ISLAMABAD: Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad said Friday it is launching flights to Kabul, making it the latest airline to offer direct routes to the Afghan capital. Etihad, which announced a record $476 million profit in 2024, said the new service responded to &ldquo;growing demand&rdquo; for travel between the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan and that the three weekly flights starting in December would support &ldquo;trade, travel, and community ties.&rdquo; &ldquo;The UAE hosts one of the largest Afghan communities in the Gulf, with around 300,000 Afghans living and working in the country, according to the Afghan Business Council,&rdquo; the airline said in a statement. &ldquo;The new flights will further strengthen these economic and social ties while enhancing connectivity through Abu Dhabi.&rdquo; Other international carriers flying direct to Kabul include Turkish Airlines and FlyDubai. India reopens embassy&nbsp;Even though the Taliban are largely isolated from the West, due to their restrictions on women and girls, they have successfully established bilateral relations with regional powers. In July, Russia became the first country to recognize them as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. And, on Friday, India said it was upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy.

Asia

Etihad Airways will launch flights to Kabul, citing growing demand and strong UAE-Afghan ties. The move enhances trade and travel, despite Afghanistan’s political isolation under Taliban rule.

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad launches direct flights to Kabul

Reuters

BRUSSELS: European Union member countries began rolling out a new entry and exit system on Sunday at the bloc&rsquo;s external borders, electronically registering non-EU nationals&#39; data. The Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated system that requires travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken, will be introduced over six months. The move is aimed at detecting overstayers, tackling identity fraud, and preventing illegal migration amid political pressure in some EU countries to take a tougher stance. &quot;The Entry/Exit System is the digital backbone of our new common European migration and asylum framework,&rdquo; European Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said in a statement. SIX MONTHS TO ADJUSTNon-EU citizens will have to register their personal details when they first enter the Schengen area - all EU member countries apart from Ireland and Cyprus, but including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Subsequent journeys will only require facial biometric verification. The system should be fully operational, with passport stamping replaced with electronic records, on April 10, 2026. &quot;Every third country national who arrives at an external border will undergo identity verification, security screening, and registration in the EU databases,&quot; Brunner said, adding that &quot;the six-month rollout gives member states, travellers, and businesses time to transition smoothly to the new procedures&quot;. For British travellers using the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, orthe&nbsp; Eurostar terminal at London&#39;s St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK. At Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal, only freight and coach traffic will be subject to EES checks from Sunday. Passenger vehicle checks will follow in November at Dover and by the end of the year at Eurotunnel, while the Eurostar at St Pancras will gradually introduce the new process, starting with some business travellers from Sunday. &quot;We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible,&quot; British Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris said. &quot;The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders, and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration,&quot; Norris said.

 European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES)

Europe

The EU has begun a six-month rollout of its new Entry/Exit System, replacing passport stamping with biometric registration to enhance border control, detect overstayers, and combat illegal migration across the Schengen area. 

EU Entry/Exit System to be rolled out over six months

Ayesha Mir

Pakistan&rsquo;s climate emergency isn&rsquo;t just a national crisis &mdash; it&rsquo;s a regional reckoning. From floods that drown villages to smog that knows no borders, the forces reshaping Pakistan are the same ones choking Delhi, burning forests in Nepal, and melting glaciers in the Himalayas. But here&rsquo;s the truth: No country in South Asia can survive this alone, and the demand for climate justice has never been more important.&nbsp; In this episode of the Dossier, we explore what a real solution looks like &mdash; one built not on blame, but on cooperation, data, and shared responsibility.

Dossier with Ayesha

A real solution needs to be built on cooperation, data, and shared responsibility.

Pollution from neighboring countries damaging Pakistan

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the first of the two-match Test series against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Sunday. Speaking at the toss, skipper Shan Masood said his first-choice spinner Sajid Khan was fit again and will feature in the first Test.&nbsp; Pakistan are going in with two spinners, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, while South Africa have fielded three.&nbsp; Playing XIsPakistan: &nbsp;Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan&nbsp;South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Sen Muthusamy, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer

Cricket

The match, being played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, begins at 10 a.m.

