Less than two months after his Argentina national side’s controversial 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, Lionel Messi has made his first public appearance.

However it wasn’t at a glitzy event but an unexpected lower-division match in a small town not far from his home city of Rosario. Trying to remain under the radar in a black hoodie, Inter Miami’s 39-year-old legendary forward was spotted at the fourth-division match on Saturday between Leones FC – which was created by his family, and run by his brother Matas Messi – and Central Crdoba at the Antonio Di Giacomo Stadium in Arroyo Seco.

Family-Run Match   

Although Messi tried to blend in watching from a balcony with a mate (a bitter beverage), fans and cameras quickly found the familiar figure of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

He smiled to the crowd and waived as they chanted his name during the game. Unfortunately his presence didn’t seem to inspire Leones FC as they lost 2-0, and now lie fourth in Group B of Argentine ‘s fourth-division competition. ‘Messi was in Arroyo Seco. He left a special greeting … Attending Leones’ match this evening.’ – Cadena 3 Rosario.

Granted MLS All-Star Game Exemption 

Messi is back in Argentina on a break from club duties before resuming for Inter Miami in the USA.

Major League Soccer has officially granted the all-time soccer GOAT an exemption from attending next year’s MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina, with pre-arranged rest exemptions given to many high-profile players that went deep in the World Cup. There has been no indication from Inter Miami as yet on when Messi will be returning to action.

ISLAMABAD: The federal ministers and leaders of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have been holding backchannel contacts and secret meetings despite the apparent political standoff between the two sides.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and several federal ministers last month publicly invited PTI to resume negotiations.

Speaking on ARY News’ programme Sawal Yeh Hai, senior journalist Naeem Ashraf Butt said the government has publicly expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the opposition, but several meetings have also taken place behind closed doors.

Butt claimed that PTI leaders have been secretly meeting government ministers, but the talks have largely focused on individual concerns rather than broader party issues.

“The government is openly calling for dialogue. Last month, the prime minister publicly invited PTI for talks, and later his adviser Rana Sanaullah met PTI leaders,” he said.

He added that internal divisions within PTI have prevented the party from presenting a unified position during the reported meetings.

PTI distances itself from Noreen Niazi’s remarks, calls them personal opinion

According to Butt, another influential federal minister also approached PTI MNAs at Parliament House and invited them to hold talks.

“He asked them to come and sit together for dialogue, but what happened to that offer afterward, nobody knows,” he said.

The senior journalist further claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi later held a secret meeting with the same federal minister to discuss certain legal cases.

According to Butt, after that meeting, the presence of PTI workers reduced outside Adiala Jail, while visits by family members also reportedly declined.

He also claimed that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan raised his own concerns during meetings. Still, the party has not pursued its stated objective of securing the release of former prime minister Imran Khan with a unified strategy.

Butt further criticised PTI’s role as the main opposition party, saying it had recently remained silent on public issues, including the wheat and petrol crises.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has approved the executive and regulatory provisions of its new General Education Law, introducing one of the most significant reforms to the Kingdom’s K-12 education system in recent years.

According to the Saudi Gazette, the new legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework governing public education from nursery through Grade 12 and aims to align the education sector with the objectives of Vision 2030.

New governing body

A key feature of the law is the establishment of the General Education Affairs Council, chaired by the Minister of Education and including representatives from various government ministries, the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, and the private sector.

Compulsory education remains from ages 6 to 15

The law confirms that compulsory education will continue from the age of six until 15.

The Ministry of Education will have the authority to take legal action against individuals responsible for preventing children from attending compulsory education or causing students to drop out during this period.

Arabic remains the primary language

Arabic will remain the principal language of instruction across general education, although schools may teach in an additional language where appropriate.

Co-education

The law also maintains the separation of boys’ and girls’ schools after the early childhood stage in public education. This requirement does not apply to private educational institutions.

Classroom learning remains the standard

The legislation confirms that in-person classroom education will remain the primary method of learning across all grade levels.

Saudi Arabia detains 14,970 people in week-long security crackdown

The ministry will also develop regulations for lifelong learning certificates and expand digital education options, including synchronous, asynchronous and self-directed learning programmes.

More flexible learning pathways

The Ministry of Education will be empowered to create different educational pathways within general education, including specialised and vocational tracks designed to better match labour market requirements.

