The Election Commission says fresh voters filing Form 6 outside the 12 states and UTs under special intensive revision no longer need a roll-mapping declaration. NEW DELHI: People signing up as new voters through Form 6 in most of the country will no longer have to attach a declaration linking themselves or a relative to the last special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The relaxation applies everywhere except the 12 states and Union Territories where an SIR is currently running, the Election Commission said in a statement on Saturday. The three-member commission said the mapping declaration will stay in force only in the areas covered by the ongoing revision. There, applicants must still list their own or a relative's details from the last SIR rolls, along with the names of their father, mother and spouse and the corresponding EPIC numbers where they have them. Outside those states, the commission said, enrolment will follow the standard forms set out in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. According to sources, the switch back to the older, pre-SIR version of Form 6 takes effect immediately in non-SIR states and UTs. That group includes states heading into elections early next year. A special summary revision of the rolls is due to be carried out in those poll-bound states later this year. A declaration born in Bihar The extra declaration was first bolted onto Form 6 through the SIR order for Bihar, issued on June 24, 2025. Its content has shifted since then. The original Bihar version asked applicants to state their own or their parents' date and place of birth and to back it up with documents drawn from a list of 11 - a list the order described as not exhaustive. For later phases of the revision, the requirement was reworked: instead of asking for proof of citizenship, it asked new voters to map themselves to the previous SIR. The commission defended keeping the declaration in the revision states, saying the version attached to Form 6 for SIR purposes has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Commissioners' notes and Congress objections The change follows months of internal friction over who has the authority to alter the form. Election commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi each sent notes to the deputy election commissioner handling the matter - Sandhu in May and Joshi in August - arguing that Form 6 can be amended only by the government. Both had earlier signed off on the declaration as part of three separate SIR orders. Joshi first flagged concerns about the revised format on May 16. Sandhu backed the new version on August 13, after the Supreme Court had cleared the SIR process. The objections were later picked up by opposition parties, with the Congress leading the charge and alleging that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had changed Form 6 "unilaterally." The commission used Saturday's statement to push back on that account. It placed on record that all three SIR orders were approved unanimously by the CEC and the two commissioners: the June 24, 2025 order for Phase 1 in Bihar; the October 27, 2025 order for Phase 2 covering 12 states; and the May 14, 2026 order for the ongoing Phase 3 in 19 states and UTs. To leave no room for dispute, the commission said Saturday's statement itself carried the approval of the full commission. The practical effect is a split system. In the 12 states and UTs still under revision, first-time applicants continue to file the fuller Form 6 with its mapping declaration and parental details. Everywhere else, they revert to the plain form that existed before the revision drive began, easing the paperwork for fresh enrolment in the run-up to the summary revision in the states voting early next year. Election Commission, Form 6, special intensive revision, SIR, voter enrolment, Gyanesh Kumar, electoral rolls, India elections

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Paramount CEO David Ellison settled antitrust concerns by promising 30-plus theatrical releases a year, but exhibitors worry about what comes after year five. Paramount chief executive David Ellison has committed to releasing at least 30 films in theaters in 2027 and 2028, and at least 32 films in each of 2029, 2030 and 2031, as part of a settlement that clears a path for his company's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal combines two of Hollywood's oldest studios. The theatrical guarantees are written into an agreement Ellison reached this week with a group of state attorneys general who had raised antitrust concerns about the merger. Ellison framed the output in blunt terms: a new movie roughly every 11 days. The combined company already has 35 films scheduled for release next year, according to data from Rentrak. The settlement does more than set a headline number. It specifies how many of the releases must be distributed widely and how many must carry budgets above $50 million. Paramount agreed to face steep financial penalties if it misses those thresholds during the five-year period. Theater owners split on the promise Hollywood has been pressing for more theatrical titles since the Covid pandemic closed theaters and backed up the production pipeline. Ellison began promoting his theatrical commitment as early as April, at the industry's annual CinemaCon event. That pitch won early support from the chiefs of the three largest cinema chains - AMC's Adam Aron, Cinemark's Sean Gamble and Regal's Eduardo Acuna - before the settlement was even finalized. Cinema United, the lobbying group representing theater owners, had firmly opposed the merger. This week it reversed course, saying the agreement with the states "accomplishes many of exhibition's objectives." Not everyone in the business is satisfied. Several theater executives, speaking anonymously to talk candidly, said they remain skeptical. Their doubts center less on the raw count of films than on what those films will be and how the enlarged company will behave. "This is much more complicated than simply asking whether 30 movies is enough," said Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Rentrak. He called 30 wide releases "a meaningful commitment to theatrical" and said exhibitors would welcome a strong pipeline. "But ultimately the proof will be in how those movies perform, how varied the slate is, how consistently they reach theaters and how the combined company executes on those commitments," Dergarabedian said. Concerns over leverage