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  • RWC 2025 Daily – Saturday, 20 September

    RWC 2025 Daily – Saturday, 20 September

    Canada see off defending champions New Zealand

    Canada are the first team to progress to the final of Rugby World Cup 2025 after beating New Zealand 34-19 in Bristol on Friday. The Canadians were quick out the blocks, and had a 17-0 lead within the first 25 minutes.

    The Black Ferns did try fight back, but there was ultimately too much for them to do, and they will contest the third-place playoff against the side that loses Saturday’s second semi-final.

    It was a victory that came from discipline in defence, with Canada not conceding a penalty until the 61st minute of the match. An incredible feat!

    “The defensive focus was huge this week,” inspirational second-row Sophie de Goede said. “Our attack has been firing all tournament so we put trust in our ability to fire in attack, but we knew we needed to do a big job on defence, keeping getting out and putting pressure on them and I think that’s why you saw that result.”

    A new era ahead?

    The defeat means New Zealand will not have a chance to bid for a third consecutive title. The Black Ferns had only previously lost one semi-final prior to Friday, a defeat by USA at Rugby World Cup 1991. Since then, in every tournament they have competed in bar 2014, they have made the final and won it.

    However, rather than dwell on what her side had lost out on, New Zealand captain Kennedy Tukuafu highlighted what it means for the overall game to see so many teams in contention for the title at this tournament and how the women’s game will keep growing from here.

    “I think how far the women’s game has come, it’s pretty special to be part of this legacy, to see how big this tournament’s been, the biggest there’s ever been, so we can be proud of contributing to that,” she said.

    Who will meet Canada?

    Well, we have one finalist confirmed, but who will they play?

    The second semi-final sees France take on England in the same stadium at 15:30 BST later today. The Red Roses came through the pool stage unscathed, having beaten USA, Australia and Samoa, after which they were comfortable victors over Scotland in the quarter-finals.

    France also had an unbeaten pool-stage campaign, recording victories over Italy, Brazil and South Africa. However, their quarter-final was far from regulation, having to fight back from 13-0 down to beat Ireland 18-13 thanks to a late length-of-the-field try.

    Who will hold their nerves and book their spot in the big dance? Here’s all you need to know ahead of our second semi-final.

    Late change for France

    France have not had the ideal preparation for the game, with winger Joanna Grisez ruled out of the match though injury and Kelly Arbey coming in as a late replacement.

    “We made the call to pull Joanna Grisez, who felt some muscle tightness in her thigh earlier this week,” said France assistant coach David Ortiz. “We tried to manage her and build her up, but it didn’t work out.”

    While Arbey is an able replacement, having played all 80 minutes of every one of France’s games aside from the victory over Brazil, Ashton Gate with the Red Roses fans in full voice will be a real test for the 20-year-old in such a huge fixture.

    Did you know?

    England are the top-ranked team in the world, while France are fourth. The two teams met in the last round of the Six Nations in April, with England coming out with a one-point win after a thriller at Allianz Stadium.

    However, over the course of history, England have performed far better at Rugby World Cups than France. The Red Roses have made it to the final of each edition of the tournament bar one (1998), whereas France have never been to the final. Les Bleues have lost eight semi-finals in history – will that change later today?

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  • CM Maryam calls lucky farmer for allotting green tractor

    CM Maryam calls lucky farmer for allotting green tractor




    LAHORE (Dunya News) – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday inaugurated the balloting for the second phase of the Punjab Green Tractor Program.

    In the balloting, the first tractor was allotted to Raja Riffat Abbas from Attock Tehsil, the second to Nuzhat Parveen, and the third to Mian Naseer. CM congratulated the successful farmers of the Green Tractor Scheme Phase II.

    On the occasion, the CM personally called the successful farmer Muhammad Ashiq on the phone and, speaking in Punjabi, asked: “How are you? You had applied for a tractor, your name has been selected, I am calling to congratulate you.

    The Secretary of Agriculture briefed the CM about the Punjab Green Tractor Program Phase II, stating that landowners with 7 acres or more can obtain tractors between 75 to 125 horsepower, with the Punjab government providing a subsidy of Rs. 1 million for high-power tractors. Under the scheme, subsidies will be given on 20,000 tractors in total — 9,500 under the high-power tractor scheme and 10,000 under the medium-power scheme.

    It was noted that for Phase II of the Green Tractor Scheme, 734,000 farmers had applied, of which 282,000 were declared eligible for the ballot, and 9,500 were successful.

    In the program, 98% of farmers applied for locally manufactured tractors, while 2% applied for larger, modern imported tractors.

    Following this demand for imported tractors, foreign dealer companies have now set up dealerships and business offices in Punjab.

