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PM Shehbaz announces reduced electricity rates for industries

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a reduction in electricity prices for industrial units, aiming to provide relief to the business community and boost production.

Addressing a ceremony held in Islamabad in honor of the country’s leading exporters and business leaders, the Prime Minister stated that electricity rates for industries will be lowered by Rs 4.04 per unit.

He emphasized that the government’s role is not to run businesses but to create a conducive environment for industrial and commercial activities.

Shahbaz Sharif highlighted that economic stability cannot be achieved without industrial growth, and that the government is taking measures to facilitate industrialists and investors.

“The country must now move towards growth, and the proposals of the business community will be given due consideration,” he added.

The Prime Minister referred to traders and industrialists as the backbone of the economy and stressed that their experience will be used to formulate better economic policies.

He further assured that consultation with the business community will be ensured when drafting economic policies so that decisions are aligned with ground realities.

Shahbaz Sharif also noted that cooperation between political and military leadership has opened new avenues for national development. All institutions are aligned, and the positive impact of this coordination is now visible on the economy and business environment.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister pledged that the government will continue to take practical steps to resolve industrial challenges, with the reduction in electricity prices being a part of this ongoing effort to stabilize the industrial sector and strengthen the national economy.

Pakistan, Türkiye military leaders meet to explore mutual interests

Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Turkish General Staff,  General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ).

Upon his arrival at the General Headquarters, he was presented with the guard of honour by a smartly turned contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

During the meeting, besides dilating upon matters of mutual interest, prevailing regional and global security landscape, and prospects for strengthening bilateral defence and military cooperation were also discussed.

The dignitaries expressed satisfaction on current trajectory of Pakistan-Türkiye relations while underscoring the requirement of maintaining close coordination and enhancing defence collaboration.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir highlighted longstanding brotherly relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, rooted in shared history, mutual trust, and strong people-to-people ties.

He appreciated the support and cooperation extended by the Turkish Armed Forces and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral military-to-military relations.

General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu expressed gratitude for the warm reception and appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

He reaffirmed Turkiye’s resolve to deepen defence cooperation, including training, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives.

The visit reflects the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkiye and their shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and security.

Miracle: Boy comes out of coma thanks to friends’ video messages

Miracle: Boy comes

An 8-year-old boy from Hunan Province, China, has miraculously regained consciousness 55 days after falling into a coma following a traffic accident.

The boy, Liu Chushi, went into a coma in November 2025, suffering severe brain damage and lung injuries. Doctors had warned that the chances of him waking up were extremely slim.

Despite the grim prognosis, Liu’s mother refused to give up. She took him to multiple hospitals in search of possible treatments.

Following a doctor’s advice, she began playing familiar sounds and his favorite music near his bedside to stimulate specific areas of the brain.

In addition, Liu’s teacher helped his classmates record short, emotional video messages, encouraging him to wake up.

In one video, a child said, “Chushi, wake up soon, we want to play football together,” while another added, “We all miss you. If you can hear our voices, please open your eyes.”

After continuously playing these videos, Liu’s eyelids began to move 45 days into his coma. A few days later, he smiled upon hearing his teacher’s voice, and on the 55th day, he fully regained consciousness, even managing to move his left hand.

His teacher and classmates later visited him in the hospital and presented him with gifts. Liu’s mother described the moment as life-changing, saying, “We finally saw the sun break through the clouds, and a miracle became possible.”

Liu is now recovering well and showing rapid improvement in his health.

Ali Tareen looks to regain ownership of Multan Sultans

Ali Tareen

LAHORE: Former owner of the Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, is reportedly keen to buy back the Pakistan Super League(PSL) team.

Sources indicate that Ali Tareen has decided to participate in the bidding process for the Multan franchise and has submitted the necessary documents for consideration.

Earlier, Tareen had declined to retain ownership of Multan SultanS and had also expressed interest in bidding for two new PSL teams, though he withdrew at the last moment.

Commenting on his withdrawal from the new team bids, Tareen had stated that if he returns to PSL, it would be for Southern Punjab.

The auction for the Multan franchise is expected to take place on 8th or 9th February.

Melania Trump documentary faces box office flop ahead of release

Melania Trump

The upcoming documentary on First Lady Melania Trump has faced a major setback even before its release at the US and UK box offices.

Produced at a cost of $75 million, the film is scheduled to release on January 30, 2026, but ticket sales in major cinemas in New York and London have been extremely low. Reports suggest that many showings had zero bookings, with only a few seats reserved in some theaters.

The documentary reportedly covers the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, and claims that Melania Trump was paid $28 million for her role.

Amazon reportedly spent $40 million to acquire rights for the film, along with $35 million on marketing, promotion, and distribution.

The film highlights Melania Trump’s life, business ventures, philanthropy, and family responsibilities, and how she helped establish the East Wing of the White House.

 However, some hosts and critics have mocked the film, noting changes made to the historic East Wing during renovations.

Despite promotion on President Trump’s social media accounts urging audiences to watch, ticket sales remain dismal. In New York’s Times Square theaters, evening shows priced at $25 per ticket reportedly sold none.

