BREAKING NEWS
Advertise with us >

Fahad Mustafa, Mahira Khan’s ‘Aag Lage Basti Mein’ trailer creates buzz

Fahad Mustafa,

KARACHI: The trailer of the much-anticipated film ‘Aag Lage Basti Mein’, starring Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan, has gone viral immediately after its release, generating excitement among fans.

The movie also features renowned actors Javed Sheikh and Tabish Hashmi in key roles. The film is written and directed by Bilal Atif Khan.

A major production by Salman Iqbal Films and Big Bang Films, ‘Aag Lage Basti Mein’ is scheduled to hit cinemas nationwide this Eid-ul-Fitr.

The trailer depicts a conflict between Fahad Mustafa, who desires to follow the right path, and Mahira Khan, whose character seeks quick wealth and encourages him to take the wrong path, leading to escalating tensions and a wave of violence.

Fans on YouTube have praised the trailer, expressing eagerness to watch the full film on the big screen.

Court indicts Ducky Bhai, Aroob Jatoi in gambling promotion case

Court indicts Ducky

LAHORE:  A local court has formally charged YouTuber Saad Ur Rehman, also known as Ducky, his wife Aroob Jatoi, and other accused in a case related to the promotion of online gambling.

The hearing took place at the District Court, Lahore, before Judicial Magistrate Naeem Watto, where all accused appeared in court.

The court proceeded to frame charges against Saad Ur Rehman, his wife, and the other defendants, who pleaded not guilty.

The magistrate has summoned the case witnesses for February 23.

The case has been registered by NCCIA (National Counter Crime Investigation Agency) against Saad Ur Rehman and others, accusing them of promoting online gambling websites.

Nauman Ijaz responds gracefully to Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s criticism

Nauman Ijaz

KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani actor Nauman Ijaz has responded politely to recent harsh remarks made about him by acclaimed writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar.

Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar had recently expressed on a private TV channel that he personally dislikes Noman Ijaz and used strong language regarding the actor, which sparked widespread discussion on social media.

In response, Noman Ijaz spoke on a TV program, stating that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and only Qamar knows the reasons behind his statements.

He emphasized that, as a public figure, he is not a public property, and personal life or family should not be subjected to inappropriate commentary.

He further added that while everyone has the right to express opinions, it should always be done within the bounds of respect.

This calm and measured response from Noman Ijaz has been widely appreciated by fans and social media users.

Afghan mastermind behind Islamabad suicide attack arrested: security sources

Afghan mastermind

ISLAMABAD: Authorities have arrested the Afghan mastermind behind the suicide bombing in Islamabad, security sources confirmed.

The attacker, linked to the banned ISIS organization, carried out the deadly attack in the suburban area of Tarlai Kalan, killing 33 people and injuring over 150 others at Imam Bargah and Khadijah-ul-Kubra Mosque.

According to officials, significant progress was made in the investigation through coordinated intelligence and law enforcement operations in Peshawar and Nowshera, resulting in the capture of four facilitators who aided the suicide bomber.

Security sources stated that the operations were carried out using both technical surveillance and human intelligence, leading to the identification and arrest of the key Afghan orchestrator.

The Islamabad attack has been described as one of the deadliest in recent years, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by terrorist networks in the region.

Authorities have made significant progress in the investigation of the suicide bombing at an Imam Bargah in Islamabad, police sources confirmed.

A raid conducted at the attacker’s home in Peshawar led to the arrest of two brothers, a brother-in-law, and a woman connected to the suspect. Investigators recovered the suicide bomber’s identity card at the blast site, which identified him as Yasir, with a permanent address in Abbas Colony, Shirojangi Charsadda Road, Peshawar, and a current residence in Ganj Mohalla, Qazian, Peshawar.

Authorities revealed that the attacker had spent five months in Afghanistan, where he received training in weapons handling and suicide bombing techniques.