and debt Exhibitors' worries extend beyond the quality of the slate. Several operators told CNBC they fear the merger will shrink the number of studios feeding films into the market and weaken competition. That, they argue, would hand the combined company a stronger hand in negotiating windowing terms and rental fees. The pressure would not fall evenly. Chains that run hundreds of locations can absorb consolidation. Smaller chains and independent operators carry far less bargaining weight and stand to lose the most from any reduction in film supply. The backdrop is an industry still reshaping itself after the pandemic. Screen counts have fallen and audiences have thinned. Higher ticket prices have papered over some of that decline - and are expected to push the domestic box office past $10 billion for the first time since the pandemic - but the economics of moviegoing remain in flux. Historically, studio mergers have led to fewer releases, which cuts into revenue and hits smaller theaters hardest. That pattern is precisely what critics of the Paramount-WBD tie-up are watching for. The sharpest question is what happens when the five-year agreement runs out. Some theater owners doubt Paramount can sustain output of more than 30 theatrical films past the deal's expiration, particularly as production and marketing costs keep climbing. Adding to the strain, the company will carry roughly $79 billion in debt once the merger closes. "Of course, I worry about what happens in year six," said Rob Lehman, president and chief operating officer, capturing the unease among operators who welcome the near-term commitment but see no guarantee beyond it. For now, the settlement resolves the immediate antitrust hurdle and locks in a defined slate of releases through 2031. Whether it delivers the varied, high-performing lineup exhibitors say they need - and whether the pace holds once the obligations lapse - will not be clear for years. Paramount Warner Bros Discovery merger, David Ellison, theatrical release commitment, movie theater exhibitors, antitrust settlement, box office 2027, Cinema United, Rentrak

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Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran says India-US relations remain unsettled as tariff disputes persist and a new US law threatens 100% levies. India's economic relationship with the United States remains in an "uneasy equilibrium" as trade disputes between the two partners drag on, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said on Thursday. Speaking at the State Bank of India's banking and economics conclave in Mumbai, he pointed to friction that has not eased since tariff measures surfaced last year. "There is this issue of unsettled relationship with the US, starting from the tariff-related issues last year, which are still continuing," Nageswaran said. The comments come as New Delhi confronts a fresh tariff threat despite reaching an interim trade deal with Washington earlier this year. A new US law hands President Donald Trump the authority to impose levies of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. That power adds uncertainty while India and the US continue to negotiate a final tariff rate. Nageswaran framed the trade and energy pressures on India as part of a wider push to force countries to pick sides between rival global blocs. He said India could not align itself with any single bloc. "India, given its geography and its size, cannot obviously belong to any bloc," he said. That independence, he cautioned, may carry a price. Nageswaran said maintaining a non-aligned position could leave India exposed to higher energy prices and periodic disruptions to supply. The remarks underline the balancing act facing policymakers as the two governments work toward a final agreement while the threat of steep new duties tied to Russian energy purchases hangs over the talks. India US trade, V Anantha Nageswaran, tariffs, Russian oil, Donald Trump tariffs, chief economic adviser, India US relations, SBI conclave

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Torn between Bali and Phuket for your Southeast Asia beach trip? Compare beaches, food, culture, cost and travel time to pick the right island for you. Two islands dominate every Southeast Asia beach shortlist, and for good reason. Bali, in Indonesia, and Phuket, in southern Thailand, both deliver warm water, cheap luxury and postcard sunsets. But they are not interchangeable. One leans spiritual, green and slow; the other is louder, brighter and easier to reach. This guide sets them side by side so you can book the right flight the first time. The two islands at a glance Bali is a Hindu island in a mostly Muslim country, and that identity shapes everything: daily flower offerings on doorsteps, cliff temples like Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, and terraced rice fields at Tegallalang and Jatiluwih. The coast splits in personality - surf and nightlife in Canggu and Seminyak, calm and culture inland at Ubud, dramatic cliffs and hidden coves on the Bukit Peninsula. Phuket is Thailand's largest island and feels more built-up but more convenient. Patong is the neon-and-nightclub heart; Kata and Karon are gentler beach strips for families; the old Sino-Portuguese quarter of Phuket Town, with its pastel shophouses on Thalang Road, is the cultural surprise most visitors miss. The Andaman Sea here is the real prize - turquoise, calm and dotted with islands. Beaches, water and day trips For sheer beach quality, Phuket often edges it. The water is clearer and calmer, and the nearby islands are world-famous: Phi Phi, the James Bond island of Phang Nga Bay, and the Similan Islands for divers. A longtail boat from Rawai or a speedboat tour puts limestone karsts and snorkelling reefs within an hour. Bali's beaches are more variable - black volcanic sand in the north, golden crescents at Nusa Dua, and serious surf breaks at Uluwatu and Padang Padang. The standout day trips are the offshore Nusa islands (Nusa Penida's Kelingking cliff is Instagram's favourite viewpoint) and, for the fit, a pre-dawn hike up Mount Batur to watch sunrise over the caldera. Food you should not miss Eat cheaply and adventurously in both. In Bali, seek out babi guling (spit-roast suckling pig), the shredded-chicken salad ayam betutu, and a beachside dinner of grilled seafood at Jimbaran Bay. Warungs - small family kitchens - serve the best nasi campur for the price of a coffee back home. Phuket is a certified UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and it shows. Beyond the pad thai and green curry you already know, try Hokkien-style mee, the turmeric-heavy southern dish kua kling, and moo hong (slow-braised pork belly) in Phuket Town. Hit the Sunday walking street market on Thalang Road for a plate-by-plate feast. Best time to visit Both islands are tropical, so you are really choosing between dry and wet seasons. Bali's dry season, roughly April to October, brings reliable sunshine and is peak time; the wetter months bring short, heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain, plus lower prices. Phuket flips this slightly. Its dry, calm season runs roughly November to April - ideal for island-hopping and diving, when the Andaman is glassy. The monsoon months churn up bigger surf and stronger currents, so heed the coloured warning flags on the beaches and don't swim when red flags fly. Getting there and getting around For travellers from India, Phuket usually wins on access: direct and one-stop flights from several Indian cities, plus a visa-on-arrival or visa-exemption arrangement that keeps arrivals simple. Bali (Ngurah Rai airport near Denpasar) is generally reached with one connection through a regional hub, and Indonesia offers a visa on arrival for many nationalities. On the ground, neither island has a useful train or metro. In Bali, hire a private driver for the day or use ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab; the scooter is king but traffic around Canggu and Kuta is genuinely chaotic. In Phuket, metered taxis are scarce, so Grab and pre-booked transfers save both money and arguments. So which one? Choose Bali if you want culture woven into your beach days - temples, rice terraces, yoga in Ubud and a surf-and-café scene. Choose Phuket if your priority is clear water, easy island-hopping, big nightlife and the shortest flight. Many seasoned travellers do both on separate trips, and honestly, that's the right answer. Local tips In Bali, dress modestly at temples - a sarong is required and usually provided, and never step over a canang sari offering on the pavement. Carry small cash for warungs and parking. In Phuket, always agree a longtail boat price before you step aboard, and pick your beach by flag colour, not by the crowd - a busy shore is no guarantee it's safe to swim. Bali vs Phuket, Southeast Asia beach holiday, Bali travel guide, Phuket travel guide, best beaches Indonesia Thailand, island holiday from India, Uluwatu temple

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Plan a Bangkok trip with this practical guide to its temples, floating markets, street food, best seasons, transport and neighbourhood tips. Bangkok rarely eases you in. Thailand's capital hits with heat, incense, sizzling woks and tuk-tuk horns all at once, then rewards you the moment you stop fighting the chaos. This is a city where a 200-year-old temple sits beside a glass shopping mall, where a bowl of noodles from a plastic stool can outshine a fine-dining meal, and where the Chao Phraya River still works as the city's main highway. For travellers from India and beyond, it is one of Asia's easiest, cheapest and most rewarding first stops. Here is how to make sense of it. What makes Bangkok worth the trip Bangkok packs several cities into one. There is the old royal quarter of Rattanakosin, dense with gilded temples; the tangle of canals (khlongs) in Thonburi across the river; the neon and rooftop bars of Sukhumvit; and the backpacker energy of Khao San Road. What ties it together is a genuinely world-class food culture that spills onto every pavement, and a warmth of welcome that makes solo travellers and families feel equally at home. You can go temple-hopping at dawn, shop a sprawling weekend market by noon and watch the sun set from a riverboat, all in a day. Top temples and sights Start with the big three in Rattanakosin. The Grand Palace and the adjoining Wat Phra Kaew, home of the revered Emerald Buddha, are the ceremonial heart of the country; dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, as the guards strictly enforce it. A short walk away, Wat Pho houses the enormous reclining Buddha and is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Across the river, the porcelain-studded spire of Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is Bangkok's most photogenic landmark, especially in golden light from the opposite bank. Beyond the temples, ride the free Chao Phraya cross-river ferries, wander the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat, and set aside a Saturday or Sunday for Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest markets on earth with thousands of stalls. Floating markets and street food For floating markets, Damnoen Saduak is the famous, photogenic one about 90 minutes southwest of the city, while Amphawa, further out, is more of a local weekend affair with evening firefly boat trips. Both are best reached on an early start to beat crowds and heat. Back in town, the real feast is on the street. Chase down a bowl of boat noodles (kuay teow reua) in the Victory Monument alleys, pad thai near the old town, spicy som tam green papaya salad, grilled moo ping pork skewers with sticky rice, and mango with sweet coconut sticky rice for dessert. Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat) turns into an open-air kitchen after dark, its lanes crowded with seafood grills, dim sum and dessert carts. Eat where the queues are longest and the turnover is fast. Best time to visit Bangkok is hot year-round, but the most comfortable stretch is the cool, dry season from roughly November to February, when humidity drops and days are bright. March to May is the hottest period, when temperatures soar and sightseeing is best done early or late. The monsoon runs from about June to October, bringing short, heavy downpours that rarely last all day and the bonus of fewer crowds and lower room rates. If you can, time a visit around the Thai New Year water festival of Songkran in mid-April for a citywide water fight, or the November Loy Krathong festival of floating lanterns. Getting there and around Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), which handles most long-haul and international flights, and Don Mueang (DMK), a hub for low-cost carriers. Direct flights connect Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, and many nationalities including Indian passport holders can enter on visa-on-arrival or a short visa-free