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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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Rahim Yar Khan hospital clerk held for allegedly taking bribe

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Rahim Yar Khan

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Anti-Corruption Establishment officials arrested a clerk at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan while allegedly receiving a Rs30,000 bribe, officials said Wednesday.

The clerk, identified as Muhammad Rizwan, was allegedly accepting the money from a woman, Mahwish Rani, in exchange for helping her secure a government job, according to the Anti-Corruption Establishment’s Bahawalpur Circle.

The operation was conducted by headquarters officer Umar Saleem along with officials Saud Rafiq and Bilal Ahmed Khan under the supervision of circle officer and magistrate Waseem Shehzad.

Officials said Rizwan was arrested at the scene and a case was registered against him. Further legal proceedings are underway.

Trump calls Shehbaz Sharif a ‘terrific man’ in UN speech

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Trump calls

UNITED NATIONS: US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a “terrific man” during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, while again claiming credit for helping end the 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India.

Trump said Sharif had thanked him for his role in helping halt the fighting and credited him with saving 30 million lives. Trump has repeatedly made similar claims about his role in de-escalating the conflict.

“I saved 30 million lives,” Trump said, recounting what he described as Sharif’s comments following the cease-fire. He also praised Pakistan as a “great country” and described Sharif as a “terrific man.”

Trump said he had helped bring an end to eight conflicts and that leaders of the countries involved had thanked him for his efforts.

The U.S. president also discussed the conflict in Gaza, saying efforts to end the fighting had saved civilian lives and resulted in the release of hostages.

He said 30 countries had joined what he referred to as the Gaza Peace Board and thanked the U.N. Security Council for supporting the initiative.

Turning to the war between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said thousands of people were being killed each month and pledged to work toward resolving the conflict.

Trump’s remarks came as Sharif was in New York for the 81st U.N. General Assembly. The Pakistani prime minister is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Sept. 25, according to Pakistan’s government.

Xanthelasma around eyes may signal higher heart disease risk

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Xanthelasma

A yellowish, fatty deposit that appears around the inner corners of the eyes could be a visible sign associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research published in the journal Atherosclerosis.

The condition, known as xanthelasma, causes yellowish fatty deposits to develop near the skin around the eyes. While the deposits themselves are generally not considered dangerous, they can be associated with elevated cholesterol levels, which are a major risk factor for heart disease.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 18,000 people with xanthelasma and compared them with people who did not have the condition.

The study found that people with xanthelasma had a two to three times higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes, compared with those without the condition.

The increased risk remained evident even after 10 years, according to the researchers.

Cardiovascular disease includes conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including heart attacks and irregular heart rhythms. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are among the established risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The researchers said the fatty deposits associated with xanthelasma may indicate elevated cholesterol levels in the body. However, having xanthelasma does not by itself mean that a person has heart disease.

The researchers also acknowledged limitations in the study and said further research is needed to better understand the relationship between xanthelasma and cardiovascular disease.

Early identification of cardiovascular risk factors, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, can help people and their doctors take steps to reduce the risk of serious complications.

Why do all smartphones look so similar? The science behind the design

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Why do

Foldable and flip phones have become increasingly common, but the rectangular smartphone remains the dominant design used by manufacturers around the world.

Whether it is an iPhone or an Android device, most smartphones share a similar shape, with a tall rectangular body and rounded corners. The design is not simply a matter of appearance; several practical factors have helped make it the standard.

One of the main reasons is the smartphone display. Modern phones are designed around large screens that cover most of the front of the device. A rectangular shape allows manufacturers to maximize the usable screen area while keeping the device relatively compact.

The shape is also convenient for everyday use. Slim, rectangular phones can easily fit into pockets, handbags and other storage spaces. Their proportions also make them relatively easy to hold and operate with one hand.

Another factor is the internal hardware. Smartphone batteries are generally thin and rectangular, making the shape efficient for arranging components inside the device.

Rounded corners also serve a practical purpose. They make phones more comfortable to hold and can reduce the risk of sharp edges causing discomfort or damage.

Although manufacturers continue to experiment with foldable, flip and other form factors, the rectangular smartphone is likely to remain common because it offers a practical balance between screen size, portability, handling and internal component placement.

Pakistan restricts supplementary grants under IMF conditions

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Pakistan restricts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Ministry has decided to restrict supplementary budget grants beyond the limits approved by Parliament, except in cases involving severe natural disasters, as part of efforts to comply with conditions under the International Monetary Fund’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility.

The ministry’s Budget Wing has developed a strategy for reallocating funds and providing additional financing during the current fiscal year.

Under the new guidelines, funds that cannot be provided through re-appropriation or technical supplementary grants will require the relevant principal accounting officer to submit a strong justification and acceptable reasons for seeking a supplementary grant.

The Finance Ministry said the measures are aimed at ensuring greater budgetary discipline and controlling unplanned expenditures during the implementation of the IMF program.

The guidelines will apply during the current and future financial years to all principal accounting officers, government departments, institutions, subordinate offices and accounting organizations and offices.

Under the policy, requests for additional spending beyond the budget approved by Parliament will generally not be considered, with severe natural disasters identified as an exception.

Zara Noor Abbas reveals her first move as a police officer

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Zara Noor Abbas

KARACHI: Pakistani actress Zara Noor Abbas said she would seek severe punishment for those convicted of sexual abuse against women and children if she were given the opportunity to serve as a police officer for a day.

