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Newsdesk

Trump names members of Gaza Peace Board amid Middle East plan

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Trump names

WASHINGTON / GAZA: Under US President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan, the governance of Gaza will be managed by a newly formed Gaza Peace Board, replacing Hamas’s administrative role.

 The board will include international leaders and experts to oversee transitional governance and implement the peace plan.

According to global news agencies, President Trump announced the members of the Gaza Peace Board, marking the second phase of the Gaza peace initiative. Trump has appointed himself as chairman of the board, taking responsibility for guiding transitional governance and advancing the peace plan.

Notable International Members

Sir Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister (1997–2007), will serve as an international board member.

US Senator Marco Rubio, a close Trump ally, has been appointed as a member to play a key role in administrative oversight.

Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and special envoy, is included as a board member.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy for Middle East peace, will also participate in the board.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, will provide guidance on international financial support and investment strategies.

Mark Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management, will handle economic development, investment, and financial assistance matters.

Robert Gabirel, US Deputy National Security Advisor, will serve as security adviser for strategic and security affairs in Gaza.

Nikole Miladinov, former Bulgarian diplomat and UN Special Representative for the Middle East, will act as a liaison between the board and international committees.

Palestinian Leadership

Dr. Ali Shath, a prominent Palestinian technocrat, has been appointed head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, tasked with daily administration, restoring essential services, and rebuilding institutions.

Executive Board and International Cooperation

An additional Gaza Executive Board has been formed, including international Muslim and Israeli figures:

Hakan Fidan, Turkish Foreign Minister

Ali Al-Thawadi, Qatari diplomat

Gen. Hassan Rashid, Egypt’s intelligence chief

Reem Al-Hashimi, UAE Minister

Yakir Gabe, Israeli businessman

Segerdo Kaag, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands

This executive board will assist the Peace Board in governance, service delivery, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

England beat Pakistan by 37 runs in ICC under-19 World Cup clash

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England beat Pakistan

HARARE: England defeated Pakistan by 37 runs in the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup match played in Harare.

Chasing a target of 211, Pakistan were bowled out for 173 runs in the 47th over. Captain Farhan Yousuf top-scored for Pakistan with a fighting 65 runs, while Momin Qamar remained unbeaten on 18.

Other Pakistani batters failed to build partnerships, with Huzifa Ahsan (17), Abdul Subhan (14), Ahmed Hussain (12), Sameer Minhas (10), Umar Zaib (10) and Muhammad Shayan (7) making modest contributions.

England’s bowling attack was led by James Minto, Alex Green, and Ralphie Albert, who claimed two wickets each, while Manny Lamsden and Farhan Ahmed picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier, England were bowled out for 210 runs in 46.5 overs after Pakistan opted to field first. Caleb Falconer starred with 66 runs, supported by Ben Dawkins (33) and Ralphie Albert (25).

For Pakistan, Ahmed Hussain took three wickets, while Ali Raza, Momin Qamar, and Abdul Subhan grabbed two wickets each.

In other matches of the tournament, Australia defeated Ireland by eight wickets, while Afghanistan beat South Africa by 28 runs to make a winning start to their campaign.

‘Chhota Cheeku’ goes viral after heartwarming meeting with Virat Kohli

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‘Chhota Cheeku’

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli’s lookalikes have often gone viral on social media, but this time the spotlight has shifted to an unexpectedly adorable figure — a young child whose striking resemblance to the batting icon has captured widespread attention.

Unlike previous instances featuring adult doppelgangers, this viral moment features an innocent child who fans have affectionately nicknamed “Chhota Cheeku.”

The heartwarming scene emerged ahead of India’s one-day international against New Zealand in Vadodara, where a photo of Kohli standing alongside the young fan quickly spread across social platforms.

The child was later identified as Gurvit Uttam, hailing from Panchkula, Haryana. In a recent interview, Gurvit shared details of his unforgettable encounter, revealing that Kohli smiled upon seeing him and lovingly called him “Chhota Cheeku.”

According to Gurvit, he was cheering loudly from the stands, chanting “Virat, Virat,” when Kohli noticed him and gestured that he would come over. Moments later, the cricket superstar fulfilled that promise, creating a magical memory for the young fan.

Gurvit further recalled that Kohli even called Indian captain Rohit Sharma over, jokingly saying, “Look, my duplicate is sitting here,” drawing laughter and delight from those present.

Virat Kohli is popularly known by his childhood nickname “Cheeku,” and fans were quick to appreciate the symbolic passing on of the title to his young lookalike. In a video shared on Instagram, Gurvit revealed that he also plays cricket, bats right-handed like Kohli, and considers the Indian great his biggest inspiration.

While Kohli’s lookalikes have surfaced many times before, ‘Chhota Cheeku’ has carved out a special place in fans’ hearts — not just for his resemblance, but for his innocence and a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with his hero.

Actress Hina Afridi ties the knot with Taimoor Akbar

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Actress Hina Afridi

LAHORE:  Renowned Pakistani model and television actress Hina Afridi has married Taimoor Akbar in a graceful and elegant wedding ceremony, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The intimate yet tasteful event, defined by simplicity and elegance, quickly became the talk of social media as wedding photos and videos of the couple went viral. Fans admired the couple’s chemistry as they shared heartfelt moments while officially saying “Qubool Hai.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hina khalid Hussain Khan Afridi (@hinaafridiofficial)

Hina Afridi looked radiant in her bridal attire, opting for a refined and elegant look, while Taimur Akbar complemented her style with a simple yet classy appearance.