stay, so check the current rules before booking. In the city, skip the traffic by using the elevated BTS Skytrain and underground MRT, both cheap, air-conditioned and easy. Grab the Chao Phraya Express boat along the river to reach the old town, and use the ride-hailing app Grab or metered taxis for everything else. Where to stay and local tips For first-timers, staying near a BTS or MRT station saves hours. Sukhumvit offers modern hotels, malls and nightlife; Silom suits business and easy transit; Riverside near the Chao Phraya is scenic and close to the temples; and Old Town/Banglamphu puts you within walking distance of the sights. Two tips: always agree a tuk-tuk fare before getting in, and be wary of strangers who claim a temple is "closed today" and offer a cheap tour instead - it is a common scam. And carry small notes, since the best street food stalls rarely have change for large bills. Bangkok travel guide, Bangkok temples, floating markets Bangkok, Bangkok street food, Wat Arun, Chatuchak market, best time to visit Bangkok, Bangkok BTS Skytrain

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Unbeaten Canada meet an inconsistent Chile in an international friendly at 06:00 on September 27, 2026. A look at both sides' recent form and their sole prior meeting. Canada and Chile meet in an international friendly at 06:00 on September 27, 2026, with the North American side arriving unbeaten and their South American opponents looking to steady an inconsistent run of results. The fixture gives both coaching staffs a chance to test their systems and assess how their tactical setups are working ahead of competitive commitments. Canada, representing CONCACAF, comes into the match on a run of five games without defeat. Over that stretch the team has recorded two wins and three draws. The sequence began with a draw, followed by a victory, then two consecutive draws, before Canada closed the run with a win in its most recent outing. That consistency points to a side that has kept its defensive shape and stayed organised at the back. Chile, by contrast, has been harder to read. The South American team has played two recent matches, taking one win and then a loss in its latest fixture. The stop-start pattern reflects a side still searching for rhythm and for a better link between its lines. One prior meeting There is little history between the two nations. Canada and Chile have faced each other only once, and that game ended in a draw. Neither side has beaten the other, leaving the head-to-head record level going into this encounter. The single previous result underlines how evenly matched the two teams have been when their contrasting styles have met. Because this is a friendly, both teams are expected to play in an open manner while keeping their tactical focus on the midfield. That approach suits a fixture where the priority is evaluation rather than points, allowing each coach to look at combinations and movement without the pressure of a competitive result. Contrasting approaches Canada carries a psychological edge from its five-match unbeaten sequence, which gives the team a solid platform to build from. That confidence supports a plan built around quick transitions, using pace to move the ball forward once possession is won. Chile needs to rediscover its winning form quickly after the recent setback. The South American side is likely to concentrate on ball control and on stepping up pressure on the opposition defence, aiming to sharpen an attack that has lacked a decisive edge. Finding more end product in the final third is the clearest task facing the visitors. With Canada settled and unbeaten and Chile still working to find consistency, the friendly offers a useful measuring stick for both. For Canada, it is a test of whether its defensive stability holds against a South American opponent. For Chile, it is an opportunity to break a stuttering run and rebuild momentum. The 06:00 kick-off on September 27 will show how far each side has progressed in its current cycle. Canada vs Chile, international friendly, Canada soccer, Chile national team, CONCACAF, football friendlies, September 27 2026, match preview

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Plan a trip to Gangtok and North Sikkim: Rumtek's monasteries, Gurudongmar and Tsomgo lakes, Yumthang Valley, permit rules, when to go and how to arrive. Perched on a Himalayan ridge at around 1,650 metres, Gangtok is the tidy, prayer-flag-strewn capital of Sikkim and the launch pad for one of India's most dramatic mountain circuits. From here the land climbs fast - past Buddhist monasteries and terraced hillsides toward glacial lakes and valleys that sit just short of the Tibetan border. It is a region of two moods: the café culture and mountain views of the capital, and the raw, high-altitude wilderness of the north that demands paperwork, patience and a good driver. What makes it special Sikkim folds an enormous amount into a small state. In Gangtok you can watch the world's third-highest peak, Kangchenjunga, glow at dawn from Tashi Viewpoint, then wander the pedestrianised, flower-lined MG Marg an hour later. Push north and the scenery turns alpine and otherworldly - hot springs, rhododendron forests and a sacred lake at over 5,000 metres. Because Sikkim shares sensitive frontiers with China, Nepal and Bhutan, much of the north is a protected zone, which has kept it uncrowded and unusually clean; Sikkim is also India's first fully organic state. Monasteries and mountain lakes Start with the monasteries around the capital. Rumtek, about 24 km out, is the grand seat of the Karma Kagyu school, with a golden stupa and monks in maroon robes; Enchey and the tranquil Do Drul Chorten sit closer to town, and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology holds one of the world's finest collections of Tibetan manuscripts and thangkas. For lakes, the day trip east to Tsomgo (Changu) Lake is a classic - a glacial oval that freezes in winter, with yaks along the shore and the Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir and Nathula Pass beyond (Nathula requires an extra permit and is not always open). The headline act, though, is North Sikkim. Base yourself in the villages of Lachung and Lachen, then rise before dawn for the pilgrimage to Gurudongmar Lake, one of the highest lakes on earth, its water an impossible turquoise beneath snow peaks. Nearby Yumthang Valley - the "Valley of Flowers" - erupts with rhododendrons in spring, while Zero Point marks the end of the civilian road in a bowl of glaciers. Sorting out the permits This is the part to plan around. Indian nationals need a permit to visit North Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar, Yumthang) as well as Tsomgo Lake and Nathula; these are arranged through a registered Sikkim travel agent, usually as part of a booked tour, and require passport-size photos and government-issued photo ID. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit / Protected Area Permit, must travel in a group of two or more through an authorised operator, and are currently barred from a few of the most sensitive spots such as Gurudongmar and Nathula - so check your exact eligibility before committing. Carry several photocopies of your ID and spare photos; checkposts along the way will ask. Best time to visit March to May is prime: clear-ish skies, warm valley days and rhododendrons in full bloom around Yumthang. October and November bring the crispest mountain views and reliable roads after the rains. Avoid the monsoon (roughly June to September), when landslides regularly close the north-Sikkim roads for hours or days. Winter is beautiful but bitterly cold, and high passes and lakes may be snowbound or shut. Getting there The usual gateway is the plains of northern West Bengal. The nearest major railhead is New Jalpaiguri (NJP) at Siliguri, and the main airport is Bagdogra (IXB); the smaller Pakyong Airport sits closer to Gangtok but has limited flights. From Bagdogra or NJP it's a scenic four-to-five-hour drive up to Gangtok by taxi or shared jeep. From Gangtok, all North Sikkim trips are done by hired 4x4 with a local driver - you cannot self-drive into the permit zones. Where to stay Gangtok has the widest choice, from heritage-style hotels near MG Marg to family-run guesthouses on the ridge with Kangchenjunga views. In the north, accommodation in Lachen and Lachung is simpler - homestays and small lodges, often with wood stoves and shared dining - and is typically bundled into your tour package. Book the northern leg well ahead in peak season, as bed and permit numbers are limited. Local tips Acclimatise. Spend a night in Gangtok and ease into altitude before the pre-dawn Gurudongmar run, and keep water and a light snack handy. Eat local while you're at it: steaming plates of momos, hearty thukpa noodle soup, fermented greens (gundruk), pork phagshapa, and a warming mug of tongba, the local millet brew. And build in a buffer day - in these mountains, weather and roads, not the clock, set the schedule. Gangtok travel guide, North Sikkim itinerary, Gurudongmar Lake, Yumthang Valley, Sikkim permits, Rumtek Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Lachung Lachen

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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia as army chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye met in Riyadh over the Mecca pact. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the United Nations General Assembly on Friday that any threat to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina amounts to a "red line that must never be crossed", condemning recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as "deplorable". Speaking in New York on 25 September, Sharif said a strike that Riyadh has blamed on the Iran-aligned Yemeni group, and which the kingdom says was aimed at Mecca, had "outraged Muslims across the globe". He framed the safety of Islam's two holiest sites as a matter beyond negotiation. The Houthis have rejected the accusation, calling it a "heinous lie". The remarks came the same day the army chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye gathered in Riyadh. According to the Pakistani military, the three commanders talked through ways to deepen intelligence sharing and coordinate their forces more closely. They assessed the dangers now facing Saudi Arabia, restated a shared duty to defend one another, and vowed to translate their new agreement from paper into working cooperation. That agreement is the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, a three-way defence pact the countries concluded last month. Its central clause treats an assault on any one signatory as an assault on all. Yet the pledge has not so far pulled Islamabad or Ankara into Saudi Arabia's active confrontation with the Houthis, and both have kept their distance from the fighting. What practical help Turkiye and Pakistan might extend to Riyadh remains undecided. In a written interview with Newsweek published on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested any assistance could begin with intelligence, logistics or ammunition, and said broader military support was possible if the threat grew larger. The wider war and the waterways Sharif used much of his address to return to the conflict that erupted when the United States and Israel opened a war against Iran in late February. He highlighted Pakistan's part as a co-mediator, an effort that produced the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran. That understanding was meant to bring the fighting to a close, but it has since fallen apart even as governments in the region press for a definitive end. The war has driven up energy prices worldwide and sharpened hostilities across the Middle East. "Yet amid the roar of missiles, drones and guns, the voice for diplomacy must echo even louder and stronger," Sharif said. He also pointed to two shipping routes now caught up in the crisis. Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, while the Bab al-Mandeb has slipped largely under Houthi control. Sharif described both as "arteries of the global economy" that ought to stay open and secure. Palestine, Lebanon and India The prime minister condemned what he called Israel's "genocidal agenda" in Palestine and denounced "Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Syria". Similar language had come earlier in the day from Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during his own turn at the General Assembly. Closer to Pakistan's borders, Sharif turned to strained relations with its neighbours. He criticised India, accusing New Delhi of weaponising the waters of the Indus, a river system the two nations have long managed together. Sharif's speech drew together the threads of a region under strain: a defence bloc newly formed around the protection of Saudi Arabia, a collapsed peace framework, contested sea lanes, and a war whose economic shockwaves have spread far beyond the countries directly involved. His central message to the assembly held that the sanctity of Mecca and Medina sits above the region's other disputes, and that no attack on them can be tolerated. Shehbaz Sharif UN speech, Houthi attack Mecca, Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, Pakistan Saudi Arabia Turkiye pact, Strait of Hormuz blockade, Bab al-Mandeb Houthi, Islamabad Memorandum, US-Israel war Iran