    In the Punjab Green Tractors Phase II program, a subsidy of Rs. 500,000 will be given for medium-power tractors ranging from 50 to 65 horsepower.

     


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  • Pakistan brings China’s coablation cancer therapy to Lahore hospital

    Pakistan brings China’s coablation cancer therapy to Lahore hospital


    BADIN, Sindh: Gul Muhammad Mandhro has watched three-quarters of his farmland in coastal Badin, southern Pakistan, disappear to the Arabian Sea over the past two decades, forcing a shift from sugarcane to salt-tolerant staples such as rice and wheat.


    Once known as Pakistan’s “sugar state” for its cane fields and cluster of mills, Badin district is now at the forefront of a climate-driven crisis. Sea intrusion and shrinking freshwater flows from the Indus River have left soils too saline for sugarcane, accelerating a decline that farmers say is reshaping rural livelihoods and output along the coast.


    “This area was very fertile, but it has been badly affected because of the sea and cyclones,” the 71-year-old farmer, who once worked as a schoolteacher, told Arab News.


    “I owned nearly 200 acres of agricultural land which has now shrunk to 50 acres,” he added, saying he now plants more climate-resilient rice and wheat on what remains of his land.


    According to the Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA), Badin and neighboring Thatta district have lost nearly two million hectares (about 5 million acres) of farmland to sea intrusion over the past three decades. 


    Sindh is Pakistan’s second-largest province, bordering the Arabian Sea and home to the lower Indus delta.


    “Due to water shortage, the sea level is rising, its water is becoming more saline,” Wafa Lateef Jokhio, SCA general secretary, said. 


    He argued that Sindh was not receiving its due share of Indus waters from upstream provinces.


    He added that roughly 10 million acre-feet (12.3 billion cubic meters) of freshwater should reach the Arabian Sea each year to hold back seawater encroachment: “This is not happening.”


    Agronomists say the changes are also altering the chemical balance of soil.


    “The soil’s pH has been affected. The ideal pH for cultivation ranges from 5.5 to 7.6 and all the crops are grown within this range, including sugarcane,” said Ahmed Khan Soomro, an agricultural economics expert.


    He said pH levels have climbed to as high as 8.4 in parts of Sindh, while the loss of indigenous seed varieties such as BL4 and Thatta 10 has compounded pressure on yields.


    “The sweet water is not falling into the sea due to siltation in our rivers, that’s why the ecosystem is disturbed,” added Soomro, who manages Badin district for the Sindh Rural Support Organization.


    ‘SUGAR STATE’


    The strain is also visible in Badin’s sugar industry, once a major contributor to Sindh’s role in producing about 30 percent of Pakistan’s national sugarcane output, according to government statistics.


    “Badin was called sugar state because it used to have six sugar mills operating [until 2008],” said Jokhio. “Mirza Sugar Mill and Pangrio Sugar Mills have shut down, while Ansari Sugar Mills shifted out of the district entirely because of raw material shortages.”


    Farmers say economics now favor rice.


    “Earlier, we used to grow sugarcane, but it wasn’t giving us a good yield,” Mandhro said. “We started sowing rice which is resilient to salinity as well as floods.”


    Large landowners have also cut back.


    “We are not getting a good average [yield] which has decreased to 400 maund per acre,” said Hafeezullah Bhurgri, who plants cane on only 10 percent of his 600 acres, referring to a locally used unit of weight equal to 40 kilograms. 

    “Previously the production was as high as 2,000 maunds per acre.”


    That decline represents a drop from about 80 metric tons per acre to 16 metric tons.


    Commodity experts say the crisis, while devastating for cane growers, has opened opportunities for rice cultivators.


    “We are seeing a lot of potential for exports of rice in the upcoming period,” said Ahsan Mehanti, chief executive officer at Arif Habib Commodities. “On the flipside, however, the sugarcane production has been impacted.”


    For Mandhro, the pivot is pragmatic: rice keeps his fields productive as the sea inches inland.

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  • NASA Confirms Over 6,000 Exoplanets, Advancing Hunt for Habitable Worlds

    NASA Confirms Over 6,000 Exoplanets, Advancing Hunt for Habitable Worlds

    In a milestone that underscores the rapid pace of astronomical discovery, NASA has confirmed more than 6,000 exoplanets—worlds orbiting stars beyond our solar system—marking a significant leap since the first detections three decades ago. This tally, updated in real-time through NASA’s Exoplanet Archive, reflects contributions from space telescopes like Kepler, TESS, and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which have revolutionized our understanding of planetary systems. As of September 2025, the count stands at 6,007, with recent additions including directly imaged planets around young stars, as detailed in a NASA Exoplanet Archive update.

