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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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US considers reducing troops, military facilities across Middle East

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US considers

WASHINGTON: US military and intelligence officials are considering reducing the number of American personnel and military facilities in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.

Sources told CNN that the Trump administration is considering a significant reduction in the U.S. presence in the region if it succeeds in ending the conflict with Iran.

The United States greatly expanded its military and intelligence network across the Middle East following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, supporting operations in countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Yemen and Libya. However, the recent conflict with Iran has exposed vulnerabilities in U.S. military infrastructure in the region, according to the report.

The informal discussions among military and intelligence officials are aimed at developing a strategy for the post-conflict period, as President Donald Trump has not provided clear policy guidance on the future U.S. military posture in the region, CNN reported.

The United States currently has about 50,000 troops, two aircraft carriers and more than a dozen other warships in the Middle East. CIA personnel who had previously been withdrawn from the region are also being redeployed, according to the sources.

The U.S. military is also examining ways to strengthen the protection of troops and facilities that remain in the region.

Two sources confirmed that moving some sensitive facilities underground is among the proposals being considered to protect them from drone and missile attacks. The Pentagon has explored underground military facilities for years, but Iranian attacks have increased the urgency of implementing such plans, the sources said.

Military officials have also developed several potential options for restructuring the U.S. force posture in the Middle East by next year.

The special reason Salman Khan always wears this bracelet

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The special

MUMBAI: Bollywood star Salman Khan is known for his distinctive style, but a turquoise stone bracelet worn on his wrist has also become one of his most recognizable accessories.

Whether at film events, television shows or in his daily life, Khan is rarely seen without the bracelet. The actor has previously revealed the emotional story behind why he continues to wear it.

In an old interview, Khan said his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, used to wear a similar bracelet. As a child, Salman would often play with his father’s bracelet.

After Salman entered the film industry, his father gifted him a similar bracelet. Over the years, it became a permanent part of the actor’s style and public image.

Khan also has a personal belief associated with the turquoise stone. He has said he believes the stone absorbs negative energy and can crack when it takes on too much pressure.

According to the actor, several turquoise stones he has worn have broken over the years, and at the time of the interview he was wearing his seventh stone.

However, the belief that turquoise stones absorb negative energy is a personal belief and has no established scientific basis.

Indian media reports said in 2023 that Khan’s silver bracelet, including its turquoise stone, was estimated to be worth around 80,000 to 100,000 Indian rupees.

For Khan, however, the bracelet’s significance appears to go beyond its monetary value, as it remains a cherished gift from his father and a symbol of their emotional bond.

Shraddha Kapoor’s vacation photos with Rahul Mody go viral

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Shraddha Kapoor

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor’s vacation photos with screenwriter and producer Rahul Mody have gone viral on social media, reigniting interest in their reported relationship.

According to Indian media reports, Kapoor generally keeps her personal life private and rarely shares intimate moments with her followers on social media.

The actress recently traveled abroad for a vacation and shared several photos from her trip on Instagram. However, it was the presence of Mody in some of the pictures that attracted widespread attention online.

The photos reportedly show Kapoor and Mody spending time together, including eating, reading books and exploring their holiday destination.

Kapoor captioned the Instagram post, “A little vacation toh banti hai na,” suggesting that she was enjoying a brief getaway.

Rumors about a relationship between Kapoor and Mody, a screenwriter and producer, first emerged in 2024. The pair have previously been the subject of reports about their personal lives, although neither has publicly confirmed their relationship.

The latest photos have once again fueled speculation about the two Bollywood figures.

Anthropic researcher warns of rapid rise of superintelligent AI

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Anthropic researcher

LONDON: Artificial intelligence could have a 10% chance of causing the extinction of humanity within the next decade, according to a safety researcher working for AI company Anthropic.

Anthropic researcher Jacob Kosen warned that companies are racing to develop self-improving superintelligent AI systems, raising concerns about the potential risks to humanity. Kosen recently announced that he was leaving the company.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Kosen said companies were competing to develop systems capable of improving themselves without human intervention and warned that people were effectively “playing with our lives.”

Self-improving AI systems capable of autonomously enhancing their own abilities do not currently exist, but several AI companies are working toward increasingly advanced systems.

Kosen urged people not to underestimate the potential power of the technology. He warned that future AI systems could become powerful enough to hack almost anything, rapidly transform entire industries and acquire significant control and resources.

He also said AI systems were being developed with the belief that they could have the ability to kill everyone by the end of the decade.

Evan Hubinger, head of Anthropic’s science team, responded to Kosen’s warning by saying he believed Kosen’s concerns were valid. Hubinger said he personally estimated there was a 10% chance that AI could cause human extinction within a decade.

Hubinger added that while he believed Anthropic was making the best possible efforts to address the risks, the company did not currently have a plan for dealing with the potential dangers associated with superintelligent AI.

He said the risks posed by existing AI models were relatively low compared with the potential dangers from future superintelligent systems, adding that progress toward such technology was occurring faster than expected.

Anthropic had not issued an official statement on the claims at the time of publication.

DRAP issues final warning to pharmaceutical firms over product records

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DRAP issues

ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a final warning to pharmaceutical companies to correct and update their product records through its e-App software after the deadline for online verification expired.

The move is aimed at improving the accuracy of medicine records and strengthening regulatory oversight of pharmaceutical products across Pakistan. DRAP said the deadline for companies to verify and update their product information online has now passed.

