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Ink and rubble: The systematic assault on Iran’s intellectual soul

Last year, my plans to celebrate Eid in Iran were dismantled by the sudden escalation of regional aggression. What was meant to be a personal pilgrimage became a casualty of geopolitics. Yet, in a twist of fate this past September, I found myself touching down at Tehran’s IKA Airport, not for a holiday, but as an invitee to the “Nobel of the Muslim World” or the Mustafa (PBUH) Prize granted to top science and technology researchers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states. The September 6 to 10, 2025, award week is organised by the Mustafa (PBUH) Science and Technology Foundation, which stands as a testament to the enduring power of human inquiry. I had expected it to be a sombre affair. The mystics of Qom I was keen to visit the holy city of Qom before the events kicked off and so the organisers assigned me guides, two cheerful women, who led me through its striking salt ranges and mineral-dense rainbow rocks. Qom greets you with pristine air and radiance. It w...
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What are the main points of contention between US and Iran?

Uncertainty over a second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad has persisted over the past few days as the fragile truce between the two countries nears its end. While a US delegation — headed by US Vice President JD Vance — is expected in Islamabad for negotiations, the Iranian side has not yet confirmed its participation in the high-stakes talks. US President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has ramped up his threats against Iran, stating that it could “face problems” if it did not return to the negotiating table. Iran’s top leadership has maintained that it will not negotiate “under the shadow of threats”. The latest tension also follows the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz, while a US blockade of Iranian ports has been in place since April 13 , prompting Tehran to close the strait again on Saturday. Here are the main sticking points that are expected to be the centre of closed-door discussions, if the two parties meet at the negotiating table ag...
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Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules

Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons. The move aimed at strengthening Japan’s defence industrial base marks another step away from the pacifist restraints that have shaped its postwar security policy. It has been made in tandem with efforts to deepen ties with other nations in Asia to counter China’s growing regional influence. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are also straining US weapons production, expanding opportunities for Japan. At the same time, US allies in Europe and Asia are looking to diversify suppliers as Washington’s long-held security commitments look less certain under President Donald Trump. “No single country can now protect its own peace and security alone, and partner countries that support each other in terms of defence equipment are necessary,” Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a p...
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Pakistan engages IFC for investors in installation of 10m smart meters across all Discos

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday engaged the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank as transaction adviser for inducting private investors in the installation of 10 million smart meters across all electricity distribution companies (Discos). The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) had announced a large-scale rollout of smart meters across Discos in October 2025. On Monday, the Power Division said it has signed a Transaction Advisory Services Agreement (Tasa) with the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. Under this agreement, the IFC will act as transaction advisor and conduct a comprehensive techno-commercial assessment for a service-provider model or public-private partnership framework to support the large-scale rollout of smart metering infrastructure for 10m single-phase connections. The initiative was intended to attract local and international investors to install, maintain, and operate the infrastructure, thereby advancing Pakistan’s digital transformatio...
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Japan records 80cm tsunami after powerful 7.4-magnitude quake: JMA

An 80-centimetre tsunami wave hit a port in northern Japan on Monday after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the region, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The wave was observed at 5:34pm (1:34pm PKT) at a port in Kuji, Iwate, JMA said. It previously said a 70-centimetre wave had struck at 5:32pm. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan earlier, the country’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, issuing a tsunami warning for waves up to three metres. The quake hit at 4:53pm (12:53pm PKT) in Pacific waters off northern Iwate prefecture and the tremor was strong enough to shake large buildings as far as Tokyo, hundreds of kilometres away. “Evacuate immediately from coastal regions and riverside areas to a safer place such as high ground or an evacuation building,” it said, warning that damage due to tsunami waves was expected. “Tsunami waves are expected to hit repeatedly. Do not leave safe ground until the warning is lifted,” it said. Footage from national br...
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Scooty-riding girl robbery suspect injured in ‘encounter’

LAHORE: Police claimed on Saturday to have arrested the prime suspect involved in snatching a mobile phone from a girl riding a scooty. According to police, suspect Adnan Yousaf was arrested from the Chung area after being injured. The suspect was involved in snatching a mobile phone from a girl two days ago. The social media users criticised the government for failing to ensure the security of women. Earlier, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took notice of the incident and directed police to arrest the suspect. Police spokesperson said Adnan was riding a motorcycle with an accomplice at the time of the crime. Using geofencing and human intelligence, police tracked his movements and set up checkpoints across multiple locations. According to the DIG Operations spokesperson, when police signalled the suspects to stop at a checkpoint, they attempted to flee and opened fire on the police party. During the exchange, Adnan was struck by a bullet fired by his own accomplice, leaving hi...
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Religious cleric Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza survives attack in Jhelum

JHELUM: Religious cleric and lecturer Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza survived an attack by an unidentified person on Sunday, police said. The attacker was killed in retaliatory firing. Mirza, known for delivering religious speeches on social media, has over 3.1 million followers on his YouTube channel. He was also attacked earlier this year , and previously survived an assassination attempt in Jhelum in March 2021. The cleric was outside the Quran & Sunnat Research Academy where he delivers lectures when a man carrying a 9mm pistol arrived at the premises, lay down on the ground, and opened fire, Jhelum police spokesperson Kashif Kiani told Dawn. Jhelum Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chaudhry Shafiq said police fired back in retaliation, killing the attacker on the spot. He added that the cleric remained safe and unhurt during the attack. Kiani confirmed that a policeman on the scholar’s security team was injured during the attack. The constable sustained a gunshot wound t...
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