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    Teen footballer goes missing from Pakistan camp after Norway Cup

    OSLO: A 15-year-old Pakistani footballer has gone missing after reportedly leaving the Better Future Pakistan camp in Norway without informing team officials, prompting an immediate police search during the team’s stay in Oslo. According to a statement issued by Better Future Pakistan, the young player departed the camp on his own without seeking permission from the management. The organization said his whereabouts remain unknown despite ongoing efforts to locate him. Officials stressed that preliminary findings suggest the footballer left the camp voluntarily, with no evidence so far indicating foul play, kidnapping or coercion. They urged the public to avoid speculation while authorities continue their investigation. The camp management said police were notified within 20 minutes of the player last being seen. Norwegian authorities responded promptly, launching search operations and initiating the necessary legal procedures to trace the missing teenager. Better Future Pakistan stated that it is maintaining close contact with local law enforcement agencies and is fully cooperating with the investigation. The organization also said it is providing updates to the player’s family and relevant Pakistani authorities as new information becomes available. The incident occurred after the conclusion of the Norway Cup, one of the world’s largest international youth football tournaments, which was held in Oslo from July 25 to August 1. Better Future Pakistan had sent a group of young footballers to participate in the event as part of its youth development program. While the missing player’s disappearance has raised concern, officials confirmed that all other members of the Pakistani contingent have safely returned home following the completion of the tournament. The case has drawn attention in Pakistan’s sporting community, coming shortly after other reports involving Pakistani athletes going missing during overseas tours. However, Better Future Pakistan emphasized that each case is unique and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. Authorities in Norway continue their search, while the football community hopes the teenager is found safe and reunited with his family as soon as possible. Both police and team officials have appealed for anyone with credible information about the player’s whereabouts to contact the relevant authorities immediately.

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    Passengers recount terrifying turbulence on Air India flight

    At least 17 passengers and crew members were injured after an Air India flight encountered severe turbulence while travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi, prompting frightened passengers to fear the aircraft might crash. According to Indian media, the flight was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it was hit by sudden and intense turbulence mid-air. The violent shaking reportedly caused the aircraft to drop abruptly, leaving several passengers and crew members injured. The aircraft also sustained minor damage during the incident. The flight landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where emergency medical teams were waiting. Injured passengers were taken from the aircraft on stretchers and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. An Italian passenger described the ordeal as one of the most terrifying experiences of her life. She said the turbulence was so powerful that her sister was thrown out of her seat, while her mother suffered a head injury. She added that several passengers were hurt, including one man whose face was covered in blood. “We thought we were going to die,” the passenger said, recalling the frightening moments during the flight. Air India, however, said none of the passengers or crew members suffered life-threatening injuries. The airline stated that those injured were taken to hospital as a precaution for medical evaluation. According to the airline, five people were discharged shortly after receiving treatment, while the remaining injured passengers continue to receive medical care. The incident has once again drawn attention to the dangers posed by severe in-flight turbulence, although aviation experts note that such events are relatively rare and commercial aircraft are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.

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    Georgina Rodriguez says self-worth has nothing to do with looks

    Georgina Rodriguez has pushed back against body-shamers with a candid note to her millions of followers. She declared she loves her curves. The 32-year-old model, who is engaged to football star Cristiano Ronaldo, posted the message after facing criticism over swimsuit photos taken on a boat. She wrote that her body will keep changing, as every woman’s body does, and said she hopes it continues to. Georgina explained she is a mother of six, including three daughters who will grow into strong women someday. She said one lesson she wants to pass on, alongside Ronaldo, is that a person’s value should never rest on appearance or on strangers’ opinions. She added that this mindset helps her stay grounded despite the pressures of public life. She closed the post by describing success as living peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, staying healthy, and embracing laughter, learning and life itself. Ronaldo responded with his own tribute, telling Georgina that her worth comes from who she is, not her image. He called her a perfect woman, beautiful, a devoted mother and a successful, loving person. The post struck a chord with fans on social media. One user on X praised Georgina for looking radiant despite multiple pregnancies, adding that Ronaldo was fortunate to be marrying her. Another commenter linked the post to swirling wedding rumours, claiming the couple plans to tie the knot soon at a cathedral in Madeira followed by a reception at a nearby palace. Georgina has remained a prominent figure in fashion circles for years now. She recently made appearances at both the Met Gala and the Cannes Film Festival, further cementing her status as a style icon alongside her role as a mother and public advocate for body positivity. Her latest message adds to a growing list of moments where she has used her platform to speak openly about motherhood, self-image and resilience, resonating with followers who see her as both relatable and inspiring.

