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Indian actor Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 after cancer battle • Mrunal Thakur warns of legal action over AI-generated deepfake content • Fazlur Rehman warns against politicizing debate over new provinces • Pakistan posts 387, secures first-innings lead over West Indies • Pakistan exempt from new US visa bond program • Trump voices concern over oil company profits amid Iran conflict • West Indies all out for 344 against Pakistan in first innings • Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly set to marry Georgina Rodriguez on Aug 8 • Trump says Gulf States backed diplomatic path with Iran • Fuel theft surges across UK as rising prices drive daily losses • Why ‘Inception’ remains one of Hollywood’s most rewatchable films • ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ opens with $355m worldwide • Secret wedding allegation involving Varma and Urmila resurfaces • Bilawal Bhutto alleges rigging in AJK elections • PM orders comprehensive performance review of federal ministries
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Newsdesk

Pakistan to make historic Miss World debut

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Pakistan to make

LAHORE: Pakistan will officially participate in the Miss World pageant for the first time in the competition’s 73-year history, with Aneeqa Jamal Iqbal selected to represent the country at Miss World 2026.

Aneeqa Jamal Iqbal was crowned Miss World Pakistan 2026 during a ceremony held at a hotel in Lahore. The crown was presented by Dr. Shafaq Akhtar, Miss Pakistan Universal 2022, in the presence of Mr. Pakistan World Attaullah Gujar.

The Miss Pakistan World Organization, established in 2002, said Pakistan’s debut at Miss World marks a significant milestone for the country’s participation in international beauty pageants.

Organization President Sonia Ahmed said the achievement reflects the growing presence of Pakistani women on global platforms.

While Pakistani contestants have previously competed in international pageants, including Miss Earth, Miss Supranational, Miss International, Miss Grand International and Miss Universe, this will be Pakistan’s first official participation in the Miss World competition.

In 2023, Erica Robin became the first Pakistani contestant to compete in the main Miss Universe pageant, followed by other Pakistani representatives in international beauty competitions. Pakistan’s entry into Miss World adds another milestone to the country’s expanding presence in global pageantry.

Hackers leak alleged data linked to India’s nuclear power plant

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Hackers leak

NEW DELHI: A ransomware group has published what it claims is sensitive data related to India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s largest nuclear facility, raising cybersecurity concerns over critical infrastructure.

According to Reuters, the ransomware group World Leaks posted a large cache of files on the dark web, including what appear to be facility layouts, supplier information, inspection records and engineering documents. The group claimed the data was obtained through a breach involving Reliance Infrastructure, which is involved in construction work at the plant.

Reliance said in a statement that data stored on servers operated by data center provider Yotta had been partially compromised and that the incident had been reported to the Indian government.

 The company did not specify what information, if any, had been affected or confirm that the leaked files were authentic.

Reuters reported that more than 858,000 files were allegedly obtained, with around 19,000 considered potentially sensitive.

The documents reportedly include ventilation and cooling system plans for Units 3 and 4, supplier proposals, approved vendor lists, inspection records and insurance documents. The published files do not appear to include information on the reactors’ core operating systems.

Cybersecurity experts warned that even if the leaked material does not expose reactor controls, it could still provide valuable intelligence about the plant’s supporting infrastructure and supply chain. Nicholas Roth, senior director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, said such information could help attackers identify vulnerabilities within critical systems.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the largest of India’s seven nuclear power stations and a key part of the country’s plan to expand nuclear energy generation. Units 3 and 4, currently under construction, are expected to begin operations in 2027 with a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts.

World Leaks has previously claimed responsibility for cyberattacks targeting major companies, including Nike and Tata Group, and typically publishes stolen data after ransom demands are rejected. The authenticity and full scope of the leaked documents related to Kudankulam have not been independently verified.

Trump recounts shift in thinking on Iran regime change

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Trump recounts

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said he initially believed the conflict with Iran could lead to a change in the country’s government but later concluded that such an outcome was unlikely.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he thought at the outset of the conflict that Iran’s government could be overthrown, adding that the situation might have been different if anti-government protesters had been armed.

Trump said he underestimated the extent to which Iranian authorities were prepared to use force to maintain control. He also referenced his earlier public statements urging Iranians to oppose their government, before later acknowledging that government opponents lacked the means to confront state security forces.