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Plan a trip to Abu Dhabi with this evergreen guide to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, island resorts, best seasons and how to arrive. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is often skipped for its flashier neighbour up the coast. That is a mistake. Spread across a low, sandy island and a string of smaller ones, the city pairs serious cultural heavyweights with quiet mangrove creeks and beaches you can actually breathe on. It is compact enough to see the headline sights in a long weekend, yet layered enough to reward a full week. Come for the marble mosque and the museum under a floating dome; stay for the falafel, the desert light and the sense of a city built at a calmer, more deliberate pace than the region's reputation suggests. What to put at the top of your list Start with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest in the world and easily the city's defining image. Its white marble courtyards, reflecting pools and 82 domes are open to visitors of all faiths; dress modestly, and note that the mosque loans robes to those who arrive uncovered. Aim for late afternoon, when the marble turns warm gold and the crowds thin before sunset. Across town on Saadiyat Island sits Louvre Abu Dhabi, its lattice dome designed by Jean Nouvel to scatter sunlight into what he called a "rain of light." Inside, a single walkable route moves from ancient artefacts to modern art, with loans from French museums alongside the permanent collection. Sea breezes drift through the open plazas between galleries - it is as much a piece of architecture as a museum. For a different mood, head to the Corniche, a breezy waterfront promenade with a clean public beach, cycle lanes and views back to the skyline. Families gravitate to Yas Island, home to Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit. And for the old city, wander Qasr Al Hosn, the restored fort that was Abu Dhabi's first permanent structure, and the nearby Al Ain oasis if you have a spare day inland. When the weather actually cooperates Abu Dhabi has two faces. From roughly November to March, days are warm and dry - ideal for the beach, desert drives and long walks along the Corniche. This is peak season, so book ahead. The summer months, May through September, bring fierce heat and humidity; sightseeing becomes an early-morning-and-air-conditioning affair, though hotel rates drop and indoor attractions stay busy. The shoulder weeks of April and October are a fair compromise if you want lower prices with tolerable heat. Getting there and getting around Zayed International Airport is the main gateway, with direct flights from major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, plus connections across Europe, Asia and beyond via the national carrier. Many nationalities, including Indian passport holders with certain existing visas, can arrive on straightforward entry arrangements - check current rules for your passport before you fly. Once there, the city is easy. Metered taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced, ride-hailing apps work well, and the road network is fast and modern. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are about 90 minutes apart by car or intercity coach, so many travellers combine the two. If you want to explore the desert or Al Ain, a rental car gives you freedom, but for city sights taxis are simpler. Choosing your base Where you sleep shapes the trip. Saadiyat Island delivers resort life on protected turtle-nesting beaches, a short hop from the Louvre and the Corniche - the pick for a slower, sea-facing stay. Yas Island is the choice for families and theme-park fans, with hotels clustered around the attractions. For a central, walkable feel with easy access to restaurants and the waterfront, base yourself on the main island near the Corniche or downtown. Beyond the big resorts, look at smaller offshore island lodges for quiet, low-rise escapes ringed by mangroves. Small things that make the visit better Eat beyond the hotel buffet. Track down a plate of machboos (spiced rice with meat or fish) and warm Emirati bread, or graze the Levantine and South Indian spots that fill the older neighbourhoods - Abu Dhabi's large Indian community means excellent, affordable dosas and biryani are never far. Get out on the water: a kayak trip through the Eastern Mangroves or Jubail Mangrove Park trades skyline glass for herons and silence. Carry a light layer - interiors are aggressively air-conditioned - and drink far more water than you think you need. Finally, plan mosque and museum visits around opening days and prayer times, and dress respectfully at religious sites; a little preparation keeps the day smooth. Abu Dhabi travel, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi island resorts, Saadiyat Island, things to do Abu Dhabi, UAE capital trip, Yas Island

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Plan a trip to Las Vegas and the desert Southwest: the Strip, downtown Fremont, easy day trips and the red-rock national parks within a few hours' drive. Las Vegas is a city built on spectacle, but it is also the front door to some of the most dramatic desert scenery on Earth. Rising from the Mojave in southern Nevada, it pairs a four-mile ribbon of casino resorts with a starkly beautiful backcountry of red sandstone, slot canyons and mile-deep gorges. Come for the lights and the shows, then rent a car and let the Strip fade in your mirror. Within a couple of hours you can trade blackjack tables for switchback trails, and that combination - glitz and wilderness, side by side - is what makes this corner of the American Southwest such a rewarding trip. Why go Few places pack this much variety into a small radius. The Strip delivers world-class dining, live music, magic and stage productions, and enough people-watching to fill a week. But the real surprise is how quickly the desert takes over. Las Vegas works equally well as a pure city break, a family stopover or the launch pad for a road