Washington, Sep 10: Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 17 lineup, along with updates to its digital watches and AirPod products at its annual September product launch.

The new iPhones are the first to be released since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and unleashed a barrage of tariffs, in what his administration says is an attempt to bring overseas manufacturing back to the US — a crusade that has thrust Apple CEO Tim Cook into the hot seat.

The new devices come with a larger, 6.3-inch display and is powered by a new A19 chip to help power Apple’s AI features. The iPhone 17’s front camera has also been upgraded to have a wider field of view and new sensor, allowing you to take landscape photos without having to rotate your phone

The new devices are still expected to be made in Apple’s manufacturing hubs in China and India, much to the Trump administration’s consternation.

Both Trump and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have repeatedly insisted that iPhones be made in the US instead of overseas. It’s an unrealistic demand that analysts say would take years to pull off and would result in a doubling, or even a tripling, of the iPhone’s current average price of about USD 1,000.

Cook tried to placate Trump by initially pledging that Apple would invest USD 500 billion in the US over the next four years, and then upped the ante last month by adding another USD 100 billion to the commitment. He also gifted Trump a statue featuring a 24-karat gold base.

That kind of diplomacy has helped insulate Apple from Trump’s most severe tariffs. However, the iPhones being brought into the US still face duties of about 25 per cent, stoking speculation that the company will reveal its first across-the-board price increase in five years in an effort to preserve its hefty profit margins.

Since 2020, Apple has charged USD 800 for its basic iPhone and USD 1,200 for its top offering, but analysts now believe the company may raise prices by USD 50 to USD 100 on some of the new models. If Apple does announce price increases, it will come just weeks after Google held steady on prices for its new Pixel smartphones.

Although Apple’s stock price is still down by 4 per cent so far this year, the shares have been bouncing back in recent months amid signs it won’t be as hard hit by the tariffs as once feared, and a highly anticipated court ruling cleared the way for the company to continue receiving USD 20 billion annually to lock in Google’s search engine as the default option on iPhones.

New Delhi, Sep 10: Bollywood actor Ranvir Shorey has weighed in on the debate surrounding cricketing ties between India and Pakistan, saying he has no objection to the two teams facing each other in multi-nation tournaments such as the Asia Cup.

In a casual interaction with IANS, Shorey clarified that while he remains opposed to the resumption of bilateral series between the arch-rivals, he sees no issue with their clashes on neutral grounds in international competitions.

“I have no problem with India playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Of course, there shouldn’t be a bilateral series with them. India is not going to Pakistan, and Pakistan is not coming here—that’s fine. Since the match is being played in a neutral country, there shouldn’t be any issue. After all, just like in the Olympics, if India faces Pakistan, you can’t deny that fixture,” Shorey said.

India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012–13, with political tensions and security concerns halting cricketing exchanges since then. Their meetings are now restricted to ICC and ACC events, which continue to attract massive global viewership.

Shorey, known for his candid takes on social and political matters, drew a parallel between cricket and other international sports, where athletes from both nations regularly compete. “It should be treated the same way as the Olympics or Asian Games, where India and Pakistan players inevitably cross paths,” he added.

His remarks come at a time when tournaments like the Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy once again put the India-Pakistan cricketing equation under the spotlight. While the broader political debate remains unresolved, Shorey’s pragmatic stance echoes the views of many fans who relish the rivalry on the field but remain wary of a full-fledged bilateral revival.

New Delhi, Sep 10: In the wake of unrest in Nepal, India on Tuesday asked its citizens to defer travel to the neighbouring country until the situation stabilises.

Issuing an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also asked Indian citizens presently in Nepal to avoid going out on the streets and to exercise all due caution.

“In view of the developing situation in Nepal, Indian citizens are advised to defer travel there until the situation has stabilised. Indian citizens presently in Nepal are advised to shelter in their current places of residence, avoid going out onto the streets and exercise all due caution,” the MEA said.

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday in the face of massive anti-government protests sparked by a ban on social media, with the demonstrators attacking private residences of several top politicians, including President Ramchandra Paudel, and vandalising the parliament.

Though the Nepal government on Monday night revoked its ban on social media websites following the protests led by ‘Gen Z’ youths, the agitators continued their demonstration against corruption while demanding accountability for the death of 19 people in police action against protesters.

The MEA advised Indian nationals to follow local safety advisories from Nepal authorities as well as the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

“In case of any assistance required, please call the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, on the following helpline numbers:977 – 980 860 2881; 977 – 981 032 6134,” it said.

India has said it was deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives during the protests in Nepal and expressed the hope that the issues would be resolved through peaceful means.

Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines cancelled their flights from Delhi to Kathmandu on Tuesday amid the anti-government protests.