BREAKING NEWS
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
Advertise with us >

Nora Fatehi faces Rs. 30m defamation claim over chartered plane remarks

by
Nora Fatehi

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi is facing a Rs. 30 million ($300 lakh) defamation and damages claim from an aviation company over comments she allegedly made about a chartered aircraft on social media.

The case is related to an incident in December last year, when Fatehi traveled on a chartered flight from Mumbai to Jaipur. According to the aviation company, the actress recorded videos inside the aircraft and later shared them on Instagram, describing the plane as a small toy and a “Lego airplane.”

The company has alleged that Fatehi’s comments were irresponsible and careless and had no connection with the aircraft’s technical specifications or actual condition.

According to the petition, Fatehi has more than 46 million followers on social media, giving her comments significant reach. The company claims the posts harmed its reputation and affected its business, including a 15% to 20% decline in flight bookings and an increase in cancellations.

The aviation company told the court that the aircraft featured in Fatehi’s posts was fully suitable for passenger travel and had been certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It also said the aircraft was being operated in accordance with the prescribed National Standard Operating Procedures.

Along with seeking Rs. 30 million in damages, the company has asked the court to direct Fatehi to remove the allegedly defamatory videos and other related content from social media.

The company has also requested that the actress be ordered to issue a public clarification regarding her comments.

The case is scheduled to be heard by a court in Gandhinagar on Sept. 25.

Rahul Roy says wedding dancing helps him rebuild his finances

by
Rahul Roy

MUMBAI: Indian actor Rahul Roy has revealed that he earns between 200,000 and 400,000 Indian rupees by performing at weddings, saying he has no shame about taking such work to meet his expenses after a serious health setback affected his career.

Roy, the winner of the first season of Bigg Boss, discussed his financial and professional struggles in an interview with Indian media. The actor suffered a brain stroke in 2020, which significantly affected his ability to work and led to a prolonged period of recovery.

Addressing criticism over videos of him dancing at wedding functions, Roy said he did not feel embarrassed about performing at such events because he needs money to cover his expenses.

The actor explained that working became difficult after his stroke and that he had done whatever he could in recent years to support himself financially. He said he can earn between 200,000 and 400,000 rupees from dancing at weddings.

Roy said people who troll him for performing at weddings do not understand his circumstances or financial needs. He added that the stroke had a major impact on his career and that much of the past several years was spent recovering, preventing him from working as much as he wanted.

Now 60, Roy said he is trying to rebuild his professional and financial life and establish himself again.

During the interview, the actor also discussed a legal dispute involving 3 million rupees with his brother and his financial situation following his divorce.

Roy said that during his separation, he transferred his assets to his former wife and is now working to rebuild his finances.

KP exempts former FATA, PATA industries from sales tax

by
KP exempts

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has exempted industries operating in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) from sales tax.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority (KPRA) issued a notification outlining the conditions for the exemption.

According to the notification, the industrial unit must be established in a former FATA or PATA area to qualify for the sales tax exemption. The unit must also be registered as a withholding agent.

Services provided through virtual or remote means will not be covered by the sales tax exemption, the notification said.

The exemption may be withdrawn if the prescribed conditions are not met or if incorrect information is provided by an industrial unit.

The notification will take effect retrospectively from Aug. 1, 2026, and remain valid until June 30, 2028.

It also clarified that taxes paid before the exemption took effect will not be eligible for a refund or adjustment claim.

AI-using students perform worse in learning tasks, OECD study finds

by
AI-using students

PARIS: Students who use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for educational tasks may perform worse than those who complete their work without relying on the technology, according to a new study released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The OECD education report examined the impact of AI technology on students’ ability to learn and retain information. Researchers compared the science test performance of students who did not use AI with that of 484 students who used AI chatbots for their academic work.

Students who stayed away from AI recorded an average score of 509, compared with 481 among those who used chatbots. The 28-point gap remained consistent over a period of about 18 months, according to the findings.

Similar patterns were observed when students used AI for other educational activities, including researching unfamiliar topics and preparing summaries after reading study material.

Researchers said effective learning does not necessarily depend on memorizing information. Instead, actively struggling with and engaging with new material can help the brain develop a deeper understanding of a subject.

The researchers cautioned that AI should be used as a temporary support rather than a substitute for students’ own thinking and learning efforts. Excessive dependence on AI could weaken the mental effort required for meaningful learning, potentially creating problems in education.

