After a slender overtime defeat to Jordan in their opener, India were on the wrong side of a heavy loss against the People’s Republic of China in their second game.
Group winners advanced directly to the quarter-finals, while the second and third-placed teams will play in a qualifying round game to decide the remaining spots in the final eight.
Palpreet Singh Brar got the scoreboard ticking by sinking the first two-pointer of the match for India.
However, neither team managed to open up a big advantage as they traded the lead throughout the first period, which saw India end the quarter leading 25-24.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has ordered further steps to streamline visa procedures, boost transparency, and speed up processing—especially for overseas Pakistanis, investors, and business travellers.
Chairing a meeting to review the visa facilitation initiatives introduced in 2024 under his guidance, Senator Dar emphasized the need for sustained institutional reform in consular services to better serve overseas Pakistanis and promote economic engagement.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the meeting assessed progress on procedural reforms implemented across various missions. Officials briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on efforts to simplify application processes, reduce delays, and introduce digital tools to enhance service delivery.
Also Read: Defence minister refutes IAF chief’s claim of shooting down Pakistani jets
The foreign minister emphasised the need to cut red tape and improve access for the Pakistani diaspora and economic stakeholders overseas.
Dar noted that timely visa issuance is vital not only for strengthening ties with the diaspora but also for attracting investment and promoting international business engagement.He directed the ministry to identify further areas for improvement and ensure that missions abroad adhere to best practices in visa processing.
He directed the ministry to identify further areas for improvement and ensure that missions abroad adhere to best practices in visa processing.
Pakistan’s defense minister rejects Indian claim of downing six jets, says no aircraft lost
ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday rejected the Indian air chief’s assertion his country shot down six Pakistani military aircraft during a standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors, saying no Pakistani aircraft was hit and adding that wars are won through professional competence, not fabrications.
Indian Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh told a gathering in New Delhi earlier today his country had downed five Pakistani fighter jets and one large surveillance plane in “the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill” at a range of 300 kilometers. Singh’s assertion was the first such statement by India months after its worst military conflict in decades with its neighbor.
India targeted what it called “terrorist infrastructure” inside Pakistan earlier this year in May, calling it Operation Sindoor and saying it was in response to a gun attack in Indian-administered Kashmir which it blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied any involvement and called for an impartial international probe into the incident.
Pakistan said during the intense, four-day standoff it had shot down six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafales, right at the outset of the war. It also gave a technical briefing to the foreign media on how the situation unfolded at the outset of the conflict.
“Not a single Pakistani aircraft was hit or destroyed by Indian,” the minister said in a social media post on X. “Pakistan destroyed 6 Indian jets, S400 air defense batteries and unmanned aircraft of India while swiftly putting several Indian air bases out of action.”
He called it ironic that senior Indian military officials were “used as the faces of monumental failure caused by strategic shortsightedness of Indian politicians,” pointing out that for three months, no such claims were voiced by New Delhi.
He said if the truth was in question, both sides should open their aircraft inventories to independent verification.
“Wars are not won by falsehoods but by moral authority, national resolve and professional competence,” the minister said. “Such comical narratives, crafted for domestic political expediency, increase the grave risks of strategic miscalculation in a nuclearised environment.”
Asif warned that, as demonstrated during his country’s response to India, every violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would invite a “swift, surefire and proportionate response,” adding that responsibility for any ensuing escalation would rest entirely with “strategically blind leaders who gamble with South Asia’s peace for fleeting political gains.”
India has previously acknowledged some losses, with its Chief of Defense Staff Anil Chauhan saying in an interview with Bloomberg that his forces had made a “tactical mistake” during the May conflict, but denying that six aircraft were lost.
Responding to a question, Chauhan said it was not important how many Indian planes were downed in the war.
“The good part is we were able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets, again targeting at long range,” he said.
Separately, France’s air chief, General Jerome Bellanger, has said he has seen evidence of the loss of three Indian fighters, including a Rafale.
The Indian Air Force has not commented on the claims.
Salman Iftikhar, a former British executive and founder of the recruitment firm Staffing Match, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after making ‘rape’ threats against Virgin Atlantic cabin crew during a flight from London to Lahore.