Pakistan opt to bat against South Africa in first Test

WINDHOEK: A burst of late hitting by wicketkeeper Zane Green took Namibia to a shock win over South Africa in a one-off Twenty20 international on Saturday.&nbsp;Green, who finished on 30 not out, hit 23 of the 26 runs scored by Namibia in the last two overs of the first international match between the neighboring African countries.&nbsp;With 11 needed off the last over, Green hooked the first ball from Andile Simelane for six. With the scores level, he hit the last ball of the match to the midwicket boundary for the winning runs.&nbsp;The match was arranged to inaugurate the Namibia Cricket Ground, which will be one of the venues for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.&nbsp;&quot;You can see what it means, for the team and the crowd,&quot; said Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus after leading his players on a victory lap in front of a capacity crowd. &quot;The guys did it with good skill.&quot;&nbsp;It was a below-strength South African team, with several leading players, including regular captain Aiden Markram, in Pakistan for a Test series which starts in Lahore on Sunday.&nbsp;All the South African players had international experience, but they struggled from the start against a Namibian team that had qualified for next year&#39;s T20 World Cup in India just a week earlier.&nbsp;&quot;We weren&#39;t good enough,&quot; admitted stand-in South African captain Donovan Ferreira.&nbsp;He said his team&#39;s defense of a below-par total had been hurt by a chest muscle injury, which forced fast bowler Gerald Coetzee off the field after bowling only nine balls.&nbsp;Quinton de Kock, returning to international cricket for the first time since the 2024 T20 World Cup, was out for a single in the first over, and none of the South African batsmen were able to dominate against disciplined bowling on a slow pitch.&nbsp;South Africa labored to 134 for eight after winning the toss.&nbsp;Left-arm fast bowler Ruben Trumpelmann, who started his cricket career in South Africa, took three for 28 and new cap Max Heingo took two wickets in the space of three balls to reduce the visitors to 65 for five in the 11th over.

The match was arranged to inaugurate the Namibia Cricket Ground, which will be one of the venues for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Namibia shock South Africa in T20 international

BEIJING: China called President Donald Trump&#39;s latest US tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical on Sunday and defended its curbs on exports of rare earths, but stopped short of imposing new levies on US products.&nbsp;The commerce ministry said in a statement its export controls on rare-earth elements - which Trump on Friday called &quot;surprising&quot; and &quot;very hostile&quot; - followed a series of US measures since bilateral trade talks in Madrid last month.&nbsp;Beijing cited the addition of Chinese companies to a US trade blacklist and Washington&#39;s imposition of port fees on Chinese vessels as examples.&nbsp;&quot;These actions have severely harmed China&#39;s interests and undermined the atmosphere for bilateral economic and trade talks. China firmly opposes them,&quot; the ministry said.&nbsp;Beijing stopped short of explicitly linking these US actions to its curbs on exports of critical minerals, stating that its curbs were motivated by concerns about the military applications of these metals at a time of &quot;frequent military conflict.&quot; Tensions flare againA few months ago, Beijing and Washington agreed on an uneasy truce in their tit-for-tat trade war that started earlier this year and threw bilateral trade into serious jeopardy.&nbsp;But tensions have boiled up again in recent days.&nbsp;China said on Friday that it would impose &quot;special port fees&quot; on ships operated by and built in the US, calling it a &quot;defensive action.&quot;&nbsp;It aimed at the US&#39;s own port fees charged on Chinese ships, claiming they &quot;severely harmed China&#39;s interests.&quot;&nbsp;Washington announced those fees in April as part of an effort to revive American shipbuilding after a decades-long decline that has seen China and other Asian nations come to dominate the industry.

Business

The commerce ministry says its export controls on rare-earth elements - which Trump on Friday called "surprising" and "very hostile" - follow a series of US measures since bilateral trade talks in Madrid last month.

