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Nora Fatehi’s Morocco trip fuels rumors about Achraf Hakimi

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Nora Fatehi

Moroccan-origin Bollywood dancer and actress Nora Fatehi has been making headlines recently due to her international engagements and travels.

Over the weekend, she shared glimpses from a football match on social media, which quickly went viral. Fatehi attended a match in Morocco as part of the EFCON tournament, posting photos and videos from the event.

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A post shared by Nora Fatehi (@norafatehi)

Fans praised her posts, while some speculated about a possible romantic connection, fueling widespread rumors. Reports suggest that Nora may have traveled to support a “special player,” believed to be Moroccan football captain Achraf Hakimi.

Hakimi, 27, is a professional footballer currently playing for the French club Paris Saint-Germain.

So far, neither Nora Fatehi nor Achraf Hakimi has publicly addressed the speculation, though curiosity among fans continues to grow.

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A post shared by Mamaraazzi (@mamaraazzi)

Interestingly, in a previous interview, when asked about her favorite Moroccan footballer, Nora had mentioned Achraf Hakimi by name, adding further fuel to the rumors.

American Hunter bags Kashmir Markhor in Chitral

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American Hunter

ISLAMABAD: An American hunter has hunted a rare Kashmir markhor in Chitral under the strict supervision of the Wildlife Department.

According to the Wildlife Department, the hunter obtained a trophy hunting permit for 270,000 US dollars, which amounts to approximately Rs 75.6 million in Pakistani currency.

Officials said the majestic Kashmir markhor, with 52-inch horns, was hunted from a distance of 510 meters. The hunt was conducted in accordance with wildlife conservation rules and regulations.

The department added that the American hunter requested anonymity. As per policy, 80 percent of the revenue generated from trophy hunting will be spent on the welfare and development of the local community.

Pakistan Auto sales surge 46% in first half of fiscal year

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Pakistan Auto sales

KARACHI: Pakistan’s automobile market recorded a strong rebound in the first six months of the current fiscal year, with overall vehicle sales rising by 46 percent.

According to a report released by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), total vehicle sales increased to 88,322 units during the six-month period.

The report shows that sales of jeeps and pickup vehicles grew by 58 percent, reaching 22,412 units. Truck sales witnessed a sharp rise of 106 percent to 3,071 units, while bus sales increased by 52 percent to 461 units.

Motorcycle and rickshaw sales also showed significant growth, climbing 33 percent to 921,566 units.

In contrast, tractor sales declined by 26 percent, falling to 12,929 units during the same period.

From Millions to Dollars: Performance charges of Pakistan’s music icons revealed

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From Millions to Dollars

LAHORE: Renowned Pakistani singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam rank among the world’s most popular music stars, celebrated for their electrifying concerts and exclusive performances at high-profile wedding events.

Both artists have delivered numerous chart-topping songs for the Indian film industry, earning global acclaim and commanding premium performance fees.

The two singers recently performed at the wedding of Ayesha Talpur, daughter of Faryal Talpur, an event that attracted widespread attention on social media.

At the special request of distinguished guests, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam performed their iconic hits, turning the celebration into a memorable musical evening.

During a recent television programme, a senior anchorperson disclosed details of the artists’ wedding performance fees. According to the anchor, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan charges approximately PKR 12.5 million for a wedding performance within Pakistan. The fee increases if the event is held in another city, while overseas performances reportedly cost double the domestic rate.

The anchor further revealed that Atif Aslam previously refrained from performing at weddings, but around seven years ago, real estate tycoon Malik Riaz persuaded him to perform at his grandson’s wedding.

Atif Aslam reportedly demanded PKR 15 million to decline the offer; however, the amount was paid, marking the beginning of his wedding performances. Since then, Atif Aslam has been charging between PKR 25 to 30 million per event.

It was also disclosed that legendary Sufi singer Abida Parveen rarely performs at private events due to health reasons, but when she does, her fee ranges between USD 60,000 to 70,000. According to reports, the total cost of musical performances at the mentioned wedding was close to PKR 70 million, underscoring the lavish scale of the event.

World Liberty CEO meets CDF Asim Munir amid digital finance push

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World Liberty

RAWALPINDI: A delegation of World Liberty Financial USA led by Mr Zachary Witkoff, Chief Executive Officer of a leading global Fintech firm called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir.

According to the Inter Services Public Realtions (ISPR), meeting reflected the growing interest of international private investment groups in Pakistan’s evolving economic landscape and also signals rising global confidence in Pakistan’s fintech potential and aims to strengthen financial inclusion and cross border digital finance.

 Mr Witkoff highlighted the immense economic potential Pakistan holds and lauded the efforts of Pakistan’s leadership in embracing futuristic technologies to realize the full possibilities of its economic prowess.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir welcomed the exchange of views and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to economic stability, investor confidence, and enabling an environment conducive to responsible private sector participation in national development.