The incident occurred on February 7, 2023, while Iftikhar was flying first class with his three children.
According to multiple reports, Iftikhar consumed excessive alcohol on board and became aggressive after being asked to return to his seat.
He threatened flight attendant Angie Walsh of gangrape and bombing her hotel in Lahore. He also attempted to assault another crew member, Tommy Merchant.
Despite the incident, Iftikhar was not arrested upon landing in Pakistan. He was later apprehended at his home in Iver, England, on March 16, 2024, and appeared before Isleworth Crown Court, where he admitted to threatening to kill Walsh and racially harassing her. He denied harassment toward the second crew member.
In a victim impact statement, Walsh, a veteran flight attendant with 37 years of experience, described being left traumatised and unable to return to work for over a year.
Virgin Atlantic has publicly supported Walsh, stating that the safety and security of crew and passengers is their highest priority, and emphasising a zero-tolerance policy for abusive behaviour.
Following the sentencing on August 5, Iftikhar’s wife, Abeer Rizvi, a Pakistani influencer with over half a million followers on social media, defended her husband, attributing his actions to mental health issues, reports The New York Post report.
In a series of Instagram posts on August 7, she urged compassion, writing: “Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there’s pain you don’t see. Before judging, try understanding.”
Rizvi, who lives in Pakistan, is one of two women reported to be married to Iftikhar. The other wife, Erum Salman, resides in the UK, according to media sources.
A study conducted by researchers from Japan, China, Canada, and the U.S. found that DNA once considered “junk” makes up nearly half of the human genome.
This “junk” DNA comes from transposable elements belonging to the MER11 family. Researchers say that transposable elements function as genetic switches that control gene activity in specific cell types.
They also believe that gaining a clearer understanding of the human genome could help them make sense of genetic mutations linked to cancer and rare diseases. “Our genome was sequenced long ago, but the function of many of its parts remains unknown,” Dr. Inoue, one of the co-corresponding authors, said. “Transposable elements are thought to play important roles in genome evolution, and their significance is expected to become clearer as research continues to advance.”
The study also found that 8% of the human genome originates from viruses that infected our ancestors millions of years ago.
Researchers say the study provided them with a new approach to trace the evolutionary history of viral DNA. They suggest that viral sequences that were once overlooked may have important regulatory functions in gene expression.
“If we can clearly map what parts of our genome are specific to humans or primates, and what parts came from viruses, we’re one step closer to understanding what makes us human and how our DNA influences health and disease,” said Guillaume Bourque, one of the study’s lead authors and a professor in McGill’s Department of Human Genetics.
Oppo already makes devices with some of the fastest wired and wireless charging on the premium Android smartphone market. Now, the company reportedly intends to combine those specs with a significantly upgraded battery in the upcoming Find X9 Ultra. The device is also backed to have some of the best rear cameras at the time of its launch.
The quality and power-efficiency of the supposedly upcoming Oppo Find X9 Ultra’s display have been called into question in its latest leaks. Those issues might not matter all that much, though, as its battery is now once again slated to be much larger than that of its predecessor.
The Find X8 Ultra launched with a considerable upgrade of its own as Oppo’s first-ever 6,100mAh flagship in early 2025. The “X9 Ultra” is believed to one-up it regardless, with a new dual-cell battery of 6,800mAh (or “3,425mAh*2“) in rated capacity.
The component (also known as the “Oppo BLPD09“, according to the latest leak) might be marketed as one of 7,000mAh in typical capacity. It also still apparently supports the same 100W USB-C and 50W wireless charging specs as the X8 Ultra.
The “X9 Ultra” is also now once again backed to launch with a relatively slim chassis despite these potentially high-octane upgrades in the first half of 2026.
Deirdre O Donnell – Senior Tech Writer – 8584 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2018
I became a professional writer and editor shortly after graduation. My degrees are in biomedical sciences; however, they led to some experience in the biotech area, which convinced me of its potential to revolutionize our health, environment and lives in general. This developed into an all-consuming interest in more aspects of tech over time: I can never write enough on the latest electronics, gadgets and innovations. My other interests include imaging, astronomy, and streaming all the things. Oh, and coffee.