trip through the Southwest's national parks. It is also one of the most accessible gateways in the region, with a busy international airport just minutes from the action. Top things to see and do On the Strip itself, walk the stretch between the Bellagio and the Venetian in the evening, when the Bellagio's dancing fountains put on their free water-and-light show and the resorts glow against the dark mountains. Ride the observation wheel at the LINQ for a slow, panoramic look at the valley. For a grittier, more nostalgic flavour of old Vegas, head downtown to Fremont Street, where a canopy of LED lights arches over street performers and vintage neon signs - many of them preserved just off the strip at the Neon Museum's outdoor "boneyard." Then go beyond the neon. Red Rock Canyon, barely half an hour west of the Strip, offers a scenic loop drive and trails through crimson Aztec sandstone. To the northeast, the fiery formations of Valley of Fire State Park look almost Martian at golden hour. Push a little farther and you reach the big names: Zion National Park in Utah, with its towering canyon walls and the famous Narrows river hike; and the South and West rims of the Grand Canyon, a genuinely humbling sight. The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead sit closer, an easy half-day out. Best time to visit Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots: warm, clear days ideal for both strolling the Strip and hiking the canyons. Summers are intense - desert temperatures regularly climb past 40°C, which makes midday trail time genuinely dangerous, so save outdoor plans for early morning. Winter is mild and pleasant in the city, though higher-elevation parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon's rims can see snow and road closures. Whatever the season, carry far more water than you think you need once you leave town. Getting there Harry Reid International Airport, immediately south of the Strip, is the main gateway, with direct and one-stop connections from major hubs worldwide; travellers from India typically connect through a US or European city. From the airport, ride-share and taxis reach the resorts in minutes, and the Strip is walkable end to end, supplemented by a monorail and buses. For everything beyond the city, a rental car is close to essential - the parks and day-trip sights are spread across open desert with little public transport, so factor a hire vehicle into your plans. Where to stay Most visitors base themselves on the Strip, where mega-resorts cluster around themes and price points - from the Italianate Venetian to the fountains of the Bellagio. Staying central puts the shows, restaurants and casinos on your doorstep. Downtown, around Fremont Street, is cheaper, more compact and has an old-school character worth a night or two. If you are prioritising the national parks, consider a night in a gateway town such as Springdale, just outside Zion, to catch the canyon at dawn before the crowds. Local tips Eat beyond the buffet: the city has become a serious food destination, and even a casual meal - a plate of tacos in the Arts District, or dim sum in Chinatown just west of the Strip along Spring Mountain Road - beats the tourist traps. Pace your walking, too; the Strip's resorts look close together but are deceptively far apart, so plan on more time between them than the map suggests. And if you drive out to the parks, download offline maps before you go - mobile signal vanishes fast once the desert opens up around you. Las Vegas travel guide, Las Vegas Strip, Nevada day trips, desert national parks, Zion National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, Fremont Street

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McDonald's is building its own advertising network, following Amazon and Walmart, and hopes it could grow into a $1 billion business. McDonald's said on Wednesday that it will build its own media network, selling advertising space across its restaurant system in a move that copies the playbook of retail giants Amazon and Walmart. The company made the announcement at its investor day, held at its Chicago headquarters. The program is already in a pilot phase. In August, 450 company-owned U.S. restaurants began showing advertisements for other companies on their digital drive-thru order boards. The pilot has not yet reached the franchisees who run most of the chain's roughly 14,000 U.S. locations. Even so, McDonald's said the venture could eventually become a $1 billion business. Morgan Flatley, the company's global chief marketing officer and executive vice president of new business ventures, framed the timing around a fast-expanding market. "Commerce media is one of the fastest-growing areas in advertising, and it's expected to reach more than $100 billion in the U.S. alone by 2028," she said during an investor presentation. Flatley described the appeal in blunt financial terms. "It's an opportunity to generate revenue for the system with little in the way of additional cost, no operational complexity and no disruption to our customer experience," she said. The potential for high-margin revenue arrives as McDonald's faces rising costs. Prices for key inputs such as beef are climbing, and the chain plans to spend billions of dollars on restaurant upgrades over the next decade. A steady advertising income stream could help offset those pressures. A first for the restaurant industry Within the restaurant business, McDonald's would be a pioneer in running its own media network. Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden told CNBC that the company's scale sets it apart from other advertisers. "We have one of the most valuable brands of any company of our size and scale in any industry," Borden said. He pointed to the chain's reach as its main advantage: "We serve about 85% of the U.S. population at least once a year, so we have reach that's quite unique, and we have 14,000 locations across the U.S., which means we're in every community, and we're connecting with every consumer." That reach is the core asset McDonald's is now trying to sell to advertisers. The drive-thru boards in the pilot put brand messages in front of customers at the point of purchase, a moment retailers have found valuable. What Amazon and Walmart have shown McDonald's is drawing on a model that has already proven lucrative for large retailers. Amazon reported $68.6 billion in advertising service sales in 2025, a figure that accounted for just under 10% of the