    These discoveries aren’t just numbers; they reveal a diverse array of planetary types, from gas giants to rocky super-Earths, many in habitable zones where liquid water might exist. For industry insiders in aerospace and astrophysics, this surge highlights the interplay between advanced instrumentation and data analysis techniques, enabling detections that were once deemed impossible.

    The Role of Cutting-Edge Telescopes in Expanding the Catalog

    The JWST, launched in 2021, has been pivotal, capturing atmospheric data from distant worlds. A recent Space.com report notes how JWST’s infrared capabilities have confirmed carbon-rich exoplanets, suggesting complex chemistries that could hint at life-forming processes. Meanwhile, ground-based observatories complement these efforts, using radial velocity methods to measure planetary masses.

    Collaboration across international teams has accelerated confirmations. For instance, the TESS mission’s all-sky survey has targeted brighter stars, making follow-ups easier with tools like the Hubble Space Telescope. This has led to intriguing finds, such as WISPIT 2 b, a young planet carving gaps in a protoplanetary disk, as covered in a Scientific American article.

    Implications for Habitability and Future Missions

    Beyond sheer volume, these exoplanets challenge models of planetary formation. Over 30% are super-Earths, larger than our planet but smaller than Neptune, prompting debates on their compositions—rocky cores or thick atmospheres? A Mashable piece from June 2025 highlights odd worlds discovered this year, including potential ocean planets and those with exotic chemistries.

    For astrobiologists and space agencies, the focus shifts to habitability. NASA’s upcoming missions, like the Habitable Worlds Observatory, aim to image Earth-like planets directly. Recent X posts from accounts like NASA Exoplanets echo public excitement, with one noting a “warm Neptune” over 1,000 light-years away, underscoring the vastness of our galaxy.

    Challenges and the Road Ahead in Exoplanet Research

    Yet, challenges persist: confirming candidates requires rigorous vetting to avoid false positives from stellar activity or instrumental noise. With 8,000 more in the pipeline, as per a Forbes analysis, data overload demands AI-driven tools for efficient processing.

    Economically, this boom fuels investments in private space firms. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin eye exoplanet science as a driver for next-gen telescopes, potentially democratizing access. A EarthSky update from two days ago emphasizes how this milestone signals “the next great chapter of exploration,” with implications for understanding our place in the cosmos.

    Broader Impacts on Science and Society

    The psychological impact is profound; discovering 6,000 worlds reframes humanity’s solitude. Industry experts predict that by 2030, we could double this number, aided by Europe’s Ariel mission for atmospheric studies. Recent news from CBBC Newsround captures global awe, reporting on Earth-like candidates that could support life.

    Ultimately, this era of exoplanet hunting bridges pure science with practical innovation, from advanced optics to machine learning. As NASA presses forward, each new confirmation inches us closer to answering whether we’re alone, transforming abstract data into a narrative of cosmic possibility.

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  • After signing defence pact, Pakistan says its nuclear program will be available to Saudi Arabia – Firstpost

    After signing defence pact, Pakistan says its nuclear program will be available to Saudi Arabia – Firstpost

    Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that his country’s nuclear program “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia if needed, as the two nations sign a new defence pact.

    Amid the brewing tensions across the continent of Asia, Pakistan’s Defence Minister
    Khawaja Asif revealed that his country’s nuclear programme “will be made available” to
    Saudi Arabia if needed, as the two nations sign a new defence pact. The proclamation from Asif marked the first formal acknowledgement that Pakistan is willing to put the kingdom under its nuclear umbrella.

    “Let me make one point clear about Pakistan’s nuclear capability: that capability was established long ago when we conducted tests. Since then, we have forces trained for the battlefield. What we have, our capabilities, will absolutely be available under this pact,” Asif admitted in an interview with Geo News on Thursday.

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    The comments from the Pakistani defence minister came a day after the two nations signed a
    defence pact that declares that an attack on one country will be considered as an attack on both. Asif described the collaboration as an “umbrella arrangement”, which has been offered to one another by both sides.

    “If there is aggression against either party – from any side – it will be jointly defended, and the aggression will be met with a response.” However, Asif made it clear that Pakistan will remain an “
    abiding nuclear power” and his country’s nuclear installations were open for inspections. “All our nuclear installations are open to inspections. We get certificates for our facilities. We are an abiding nuclear power and don’t violate anything,” he said.

    Is Pakistan planning to counter Israeli aggression in West Asia?

    It is pertinent to note that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have had strong military ties for decades. However, the recent defence pact between the two nations is coming amid Israel’s aggression in West Asia, with its latest
    strikes on Qatar.

    “Israel, despite being a nuclear power, has not opened its facilities to anyone. All Western nations know that. Many decades ago, Israel retaliated and questioned why its nuclear inspections were being done,” the Defence Minister told Geo News.