Nike’s most normal sneaker steps outside its comfort zone for its funkiest outfit yet.
Nike’s Killshot 2 “Sail/Olive Aura” breaks away from the usual routine of leather and suede makeovers, this time getting wrapped in a floral tapestry.
It’s similar to other pairs of flowery Killshot sneakers, but with a calmer green floral pattern. They still have plenty of elderly charm, too.
Also like the previous pairs, the “Sail/Olive Aura” floral Killshot features a leathery Swoosh on the sidewalls and smooth suede panels, which adds some textural contrast to the casual model.
Nike has gradually gotten more adventurous with its Killshot 2 designs. The brand has reimagined the tennis shoe with a long tongue for a Tiempo-inspired version and even added some visible stitching for a Wales Bonner-flavored pair.
The floral versions are its grooviest Killshots thus far, though.
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The flower-powered Killshot sneakers are up for grabs on Asphaltgold’s website, but they are mostly sold out for retail (no surprises there). If you’re still looking for them, the shoes are also available on resale platforms like StockX and Kicks Crew for $100 and up.
Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit the HS Style Guide for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty
A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested after three people were shot in New York City’s Times Square in the early hours of Saturday.
Gunfire rang out about 01:20 EDT (05:20 GMT) at West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue, below the towering billboards in one of the world’s busiest tourist hotspots.
The teenager has not been named by police, and charges were pending.
Police say a 19-year-old man was shot in the foot, a 65-year-old man was hit in the left leg and an 18-year old woman was grazed in the neck.
They were all admitted to hospital in a stable condition.
The shooting in Times Square erupted during a fight outside a Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant.
It stemmed from a dispute, according to the New York Police Department. A handgun was recovered at the scene.
Last month, a gun attack on an office building left four workers dead in Midtown Manhattan. The suspected gunman, a 27-year-old from Nevada, was believed to be targeting the National Football League offices.
According to New York police, the city has seen historically low levels of gun violence in recent months.
The shooting comes three months before the election for New York mayor, and as President Donald Trump sends federal agents into the streets of Washington DC to crack down on crimes committed by young people.
On Friday, Trump ordered federal agents into the streets of Washington DC to curb what he called “totally out of control” levels of crime.
Washington DC’s homicide rate remains relatively high compared to other US cities, with a total of 98 such killings recorded so far this year. Homicides have been trending higher in the US capital from a decade ago.
But federal data from January shows that Washington DC last year recorded its lowest overall violent crime figures – once car-jacking, assault and robberies are incorporated – in 30 years.
On Saturday, Trump announced plans on Truth Social to host a news conference at the White House on Monday, “which will, essentially, stop violent crime in Washington, DC”.
After the events of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the wall-crawling web-slinger finds himself unmoored by the personal woes that plagued Peter Parker. Now that the superhero’s alter ego has effectively been destroyed, Peter can be Spider-Man 24/7. With that comes new rules, new threats — and a new suit.
On Saturday, fans got to see an all-new costume for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man that will be worn in 2026’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Holland unveiled the new suit on social media in a video where he approaches the camera with his mask off. New photos from pedestrians have circulated endlessly online during filming since Saturday, including from Holland himself.
The studio likely released the first look on Saturday in anticipation of on-set leaks during filming in Glasgow. After “No Way Home” culminated in Holland’s Spider-Man finally donning a back-to-basics uniform, fans long awaited to see if the briefly seen costume would stick around. While the suit in “Brand New Day” isn’t quite the same as Spidey’s most recent appearance, this new costume pays homage to iconic Spider-Man looks from film and comics — with Holland’s Peter Parker himself being apparently inspired by past Spider-Men.
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Pays Homage to Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield
Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios via Tom Holland on Instagram
In “No Way Home,” Holland’s Peter Parker famously met his prior film counterparts, with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s takes on the character finding themselves pulled into the MCU. It seems that both Spider-Men left a bit of themselves behind for the youngest Peter.