Global cancer cases could rise 67% by 2050, report says

by
Global cancer

LONDON: The number of new cancer cases worldwide could increase by 67% by 2050 compared with 2024, according to joint research by the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Researchers estimated that nearly 21 million new cancer cases were recorded worldwide in 2024, along with about 9.8 million deaths from the disease.

The projections suggest that roughly one in five people worldwide could develop cancer at some point in their lives in the coming decades. The risk of dying from cancer is estimated at about one in nine for men and one in 13 for women.

By 2050, annual cancer cases could reach approximately 67 million, representing a 67% increase from 2024, the research found.

Researchers described cancer as one of the major medical challenges of the 21st century and a significant obstacle to increasing life expectancy worldwide. They said understanding the changing global cancer burden could help governments and health systems improve prevention and control strategies.

The researchers also estimated that nearly half of cancer deaths could currently be prevented, emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely access to effective treatment.

Data from the IARC showed increases in cancer cases and deaths across 186 countries involving 34 types of cancer. However, the researchers noted that cancer does not affect all regions equally.

Cancer rates were reported to be higher in Australia and New Zealand, while lower rates were recorded in Africa and South and Central Asia.

Lung cancer remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2024, with about 2.6 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths.

Breast cancer was the second most common, with about 2.4 million cases and 694,000 deaths. Colorectal cancer ranked third in terms of new cases, with more than 2 million diagnoses, and was the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for about 918,000 deaths.

Liver cancer recorded about 843,000 new cases and 732,000 deaths, making it the third-leading cancer cause of death globally.

Among men, bladder cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths, with about 1.5 million cases and 420,000 deaths.

The research also highlighted rising rates of stomach, cervical and pancreatic cancers. About 980,000 stomach cancer cases and 642,000 deaths were recorded, while thyroid cancer accounted for roughly 959,000 cases, making it the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.

Joe Root warns Pakistan will be no easy opponent at Edgbaston

by
Joe Root

BIRMINGHAM: England captain Joe Root has rejected the notion that Pakistan will provide an easy challenge in the third Test at Edgbaston, saying his team may hold an advantage but expects a competitive match.

Speaking at a news conference a day before the Test at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Root said England’s focus was on the five days ahead and on producing a strong performance and a big score.

“It will be a new ground, a new ball and a new game,” Root said, emphasizing that conditions and circumstances could change quickly in Test cricket.

The 35-year-old right-handed batter has scored 14,208 runs in 168 Test matches at an average of 50.03, including 41 centuries. He dismissed suggestions that Pakistan should be regarded as a weak opponent.

Root said it was easy to label one team as very good and another as very poor, but performances in cricket can fluctuate.

“Obviously we have the advantage against Pakistan, but they have a good team capable of competing,” Root said.

He pointed to Pakistan’s recent individual performances, noting that Mohammad Abbas took five wickets at Lord’s while Saud Shakeel scored 97 runs. Although Pakistan have made several changes to their squad, Root said that should not lead England to expect an easy contest at Edgbaston.

The third Test is expected to provide another closely contested chapter in the series, with England looking to capitalize on its advantage while Pakistan aims to respond strongly.

Babar Azam says PCB had reasons for dropping seven players

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam said the Pakistan Cricket Board likely had its reasons for dropping seven players from the squad following the team’s defeat at Lord’s.

Speaking to reporters for the first time ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, Babar said Pakistan had largely settled on its playing combination and would select the strongest team based on the conditions.

“We have almost decided on the combination we want to play with,” Babar said. “We will field the best possible team according to the conditions.”

Asked about the PCB’s decision to drop seven players after the Lord’s Test, Babar said the board would be in a better position to explain the decision.

“The PCB must have made the decision after giving it some thought. They can explain it better,” he said.

Pakistan lost the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, and Babar acknowledged that the team failed to produce an impressive performance in any department.

“We accept that we did not perform impressively in any department at Lord’s,” he said.

Babar said Pakistan had already lost the series but wanted to finish it on a positive note.

“Yes, we have lost the series, but we want to finish it well,” he said. “As a team, we want to end the series by playing good and positive cricket.”

Regarding the new players added to the squad, Babar said the opportunity should not be viewed as pressure but as an excellent chance for them to prove themselves.