Beijing blames US for raising trade tensions, defends rare earth curbs

SYDNEY: Australian airline Qantas said Sunday that data from 5.7 million customers stolen in a major cyberattack in July had been leaked online.&nbsp;&quot;Qantas is one of a number of companies globally that has had data released by cyber criminals following the airline&#39;s cyber incident in early July, where customer data was stolen via a third party platform,&quot; the company said in a statement.&nbsp;Qantas said in July that hackers had targeted one of its customer contact centres, breaching a computer system used by a third party.&nbsp;They secured access to sensitive information such as customer names, email addresses, phone numbers and birthdays, the blue-chip Australian company said.&nbsp;On Sunday, Qantas said that data had been leaked and that &quot;with the help of specialist cyber security experts, we are investigating what data was part of the release&quot;.&nbsp;It also said it had obtained a legal injunction with the Supreme Court of New South Wales, where the firm is headquartered, &quot;to prevent the stolen data being accessed, viewed, released, used, transmitted or published by anyone, including third parties&quot;.

Australasia

Qantas confirmed that data from 5.7 million customers stolen in a July cyberattack has been leaked online. The airline is investigating with cybersecurity experts and has obtained a court injunction to block further data misuse

Australia's Qantas says stolen customer data leaked online

TENANGO De DORIA: Floods caused by torrential rains have killed at least 41 people in Mexico in recent days and left behind a trail of destruction, the government said Saturday.&nbsp;Mexico&#39;s civil defense authorities reported intense rainfall in 31 of 32 states, causing rivers to overflow, flooding entire villages, triggering landslides and collapsing roads and bridges.&nbsp;The central state of Hidalgo has been among the worst-affected areas, with authorities there reporting at least 22 dead, 1,000 homes damaged and 90 communities inaccessible to rescuers, the federal security secretariat said.&nbsp;It said that neighboring Puebla state had at least nine dead.&nbsp;Around 80,000 people have been affected by the extreme weather in Puebla alone, the state government said.&nbsp;Floods have killed five people in the eastern state of Veracruz and one in Queretaro state, in central Mexico, officials said.&nbsp;&quot;We are deploying members and teams from the Mexican government to open roads and assist communities,&quot; wrote President Claudia Sheinbaum on X.&nbsp;She added that thousands of troops as well as boats, planes and helicopters have been deployed to assist the rescue efforts.&nbsp;The military will help distribute aid in affected areas, with more than 10,000 troops deployed, along with rescue equipment and vehicles.&nbsp;Shelters were open for those displaced from their homes.&nbsp;The main disaster area has been Sierra Madre Oriental, a mountain range that runs parallel to the Gulf of Mexico coast.&nbsp;It is dotted by small communities, many of which were blocked off on Friday.&nbsp;An AFP team in Tulancingo, a city in Hidalgo state, saw roads leading into the mountains closed off due to landslides and collapses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Upcoming cold front&nbsp;Mexico has been hit by particularly heavy rains throughout 2025, with a rainfall record set in the capital Mexico City.&nbsp;A cold front traveling from the north has also increased rainfall across much of the country, the expert added.&nbsp;Authorities in areas off the Pacific coast are keeping a close eye on Tropical Depression Raymond and remnants of Priscilla, which was once a hurricane.&nbsp;Both storms dumped heavy rains on Mexico&#39;s west, causing damage in Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Michoacan states.&nbsp;Raymond is expected to hit the southern part of Baja California over the weekend, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Americas

At least 41 people have died in severe floods across Mexico caused by torrential rains, affecting 31 states. Hidalgo and Puebla are among the worst hit, with thousands displaced as rescue and relief efforts intensify.

At least 41 dead in Mexico floods

DOHA: The United Arab Emirates edged past Oman 2-1 in the fourth round of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday. UAE now needs a draw against host Qatar on Tuesday to reach the finals for the first time since 1990.&nbsp;The loss ended Oman&rsquo;s chances of winning the three-team Group A and securing automatic qualification for a first World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. But the team can still finish second and advance to the fifth round.&nbsp;Oman, who drew 0-0 with Qatar on Wednesday, took the lead in the 12th minute when an Amjad Al Harthi shot was deflected in by defender Kouame Autonne at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.&nbsp;After holding on for most of the match, Oman&rsquo;s defense was finally opened up in the 76th minute when Marcus Meloni headed in an Ali Saleh cross at the far post.&nbsp;Seven minutes later, Caio Lucas delivered a cross from the left that eluded everyone to give the UAE the lead to the delight of 5,000 traveling fans.&nbsp;In Group B, Iraq defeated Indonesia 1-0 to move level on points with Saudi Arabia ahead of their meeting on Tuesday.&nbsp;Former Manchester United youth player Zidane Iqbal scored the only goal on 76 minutes with a low shot from the edge of the area.&nbsp;Iraq must defeat group leader Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday to qualify for a first World Cup since 1986, as the host has scored more goals, having beaten Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday.&nbsp;The two losses mean Indonesia cannot qualify.