Social media users have shared images of empty theaters, turning what was intended as a showcase of Melania and Donald Trump’s prominence into a source of public ridicule.

Industry insiders have also criticized the documentary, with some staff members reportedly removing their names from credits over concerns about the film’s propaganda-like tone and impending backlash.

Critics have further targeted Melania for promoting the documentary during significant national events, such as the Minnesota shooting that killed Alex Paretti. Many observers view the film’s poor reception as an ill omen for Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Early projections estimate the film could earn only $1–2 million in its first week, marking a disappointing start for what was intended to be a major cultural and political release.

Pakistan Stock market plunges sharply, loses six psychological levels

Pakistan Stock market

KARACHI: Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange(PSX) ended on a sharply negative note as the market witnessed heavy selling pressure, resulting in the loss of six key psychological levels.

At the close of business, the benchmark KSE-100 Index plunged by 6,042 points to settle at 182,338 points, compared to the previous day’s closing of 188,380 points.

During the session, the index touched an intraday high of 188,923 points, while the lowest level recorded was 181,961 points, reflecting extreme volatility.

Market activity remained robust as shares worth Rs52 billion were traded, with a total volume of 410 million shares exchanged during the day.

Selling pressure was mainly observed in fertilizer, commercial banking, oil and gas, cement, and power generation sectors.

According to market experts, the sharp decline was largely driven by profit-taking, which pushed the market into a steep downward trend.

Vaneeza Ahmed challenges gender bias around children’s birth

Vaneeza Ahmed

KARACHI: Renowned former Pakistani supermodel Vaneeza Ahmed has spoken out against outdated societal beliefs favoring sons over daughters.

Speaking at a recent event, Vaneeza Ahmed shared, “My father was a highly educated man, yet I could sense that in his heart, he wished for his first child to be a boy.”

She emphasized that attitudes are changing in modern times. “Today, women understand their own value. People realize that everyone brings their own destiny, writes their own journey, and creates their own story,” she said.

Vaneeza Ahmed rejected the notion that circumstances at birth or parental status define a person’s future. “Those are old ideas. We are creators, especially women, who are so amazing that limiting beliefs—like ‘I can’t do this’—are meant to be challenged and changed,” she added.

Her remarks highlight a growing cultural shift toward valuing daughters and empowering women to define their own paths, breaking long-standing stereotypes.

Singer Jawad Ahmed criticizes contemporary artists, calls them ‘Greedy’

Singer Jawad Ahmed

KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani singer of the 1990s and current politician, Jawad Ahmed, is once again making headlines for his controversial statements.

Since stepping away from music, Jawad Ahmed  has frequently expressed critical opinions about political figures, celebrities, and his peers in the entertainment industry, attracting significant public attention and debate.

In a recent television interview, he described modern singers as “greedy”. He explained that he left music due to his political commitments and now earns no income from singing, emphasizing that financial motives should not dominate the art of music.

Jawad Ahmed claimed that during his era, artists were accessible to the public, and their cassette sales broke records, impressing audiences even in neighboring India.

He recalled performing in villages without any compensation, with the only condition that his songs carry moral and educational messages.

Criticizing today’s artists, he noted that many are now limited to weddings and corporate events, distancing themselves from the general audience.

“This approach is harmful for both art and artists,” he said, “because the very public that gave them fame is no longer part of their priorities.”

Snowstorm in US claims 65 lives, leaves thousands without power

Snowstorm in US

United States: A severe snowstorm has wreaked havoc across the eastern United States, resulting in 65 deaths from multiple accidents.

Temperatures in the region have plunged below freezing, with Chicago recording -14°C and Cleveland -11°C.

The storm has caused widespread disruption in Tennessee and Mississippi, leaving over 100,000 customers without electricity.

Air travel remains heavily affected. On Wednesday, American Airlines canceled 653 flights and 1,077 others were delayed, while operations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport were significantly disrupted due to snow and rain. U.S. airlines have reportedly offered double pay for additional shifts to staff to cope with the crisis.

The National Weather Service has warned of extreme cold in New York and New Jersey, with frigid conditions expected to persist through next week.

Two-Year-Old snooker prodigy sets two Guinness World Records

Two-Year-Old snooker

United Kingdom: While snooker often challenges even the most experienced players, two-year-old Jodie Owens has stunned the world by setting two Guinness World Records in the game.

Snooker, one of the world’s most popular cue sports, requires precision and technique to pocket balls using a cue stick. Even seasoned players often miss shots that seem straightforward.

However, Jodie Owens from Manchester accomplished remarkable feats at an exceptionally young age.

According to international media, Owens completed a double pot on August 2025 at just 2 years and 261 days old. Less than two months later, on October 12, 2025, at 2 years and 302 days, Owens successfully executed the extremely difficult “pool bank shot”, astonishing fans and snooker enthusiasts alike.

Following these achievements, Jodie Owens was recognized as the youngest player to complete complex snooker shots and was officially listed in the Guinness World Records.