Companies that still need to make corrections must contact DRAP’s Management Information System (MIS) Division and submit a formal application outlining the changes they want to make.

The authority said applicants must provide documentary evidence supporting the requested amendments. Relevant documents must be attached to allow DRAP to verify the accuracy and validity of the information. The MIS Division will accept applications for record corrections until Sept. 15.

DRAP said the supporting documents will be reviewed before any changes are made to product records. The verification process is intended to ensure that only accurate and authenticated information is entered into the system.

PM approves new auto policy 2026-31 in principle

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PM approves

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given in-principle approval to Pakistan’s new Auto Policy 2026-31, which will be shared with the International Monetary Fund before being submitted to the Economic Coordination Committee for approval, according to government sources.

The draft policy was discussed at a meeting chaired by Sharif. After IMF approval, the policy will be presented to the ECC and then the federal Cabinet. Following Cabinet approval, it will be submitted to Parliament.

The policy aims to create a favorable environment for investment in the local automotive industry, increase vehicle exports and domestic production, and promote advanced technologies.

Under the draft, the government has proposed reducing taxes on imported hybrid vehicles by 20% over the next five years. Import duties on hybrid vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc and between 851cc and 1,000cc could be reduced from 50% to 30%.

The draft also proposes gradually reducing duties on hybrid vehicles with engine capacities above 1,800cc. Duties on vehicles above 1,801cc could fall from 50% to 30% over five years, while duties on hybrid vehicles between 1,501cc and 1,800cc are also proposed to be reduced from 50% to 30%.

The government is also considering lower duties on hybrid commercial vehicles. Proposed reductions include cutting duties on hybrid trucks from 30% to 15%, hybrid commercial vehicles from 60% to 30% and hybrid buses from 30% to 15%.

To generate additional revenue, the draft proposes an environmental levy on larger vehicles. The revenue would be allocated toward promoting exports and research and development in the automotive sector.

Under the proposal, vehicles with engine capacities of 2,001cc to 3,000cc would face a 10% environmental levy, while vehicles of 3,001cc and above could be subject to a 19.5% levy. The proposed levy is estimated to generate Rs142.79 billion over five years.

Implementation of the new auto policy will begin after approval by the IMF, the ECC and the federal Cabinet.

Messi set to buy another football club in Spain

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Messi set

MADRID: Argentina football star Lionel Messi is reportedly close to expanding his ownership portfolio in Spain by acquiring a majority stake in another football club.

According to international media reports, Messi recently completed the purchase of fifth-tier Spanish club UE Cornellà and is now nearing an agreement to acquire a controlling share in second-division side CD Eldense.

Messi has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Eldense’s current owners. The transfer of ownership is expected to be completed within days once the remaining legal and contractual formalities are finalized.

The deal would make Messi the owner of two Spanish football clubs at the same time and further expand his involvement in football beyond his playing career.

Eldense, however, is facing a difficult start to the current season. The club has collected only two points from its first four league matches, while coach Claudio Barragán was recently dismissed.

Messi’s expected takeover could lead to changes in the club’s management and coaching staff as Eldense looks to begin a new chapter under its prospective ownership.

NEPRA raises electricity tariff by 52 paisa per unit

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NEPRA raises

ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has raised electricity prices by 52 paisa per unit under a quarterly adjustment, adding another burden on consumers.

Nepra issued the notification after receiving approval from the federal government, marking the second electricity price increase within a week.

According to the notification, the increase has been approved under the second quarterly adjustment of the current year. Consumers will bear an additional burden of 12.67 billion rupees.

The additional charge will be collected through electricity bills for September, October and November. Consumers will pay an extra 52 paisa per unit each month for three months.

The increase will apply nationwide, including consumers of K-Electric.

The latest increase comes days after Nepra announced a separate hike of Rs 2.06 per unit under the monthly adjustment on Sept. 4.

Maryam Nawaz’s daughter’s Nikah ceremony set for Sep 12

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Maryam Nawaz

LAHORE: The Nikah ceremony of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s daughter, Mahnoor Safdar, is scheduled to take place September 12, according to sources.

The ceremony will be held at Jati Umra in Lahore, with only close family members expected to be invited, the sources said.

Maryam Nawaz attended her daughter’s graduation ceremony in London on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, she said she was delighted by her daughter’s achievement and described the graduation as a moment of happiness for her and her family.

Further details about the nikah ceremony have not been disclosed.

Brent crude surges above $100 as Middle East tensions escalate

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Brent crude

LONDON: Brent crude oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel on Wednesday as escalating tensions in the Middle East raised concerns over disruptions to oil supplies from the region.

According to Reuters, Brent crude futures rose $2.15, or 2.2%, to $100.07 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude reached $94.73 a barrel.

Brent prices crossed the $100 threshold for the first time since July 24, reflecting growing concerns in global markets about the security of oil shipments from the Middle East.

Brent crude has gained about 25% since the beginning of last month, according to the report. The prolonged dispute between the United States and Iran has added to uncertainty in energy markets, with prospects for a lasting resolution appearing limited.

Analysts warned that oil prices could rise further if the conflict expands or major disruptions occur to oil transportation from the region.

The potential supply disruptions have increased pressure on global energy markets, raising concerns about higher fuel costs for consumers and businesses worldwide.