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KP CM Sohail Afridi rejects governor’s rule threats • Nadia Khan faces criticism after questioning Preshay Adnan over gym attire • OpenAI scraps new AI model launch over safety concerns • Men face higher cancer rates than women, study finds • Pakistan earn first point in FIFA ASEAN Cup after 2-2 draw with Philippines • Tax return filing deadline tomorrow as late-filer category set to end • Floods and heavy rains kill 23 in Thailand • Ahsan Bhoon sends Rs5b defamation notice to Capt (R) Safdar • Salman Khan speaks out against AI-generated deepfake videos • Insomnia linked to 26% higher stroke risk, study finds • Google Chrome introduces feature to preserve tab position across devices • Four militants killed in security operation in DI Khan • Clashes erupt over partial demolition of 600-year-old Ujjain mosque in India • Pakistan thrash Oman 7-2, set up Asian Games semifinal against India • Pakistan plans $500mn ADB loan for pension reforms
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JI announces Islamabad long march for Sep 20

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JI announces

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday announced a long march toward Islamabad on Sept. 20 against inflation, rising petroleum prices and the petroleum levy.

Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami protest gathering in Gujranwala, Rehman said the party had decided to turn its ongoing protests and sit-ins into a long march after talks with the government failed.

He said the Sept. 20 march would be “historic” and urged people across the country to participate.

“The government must abolish the petroleum levy and cut its own expenditures,” Rehman said, adding that the government could not claim it had no resources while imposing additional burdens on citizens.

He warned that if the levy was not withdrawn, his party would launch a movement seeking the government’s removal.

Rehman also criticized government spending and questioned the use of expensive official aircraft, saying ordinary citizens were struggling with rising costs while those in power enjoyed privileges.

“Listen, Shehbaz Sharif, and listen to the public’s anger,” he said, warning the prime minister over the growing public discontent.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said the government’s economic policies had opened the way for corruption and called for an end to what he described as excessive taxes and expenditures.

Meanwhile, heavy rain and strong winds disrupted the party’s ongoing sit-in in Rawalpindi, damaging the screen system at Liaquat Bagh. Participants listened to Rehman’s address through an audio system as water accumulated along the road near Liaquat Bagh Chowk.

Rehman also said he would lead the Rawalpindi-Islamabad march scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of the party’s ongoing protest campaign.

Pakistan reach 52-2 as rain ends second day of Edgbaston Test

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Pakistan

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan reached 52-2 in their second innings before rain brought an early end to the second day of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Pakistan, who were bowled out for 133 in their first innings, began their second innings 320 runs behind England after the hosts made 453.

The tourists again made a poor start, with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique dismissed for ducks by Ollie Robinson.

Azan Awais and Shan Masood then steadied Pakistan’s innings, reaching 52 before play was abandoned because of rain. Awais was unbeaten on 29 and Masood on 21.

Pakistan still trail England by 268 runs and need to match the hosts’ first-innings total to avoid an innings defeat.

England had earlier been bowled out for 453, with Harry Brook scoring 75, Jamie Smith 69, Dan Lawrence 65, Emilio Gay 60 and Ollie Robinson 50.

Pakistan debutant fast bowler Razaullah claimed four wickets, while Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Ali took two each.

Pakistan had been dismissed for 133 in 33.5 overs in their first innings, with the visitors struggling against England’s bowling attack.

England lead the three-match series 2-0, leaving Pakistan needing a remarkable turnaround in the final Test to avoid a series whitewash.

Apple raises prices of older iPhone models alongside new lineup

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Apple raises

CUPERTINO: Apple has raised the prices of several older iPhone models following the launch of its latest devices, reversing its usual practice of cutting prices on previous-generation phones.

Apple introduced the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, on Sept. 9.

The company has quietly increased the prices of the iPhone 16, iPhone 17, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air by $100 each.

The iPhone 16, which had been selling for $699 before the launch event, now costs $799. The price is the same as when the device was originally launched in 2024.

The iPhone 17e, launched in March for $599, is now priced at $699.

The iPhone 17, introduced last September at $799, will now sell for $899.