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    Kim Yo Jong warns Japan over expanding military power

    North Korea has issued a fresh warning to Japan, saying it could adopt new military measures in response to Tokyo’s growing defence capabilities. The statement came after Japan conducted a test of a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, a move Pyongyang described as a serious security threat. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused Japan of abandoning its traditional defensive military posture and moving toward offensive capabilities. In a statement released through North Korea’s state media, she claimed Tokyo is developing the ability to carry out pre-emptive strikes and military operations beyond its borders. She pointed to Japan’s recent Tomahawk missile launch from the Aegis destroyer Chokai in the Pacific Ocean, along with other missile tests and its participation in joint military exercises led by the United States in the Philippines earlier this year. Kim warned that North Korea would take additional military steps if Japan continued strengthening its armed forces. Although she did not specify what actions Pyongyang might take, she said Japan would face greater security risks as a consequence of its military expansion. The North Korean official also blamed the United States for supporting Japan’s military modernisation. She accused Washington of supplying Tomahawk missiles, upgrading Japanese naval vessels to operate the weapons, and backing missile tests, arguing that the US is encouraging policies that increase tensions in the region. According to Kim, Japan’s acquisition of long-range strike capabilities places North Korea and other neighbouring countries within potential missile range, raising concerns over regional stability. The latest remarks are part of a broader campaign by Pyongyang against growing security cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea. North Korean state media has repeatedly criticised joint military exercises and defence partnerships, describing them as provocative and a threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Regional analysts believe the statement is aimed at portraying Japan’s military modernisation as justification for North Korea’s continued weapons development. Experts also suggest the rhetoric could signal preparations for future military demonstrations, including missile launches or other strategic weapons tests, as Pyongyang seeks to reinforce its deterrence strategy amid rising regional tensions.

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    Carlos Alcaraz withdraws from Cincinnati Masters with wrest injury

    World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz has officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Masters as he continues to recover from a wrist injury that has kept him off the ATP Tour since April, casting fresh doubt over his participation in this month’s US Open. Tournament organizers confirmed on Tuesday that the Spanish superstar will not defend his Cincinnati title, citing an “ongoing wrist injury.” The ATP Masters 1000 event, scheduled to begin on August 13, is regarded as the final major warm-up tournament before the US Open. Tournament director Bob Moran expressed support for the 23-year-old, saying everyone at Cincinnati hopes to see him back on court soon. “We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible. We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in the future,” Moran said in an official statement. The withdrawal has intensified speculation surrounding Alcaraz’s fitness ahead of the US Open, which begins on August 30 in New York. As the defending champion, his absence from Cincinnati leaves him with little opportunity to regain competitive rhythm before the year’s final Grand Slam. Alcaraz has not played a competitive match since suffering a wrist injury during the opening round of the Barcelona Open in April. Since then, he has withdrawn from several high-profile tournaments, including the Madrid Open, Italian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and now Cincinnati. When announcing his decision to miss Roland Garros earlier this year, Alcaraz described it as “the most prudent” choice after discussions with his team. Although his rehabilitation has reportedly progressed well, the Spaniard has repeatedly stressed that he would only return when fully fit. His absence from Wimbledon proved particularly significant, as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner successfully defended his title by defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final. Despite his lengthy spell on the sidelines, Alcaraz enjoyed a remarkable start to 2026. He completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in January, becoming the youngest men’s player to achieve the feat. He followed that historic triumph with another title in Doha in February, taking his Grand Slam tally to seven. With the countdown to Flushing Meadows underway, tennis fans will now be anxiously waiting for an official update on whether one of the sport’s biggest stars will be fit in time to defend his US Open crown.