Police have launched additional raids in Peshawar and Nowshera to track down the bomber’s network and accomplices, while the investigation continues into all aspects of the incident, including contacts and facilitators linked to the attack.

Officials said that further critical evidence is expected during the investigation, which will shed more light on the background of the terrorist act in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, one more injured person has succumbed to wounds from the suicide bombing at Khadijah-ul-Kubra Mosque and Imam Bargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, raising the death toll to 33, hospital sources confirmed.

According to hospital officials, the bodies of all 33 victims have been handed over to their families. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) received 149 casualties from the blast, including 28 deceased and 121 injured.

After overnight medical treatment, 64 injured patients remain at PIMS, with 20 in critical condition and 9 in the ICU. Injuries are being treated in Surgical Ward 1 and Surgical Ward 4, while 13 other patients are under care at Polyclinic Hospital.

The attack, which occurred yesterday in Tarlai, Islamabad, targeted the Imam Bargah and Khadijah-ul-Kubra Mosque, leaving the community in shock and prompting ongoing investigations.

Prakash Raj exposes Kangana Ranaut’s true colors

Prakash Raj exposes

MUMBAI: Renowned Indian musician AR Rahman recently faced criticism from Bollywood actress and politician Kangana Ranaut, prompting actor Prakash Raj to defend the Oscar-winning composer amid rising tensions over freedom of artistic choice.

Kangana had attempted to label Rahman as anti-national after he declined to contribute a song for her film Emergency, a move that drew widespread attention given her controversial statements and political affiliations with the BJP.

Speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival during a discussion on “Criminalizing Dissent”, Prakash Raj expressed full support for Rahman.

He highlighted that the composer had earned acclaim and international recognition with hits like Maa Tujhe Salaam and Jai Ho, and does not need validation for his artistic choices.

Without naming Kangana directly, Raj questioned the fairness of branding an artist as anti-national merely for refusing work on a project. He also criticized the tendency to claim personal films as classics while attacking others for dissent.

Raj added that turning differences of opinion into personal vendettas and levying serious accusations like treason is a concerning trend in the industry.

Manoj Bajpayee’s film ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ faces backlash over title

Manoj Bajpayee

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming Netflix film “‘Ghooskhor Pandit’” (Corrupt Pandit) has sparked intense criticism even before its release, prompting the actor to respond to the controversy.

According to Indian media reports, the film features Bajpayee in the lead role as a corrupt police officer named Ajay Dixit, colloquially referred to as “Pandit.” The teaser, released during a Mumbai event, quickly went viral on social media, generating widespread backlash over the film’s title and its perceived insensitivity.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) demanded the title be withdrawn immediately, stating that it hurts the sentiments of a specific community and could undermine social harmony.

Critics have argued that associating the term “Pandit” with corruption in mainstream entertainment is offensive, claiming it links unethical behavior to a particular community, sparking a broader debate on caste representation in Indian cinema. Some viewers have called for a ban on the film, while others have urged Netflix and the filmmakers to change the title.

Directed by Neeraj Pandey, known for successful Netflix projects such as “Khaki: The Bihar Chapter”, the film has drawn attention not only for its storyline but also for the sensitive discussions it has ignited about community portrayal and cultural sensitivity.

Bajpayee has since addressed the critics, providing a reasoned response defending the film, though details of his statement have not been fully disclosed.

PSX sees volatile trading, index records marginal decline

PSX sees volatile

KARACHI: Trading activity at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained volatile during the past week, with the benchmark 100-Index posting a marginal decline.

Over the week, the 100-Index shed 45 points, closing at 184,129 points, compared to 184,174 points at the end of the previous week. Due to a public holiday on Youm-e-Kashmir, trading activities were limited to four days during the week.

Market performance remained mixed, as the PSX witnessed three bullish sessions and one bearish session. During the week, the index touched a highest level of 188,312 points, while the lowest level recorded was 182,792 points.

The market capitalization also took a hit, declining by Rs 86 billion during the five-day trading period. As a result, total market capitalization dropped to Rs 20,882 billion by the end of the week.