Expanded support for students with disabilities and gifted learners

The new framework strengthens support for students with disabilities by requiring schools to provide appropriate educational services, assistive technologies and assessment methods tailored to individual needs.

It also expands programmes for gifted students through specialised classes, dedicated schools, enrichment centres, improved identification standards, teacher training and partnerships with universities and research institutions.

New quality standards for private schools

Private schools will face stricter quality assurance requirements under the new law.

Educational institutions will be required to obtain accreditation from the Education and Training Evaluation Commission or another internationally recognised accreditation body approved by Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Education will regulate licensing procedures, ownership transfers, school operations and the introduction of international curricula, while ensuring that national identity subjects approved by the National Curriculum Center remain part of the education system.

Applications for education licences must receive a written decision within 30 days, and rejected applicants will have the right to appeal.

Stronger role for private and nonprofit sectors

The law provides a clearer regulatory framework for private and nonprofit education providers as Saudi Arabia seeks to expand education services under Vision 2030.

It also allows the ministry to provide financial or in-kind support, including human resources, to eligible private educational institutions under approved conditions.

Greater protections and professional development for teachers

Teachers will be required to follow approved curricula, support students’ individual learning needs, encourage creativity and innovation, identify gifted students, uphold national values and professional standards, and participate in continuous professional development programmes.

Tougher disciplinary measures

The law introduces a formal disciplinary system for teachers, administrators and private educational institutions that violate regulations.

Authorities will have the power to take immediate action to protect the educational environment, including temporarily removing individuals from duty during investigations.

Serious violations could lead to dismissal and permanent disqualification from working in the education sector.

Private schools that breach regulations may face warnings, suspension of student admissions, fines ranging from SR5,000 to SR50,000, or cancellation of their licences. If a school licence is revoked, students must be allowed to complete the academic year at the owner’s expense to prevent disruption to their education.

ISLAMABAD  –  The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad, has seized smuggled vehicles, foreign-brand cigarettes, cosmetics and other goods worth more than Rs525.5 million during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted since July 18, 2026.

According to a press release, the operations were carried out under the supervision of the senior leadership of Customs Enforcement as part of an intensified campaign against smuggling and illicit trade in the region.

During the operations, Customs Enforcement squads intercepted and seized three high-value smuggled vehicles, including a 2015-model Range Rover, a 2008-model Toyota Land Cruiser and a 2005-model Honda Accord.

The enforcement teams also confiscated 121,250 sleeves of foreign-origin cigarettes, along with 11 vehicles allegedly used for transporting smuggled goods. Large quantities of foreign-origin cosmetics and other miscellaneous items were also recovered.

Officials said the combined estimated value of the confiscated vehicles and goods exceeded Rs525.5 million, dealing a significant financial blow to smuggling networks operating in Islamabad and surrounding areas.

Customs Enforcement Islamabad reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy against smuggling and said intelligence-driven operations would continue in coordination with federal and provincial law enforcement agencies.

The Collectorate said such operations were essential for protecting Pakistan’s national economy, safeguarding legitimate businesses and preventing revenue losses caused by illegal trade.

The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Islamabad, has further consolidated its anti-smuggling efforts through a series of high-impact, intelligence-led operations conducted since July 18, 2026. These sustained actions, executed under the supervision of the senior leadership of Customs Enforcement, underscore the Collectorate’s unwavering commitment to root out the illicit trade.

During these targeted operations, Customs Enforcement squads successfully intercepted and seized Three (3) high-value smuggled vehicles, alongside a substantial quantity of foreign-origin Cigarettes, (121,250 Sleeves along with 11 Offending vehicles), Cosmetics and Misc Goods . 

In addition to the vehicles, anti smuggling squads recovered large caches of contraband items, including foreign-brand cigarettes, Cosmetics and Misc Goods. The cumulative estimated value of the seized goods and vehicles exceeds PKR 525.5 million, representing a significant disruption to smuggling networks operating in the region.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy, Customs Enforcement Islamabad reiterated its resolve to continue intelligence-driven operations in close coordination with other federal and provincial law enforcement agencies. These efforts are pivotal to safeguarding Pakistan’s national economy, protecting local industry, and ensuring societal well-being.