    Earlier this week, Asif told Reuters that the defence pact could be extended to cover other Gulf nations and made it clear that Islamabad “had no intention” of using the deal for “any aggression”. “We have no intention of using this pact for any aggression. But if the parties are threatened, then obviously this arrangement will become operative,” he said.

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    At that time, the Pakistani defence minister also stressed that nuclear weapons were “not on the radar” of the pact. Meanwhile, Israel has not commented on the defence pact between the two nations.
    Pakistan have been an ardent critic of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians in Gaza. However, it has never been directly involved in any conflict with the Jewish nations.

    “We have not named any country whose attack would automatically trigger a retaliatory response. Neither has Saudi Arabia named any country, nor have we,” Asif said in the interview. When asked if other nations could join the pact, the minister added: “I can say the door is not closed to others.”

    Similar sentiments were also echoed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister
    Ishaq Dar. “It is premature to say anything, but after this development, other countries have also expressed a desire for similar arrangements,” Dar told reporters in London in televised remarks. “Such things follow due process. Even with Saudi Arabia, it took several months to finalise,” he furthered.

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  • YouTube Unveils 30+ AI Tools at Made on YouTube 2025 for Creators

    YouTube Unveils 30+ AI Tools at Made on YouTube 2025 for Creators

    YouTube, the video-sharing behemoth owned by Alphabet Inc., is betting big on artificial intelligence to redefine content creation and audience engagement as it marks its 20th anniversary. At the recent “Made on YouTube 2025” event, the platform unveiled a suite of over 30 AI-powered tools designed to empower creators, streamline workflows, and boost monetization. These innovations come at a pivotal time when competitors like TikTok and Instagram are also ramping up AI features, pushing YouTube to evolve beyond its traditional role as a video repository.

    Drawing from insights in a recent Wired article, YouTube’s leadership views AI not just as a tool but as a transformative force akin to the platform’s early explosion in user-generated content. Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, emphasized during the event that these advancements will “power the next decade of creation, connection, and business,” according to reports from the official YouTube Blog.

    Veo 3 Fast: Revolutionizing Short-Form Video

    Central to the announcements is Veo 3 Fast, an AI model developed by Google DeepMind, which enables creators to generate high-quality video clips for YouTube Shorts directly from text prompts. This tool produces 480p videos with synchronized sound and motion, allowing users to transform simple ideas into polished content in minutes. As detailed in Variety, it also supports features like motion transfer from existing videos and the ability to turn dialogue into songs, broadening creative possibilities for podcasters and musicians.

    Beyond generation, YouTube is integrating AI into editing processes. The new “Edit with AI” feature analyzes raw footage to suggest drafts, complete with effects, music, and transitions. This is particularly aimed at reducing the time creators spend on post-production, a pain point highlighted in posts on X where users discuss the demands of constant content churn.

    Enhancing Audience Interaction and Monetization

    Ask Studio, another key innovation, leverages AI to provide creators with data-driven insights, such as audience preferences and trending topics, to refine content strategies. According to YouTube Blog, this tool evolves from previous analytics features, now incorporating generative capabilities to suggest video outlines and thumbnails. Industry observers note this could significantly increase viewer retention, with YouTube reporting over $100 billion paid to creators in the past four years.

    Monetization gets a boost too, with AI-powered shopping recommendations and ad optimizations. Creators can now use AI to dub videos in up to 20 languages with lip-sync accuracy, expanding global reach. News from Netinfluencer underscores how these features integrate with live streaming upgrades, including automated highlights and collaborative broadcasts, to drive revenue through fan interactions like virtual gifts.

    AI for Podcasts and Long-Form Content

    YouTube is also targeting the booming podcast market with AI tools that automatically clip long episodes into shareable Shorts, complete with visuals for audio-only content. As per recent coverage in Vitrina, this positions YouTube as a stronger competitor to Spotify, with features set to roll out soon to enhance promotion and engagement.

    For long-form videos, AI music tools allow remixing tracks or generating original scores based on video descriptions. X posts from tech enthusiasts, such as those discussing automation workflows with tools like ElevenLabs, reflect growing excitement about these integrations, though some raise concerns about over-reliance on AI potentially diluting creative authenticity.

    Strategic Implications and Challenges Ahead

    These developments align with broader industry trends, as outlined in Gartner’s 2025 Hype Cycle, which identifies AI agents as rapidly advancing technologies. YouTube’s push could accelerate adoption among its 2.7 billion users, but it also invites scrutiny over issues like content originality and misinformation.

    Critics, including voices on X, worry about AI-generated content flooding the platform, potentially harming discoverability for human creators. Yet, YouTube insists on safeguards, such as watermarks for AI outputs, to maintain trust. As the platform forges ahead, its AI strategy may well determine its dominance in the evolving digital content ecosystem, blending innovation with the human spark that built its empire.

