Apple introduced the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking its first foldable iPhone. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and opens to a 7.6-inch inner display. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for standard phone tasks. Apple will open preorders on Oct. 16, with retail availability starting Oct. 23. The launch gives Apple a new iPhone form factor alongside its conventional smartphone lineup.

    News

    More than 55,000 people were evacuated across China’s Hainan province after days of extreme rainfall triggered flooding and other hazards. Authorities moved residents from high-risk areas by 6 p.m. on September 14. The evacuations focused on low-lying communities, landslide-prone areas and locations near rivers. Officials also arranged temporary accommodation and basic supplies for displaced residents.

    Authorities set the official chicken meat price at Rs461 per kilogram after cutting the notified rate by Rs22. Retail sellers still charged between Rs520 and Rs570 per kilogram. Potatoes carried an official price of Rs27 to Rs30, yet market rates reached Rs50 to Rs70. Tomatoes were listed between Rs130 and Rs180 but sold for Rs250 to Rs300. Onions also exceeded their notified ceiling, with retail prices reaching Rs200 to Rs220. The difference extended across other common foods. Spinach was officially priced between Rs57 and Rs60 but sold for as much as Rs120. Farm cucumbers carried an official range of Rs85 to Rs90, while shops charged up to Rs150. Fruit prices showed some of the largest gaps. Certain varieties of dates carried notified prices between Rs310 and Rs435 per kilogram. Retail prices, however, ranged from Rs800 to Rs2,400.

    UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Berlin on Wednesday for a state visit to Germany. German military aircraft escorted his plane after it entered German airspace. An official reception followed, including a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. The visit marks the first state visit to Germany by a UAE president. Sheikh Mohamed is in Germany for meetings with the country’s senior political leadership.

    The international measure focuses directly on the widely utilized Mercator map projection, which was originally developed in the 16th century by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for maritime navigation purposes. While effective for nautical direction, the mathematical scaling of the Mercator model progressively exaggerates landmass sizes farther from the equator while compressing regions near it. According to documentation published by the United Nations General Assembly, these technical distortions continue to permeate modern educational textbooks, news media broadcasts, digital mapping platforms, and official government publications worldwide.

    Structured training supports breeding standards
    Accepted breeders and their teams will receive specialist instruction through Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. Courses and workshops will cover responsible houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity and the management of breeding facilities. The training will also address operational practices used in managed breeding programs. Participants who complete the required courses can receive certificates, while specialists will continue providing technical guidance during their involvement in the initiative.

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    Sports

    Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland lead the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers released the nominees on September 8 ahead of the October 26 ceremony in London. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and Vinícius Júnior also appear on the list. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Achraf Hakimi add further star power to the field. The London Palladium will host the event during the award’s 70th anniversary year.

    Messi said he reached the decision after extensive consideration following Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final against Spain. He wrote his retirement message on July 21, two days after the final in New Jersey. Messi later said the death of his father, Jorge Messi, in August reinforced his decision to publish the message. He described leaving the national team as painful while stressing the pride he felt representing Argentina. Messi also thanked teammates, coaches, family members and supporters who accompanied him throughout his international career.

    Technology

    Apple introduced the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking its first foldable iPhone. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and opens to a 7.6-inch inner display. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for standard phone tasks. Apple will open preorders on Oct. 16, with retail availability starting Oct. 23. The launch gives Apple a new iPhone form factor alongside its conventional smartphone lineup.