The president further claimed that strikes targeting senior Iranian officials had effectively weakened the country’s leadership, although Iran’s governing system remained in place.

Separately, Israeli media reported that Israel had attempted to establish contact with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as part of broader efforts related to potential political change in Iran, though those reported efforts were unsuccessful.

Trump also alleged that Kurdish fighters in Iraq retained weapons that he claimed had been intended for operations against Iranian government forces. The claims have not been independently verified, and no supporting evidence was provided during the interview.

Three police officers killed, 19 wounded in militant attacks in KP

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Three police

PESHAWAR: Three police officers were killed and at least 19 others were wounded in separate militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, authorities said Wednesday.

In Lower Dir, security forces including police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and the Elite Force came under attack during a search operation in the Haidarai Kandu Top area after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants. The ensuing gun battle left three police officers dead and 15 others injured, according to police officials.

Authorities said militants also set three police vehicles on fire during the clash. The wounded officers were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Timergara, while hospitals across Lower Dir were placed on emergency alert.

In a separate incident in Bannu, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into Meryan Police Station, triggering an ongoing exchange of gunfire with security personnel.

Police said four officers were injured in the attack, and additional security forces were deployed to the area as the operation against the assailants continued.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the attackers or claimed responsibility for either assault.

PM announces 1,000 more students to receive China training in agriculture

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PM announces

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced Wednesday that the government will send another 1,000 Pakistani students to China this year for advanced training in agriculture and livestock development as part of efforts to modernize the country’s agricultural sector.

Addressing a national seminar on livestock capacity building in Islamabad, Sharif said Pakistan’s farmers work tirelessly across all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, but continue to lag behind regional competitors because of limited access to modern technology and equipment.

The prime minister said Pakistan has significant untapped potential in agriculture and livestock, noting that the country is the world’s fourth-largest milk producer and has considerable capacity to expand meat production.

Sharif criticized the performance of some public institutions established to support agriculture and livestock, saying many had suffered from mismanagement and nepotism.

He called for closer cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to modernize the sector and translate policy into practical action.

He also announced that the federal government would fully fund the development or procurement of vaccines needed to combat livestock diseases, adding that related projects would be outsourced to improve efficiency and avoid the shortcomings of past institutions.

Highlighting the importance of international cooperation, Sharif said the government would continue its partnership with China by sponsoring another 1,000 students for specialized training this year, following a similar initiative launched last year. He urged authorities to make effective use of the expertise gained by returning students to help improve Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors.

Court issues notices to JUI Chief over controversial remarks

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Court issues

GUJRANWALA: A local court has issued notices to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Civil Lines police station in a petition seeking the registration of a criminal case over the politician’s remarks about institution.

The petition, filed by advocate Manzoor Qadir Bhinder, requests the court to direct police to register a case against Fazlur Rehman over what it describes as a controversial speech.

Additional Sessions Judge Faisal Jameel issued notices to both the SHO and Fazlur Rehman, directing them to appear on July 28. The court also ordered police to submit a report on the matter at the next hearing.

The petition follows widespread criticism of Fazlur Rehman’s recent remarks, which prompted reactions from several political and religious leaders.

Among those criticizing the comments were Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, MQM-P chief Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Separately, Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Allama Tahir Ashrafi condemned the remarks and expressed regret to the families of military personnel, saying the statement regarding the country’s fallen soldiers was inappropriate.

The court proceedings relate to the petition seeking registration of a case and do not constitute a determination of criminal liability.

Messi faces England for first time in career in World Cup semifinal

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Messi face

ATLANTA: Lionel Messi and Argentina face England in one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, with a place in the final at stake and decades of football history adding extra significance to the semifinal.

The match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium reunites two of football’s fiercest rivals, whose previous World Cup meetings have included Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986 and David Beckham’s red card in 1998. The rivalry has also been shaped by the Falklands War, adding a political backdrop to the sporting contest.

For 39-year-old Messi, the semifinal marks a unique milestone. Despite a career spanning more than two decades and virtually every major trophy in world football, the Argentina captain is set to face England for the first time in a senior international match.

Messi has scored eight goals in six matches at the tournament and is bidding to lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final.

England, meanwhile, is seeking its first World Cup title since 1966. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, the team has reached the last four after victories over DR Congo, Mexico and Norway.

Captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham are expected to lead England’s challenge as the Three Lions aim to win their first World Cup outside home soil.

Argentina advanced to the semifinals after defeating Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds, with each of its three elimination matches extending beyond regulation time.

The winner will move one step closer to lifting football’s biggest prize, with Argentina chasing another appearance in the World Cup final and England attempting to end a 60-year wait for a second global title.

Earlier, Spain advanced to its first FIFA World Cup final in 16 years after defeating France 2-0 in the first semifinal of the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.

Spain took control early and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty to give his side the lead. The goal was his fifth of the tournament.

The Spaniards doubled their advantage in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro, whose powerful strike sealed Spain’s place in the championship match.

France, led by tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappé, was unable to break through Spain’s defense despite several attacking opportunities. Mbappé, who entered the semifinal with eight goals in the tournament, failed to add to his tally.

The victory sends Spain to its first World Cup final since 2010, when it captured its only FIFA World Cup title. Spain will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Argentina and England in the tournament final.

Pakistan cricketers required to play padel during training camps

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Pakistan cricketers

LAHORE: Pakistan’s national cricketers will be required to play padel during extended training camps as part of a new initiative aimed at improving fitness and overall athletic performance, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s High Performance Centre.

A dedicated padel facility has been established at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), allowing players to participate in the sport without leaving the training complex.

High Performance Director Aaqib Javed said padel is easy to learn and offers significant fitness benefits. He noted that players previously had to travel elsewhere to play the sport, but the new facility enables them to combine cricket training with recreational physical activity.

Javed said players attending long-duration camps will be required to play padel for about 40 minutes every other day. He added that the sport’s emphasis on movement, agility and quick reactions directly benefits fielding and overall match fitness.

He also revealed plans to expand the academy’s recreational facilities by adding basketball courts and a games room featuring snooker and other indoor activities. Javed said athletes around the world regularly participate in sports beyond their primary discipline to enhance fitness and performance.

ICC approves new formats for ODI and T20 World Cups

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ICC approves

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved significant changes to the formats of the men’s ODI and T20 World Cups, introducing new competition structures aimed at making every match more meaningful and competitive.

Under the revised 14-team ODI World Cup format, the tournament will begin with a “Super Series” featuring the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th.

The winner of that stage will advance to the second round, where 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six.

The top three teams from each group, along with the best-ranked remaining team, will qualify for a new “Super 7” stage. After a round-robin among the seven teams, the top four will advance to the semifinals.

The ICC said the revised structure is designed to increase the importance of every match from the opening day of the tournament.

The governing body also approved changes to the 20-team T20 World Cup, replacing the existing Super 8 stage with a Super 10. In the opening round, the 20 teams will be split into five groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super 10 phase.

The Super 10 stage will feature two groups. The winners of each group will qualify directly for the semifinals, while the teams finishing second and third will contest newly introduced eliminator matches to determine the remaining semifinalists.

In addition, the ICC approved a new 16-team global T20 tournament for Associate Members, aimed at expanding competitive opportunities for emerging cricket nations.

Hindu extremist leader reportedly announces bounty against Aamir Khan

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Hindu extremist

NEW DELHI: A Hindu extremist leader has reportedly announced a cash reward of 50 million Indian rupees (5 crore) for the killing of Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, following controversial remarks by a politician that reignited debate over the actor’s personal life.

According to Indian media reports, the controversy began after Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane allegedly referred to Aamir Khan as the “brand ambassador of love jihad,” citing the actor’s marriages. The remarks drew widespread attention and fueled political and social debate.

Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, a Hindu extremist leader based in Ayodhya, publicly endorsed Rane’s comments and reportedly accused Khan of promoting what he described as “love jihad,” a conspiracy theory widely rejected by scholars and unsupported by evidence.

Media reports said Paramhans announced a reward of 50 million rupees for anyone who kills the actor, while also making additional threats against Khan and claiming he would cover the legal expenses of anyone carrying out such an act.

Authorities had not immediately announced any action regarding the reported threats, and Aamir Khan has not publicly responded to the remarks. Threats of violence against individuals are criminal matters under Indian law, and no evidence has been presented to support the allegations made against the actor.