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  • Five IHC judges move SC against CJ Dogar

    Five IHC judges move SC against CJ Dogar

    A view of the Supreme Court of Pakistan building during sunset hours in Islamabad, Pakistan October 3, 2023. — Reuters
    • IHC CJ, registrar, law and justice secretary made respondents.
    • law violated by benches’ arbitrarily constitution: Justice Kiyani.
    • IHC cause lists cancelled due to unavailability of five judges. 

    ISLAMABAD: Five judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have approached the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan against an order, restraining Justice Tariq Mahmood Jehangiri from performing judicial work.

    The five judges of the IHC included Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Saman Rifat and Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan, The News reported.

    They arrived at the Supreme Court together through the main gate, usually used by ordinary citizens, and each of them completed biometric verification before submitting separate petitions.

    Talking to reporters outside the court, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani said that rules prevented the judges from filing a joint petition.

    Meanwhile, Justice Mohsin Akhtar filed the petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, making the IHC, through its registrar and its chief justice, as well as the Federation of Pakistan, through the secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice, as respondents.

    Justice Kiyani questioned whether the passing of an interim order against one of the petitioner judges, restraining him from performing the functions of a judge, is squarely violative of the Supreme Court judgements in Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry vs. President of Pakistan (PLD 2010 SC 61) and in Malik Asad Ali and others vs. Federation of Pakistan.

    Justice Kiyani prayed the apex court to declare that:

    i. the administrative powers cannot be deployed to undermine or trump the judicial powers of the judges of the high court;

    ii. the chief justice of a high court is not authorised to constitute benches or transfer cases once a bench of the high court is seized of the matter;

    iii. the chief justice of a high court cannot exclude available judges from the roster at will and use the power to issue a roster to oust judges from performing judicial functions;

    iv. the constitution of benches, transfer of cases, and issuance of the roster can only be done in accordance with the rules adopted by the entirety of the high court under Article 202, read with Article 192(1) of the Constitution;

    v. the doctrine of “Master of the Roster” has been definitively set aside in the Supreme Court decisions, including in Raja Amer Khan v. Federation of Pakistan (PLJ 2024 Supreme Court 114), and the decision-making with respect to the constitution of benches, transfer of cases, or issuance of the roster cannot solely rest in the hands of the chief justice only;

    vi. the formation of the administration committees through notifications dated 03.02.2025 and 15.07.2025, and all the actions taken by them, suffer from mala fide in law and are illegal;

    vii. the notifications dated 03.02.2025 and 15.07.2025, and all the actions taken by the administration committees, be set aside for being illegal and coram non judice;

    viii. the adoption and approval of the Islamabad High Court Practice and Procedure Rules, 2025, by the illegally constituted administration committee, and its notification without the prior approval of the high court, is in breach of Article 192(1) read with Article 202 of the Constitution, and its subsequent endorsement in September, are illegal and of no legal effect;

    ix. the IHC be directed to provide effective supervision and oversight over the functioning of the district judiciary, as mandated by the Constitution under Article 203, and section 6 of the Islamabad High Court Act, 2010, and to provide for the Islamabad District Judiciary as a permanent institution, members of which enjoy judicial independence and are able to discharge their judicial duties without considerations of fear or favour;

    x. the high court cannot issue a writ under Article 199 of the Constitution to itself and a Division Bench of the high court is neither vested with jurisdiction to sit in appeal over interlocutory orders of a Single Bench nor can assume control over the proceedings of a Single Bench as if it is an inferior court or tribunal;

    xi. a judge of a high court can only be restrained from performing judicial duties under Article 209 of the Constitution and a writ of quo warranto seeking the removal of a judge from office is not maintainable in terms of Article 209(7) read with Article 199(1) of the Constitution.

    Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani submitted that most recently, a Division Bench restrained one of the petitioner judges, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, from “holding court”.

    “The assumption of jurisdiction in a matter barred by Article 209(7) read with Article 199(1) of the Constitution and exercise of judicial powers in breach of principles of fair trial and due process guaranteed by Article 10A of the Constitution is a potent example of self-cannibalisation by an institution,” Justice Kiyani submitted.

    The IHC judge contended that the suspension order in the matter of Mian Dawood vs. Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri is the latest manifestation of the retribution that some of the petitioner judges have been threatened with, for the exercise of judicial authority in a manner in select cases that powerful members of the Executive found disagreeable.

    “The petitioner judges seek this court’s indulgence to allow them to document details of efforts made to influence the outcome of judicial decisions during the course of proceedings and furnish personal affidavits in support thereof,” Justice Kiyani submitted.

    He further submitted that abuse of judicial powers, undermining the judicial powers of the petitioner judges, is in violation of the law.

