World News Today & Global Affairs

Ronaldo reportedly earns €3.3 million per Instagram post

September 12, 2026 by Sports Desk

LISBON: Portugal soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly among the highest-paid personalities on Instagram, with reports suggesting he earns about 3.3 million euros for a single sponsored post.

Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of his generation, has built a massive global following on Instagram, allowing his posts to reach millions of people directly around the world.

His reported earnings highlight the enormous commercial value of his personal brand, which extends well beyond soccer and into social media, endorsements and business ventures.

Ronaldo uses Instagram to promote business interests, brand partnerships, sports-related content and his lifestyle. His enormous following has made him highly attractive to global companies seeking access to a worldwide audience.

His CR7 brand has also expanded into clothing, footwear, fragrances and other business ventures, further strengthening his commercial profile.

Alongside earnings from soccer, sponsorships and his personal businesses, social media has become an important part of Ronaldo’s financial empire.

The reported €3.3 million fee per sponsored post underscores how globally famous athletes have increasingly become powerful media platforms in their own right.

Pezeshkian says Iran seeks peace, rejects conflict with neighbors

September 12, 2026 by World Desk

NEW DELHI: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that Iran has no disputes with Muslim or neighboring countries and accused the United States of trying to portray Iran as an enemy.

Speaking during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in New Delhi, Pezeshkian said Iran did not have disagreements with its neighboring countries and did not want to continue the war.

He said Iran continued to prioritize peace and wanted the rights of the Iranian people to be respected, along with an end to what he described as unjust sanctions against the country.

Pezeshkian said Iran was seeking its international rights and had no conflict with Muslim or neighboring states.

“America wants to make us an enemy,” Pezeshkian said, adding that the United States, Israel and European countries wanted to prevent any country in the region from remaining independent.

In an earlier interview with Indian television, Pezeshkian said countries whose territories had been used to attack Iran would attend the BRICS summit.

He said the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened if the United States ended its blockade and aggression against Iran.

Pezeshkian also called on Washington to lift its blockade and sanctions, saying the United States had resorted to a blockade after failing to achieve its objectives through war.

He said Iran’s survival did not depend entirely on maritime routes and argued that the United States would not succeed with its blockade strategy either.

25 killed in fire aboard cargo ship at China Port

September 11, 2026 by World Desk

QINGDAO, China: At least 25 people were killed when a fire broke out aboard a foreign-flagged cargo ship undergoing repairs at a shipyard in the Chinese city of Qingdao, state broadcaster CCTV reported Friday.

The fire erupted at around 11:15 a.m. local time while repair work was underway on the vessel, according to CCTV.

Forty-two people were aboard the ship when the fire broke out. Seventeen were safely evacuated, while five people taken to a hospital were in stable condition, state media reported.

Images released by Chinese state media identified the vessel as the Ocean Melody, a 190-meter-long Liberia-flagged cargo ship that arrived in Qingdao on Aug. 31.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control slightly more than three hours after it started. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

A witness told AFP that thick smoke was rising from the ship but said they did not hear any explosion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier ordered a large-scale search-and-rescue operation following the incident.

How ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ changed Katrina Kaif’s dance career

September 11, 2026 by Entertainment Desk

MUMBAI: Bollywood Actress Katrina Kaif is now regarded as one of Bollywood’s most popular dance performers, but the actor once faced harsh criticism over her dancing skills early in her career.

Choreographer Bosco Martis recently recalled an incident from Kaif’s early days during a podcast featuring Bosco and Caesar, discussing her transformation as a dancer.

According to Bosco, another choreographer once criticized Kaif’s dancing and told her that she was a “zero” at dancing and should leave the field.

The criticism may have motivated Kaif to work harder and prove herself, Bosco said. Farah Khan, who was also part of the conversation, expressed surprise at the assessment, saying Kaif could not have been completely inexperienced. She estimated that Kaif’s dancing skills at the time were perhaps at a level of four or five out of 10.

Khan said the major turning point in Kaif’s dancing career came with “Sheila Ki Jawani,” the popular song from the 2010 film “Tees Maar Khan.” She said Kaif’s performance in the song showed a significant improvement, taking her dancing skills to what she described as a nine or 10.

Bosco also described “Sheila Ki Jawani” as a game changer for Kaif’s career. She later became known for her performances in songs such as “Chikni Chameli” and “Kala Chashma.”

Khan recalled choreographing Kaif in “Just Chill” from the 2005 film “Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?” and said she was not yet widely recognized as a dancer at that stage of her career.

Kaif has also spoken in the past about criticism of her dancing. She said there was a time when she began to believe she might never become a good dancer. Bosco, however, encouraged her, telling her that she could dance but needed to work harder on herself.

That encouragement reportedly helped change Kaif’s approach and motivated her to put in greater effort.

Bosco and Caesar later choreographed Kaif for “Touch Me” from the 2008 film “Race.” She went on to strengthen her reputation with performances in songs including “Kamli,” “Swag Se Swagat,” “Afghan Jalebi” and “Nachde Ne Saare.”

Kaif’s journey from being labeled a “zero” at dancing to becoming one of Bollywood’s prominent dance performers has since become an example of how determination and consistent effort can overcome early criticism.

Kaif was last seen on the big screen in the 2024 film “Merry Christmas,” alongside Vijay Sethupathi. She has remained away from major film releases since then and has focused on her family life.

Pakistan sets England 130-run target in Birmingham Test

September 11, 2026 by Sports Desk

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan were bowled out for 449 in their second innings on Friday, setting England a target of 130 runs to win the third and final Test.

Shan Masood top-scored for Pakistan with 95, while captain Babar Azam made 76. Azan Awais scored 59 and Mohammad Abbas added 42.

England’s Gus Atkinson took three wickets, while Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue claimed two each.

Razaullah impressed with the bat on his Test debut, scoring 81 runs. He hit nine sixes, equaling the record for the most sixes by a batter in a Test debut innings.

New Zealand’s Tim Southee had also hit nine sixes against England in 2008.

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

September 10, 2026 by Sports Desk

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.

Shah Rukh Khan’s childhood friend reveals his surprising weakness

September 10, 2026 by Entertainment Desk

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

September 10, 2026 by Sports Desk

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

September 10, 2026 by World Desk

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.

US considers reducing troops, military facilities across Middle East

September 9, 2026 by World Desk

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.