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    Perez Hilton hospitalized after livestream sparks emergency response

    Perez Hilton is receiving medical care after a livestream on Tuesday triggered an emergency response at his Miami-area home. The video, later removed, showed the celebrity blogger appearing to harm himself while viewers watched online. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies responded to reports of someone livestreaming self-harm on social media. Their initial statement did not name Hilton directly. A follow-up statement confirmed the person involved was safely recovered. He was then taken to a local hospital for treatment. According to details from the scene, Hilton was alone inside his residence at the time. His children and other family members were not present. Deputies arrived with multiple patrol vehicles and set up yellow tape around the neighbourhood. They later confirmed with family members that he was alone inside. The Sheriff’s Office added that in cases involving a mental health crisis or active self-harm, deputies focus on de-escalation. They said this involves creating time, distance and space for communication. The goal is to avoid immediate confrontation wherever possible. Golden Artists Entertainment, the talent management firm representing Hilton, said it was aware of the circulating content. The co-CEOs said Hilton and his family’s wellbeing was their main concern right now. They added that despite ongoing efforts, they had not yet been able to reach him directly. Hilton, 48, first became known in the early 2000s as a celebrity gossip blogger. He built one of the internet’s most-read entertainment sites during that era. He is a father of three children, all born via surrogacy. He had recently announced a move back to Miami from Las Vegas. This came shortly after a hospital stay earlier this year. The incident has sparked concern among fans and fellow public figures online. Many have shared messages of support and called for privacy during his recovery. As of now, further updates on his condition have not been released. Authorities and his team have not commented further on what led to the livestream.

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    Dar, Jordan FM discuss West Bank crisis and Palest…

    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman on Wednesday, where both leaders reviewed the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank and reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a ministerial conference focused on developing a coordinated stance on the situation in occupied Jerusalem. During the discussions, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on recent regional developments, with particular attention to escalating tensions in the Palestinian territories. Dar praised Jordan’s longstanding role in protecting the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and acknowledged Amman’s continued support for the Palestinian people. Both sides also expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum in Pakistan-Jordan relations and pledged to further expand cooperation in political, economic, defence, education, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders also discussed broader regional issues, including recent developments involving the United States and Iran. They stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential for reducing tensions and maintaining regional peace and stability. Both ministers agreed to continue close coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to address regional challenges and promote peaceful solutions. During his visit, Dar also met Somalia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali. The two leaders reviewed longstanding bilateral relations and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in politics, trade, defence, education and capacity-building. They also reaffirmed their commitment to working closely on issues of mutual interest at international forums. Dar is attending the ministerial meeting in Jordan to join foreign ministers from Arab League member states and several Islamic countries in formulating a unified response to developments in occupied Jerusalem. Pakistan is expected to reiterate its consistent support for the Palestinian people and call for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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    SpaceX revenue nearly doubles in first earnings report

    SpaceX has released its first earnings report since becoming a publicly traded company. Revenue nearly doubled over the past year, even as artificial intelligence spending surged sharply. Despite beating analyst forecasts on both revenue and earnings, the company’s stock slipped in after-hours trading. Investors appeared more focused on rising costs than on the strong topline numbers. The company reported $7.8 billion in revenue for the second quarter. That marked a 92% jump compared to the same period last year. Net losses narrowed significantly to $541 million, down from $1 billion a year earlier. SpaceX began trading on the US stock market back in June. Starlink, the company’s satellite internet division, remained the only profitable business unit. It generated $1.6 billion in revenue during the quarter. Elon Musk told analysts on the earnings call that people were underestimating the company. He pointed directly to Starlink’s rapid growth as proof. Musk suggested Starlink could eventually power a large share of global internet access. Meanwhile, the company’s AI computing division posted a $1.2 billion loss on $2.5 billion in sales. The core space business also posted a loss, at $542 million on $962 million in sales. Musk said SpaceX currently runs 1.4 gigawatts of AI computing capacity. He added that this figure is expected to hit 10 gigawatts within the next year. Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnson said capital spending would stay steady for the rest of the year. Industry voices offered mixed reactions to the results. Carré Partners CEO Wendy Souvannarath noted that heavy AI investment has become the norm across tech firms. Analyst Brady Wang praised Starlink’s strong subscriber growth as a genuine bright spot. However, IG analyst Fabien Yip pushed back on Musk’s framing. He said it was a stretch to call the company underestimated while its AI division kept losing money.