    The IHC judge contended that administrative powers cannot be deployed in a manner that they trump the judicial powers of the judges in the court.

    Justice Kiyani recalled that in Malik Asad Ali and others v. Federation of Pakistan (PLD 1998 Supreme Court 161), it was held that an administrative order passed by the chief justice (acting under restraint), in derogation of a judicial order, would be without lawful authority and of no legal effect.

    Similarly, Justice Kiyani submitted that the law has been violated by arbitrarily constituting benches, rendering the petitioner judges dysfunctional.

    The IHC judge submitted that the use of administrative powers to transform a collegiate body into a regiment is violative of the Constitution and the law, adding that the Constitution does not envision the bureaucratisation of the judiciary.

    The current practice is that the issuance of the roster determines who at the IHC can perform his functions as a judge, Justice Kiyani submitted.

    He further contended that even for reserved matters, if the issued roster does not list the judge, the judgements already reserved by that judge cannot be announced in open court.

    “Similarly, available judges are arbitrarily taken out of the Division Bench and even denied a single bench, at will,” the judge maintained.

    Justice Kiyani further contended that the passing of an interim order against one of the petitioner judges, restraining him from performing the functions of a judge, is squarely violative of the Supreme Court case in Malik Asad Ali and others v. Federation of Pakistan (PLD 1998 Supreme Court 161), where the Supreme Court, at paragraph 84, held that “the high court while hearing a case against the judge of a superior court under Article 199 of the Constitution seeking information in the nature of quo warranto which we have held is maintainable, cannot pass any interim order restraining the judge from performing his functions as a judge of the court, in view of clause (5) of Article 199 of the Constitution.”

    Meanwhile, Justice Jehangiri also challenged in the Supreme Court the decision of restraining him from performing judicial duties.

    He filed a petition in the apex court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, making the IHC, through its Registrar, chief justice, as well as the Federation of Pakistan, through the secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice, as respondents.

    He prayed the apex court to declare that a judge of a high court can only be restrained from performing judicial duties under Article 209 of the Constitution, and a writ of quo warranto seeking the removal of a judge from office is not maintainable in terms of Article 209(7) read with Article 199(1) of the Constitution.

    Meanwhile, the cause lists of the IHC were cancelled due to the unavailability of five judges. The cause list of Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz’s court was cancelled, while the division bench comprising Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan also did not hear tax-related cases.

    Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro are already on leave until September 19. Due to the unavailability of five judges of the High Court, hearings of several cases were postponed.


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  • Alcaraz dazzles in doubles as Team Europe take 3-1 lead in Laver Cup

    Alcaraz dazzles in doubles as Team Europe take 3-1 lead in Laver Cup

    Defending champions Team Europe stormed out of the gates on the opening day of the Laver Cup in San Francisco on Friday, winning three of four matches to take a handy lead over Team World with Carlos Alcaraz sparkling in doubles action.

    Alcaraz, who reclaimed the world number one singles ranking following his U.S. Open triumph this month, partnered with Czech Jakub Mensik and led Team Europe to a 7-6(7) 6-4 win over Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen in the final match of the day.

    “I think that it gives you more opportunities to make great shots, great volleys,” Alcaraz said about playing doubles.

    “But doubles is not just about one player. It was a team (effort) with a great player in Jakub. He has great skills in points throughout and made me comfortable on the court.”

    MAGICAL MOMENTS

    Competing in his first tournament since capturing his sixth Grand Slam title, Alcaraz produced moments of magic from the net and the baseline while Mensik brought the power as they grabbed a decisive break in the 10th game of the second set to prevail.

    The three-day Laver Cup, viewed as tennis’ answer to golf’s Ryder Cup, offers fans a rare opportunity to see the sport’s top players team up, with the first side to reach 13 points from a total of 24 available declared champions.

    As in previous editions, match victories on the opening day are worth a point each, with two points awarded for wins on the second day and the stakes getting higher with three points each on the final day of action on Sunday.

    Norwegian Casper Ruud landed the first blow for Team Europe at the Chase Center with a 6-4 7-6(4) victory over Team World’s Reilly Opelka, before Mensik earned the next point for the holders by beating Michelsen 6-1 7-6(3) 10-8.

    Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca pulled a point back for Team World as he fought from a break down to claim a 6-4 6-3 win over Flavio Cobolli and ensured that five-times champions Team Europe would not complete a clean sweep.

    “I knew it was going to be a difficult match and I knew how important it was,” Fonseca said.

    “I’m happy with the way I managed to stay positive during the match. I like to play aggressive, so I wanted to suffocate him … not let him breathe and not give him space.” REUTERS

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  • PARA CLIMBERS OPEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SEOUL

    PARA CLIMBERS OPEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SEOUL

    The Para Climbers kicked off the IFSC Climbing and Para Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025 with the first of two qualification days for the Lead climbers.