Their pairing has been widely praised by fans, with social media users showering the newlyweds with love and best wishes.

Hina Afridi has carved a strong identity in the modeling and acting industry within a short span of time. She has appeared in several popular television dramas and is currently receiving acclaim for her performance in her latest project.

Last month, she announced her engagement to Taimur Akbar through a charming Instagram post, sparking excitement among fans eagerly awaiting the wedding.

Following the wedding announcement, congratulatory messages have poured in from across the entertainment industry.

Celebrities including Sami Khan and Aiman Khan, along with thousands of fans, extended heartfelt wishes, prayers, and blessings to the newly married couple.

Major terror attack foiled in Kharan; 12 militants killed

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Major terror attack

RAWALPINDI: Security forces successfully thwarted a large-scale terrorist attack in Kharan carried out by 15–20 militants affiliated with Fitna-e-Hindustan, targeting city police stations and banks.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), approximately fifteen to twenty Indian sponsored terrorists of Fitna Al Hindustan carried out multiple terrorist activities in Kharan City, District Kharan.

Wherein, terrorists attacked City Police Station, National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited. During the activity, Rs 3.4 Million were looted from the banks by terrorists.

Security Forces effectively responded and engaged the terrorists, prompting them to retreat. During the ensuing clearance operation, twelve terrorists were sent to hell in three different engagements. Terrorists’ design to create a hostage situation at the police station was also effectively thwarted.

Sanitization operation continues in the surroundings to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorists. A relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Australia closes 4.7 million social media accounts following under-16 ban

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Australia

Canberra: Following Australia’s groundbreaking ban on social media use for children under 16, platforms have reportedly closed 4.7 million accounts belonging to minors across the country.

The action comes just one month after the law came into effect on 10 December 2025, reflecting the swift and wide-ranging impact of the regulation.

According to Al Arabiya Urdu, Australia’s eSafety agency confirmed that social media companies have removed nearly 4.7 million accounts to comply with the new law.

Reuters reported that some platforms began deleting accounts weeks before the official enforcement date, in anticipation of the restrictions.

These figures represent the first official data on compliance, indicating that companies are taking serious measures to adhere to the law.

Violations of the law could result in fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 33 million) for companies, though children and their parents are not held responsible.

The total number of removed accounts has exceeded earlier estimates based on population data. Previously, Meta disclosed that it had removed approximately 550,000 accounts of minors from Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 12 Palestinians including Hamas commander

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Israeli airstrikes

Gaza City: At least 12 Palestinians, including a senior Hamas military commander, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza over the past 24 hours, Al Jazeera reported. Another 18 people were injured during the attacks.

Israeli authorities confirmed that Mohammed Al-Houli, a commander of Hamas’ military wing Al-Qassam Brigades, was among those killed.

Hamas condemned the strikes, calling them a “clear violation of the ceasefire agreement”. The group said the attacks demonstrated Israel’s failure to adhere to the truce and accused it of attempting to weaken the agreement to restart hostilities against Gaza’s population.

Since the ceasefire was implemented in October 2023, over 400 Palestinians have been killed. Israeli operations have destroyed buildings in more than half of Gaza, displacing over 2 million people, many of whom now live in temporary shelters or damaged buildings.

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, since the start of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023, at least 71,455 Palestinians have been killed.

Saudi King honors 200 organ donors with royal medals

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Saudi King

Riyadh: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has approved the awarding of King Abdulaziz Medals (Third Class) to 200 citizens who donated their organs, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi media reported that the recognition aims to appreciate the humanitarian spirit of organ donors and to encourage other citizens to consider organ donation.

The royal honors highlight the kingdom’s commitment to promoting social responsibility and compassion among its citizens.

PIMS doctors examines Imran Khan at Adiala Jail

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PIMS doctors

RAWALPINDI:  A three-member team of doctors from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) conducted a medical examination of former Prime Minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, according to jail sources.

The medical team included Dr. Zulfiqar, Dr. Arif, and Dr. Asal, who carried out a detailed checkup. The examination covered eyes and teeth, while a general physician in the team conducted a full medical assessment of Khan’s health.

Sources stated that the doctors prescribed some medications for Imran Khan and will submit a complete medical report to the jail administration.

Second marriage of Junaid Safdar starts amid social media spotlight

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Second marriage

LAHORE: The wedding festivities of Junaid Safdar, son of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, have begun in full swing, drawing attention from showbiz, political circles, and social media alike.

Junaid Safdar is set to marry Shanze Ali Rohail, granddaughter of Sheikh Rohail Asghar, a senior leader of PML-N and former member of the National Assembly. The wedding celebrations, including Mehndi, Baraat, and Walima, will take place in Jati Umra from January 16 to 18, 2026.

According to reports, the Mehndi ceremony was held tonight at Jati Umra, attended by close family members of both the Sharif and Sheikh Rohail families.

Renowned dancer Wahab Shah was invited to perform during the event. Around 350 guests were served at the function, with traditional Pakistani cuisine prepared by the Sharif household to offer a lavish experience.

A designed wedding card has gone viral on social media, announcing the Walima ceremony on January 18, 2026, at 1 PM at Jati Umra Sharif Farms.

This is Junaid Safdar’s second marriage; his first marriage to the daughter of prominent businessman Saif ur Rehman ended in divorce in 2023.

Social media users have been actively commenting on the wedding’s grandeur, promotional card, and event details, while political observers are noting the close economic and social ties between the Sharif family and Sheikh Rohail’s family.