He said the newcomers have an opportunity to make their mark at the international level as Pakistan prepares for the third Test at Edgbaston.

Pakistan strongly condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

by
Pakistan strongly

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for the kingdom’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Yemen’s Houthi group, Ansar Allah, carried out attacks on the Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jazan, targeting civilian and economic facilities. The attacks injured 73 people, including women and children, according to officials.

Sharif said such attacks not only threaten innocent lives but also undermine peace and security in the region.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and expressed solidarity with Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people.

The prime minister also expressed his wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attacks.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the Houthi attacks were a clear violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and posed a threat to peace and stability across the region.

The Foreign Office said Saudi Arabia has the right to take all necessary measures to protect its national assets and defend its territory, citizens and residents against any threats.

Pakistan said it fully supports Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to self-defense in accordance with the U.N. Charter and international law. It also expressed solidarity with the Saudi leadership, government and people.

The Foreign Office said the Houthi attacks were undermining efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict in Yemen.

Pakistan reiterated that it would continue working to promote lasting peace and stability in the region and expressed its support for those injured in the attacks.

Pakistan has strongly condemned attacks by Houthi militants against Saudi Arabia, saying strikes targeting civilian and economic sites on Saudi territory constitute a clear violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan fully supports Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defense under the U.N. Charter and international law, the spokesperson said.

Five Pakistani cities among world’s least resilient to climate risk

by
Five Pakistani

ISLAMABAD: Five Pakistani cities are among the world’s 10 least resilient to climate risks, according to a new report assessing the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of 72 major cities.

Hyderabad ranked second on the list of cities least resilient to climate risks, followed by Multan in third place. Lahore ranked fifth, Faisalabad seventh and Karachi eighth.

India’s Ahmedabad topped the ranking of the least resilient cities, underscoring the particularly high climate vulnerability of major urban centers across South Asia.

The report by AlphaGeo, a geospatial analytics company, distinguishes between a city’s physical exposure to climate hazards and its resilience-adjusted risk, or RAJ. The assessment aims to identify cities where adaptation capacity may not be sufficient to offset their exposure to climate-related threats.

The report said the six highest-risk major cities in its assessment were all in South Asia: Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Multan, Dhaka, Kolkata and Lahore. It attributed much of the risk in these cities to high exposure to extreme heat and said their adaptation rates remained relatively low compared with the scale of their physical risks.

Dhaka recorded the highest physical exposure in the assessment, with a physical risk score of 60. Despite an adaptation delta of 24 points, the Bangladeshi capital retained a RAJ score of 36, placing it among the cities facing the highest residual climate risk.

The report warned that high climate-risk scores could have significant implications for property values, infrastructure durability and business operations. It said investors in real assets should closely examine exposure to potential damage, reduced infrastructure lifespans and disruptions to operations.

It also warned that countries whose largest cities have high climate-risk scores but limited progress in adaptation could face increasing costs related to disaster response, infrastructure repairs and population displacement.

Pakistan and Bangladesh were identified as requiring particular attention because of the combination of high urban climate risks and limited capacity to close their adaptation gaps at the pace required by their physical risk profiles.

Singapore Prime Minister’s salary to rise by more than $1m

by
Singapore Prime

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s government has announced salary increases for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other Cabinet ministers and senior officials.

Wong, who is already the world’s highest-paid political leader, will receive an additional 1.4 million Singapore dollars, or about $1.1 million, in annual compensation.

Wong said he would donate the entire increase to charity over the next five years.

He said higher salaries were necessary to attract talented people to public service. Singapore’s government has previously argued that competitive salaries for ministers can help reduce the risk of corruption by making public office less financially vulnerable to improper incentives.

Before the latest increase, Wong receives about 2.2 million Singapore dollars a year. His annual compensation will rise to approximately 3.6 million Singapore dollars, equivalent to about $2.8 million.

The salary adjustment places Wong well ahead of other highly paid political leaders. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee earns about $719,000 annually, while Swiss President Guy Parmelin receives about $606,000.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s annual presidential salary is $400,000, while British Prime Minister Andy Burnham earns about $230,000 a year.

The salary changes are part of Singapore’s broader review of compensation for political officeholders and senior public officials, aimed at keeping public-sector pay competitive while maintaining standards of integrity and governance.