Before “No Way Home,” the MCU’s Peter Parker had only truly created his own Spider-Man suit once: the “homemade” suit Peter wore as a young hero prior to the events of “Captain America: Civil War” and briefly during “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” This suit scarcely resembles any iconic Spidey clothing (except perhaps for the Scarlet Spider), with Peter creating the look out of sweatpants, a hoodie and shiftable goggles.
Every other uniform worn by Spider-Man through “No Way Home” was at least a partial creation of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and nanotechnology. Tony gave Peter the primary suit worn in “Civil War” and “Homecoming.” In “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” Peter mainly wears the Iron Spider suit created by Tony, which later integrates into his uniform in “No Way Home.” “Spider-Man: Far From Home” sees Peter invent a new suit using a Stark fabricator that, while more minimalist in function, still lacks the simple red-and-blue schematic of classic Spidey costumes.
With Tony Stark dead and Peter’s identity erased, the hero loses access to these fancier features in “No Way Home.” At the movie’s end, Spidey swings into the city in a simplistic suit he sewed himself. This costume, known as the “Final Swing Suit,” hardly appears in the movie, but fans were drawn to its simplicity and shiny blue fabric.
The “Brand New Day” costume updates the Final Swing suit in a few key ways. It places a deeper blue on Holland’s arms and legs. It additionally features the raised webbing that prominently appears on Maguire’s Spider-Man costumes. This attribute was later adopted by Garfield’s suit in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.”
This isn’t the only way Holland’s back-to-basics uniform pays homage to his new friends, Peter 2 and Peter 3. The MCU’s Spider-Man suits generally either employed a stubby, techy logo (as seen on the primary “Homecoming” and “Far From Home” outfits) or a giant logo that extends down his arms and onto his back (such as the Iron Spider and Integrated Suits).
The “Brand New Day” suit abandons these logos, instead taking a page from Maguire and Garfield’s books. Holland’s new suit employs a slender logo, both lengthier than his primary suits’ and shorter than the Iron Spider insignia. This new logo also features the pincers seen on the spider worn by Maguire and Garfield, abandoning the stubby human that used to adorn Holland.
Though Peter’s switch to a simpler uniform doesn’t require an in-universe explanation, the suit has multiple canon causes. He’s broke, he’s inspired by his new friends and he’s starting over. The suit truly represents a brand new day for the MCU version of this character.
Spider-Man’s new suit is the MCU’s most comic-accurate look yet
“The Amazing Spider-Man” #106, 1975, art by John Romita Sr. and Frank Giacoia (Marvel Comics)
On top of nodding toward former cinematic Spider-Men, Holland’s new uniform also resembles iconic looks from Spider-Man’s past. When examining the new suit against classic comic book costumes, such as those drawn by Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr., one would be hard-pressed to find too many differences: set photos reveal that the eyes on the new suit still closely match Holland’s other uniforms, and the raised webbing is distinct from common comics.
Like with many Spider-Man costumes, the logo is one of the first places that Holland’s suit stands out. While the rest of the costume feels relatively close to early Spider-Man comics, the logo on Holland’s chest remains distinct, with a shorter body and sharper legs than Ditko and Romita typically drew. A similar logo appears in red on the back of the “Brand New Day” suit, distinct from the circular tick-looking spider on the back of many comic book costumes.
Aside from these distinctions, however, the “Brand New Day” costume is pretty lockstep with the classic Spider-Man comic book look. While the MCU is often criticized for “over-designing” their superhero costumes with various textures and lines, the “Brand New Day” outfit is sleek and simple. Blue under Spider-Man’s arms breaks up the red on his chest, while a red belt separates his torso from his blue pants. The blue pattern has some slight texturing to it, but the suit largely looks like the bold, primary colors featured in the comics.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed by comics artists. Acclaimed comic book illustrator Alex Ross has repeatedly shared photos on X of his Spider-Man drawings side-by-side with Holland’s latest portrayal. Ross’ depictions of Spider-Man are beloved for their simplicity, depicting the character as little more than a man with web-slingers, lenses and fabric. That’s all the tech Spidey really needs to be amazing.