Football

The United Arab Emirates defeated Oman 2-1 in Doha, moving within a draw of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1990. Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas scored late to overturn Oman’s early lead.



UAE on verge of first World Cup appearance since 1990

ISLAMABAD: A brilliant century from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt powered England to a commanding 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC Women&rsquo;s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.&nbsp;Opting to bowl first, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s decision proved costly as England posted a formidable 253 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs.&nbsp;Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a superb 117 off 117 balls, studded with nine fours and two sixes. Tammy Beaumont (32) and Heather Knight (29) provided valuable support in building England&rsquo;s total.&nbsp;For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera stood out with impressive figures of 3 for 33, while Sugandika Kumari and Udeshika Prabodhani chipped in with two wickets apiece.&nbsp;In reply, Sri Lanka&rsquo;s chase never gained momentum as they were bowled out for 164 in 45.4 overs. Hasini Perera (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) offered brief resistance, but England&rsquo;s disciplined bowling attack proved too strong. Sophie Ecclestone was exceptional, claiming 4 for 17 in her 10 overs, while Charlie Dean and Sciver-Brunt picked up two wickets each.&nbsp;The emphatic win lifted England to the top of the World Cup standings with six points from three matches, moving past Australia. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, remained in seventh place with just one point from their three outings.

England posted 253/9 as Nat Sciver-Brunt smashed 117 (117), while Sri Lanka managed just 164 in reply. Sophie Ecclestone starred with 4/17, sealing England’s 89-run win and top spot in the standings.

England crush Sri Lanka by 89 runs in Women’s World Cup

BELGRADE: Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic announced late Saturday he was quitting after his team lost to Albania 0-1 in their World Cup qualifier at home.&nbsp;&quot;This defeat should not have happened, and I accept responsibility. I&#39;m here to face the consequences,&quot; Stojkovic told a press conference after the match played in the southern town of Leskovac.&nbsp;&quot;I spoke with the president and secretary general of the Serbian Football Association.&nbsp;&quot;I have offered my resignation, they will make an announcement also, but I will not travel to Andorra and lead the team,&quot; he said, quoted by the state-run RTS broadcaster.&nbsp;He referred to Serbia&#39;s next World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Tuesday.&nbsp;Saturday&#39;s result was &quot;really poor, I did not expect this&quot;, the 60-year-old said, blaming himself for the loss.&nbsp;&quot;I have also spoken to the players and told them everything. It&#39;s not a tragedy when a coach leaves, and Serbia will always have a great supporter in me. I have led my country more than 50 times.&quot;&nbsp;The former midfielder, nicknamed Piksi, took over as Serbia coach in 2021.&nbsp;As a player he made 84 appearances for the former Yugoslavia between 1983 and 2001, and was one of the first top-tier European players to venture into Japanese football.&nbsp;Stojkovic was with J-League side Nagoya Grampus Eight between 1994 and 2001.&nbsp;After retiring as a player, Stojkovic was briefly chairman of Red Star Belgrade, before turning to coaching first Nagoya, and later Chinese side Guangzhou.&nbsp;Serbia are third in their group K, with England on top and Albania second.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Serbian media reported that Stojkovic could be replaced by former player and football manager Veljko Paunovic.&nbsp;Saturday&#39;s match has been moved from the capital Belgrade to Leskovac upon Serbia&#39;s request to UEFA over security fears.

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic resigned after a 1-0 home defeat to Albania in a World Cup qualifier, accepting responsibility for the loss. The 60-year-old will not lead the team against Andorra on Tuesday.

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad launches direct flights to Kabul

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