    Out in the open air of the Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea, the competition got underway for 13 of the Para Climbing sport classes as the athletes tried to keep themselves in with a shot of winning a World Championships medal.

    B SPORT CLASSES

    All of the men and women in the visually impaired B classes competed on the first day of competition with the finals line-ups set for B1, B2 and B3.

    In the men’s B1, Japan’s Aita Sho has long been the one to beat and it looks that way again in Seoul. He leads a four-man group into the final from five qualification starters.

    The women’s B1 is again lead by a Japanese climber as Aoki Hiromi holds the top spot from the three qualifiers. Aoki, Italy’s Nadia Bredice and Slovenia’s Tanja Glusic are all now guaranteed a medal, and the final climb will be to decide the colours.

    The men’s B2 also have their medallists set with a positional podium fight for the final.

    Romania’s Razvan Nedu progressed in first, and after his climb said: “I’m happy. They were nice routes. Very powerful which I like. I’ve been training really hard for this event, and I got hyped by doing my first 8a on the kilter board.”

    Looking ahead to the final Nedu said: “I just want to climb as best as I can and if I do that then whatever comes will come.”

    Nedu will battle it out with Japanese teammates Hamanoue Fumiya and Ejiri Motohiro.

    Four women started the B2 qualification and all four are still in with a shot of a podium as the two third place competitors – Germany’s Luisa Grube and France’s Melissa Cesarone could not be separated.

    USA’s Seneida Biendarra was on top form – literally – topping both qualification routes and will be favourite going into the final on that form.

    Four climbers will contest the men’s B3 final with Romania’s Cosmin Florin Candoi the man in first and the only climber to top a route in the category.

    The women’s B3 looks to have set up a bumper final with three climbers tied for first topping both routes.

    USA’s Phoebe Barkan and Lin Postin, and France’s Elsa Boutel Menard are in joint first position with Japan’s Mika Maeoka joining them in the final. Both Maeoka and Romania’s Ionela Dragan topped route 1, but the Japanese climbers superior climb edged Dragan out of the final in fifth spot.

    RP SPORT CLASSES

    All of the women’s RP classes competed on day one with just the RP1 men contesting their qualification.

    There will be five climbers fighting for medals in the women’s RP1 with a three-way tie for third in qualification. USA’s Melissa Ruiz was first ahead of the Netherlands’ Eva Mol with Switzerland’s Doris Rohner, and the USA pair Hannah Zook and Jackie Stewart together in third.

    Talking through her qualification round Ruiz said: “The first route was one of the best routes I’ve ever climbed in a competition, and I got the furthest I have done on a competition wall like this with the overhang. I really enjoyed that one.

    “The second route was hard. Like really hard. But I got a lot higher than I thought I would. The bottom section had a lot of slopers, which I don’t mind, but it just took out a lot of my energy.”

    Austria’s Jasmin Plank headed the RP2 with a top helping her score. Plank seemed the stronger climber from the category in qualification, but finals is a new day when anything can happen. Four climbers will contest that final from the eight that started.

    Eight women also started the RP3 with tops from USA’s Nat Vorel and Japan’s Yoshida Momoko helping them progress as part of the group of four that will now contest the medals.

    The men’s RP1 was the biggest category of the day with six progressing from 19 starters. France’s current world champion Aloïs Pottier progressed in first hoping to defend the title he won in Bern in 2023.

    AU SPORT CLASSES

    The women featured on day one in the AU classes with France’s Solenne Piret progressing in first place in the AU2 and Germany’s Rosalie Schaupert first in the AU3 category.

    Schaupert was the first of three climbers through from five qualification starters with Piret leading a top four out of 13 who began the competition in her category. The AU3 climbers were closely matched in their scores, but Piret’s rivals have a bit if catching up to do when it comes to fighting for the podium places and trying to knock Piret from her top spot.

    AL SPORT CLASSES

    For the AL categories, only the women’s AL2 competed on day one with France’s Lucie Jarrige once again the climber to beat. The French champion leads the four women into the final from the 12 qualification competitors.

    The remaining sport classes will compete tomorrow and finish qualification for the Para Climbing World Championships ahead of two days of finals in the KSPO Dome on 24 and 25 September.

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  • BOJ’s ETF exit: A century of uncertainty looms for Japan

    BOJ’s ETF exit: A century of uncertainty looms for Japan

    The Bank of Japan’s decision to unwind its massive exchange-traded fund (ETF) holdings stunned financial markets and experts alike as its house cleaning may well stretch into the next century.