Speaking to digital podcast during the promotion of her upcoming film “Shehroze,” Abbas said she would take action against offenders, adding that she would not consider what the law says in such a situation.

Abbas is returning to the big screen after seven years and plays the lead role in the film’s segment “Gear Up,” directed by Saqib Khan.

Describing her character, also named Saira, Abbas said she plays an officer in a bomb disposal squad whose abilities are initially overlooked because she is a woman.

She said her character discovers that a bomb has been planted and must not only defuse it but also prove that she is capable of handling the task.

Asked what she would do if she became a police officer for one day, Abbas said she would pursue cases involving violence against women and children and seek the harshest punishment for those responsible.

In a lighter part of the interview, Abbas was asked which celebrity she would arrest if she became a police officer. She jokingly named her husband, actor Asad Siddiqui.

Asked whom she would place in an interrogation room, Abbas named actor Fahad Mustafa.

“Shehroze,” an anthology film produced by Tamasha Films, is scheduled to be released in cinemas across Pakistan on Oct. 2.

The film features three stories centered on different women. Ushna Shah and Kinza Hashmi play the lead roles in the segments “Punch” and “Artist,” respectively.

Trump warns he could ‘annihilate’ Iran if no deal is reached

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Trump warns

UNITED NATIONS: US President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that he could “annihilate” Iran if Tehran does not reach a peace agreement with Washington, while saying he believes a deal could be reached after the U.S. midterm elections.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly, Trump said he faced a major decision over whether to allow Iran to rebuild or destroy the Islamic Republic to prevent it from threatening other countries.

Trump said his primary objective was to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He accused Tehran of supporting terrorism and said Iran had previously sought to exert influence across the Middle East.

The U.S. president said he believed Iran was waiting to see the outcome of the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections before deciding whether to reach an agreement with Washington. He said he expected a deal could be reached after the elections.

Trump also defended his administration’s actions against Iran and argued that the conflict had prevented Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. His remarks came as the war with Iran remained a central issue at the U.N. gathering.

He said the United States was stronger than in the past and highlighted what he described as gains in the economy, border security and crime reduction.

Trump also criticized international institutions, including the International Criminal Court, saying the United States would not accept international jurisdiction over its citizens or military personnel. He called on countries that are members of the ICC to withdraw from the court.

The president also referred to the conflict between Pakistan and India, citing his administration’s role in efforts to end the fighting.

Trump’s speech came amid continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Iran conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington was open to discussions with Iranian representatives at the U.N., although no meeting had been scheduled.

Pakistan, US agencies seize 463kg of crystal meth worth $21 million

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and US authorities have seized 463 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, valued at about $21 million, in a joint counter-narcotics operation targeting a drug trafficking network linked to Afghanistan, the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday.

The operation was conducted Aug. 30 by Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the embassy.

The suspected containers carrying the drugs were allegedly destined to be shipped from Pakistan to Colombo, Sri Lanka, the embassy said.

The seized methamphetamine was valued at about $21 million, equivalent to roughly 5.82 billion Pakistani rupees, according to the embassy.

Authorities from Pakistan, the United States and Sri Lanka cooperated in the operation, which also resulted in the arrest of several suspects, the embassy said.

The U.S. Embassy said Washington continues to support the training of Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force as part of ongoing counter-narcotics cooperation.

FIFA chief proposes reforms after backlash over investment plan

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FIFA chief

ZURICH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed an independent external review of the governing body’s decision-making structure after a controversial investment plan drew strong opposition from football organizations.

In a letter to FIFA’s 211 member associations and the FIFA Council, Infantino said the review could examine who should have authority over major strategic decisions and whether the roles of the FIFA president, Bureau, Council and Congress need to be changed. It would also consider measures to improve transparency and accountability.

The move follows the withdrawal of the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal in July. The plan called for a new FIFA-owned subsidiary to manage commercial and tournament operations and proposed raising up to $4.2 billion through minority, non-controlling external investments. FIFA said the initiative was intended to generate additional revenue for football development.

The proposal faced opposition from several football confederations and member associations. FIFA subsequently withdrew it, saying the project had created divisions that were no longer consistent with its original objective.

FIFA later acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the process and said a review would be conducted, with a report to be presented to the FIFA Council.

Infantino said the Forward Enterprise proposal had become public before FIFA completed its internal process, creating the impression that a final decision had already been made. He stressed that it had remained a proposal and had been withdrawn.

The proposed governance review would examine FIFA’s framework for major strategic initiatives and recommend potential improvements.

Infantino also said he was prepared to hold discussions with confederations, member associations and other stakeholders on strengthening FIFA’s decision-making processes.

Infantino, 56, indicated that he remains committed to leading FIFA. He announced in April that he intended to seek another term as president at the 2027 FIFA Congress.

The first reform proposals could be discussed when the FIFA Council meets on Oct. 15, 2026.

Iranian President calls for closer Pakistan-Iran contacts

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Iranian President

TEHRAN:  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for continued and closer contacts between Pakistan and Iran during a meeting with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran.

Pezeshkian said the two countries could further strengthen cooperation across various sectors and use their local and regional capabilities to meet their needs.

He also said what he described as U.S. pressure had encouraged greater closeness and interaction among Muslim countries.

Naqvi said Pakistan was committed to expanding cooperation with Iran in trade, economic, tourism and political affairs.

He added that Pakistan also wanted to further broaden cooperation with Iran in the fields of culture and science.