Market analysts attributed the subdued performance mainly to profit-taking by investors and concerns arising from the US-Iran tensions, which weighed on overall investor sentiment and limited buying activity.

Nipah virus claims woman’s life in Bangladesh, WHO confirms

Nipah virus

DHAKA: A woman has died after contracting the Nipah virus in Bangladesh, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed. The deceased, aged between 40 and 50 years, was a resident of Naogaon district.

According to details, symptoms of the virus appeared on January 21, including fever, headache, excessive salivation, confusion, and seizures.

The woman’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away about a week later. Laboratory confirmation of the Nipah virus came a day after her death.

Health officials stated that the woman had recently consumed raw date palm sap, a known risk factor for Nipah virus transmission.

She had no recent travel history. After being admitted to hospital on January 28, blood and throat samples were collected, and the virus was confirmed in laboratory tests on January 29.

The WHO said that 35 individuals who came into close contact with the patient are currently under monitoring, and so far, no symptoms have been detected among them.

This case has emerged shortly after two Nipah virus cases were reported in India’s West Bengal, prompting several South Asian countries to strengthen health screening and surveillance measures at airports.

The WHO chief described Nipah as a rare but highly serious disease, stating that authorities are actively working to enhance disease surveillance, testing, prevention strategies, and public awareness to protect communities.

According to reports, around 348 Nipah virus cases have been recorded in Bangladesh since 2001. Nearly half of these cases were linked to the consumption of raw date palm sap. The fatality rate of the virus ranges from 40 percent to as high as 75 percent.

The WHO has emphasized that no specific vaccine or treatment is currently available for Nipah virus. The disease is primarily transmitted from bats to humans, often through contaminated fruits or raw date palm juice.

In response to regional concerns, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Pakistan, among other countries, have initiated temperature screening at airports. Singapore has also mandated 14 days of daily temperature and symptom monitoring for workers arriving from West Bengal.

PCB informs ICC of decision not to play against India in T20 World Cup

PCB informs ICC

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its refusal to play against India in the February 15 league match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, according to reports by Indian website Cricbuzz.

Indian media reports stated that Pakistan has communicated the specific reasons behind this decision to the ICC. Earlier, the Government of Pakistan had cleared the national team to participate in the tournament but explicitly prohibited them from facing India during the league stage.

Sources told Cricbuzz that the ICC has asked the PCB for clarifications under the Force Majeure clause in the Terms of Participation, seeking details on the steps Pakistan had taken to mitigate the claim.

The government in Islamabad has authorized the national side to play other matches but maintained its restriction on the marquee clash with India on February 15.

This situation follows Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw from playing in India, citing security concerns. As a result, Bangladesh was removed from Group C by the ICC and replaced by Scotland. Pakistan had supported Bangladesh’s request to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka.

“It’s sad Bangladesh is not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully, they will support us,” said Agha, referring to Pakistan’s hopes of regional solidarity.

Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for over a decade, meeting only in multinational tournaments. In the group stage, Pakistan will now face Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Trump posts offensive AI video targeting Barack and Michelle Obama

Trump posts offensive

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama in a highly offensive manner, but later deleted it following widespread criticism on social media.

The video, which portrayed the Obamas in a derogatory way, was reportedly posted in error by a White House staff member, according to official statements, and was promptly removed.

Former Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris criticized the White House’s attempt to downplay the incident, saying, “No one is convinced by this explanation. We all know who Trump is and what his views are.”

Meanwhile, Democratic leader Bernie Sanders condemned the video, asking, “Will Republican colleagues continue to kneel before this racist individual?”

Responding to the controversy, Trump stated that he had not fully watched the post before it went up. “As soon as I realized, we took it down. It wasn’t a mistake. I look at thousands of things,” he added.

This incident adds to ongoing tensions between Trump and his political rivals, highlighting the increasingly controversial use of AI-generated media in political discourse.