ICC releases latest player rankings: Pakistani cricketers show mixed results

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ICC releases

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest player rankings for Test, ODI, and T20 formats, showing a mix of progress and setbacks for Pakistani cricketers.

In the T20 batting rankings, Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan climbed one spot to reach 5th position, while national team captain Salman Ali Agha made a significant jump of 13 places, moving up to 41st.

Among T20 bowlers, Salman Mirza advanced 16 places to secure 19th position, whereas Abrar Ahmed slipped one spot to 5th.

 In the T20 all-rounders list, Saim Ayub dropped from first to second place, while Mohammad Nawaz retained his 5th position.

In the ODI bowling rankings, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan remains at number one, with Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed holding steady at 9th. For Test batsmen, England’s Joe Root continues to top the charts.

Babar Azam retains his 6th position in the ODI batting rankings, while former Indian captain Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot.

The updated rankings highlight the strengths and areas for improvement among Pakistani cricketers ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

PCB announces Pakistan-Australia T20 series

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PCB announces

LAHORE The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule for a three-match T20 series against Australia ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The series will take place at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, with the first T20 scheduled for January 29, the second on January 31, and the third on February 1. The Australian T20 squad is set to arrive in Lahore on Wednesday, January 28.

The PCB described the series as a key preparation opportunity for both teams before the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7 in India, where Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka.

This home series is expected to provide crucial match practice and help both teams fine-tune strategies ahead of the global tournament.

Archana Puran Singh diagnosed with rare chronic pain disorder CRPS

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Archana Puran Singh

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress and TV personality Archana Puran Singh has been diagnosed with a rare medical condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), her son Ayushman Sethi revealed through an Instagram video.

According to Ayushman, the condition developed in 2025 after Archana sustained a wrist injury during the filming of “Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video”.

The disease has permanently affected her hand, causing chronic and severe pain, but she has continued working in films and web series, and even launched her own YouTube channel at age 60.

What is CRPS?

Medical experts describe CRPS as a chronic neurological pain disorder in which pain is much more intense and prolonged than expected after an injury, sometimes persisting even after the wound has healed. In this condition, the nervous system fails to regulate pain signals properly, causing the brain and spinal cord to amplify pain messages continuously.

Symptoms of CRPS include burning or stabbing pain, heightened sensitivity to minor touch or temperature changes, swelling, skin color changes, excessive sweating, stiffness, and weakness in the affected limb.

Doctors emphasized that while CRPS is not life-threatening, it is a life-altering condition that requires awareness for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Despite the chronic pain, Archana Puran Singh has remained active in the entertainment industry, inspiring fans with her resilience and determination.

Zoe Saldaña becomes highest-grossing actress worldwide

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Zoe Saldaña

Hollywood actress Zoe Saldaña has been named the highest-grossing actress in the world, with her films earning more globally than any other female or male actor.

The 47-year-old Oscar-winning actress achieved this milestone with her latest release, Avatar: The Way of Fire, which has so far grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, surpassing Scarlett Johansson. In total, Zoe Saldaña’s films have now earned $15.46 billion at the global box office.

Saldaña’s illustrious career includes the two original Avatar films, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, and appearances in Avengers films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Beyond Marvel, she has also starred in the Star Trek series and the first Pirates of the Caribbean film.

Scarlett Johansson held the title in 2024, largely due to the success of Jurassic World: Rebirth, which grossed over $860 million globally. Johansson has also been a key figure in several Marvel Universe films.

Although Avatar: The Way of Fire may not reach the box office heights of the first two Avatar films, it is still considered a major commercial success.

Saldaña won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress last year, further cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s top performers.

Director James Cameron is reportedly planning two more films in the Avatar series, though no official confirmation has yet been released.

Pakistan signs MoU with World Liberty Financial

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Pakistan signs MoU

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and World Liberty Financial have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting innovation in digital payments and advancing the country’s digital financial ecosystem.

The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the Chairman of Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, and other senior officials.

Separately, Prime Minister Sharif met a delegation from World Liberty Financial USA, led by CEO Zachary Witkoff, to discuss collaborative opportunities.

 During the meeting, the prime minister briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan vision, emphasizing that digital connectivity, transparency, and public access are government priorities. He noted that digital payments and financial innovation form a crucial part of the nation’s digital economy.

Prime Minister Sharif also highlighted that growing global interest in Pakistan’s digital financial markets is encouraging and that the country is steadily becoming part of the global digital finance landscape.

On the occasion, Zachary Witkoff expressed interest in working with Pakistan to develop a secure and transparent digital payment infrastructure, including innovations in cross-border settlements and foreign exchange payments.