    As the central bank begins to tackle the aftermath of its unprecedented monetary easing, it became clear that at least 100 years may be needed to resolve the consequences of the longstanding policy.

    The prospect sparked deep skepticism as financial specialists questioned whether such an unconventional strategy had even a remote chance of succeeding.

    MARKET SHOCK

    Financial markets were blindsided by the BOJ’s announcement on Sept. 19 that it would begin selling off the ETFs it had purchased in vast quantities.

    This move marks the start of unwinding extraordinary monetary easing, commonly termed “forbidden” policy. The sheer scale of the task is daunting: at the current pace, it will take more than a century to complete. 

    The market was exceptionally buoyant after the Nikkei average hit a record intraday high of 45,852.75 yen in the morning. But just before 1 p.m., when the BOJ revealed its new policy, the mood shifted. Fears over ETF sales triggered a sharp drop, and by 1:19 p.m., the index had fallen more than 1,300 yen from its peak.

    LEADERSHIP’S STANCE

    The BOJ’s governor, Kazuo Ueda, had previously avoided specifying a timeline or pace for ETF sales by repeatedly stating the bank would take its time.

    But at the Sept. 19 news conference, Ueda explained, “Given the nature of the matter, it was difficult to provide advance guidance.”

    It appears the BOJ feared that even hinting at sales could cause a massive market plunge.

    Still, there were hints of change. BOJ Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino, in a speech in Hokkaido on Sept. 2, said the bank would “draw on lessons learned from past stock sales,” notably omitting the usual “take our time” phrase.

    Another BOJ official admitted: “It’s unnatural for the central bank to hold ETFs. We’ll quietly sell small amounts over a long period to avoid market disruption.”

    EXIT PRIORITIES

    The BOJ’s priorities in this decision were threefold: selling at a fair price, minimizing losses and avoiding market turmoil.

    The model was the central bank’s own experience of selling stocks bought from financial institutions–a process that took nine years and ended in July, with sales accounting for just 0.05 percent of total market turnover. The BOJ plans to keep ETF and J-REIT (Japan Real Estate Investment Trust) sales at a similar proportion.

    Was the record-breaking stock market a factor? Ueda denied it was so, saying, “We did not make the decision based on specific stock price levels.”

    POLICY LEGACY

    Massive ETF purchases began under former Governor Haruhiko Kuroda as part of the BOJ’s extraordinary monetary easing policy. The aim was to raise investor confidence and lift Japan’s economy and prices.

    As a monetary policy, buying ETFs was highly unusual. Some called it a “forbidden move.” Even so, Ueda defended the purchases as “necessary as part of large-scale easing.”

    But the road to an exit is awesome.

    The BOJ holds over 37 trillion yen in ETFs at book value. At the current pace, it would take until around 2138–112 years from now–to finish selling.

    Ueda acknowledged, “I won’t be around to see the end … it’s hard to judge the overall outcome.”

    CRITICS SPEAK OUT

    Since March last year, the BOJ has shifted from extraordinary monetary easing, raising rates three times and reducing government bond purchases.

    Yet, selling the ETF holdings remains an enormous challenge, and doubts persist about the feasibility of the BOJ’s approach.

    Takahide Kiuchi, a former BOJ Policy Board member who is now with Nomura Research Institute Ltd., commented: “This seems to be more about creating a record of having started normalization. It does not represent a true exit from large-scale monetary easing.”

    Given the timeline for completing the sales, Kiuchi said, “It is not realistic.”

    The BOJ’s ETF purchases began in 2013 and ballooned under Kuroda. The bank’s holdings had a book value of about 37 trillion yen as of Sept. 19 and a market value of 85 trillion yen.

    When he served on the Policy Board, Kiuchi opposed expanding ETF purchases.

    “The costs and benefits did not match,” he said. “It should not have been done.”

    LINGERING PROBLEMS

    The problems had been pointed out for years. Unlike government bonds, ETFs have no maturity and won’t shrink unless sold. Selling slowly to avoid market upsets takes time, and falling stock prices could worsen the BOJ’s finances. There is also persistent criticism of central bank intervention in the stock market.

    Shingo Ide of NLI Research Institute noted that the bank put off the issue for years, so the decision to sell at least represents a step forward.

    “Still, theyve done something so serious that it will take over 100 years to clean up.”

    Some believe the BOJ may consider other methods to divest.

    Koichi Kurose of Resona Asset Management Co. suggested: “They’ll start with small sales and gradually increase. The market could absorb 1-2 trillion yen a year, so it might be possible to finish in a few decades.”

    Ide added, “The most likely scenario is for a government financial institution to buy the ETFs from the BOJ,” separating them from the central bank’s balance sheet.

    (This article was written by Kuniaki Nishio, Eisuke Eguchi and Chihaya Inagaki.)


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