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    ‘Can’t wait to watch Abdullah Shafique in England’, says Ian Bishop

    Former West Indies fast bowler and renowned cricket commentator Ian Bishop believes Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique has the temperament and technique to succeed in English conditions, saying he is eager to watch the young batter during the upcoming Test series against England. Shafique has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most dependable red-ball batters following his remarkable performances against the West Indies, and Bishop feels the 26-year-old has all the qualities needed to handle one of cricket’s toughest challenges. Speaking about the Pakistani opener, Bishop described Shafique as a calm and composed batter who remains patient even in difficult situations. “Abdullah Shafique is a composed batter who knows how to build an innings under pressure,” Bishop said, adding that such qualities are crucial for success in England, where swinging conditions and disciplined bowling regularly test even the world’s best players. The former West Indies pacer acknowledged that English pitches present a unique challenge but noted that Shafique already has valuable experience after representing Yorkshire in county cricket. Although that exposure will help him adapt more quickly, Bishop stressed that delivering consistently in England remains a demanding task for any international batter. Shafique’s confidence has soared after his outstanding performance in the recently concluded Test series against the West Indies. Drafted into Pakistan’s squad after Shan Masood suffered an injury, the right-handed opener seized the opportunity in spectacular fashion. He remained unbeaten on 160, producing one of the finest innings of his career and becoming the first Pakistani batter in 49 years to score 150 or more runs in a Test innings in the West Indies. The memorable knock not only strengthened Pakistan’s batting lineup but also reinforced Shafique’s reputation as one of the country’s brightest Test prospects. With Pakistan set to face England in a highly anticipated Test series, fans and cricket experts alike will be watching closely to see whether Abdullah Shafique can carry his superb form into English conditions and establish himself among the world’s elite opening batters.

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    Pakistan targets 90% clean electricity by 2035, says Awais Leghari

    Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari outlined Pakistan’s long-term strategy to transform its electricity sector, setting an ambitious target of raising the share of clean energy in the national power mix to 90 percent by 2035. The announcement came during the Solar, Storage and Flexibility 2026 Conference, where the minister also highlighted key policy hurdles, including restrictions under Pakistan’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme that are delaying the introduction of a market-based electricity pricing mechanism. Speaking at the conference on Tuesday, Leghari said the government was pursuing a major shift in energy policy by moving away from a traditional generation-focused model towards a system centred on grid flexibility, energy security, battery storage and domestic manufacturing. He said the new approach is designed to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuels, shield consumers from volatile global energy prices and maximise the benefits of the country’s rapidly expanding solar sector. The minister said Pakistan has witnessed remarkable growth in rooftop solar installations, with nearly 38 gigawatts of distributed solar capacity now installed through private consumer investment. He described the rapid adoption of rooftop solar as one of the country’s biggest energy success stories but cautioned that it has also created new challenges for the national power system. According to Leghari, Pakistan generates significant amounts of electricity from solar energy during daylight hours, yet the absence of sufficient battery storage infrastructure prevents that surplus electricity from being utilised during evening peak demand. He stressed that without modern storage systems, the country would continue to struggle with balancing electricity supply and demand despite having abundant renewable energy resources. Referring to disruptions in Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) supplies earlier this year, the minister said the episode exposed Pakistan’s continued dependence on imported fuels. He noted that the interruption in fuel supplies led to electricity shortages and load shedding even though ample solar power was available during the daytime, highlighting the urgent need for large-scale energy storage. “Battery storage is no longer an optional technology—it has become a strategic national asset that is essential for ensuring Pakistan’s energy sovereignty,” Leghari said. He noted that clean energy sources, including hydropower, nuclear, wind and solar, currently contribute approximately 55 percent of Pakistan’s total electricity generation. However, he warned that achieving the government’s renewable energy targets would require significant investment in battery storage systems, transmission infrastructure and power market reforms. The minister emphasised that expanding renewable generation alone would not be sufficient unless supported by a modern electricity network capable of storing and transmitting clean energy efficiently. To support the country’s long-term energy transition, Leghari announced a three-point strategy. The plan includes expanding battery energy storage systems across the national grid, encouraging local battery manufacturing and assembly to reduce reliance on imports while creating employment opportunities, and introducing regulatory reforms aimed at providing long-term certainty and confidence for domestic and foreign investors. During a question-and-answer session following his address, the minister also disclosed that Pakistan’s commitments under the IMF programme currently limit the government’s ability to introduce a fully flexible, market-based electricity tariff system. He explained that the government has been in discussions with the IMF for several months regarding the introduction of a time-of-use tariff, under which electricity prices would vary according to the actual cost of power generation at different hours of the day. Such a system, he said, would encourage consumers to shift electricity consumption to off-peak periods, reduce pressure on the national grid and help integrate renewable energy more efficiently.