company's total revenue. Amazon's ads appear across its shopping pages, on Prime Video, on its delivery lockers and on its live streaming platform Twitch, as well as on third-party apps and websites. Walmart has built a similar operation. The retailer does not disclose specific sales figures for its advertising arm, but it said Connect, its U.S. ad business, grew sales 43% in its fiscal second quarter. Walmart runs ads on its app, on its website and inside its more than 4,600 U.S. stores, and it also places them on outside platforms such as Instagram. In late 2024, Walmart bought television maker Vizio, a deal aimed partly at expanding its advertising business. These networks tend to be high-margin operations, which is a large part of their appeal. For McDonald's, the same logic applies: it can charge advertisers to use screens and space it already owns, without adding significant expense. The media network was not the only initiative McDonald's laid out at its investor day. Executives also detailed plans to lift sales through costly restaurant upgrades and improvements to food quality. The advertising venture, however, marks the company's clearest attempt yet to turn its enormous physical and customer footprint into a new source of revenue rather than relying solely on selling food. McDonald's media network, commerce media, McDonald's advertising, retail media, Morgan Flatley, Ian Borden, drive-thru ads, McDonald's investor day

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Plan a Bali trip across Ubud's rice terraces and temples and the surf towns of the south, with things to do, timing, transport and local tips. Bali packs two very different holidays onto one small Indonesian island. Inland, around the town of Ubud, you get emerald rice terraces, river gorges, craft villages and Hindu temples wrapped in incense and gamelan music. An hour south, the coast switches to surf breaks, beach clubs and sunset bars. Most first-timers try to do both, and the island is compact enough that you can. This guide splits Bali into its highland and coastal halves so you can plan a trip that fits your pace. What Ubud is really like Ubud is Bali's cultural heart, a market town in the central foothills surrounded by working rice fields. It is greener, cooler and quieter than the coast, though its centre now hums with cafes and yoga studios. The famous sculpted paddies at Tegallalang lie just north of town; go early to beat both the heat and the crowds, and expect small donation boxes maintained by farmers along the walking paths. For a longer, less-visited walk, the Campuhan Ridge is a breezy grass spine you can loop in an hour or two. Ubud is also a base for temples and river country. The Tirta Empul water temple lets visitors join the ritual purification in its spring-fed pools, while Goa Gajah, the "Elephant Cave," is an atmospheric carved grotto on the edge of town. Nature draws people north to the Tegenungan and Kanto Lampo waterfalls and, further afield, to the volcanic caldera and lake views at Mount Batur, a popular pre-dawn hiking spot. The southern beach towns Bali's southern peninsula is where the sand and nightlife live, and each town has a distinct character. Canggu is the current favourite for younger travellers and remote workers, with black-sand surf beaches, scooter traffic and coffee shops. Neighbouring Seminyak is more polished, known for boutiques and beach clubs strung along the sand. Further south, Uluwatu sits on dramatic limestone cliffs above world-class surf breaks; its clifftop temple hosts a nightly Kecak fire dance at sunset. For families and first-time visitors who want calm water, Sanur and Nusa Dua on the east and south coasts are gentler and more resort-oriented. Don't miss Tanah Lot, the sea temple perched on a rock offshore west of the airport, best seen when the tide and the setting sun line up. It gets busy, so arrive with time to spare. What to eat Balinese food rewards the curious. Look for babi guling (spit-roast suckling pig) and ayam betutu (slow-cooked spiced chicken), both regional specialities you'll find at simple warungs. Nasi campur, a plate of rice with several small sides, is the everyday staple and a great low-cost meal. Vegetarians do well with gado-gado, a vegetable salad in peanut sauce, and lawar mixes. In Ubud especially, the plant-based and "health food" scene is strong if you want a break from fried rice. Best time to visit Bali has two seasons rather than four. The dry season, roughly April to October, brings the most reliable sunshine and is peak time for beaches and volcano hikes; July and August are the busiest and priciest. The wet season, around November to March, sees hot, humid days broken by heavy afternoon downpours, but mornings are often clear and the countryside is at its lushest and cheapest. The shoulder months of April, May and September tend to offer a good balance of decent weather and thinner crowds. Note the annual Nyepi "Day of Silence," a Hindu new year when the whole island shuts down for 24 hours, including the airport. Getting there and getting around Most visitors fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport near Denpasar, the island's only major airport. There are direct and one-stop connections from Indian hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, usually routing through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta, as well as flights from across Asia and Australia. Indian passport holders should check the current visa-on-arrival rules before travelling. On the ground, Bali has no train network. Many travellers rent a scooter, but traffic is chaotic and an international driving permit plus a helmet are essential; if you're not a confident rider, hire a car with a driver for day trips, which is inexpensive and easy to arrange. Ride-hailing apps operate but face restrictions in some tourist zones. Local tips Dress modestly at temples: a sarong and sash are required, and most sites lend or rent them at the entrance. Carry small cash for parking, donations and warungs, as card acceptance is patchy outside resorts. Finally, resist the urge to base yourself in one spot and day-trip everywhere; splitting your nights between Ubud and one southern town cuts hours of driving and gives you both sides of Bali properly. Bali travel guide, Ubud rice terraces, Tegallalang, Tanah Lot temple, Canggu Seminyak, best time to visit Bali, how to get to Bali, Bali things to do

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