Defence announced that assessments revealed the two ballistic missiles detected, originating from Iran, were targeting maritime navigation and fell into the sea,” the ministry said in a statement. However, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that Tehran was behind missiles launched against the UAE.
Trump claims Strait of Hormuz ‘new US territory’
US President Donald Trump launched a fresh jibe at Tehran as he shared a map showing the Strait of Hormuz as a new US territory. He also said that no talks with Iran were underway and none were scheduled. “There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. “The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated.”
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Live Updates
Aug 19, 2026 04:43 PM IST
Is Iran losing control of Strait of Hormuz? What shipping data shows as US steps up patrols
The fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz is entering a new phase, with the United States claiming greater control over the critical waterway, while Iran insists it remains closed to shipping. But recent vessel-tracking data suggests neither side has complete control, with commercial traffic still far below normal levels, CNN reported.
The latest data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows that only six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the previous day and below the 10-day daily average of 11. Most shipowners continue to avoid the waterway because of uncertainty over whether it is safe to transit.
The Strait of Hormuz carried about one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the Iran war, making the disruption a major concern for energy markets. Oil prices rose to three-week highs on Wednesday as uncertainty over shipping persisted, news agency Reuters reported.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Washington has taken control of the waterway. Trump said on Monday that the US had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, a claim he repeated despite continued attacks on shipping and oil flows remaining well below pre-war levels.
The latest shipping data complicates that assertion. While US naval forces have been patrolling the waterway and offering protection to vessels attempting to transit, the number of ships actually crossing remains limited.
Aug 19, 2026 03:46 PM IST
At least 21 dead in head-on collision between bus and truck in Brazil
At least 21 people have died in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in Brazil's Paraná, Reuters reported.
Aug 19, 2026 03:11 PM IST
Helicopter, believed to be carrying tourists, crashes in Kenya's Samburu County
A helicopter, which is believed to be carrying tourists, crashed in Kenya's Samburu County on Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing local media.
Aug 19, 2026 02:54 PM IST
'NATO prepared to defend all allies,' says official amid reports of Iran weighing to attack US targets in Europe
A NATO official on Wednesday said that the Western military alliance is "prepared to defend all allies" amid reports that Iran is weighing to target US bases in Europe, Reuters reported.
Aug 19, 2026 02:32 PM IST
Pakistan government to challenge the Supreme Court's order to move Imran Khan to hospital
Pakistan’s government will challenge the Supreme Court order directing authorities to move jailed former prime minister Imran Khan to hospital for medical checks, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said in a video statement.
"This order is not within four walls of the law," Pakistan's Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said in a video-recorded statement issued on Tuesday night.
He said the authorities had deliberated the ruling and decided that the court should be approached for a review of the decision.
Aug 19, 2026 02:00 PM IST
Imran Khan meets wife Bushra Bibi, sister for first time in 9 months
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's sister, Noreen Niazi, met him on Tuesday at the Adiala Jail after nearly nine months, following the Pakistani Supreme Court's order allowing weekly family meetings, according to the Express Tribune.
The meeting lasted for about 15 minutes where she briefed Khan about the top court's order bout his transfer to Islamabad's Shifa Hospital.
The ormer Pak PM also met his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Aug 19, 2026 01:41 PM IST
'Substantial progress made', says Canadian PM Carney as US temporarily pauses 50% tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that over the last few weeks Ottawa had engaged in intensive discussions with the United States to address the issues related to trade.
He said that substantial progress has been made in trade talks as the United States agreed to delay its 50% tariff on Canadian goods until August 21.
"Over the last number of weeks, Canada has engaged in intensive discussions with the United States to address outstanding trade issues and deliver greater certainty and real benefits for Canadian businesses, workers, farmers and families," Carney said.
"Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done. As this work is ongoing, the United States has agreed to postpone the implementation of its 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930 until the end of day, August 21," he added.
Aug 19, 2026 12:55 PM IST
Ghalibaf says Iraq visit aims to strengthen ‘new regional order’
Iranian Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Wednesday (Aug 19), said that his visit to Iraq aims to strengthen what he called what he called a “new regional order” without foreign interference, according to Al Jazeera.