Meanwhile, the iPhone Air has increased from $999 to $1,099.

Apple has also priced the new iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro Max $100 higher than their predecessors.

The price increases come amid higher costs for chips and other components. Apple’s former CEO Tim Cook had previously indicated that rising component costs could put pressure on the company’s product prices.

Shah Rukh Khan’s childhood friend reveals his surprising weakness

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Shah Rukh Khan

NEW DELHI: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan may be known for his acting, dancing and iconic dialogue delivery, but singing was apparently not among his strengths during his school days, according to an old friend.

Singer Palaash Sen, who studied at St. Columba’s School in New Delhi and was a year senior to Khan, recalled their friendship and revealed the actor was not particularly good at singing.

Speaking in an interview with a YouTube channel, Sen said he and Khan were close friends at school and often took part in sports, debates, quizzes and other extracurricular activities.

Sen said Khan appeared to be talented in many areas but struggled with singing. As a result, Sen would sometimes sing on Khan’s behalf during school events.

Recalling one particular musical programme, Sen said Khan was supposed to perform a role that involved singing. Since Khan could not sing, Sen stood backstage and provided the vocals while Khan performed on stage.

Sen described Khan as one of his closest friends from his school days and said their friendship was particularly strong at the time.

The singer’s recollections offer fans a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Khan’s early years, long before he became one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars.

Khan is currently preparing for his upcoming film “King,” which is scheduled to be released in cinemas on Dec. 24.

Lamine Yamal becomes Barcelona’s youngest captain

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Lamine Yamal

BARCELONA: Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has become the club’s youngest-ever captain at the age of 19, breaking a record previously held by former midfielder Bojan Krkic.

Yamal took over as captain during Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord after regular skipper Raphinha was substituted in the 71st minute.

The 19-year-old was handed the captain’s armband as Barcelona cruised to a comfortable win.

Yamal assumed the captaincy at 19 years and 58 days, surpassing Krkic’s previous record. Krkic captained Barcelona at the age of 20 in 2010.

The milestone adds to Yamal’s rapid rise at the Catalan club, where he has established himself as one of the team’s leading young players.

Iran resumes ballistic missile production at underground facilities: report

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Iran resumes

WASHINGTON: Iran has resumed assembling ballistic missiles at underground facilities using components it had stockpiled before the conflict, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing U.S. officials.

Despite attacks on missile sites and industrial facilities during the early stages of the conflict, Iran has continued assembling both liquid-fuel and solid-fuel ballistic missiles, the officials said.

US intelligence reports have identified activity at several underground locations, including the Khojir missile base in southeastern Iran, according to the report. Iranian authorities are also seeking to build new underground facilities to protect the missile programme from further attacks, officials said.

US and regional officials said Iran was currently relying on components already in its possession to assemble missiles.

The United States and Israel have inflicted significant damage on several key industrial facilities involved in producing missiles and their components. A naval blockade has also made it increasingly difficult for Iran to import components and materials needed for solid-fuel production.

Arab officials said the destruction of chemical facilities used to produce liquid fuel and industrial mixers needed for solid-fuel production had created major obstacles to large-scale missile manufacturing.

The developments underscore the difficulty of completely dismantling Iran’s missile programme, according to the report.

Satellite imagery has also shown Iran rapidly rebuilding infrastructure ranging from roads and bridges to production facilities, raising concerns among Israeli officials.

The report said Iran had restored tunnel routes at missile bases damaged by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Israeli military assessments indicate that weapons stored inside some of the underground facilities may have remained intact despite the attacks.

Pakistan-Saudi defence cooperation continues, FO says

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Pakistan-Saudi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to maintain bilateral defence cooperation, but implementing their recently signed defence agreement will take time, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Foreign Office spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan said during his weekly briefing that Pakistan condemned attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia and had expressed solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people.

“Pakistan will continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Khan said Pakistani forces were already present in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes, adding that further aspects of defence cooperation would become clearer as the agreement is implemented.

He said the implementation process would require time and that the two countries remained engaged in bilateral defence cooperation.