“Today’s visit to Iraq is aimed at strengthening the new order in the region and accelerating mutual cooperation among all countries of the region, without the intervention of foreign powers,” Ghalibaf said while speaking at the site where former General Qassem Soleimani was killed.
He said that the Islamic countries in the region should seek to establish “deep security interactions and ties” backed by sustainable economic cooperation.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran declares its full readiness to realise this regional model,” he added.
Aug 19, 2026 12:25 PM IST
Iran's military warns Gulf states against helping US forces
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi warned Gulf states against assisting the US military, saying Tehran was closely monitoring their actions.
He said that the presence of US military aircraft, including refuelling planes, at regional bases would be difficult to explain without host nations’ knowledge, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
“We warn: Any assistance and facilitation to the aggressive US army is tantamount to participation with the US military forces,” said Abdollahi.
Aug 19, 2026 11:59 AM IST
Iran war: Strait of Hormuz traffic slows amid lack of clear signalling on its reopening
Shipping though the Strait of Hormuz slowed as shipowners largely avoided the key waterway amid uncertainty over its reopening from a blockade during the Iran war, news agency Reuters reported citing data.
The Kpler data showed that six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, which was down from nine, a day earlier and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Inbound traffic through the waterway included an empty very large crude carrier, that followed the Omani side of the strait, and two tankers (a medium-range and the other intermediate), showed the data.
Aug 19, 2026 11:20 AM IST
South Korea says Trump drill order pressures Seoul over Iran war
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, on Wednesday (Aug 19), said that US President Donald Trump’s order to curb joint military drills appeared partly aimed at pressuring Seoul over the Iran war and other unresolved issues such as investment.
"I think President Trump's message includes pressure over several pending issues concerning the South Korean government, as well as a message to North Korea and an intention by the United States to break a stalemate in the Iran war," Cho said.
One of the possible sources of friction between the two countries could be South Korea’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the US under a trade deal, which was signed last year, said Cho.
"We could not move faster on the investment plan as we had to consider factors such as commercial viability and take legal procedures," he said.
Aug 19, 2026 10:50 AM IST
Trump claims Strait of Hormuz ‘new US territory’
US President Donald Trump launched a fresh jibe at Tehran as he shared a map showing the Strait of Hormuz as a new US territory. He also said that no talks with Iran were underway and none were scheduled.
“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. “The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated.”
Aug 19, 2026 10:45 AM IST
Trump says US and Canada strike deal, temporarily pauses 50% tariffs
President Donald Trump, on Tuesday (Aug 18), said that he was pausing the 50 per cent US tariffs against Canada for a three-day period, after Washington and Ottawa reached a last-minute deal before the sanctions were scheduled to take effect.
In a post on his Truth Social handle, Trump said, “I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three-day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalisation of documents, have a DEAL!”
He also hinted at a potential revival of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which he claimed was “long ago killed” by former US President Joe Biden.
“The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave,” he added.
Aug 19, 2026 10:42 AM IST
UAE detects new attacks from Iran after a month
The UAE’s Ministry of Defense, on Tuesday (Aug 18), said that it had detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran, in a first such incident reported since July 12. The ministry stated that the missiles were targeting maritime navigation and fell into the sea.
“The Ministry of Defence announced that assessments revealed the two ballistic missiles detected, originating from Iran, were targeting maritime navigation and fell into the sea,” the ministry said in a statement. However, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that Tehran was behind missiles launched against the UAE.
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Aug 19, 2026 10:37 AM IST
UAE suspends trade, financial transactions with Iran until further notice
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) suspended all trade, financial transactions and other activities with Iran until further notice.
Afra Al Hameli, the Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the development in the early hours of Wednesday (Aug 19). The official said that the UAE rejected all allegations regarding the status of its economic relationship with Iran. Meanwhile, she added that the UAE remains committed to “dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration as essential means to enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.”
“The Director of the Strategic Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Afra Al Hameli, rejected all allegations regarding the status of the economic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Al Hameli reiterated the UAE’s steadfast commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and regional integration as essential means of advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” the official statement said.
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