On Kashmir, Khan said the disputed region remained on the agenda of the United Nations and that Indian claims and actions could not alter its disputed status.

He said the official U.N. map reflected the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and described Indian measures concerning the region as having no legal effect.

Khan also condemned the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur, India, saying the incident brought back memories of the demolition of the Babri Mosque.

Addressing reports about Afghan students, the spokesman rejected the impression that Pakistan had imposed a blanket ban on Afghan students.

“No decision has been taken to impose a complete ban on Afghan students,” he said, adding that Afghan students with valid visas and enrolment in recognised degree programmes could complete their education.

Court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI lawmakers

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Court issues

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for eight lawmakers affiliated with Pakistan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to court officials.

The warrants were issued by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in connection with case No. 714 registered at Margalla police station.

Those named in the warrants include lawmakers Shahid Khattak, Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, Amir Dogar, Atif Khan and Iqbal Afridi.

The court also issued warrants for provincial lawmakers Meena Khan Afridi, Dr. Amjad and Shafi Jan.

The court directed the Station House Officer of Ramna police station to arrest the accused and present them before the court.

The case comes as PTI lawmakers continue to face legal proceedings linked to cases registered in Islamabad.

Pakistan has no nationality-based ban on medical students, PMDC says

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imposed no restrictions on Afghan students or students of any particular nationality seeking medical education in the country, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council said Thursday.

The council said its rules and visa requirements applied equally to all foreign students, without discrimination based on nationality.

More than 200 Afghan medical students have been identified in Pakistan, but only 22 are legally registered with the PMDC, according to the council.

Of those registered, 14 have completed their medical education, while eight are expected to graduate next year.

The records and documents of the remaining 176 students are being verified, the PMDC said.

It stressed that obtaining a medical degree alone does not grant a person the right to remain in Pakistan or practise medicine there. Graduates seeking to practise must obtain a PMDC licence and hold a valid visa, it said.

The council said students who are not registered cannot be considered legal students under Pakistan’s medical education system.

It added that affected students were being facilitated in completing required documentation and, where necessary, making an orderly and dignified return.

The PMDC said Pakistan welcomed foreign students who met all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

ECB raises key deposit rate to 2.5% as Middle East war clouds outlook

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ECB raises

FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank raised its key deposit rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% from 2.25% on Thursday, a move widely anticipated by financial markets as rising energy prices push inflation higher.

The decision comes as uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran war and its impact on energy markets clouds the outlook for the ECB’s longer-term monetary policy. Investors are closely watching comments from policymakers for clues about the bank’s next steps.

The ECB projected that core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices, will average 2.5% in 2026, 2.6% in 2027 and 2.3% in 2028.

ECB President Christine Lagarde warned that the conflict in the Middle East, along with developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine, could keep headline inflation “well above target” for an extended period. The ECB’s inflation target is 2%.

Speaking at a news conference after the rate decision, Lagarde said the euro zone economy had shown “greater-than-expected resilience,” but warned that the energy price shock and global trade tensions continued to pose risks to economic growth.

“The outlook remains highly uncertain, with risks to the upside for inflation and to the downside for economic growth,” the ECB’s Governing Council said, pointing to a “broad range of outcomes” for growth and inflation depending on the duration and broader effects of the energy shock.

Markets had fully priced in the 25-basis-point increase ahead of Thursday’s meeting, according to LSEG data.

ECB officials have said since the U.S.-Iran war began that monetary policy decisions would be taken on a meeting-by-meeting basis.

The rate increase came days after data showed euro zone inflation accelerated to 3.3% in August, while energy inflation surged to 14.3%.

As a net energy importer, the euro zone has faced renewed inflationary pressure since the Middle East conflict disrupted concerns over commodity shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices sharply higher and increasing market volatility.

Government borrowing costs have also risen significantly in recent weeks, with European bond yields reaching multi-decade highs as escalating tensions in the Middle East prompted investors to anticipate stronger inflation and potentially higher interest rates.

The ECB faces a difficult policy balance as it seeks to contain inflation without further weakening economic growth amid elevated energy costs, trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty.