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Actor Zarar Khan announces marriage, shares Nikkah photos

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Actor Zarar Khan

KARACHI: Rising Pakistani actor Zarar Khan has shared joyful news with fans, announcing the beginning of a new chapter in his personal life as he tied the knot.

Photos posted by the actor on social media quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and an outpouring of congratulatory messages from fans and fellow showbiz personalities.

Images shared on Instagram revealed that Zarar Khan solemnized his nikkah with businesswoman Momal Khan on December 28, 2025. Accompanying the pictures, the actor added a lighthearted caption that read: “Who said you can’t win a girl’s heart by cooking?”—a line that amused his followers.

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The nikkah ceremony was held in a simple and private setting. Zarar Khan was seen wearing a white shalwar kameez with a matching waistcoat, while the bride, Momal Khan, opted for an elegant pistachio-colored outfit featuring delicate golden embroidery, sequins, zari, and intricate detailing.

Zarar Khan belongs to a Pashtun family and began his career in modeling and digital content creation. He gained popularity through cooking videos on Instagram before transitioning into acting. Prior to entering the entertainment industry full-time, he also worked a regular job, which he later left to pursue his passion.

His wife, Momal Khan, is a successful entrepreneur. She is the founder of a consultancy and immigration firm and also serves as the co-founder of a clothing brand.

The wedding announcement and photos continue to trend on social media, with fans and celebrities alike extending warm wishes and prayers to the newly married couple.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Middle East’s best player award again

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Dubai: Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Middle East’s Best Player award for the third consecutive year, reaffirming his dominance in the region’s football scene.

Ronaldo clinched the honor at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards, held in Dubai on December 27. The 40-year-old forward used the occasion to reiterate his strong determination to reach the historic milestone of 1,000 career goals.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ronaldo said he wants to continue playing at the highest level, win more trophies, and achieve the 1,000-goal mark. “You know my goal. I want to keep playing, win more trophies, and reach 1,000 goals. I will get there, God willing, if I stay injury-free,” he said.

Following his recent two-goal performance for Al-Nassr against Al-Akhdoud, Ronaldo’s career tally has now reached 956 goals, leaving him just 44 goals away from the unprecedented 1,000-goal landmark—an achievement no footballer has officially accomplished to date.

Ronaldo’s latest accolade further cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history and highlights his continued impact even in the later stages of his illustrious career.

Pakistan voices concern over atrocities against minorities in India

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Pakistan voices concern

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed serious concern over what it described as ongoing atrocities against minorities in India, condemning recent incidents of violence and discrimination.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan strongly condemned acts of vandalism and violence against Christian individuals during Christmas celebrations. The statement also denounced violence against Muslims, calling it a grave violation of fundamental human rights.

The Foreign Office urged the international community to take notice of what it termed serious violations of minority rights in India and called for concrete action to ensure the protection of basic rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities.

The spokesperson further stated that a state-backed campaign against Muslims is continuing in India, expressing concern over the demolition of Muslim homes.

Reference was also made to attempts to shield perpetrators in the Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case, noting that such incidents have deepened fear and insecurity among Muslim communities in the country.

Pakistan reiterated its call for accountability and respect for international human rights obligations, urging India to safeguard the rights and dignity of all minorities.

Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack on President Putin’s official residence

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Russia accuses Ukraine

Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to attack the official residence of President Vladimir Putin, escalating tensions amid ongoing discussions about possible peace negotiations.

According to a news agency, Russian authorities claimed that Ukraine targeted President Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region. It was not reported whether President Putin was present at the residence at the time of the alleged attack.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ukraine attempted to strike the residence using long-range drones, claiming that 91 drones were launched between December 28 and 29. Lavrov said all the drones were intercepted and shot down by Russian air defense systems.

Describing the alleged attack as “state terrorism,” Lavrov warned that Ukraine’s “irresponsible actions” would be met with a response.

He added that the incident occurred during a period of potential peace talks, noting that Russia would reassess its position on negotiations, though it would not withdraw from the peace process entirely.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia’s claims, calling the allegations false. He accused Moscow of attempting to sabotage peace efforts and using such accusations to justify attacks on Ukrainian government facilities.

Zelensky further urged the United States to respond to what he described as Russia’s threats and pressure tactics, warning against efforts to undermine diplomatic solutions to the conflict.

US leaders seek special designation for India over religious rights violations

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US leaders seek

Washington: Three prominent US leaders—Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman, Chairperson of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Vicki Hartzler, and Vice-Chair Dr. Asif Mahmood—have called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.

In a joint op-ed published in an American newspaper, the leaders highlighted concerns over escalating restrictions on religious freedom in India, noting that while global attention often focuses on China, the world’s largest democracy is witnessing increasingly harsh measures against citizens’ religious beliefs.

This marks the first time a South Asian, particularly a Pakistani-American Muslim, has held a leadership role in this high-profile US commission. Dr. Asif Mahmood, originally from Kharian, Pakistan, now resides in California.

The lawmakers cited that since 1928, twelve Indian states have enacted anti-conversion laws, which authorities have frequently used to unjustly detain individuals and accuse religious leaders of attempting to convert others to Christianity or Islam. These laws have sometimes been associated with religious violence and communal unrest.

They highlighted examples from Goa, where the Chief Minister sought to enforce “love jihad” laws—based on Hindu nationalist conspiracy theories alleging Muslim men marry Hindu women to convert them to Islam. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, a Christian pastor and his wife were falsely accused of attempting to convert Hindu neighbors under the guise of education and food programs.

The US leaders warned that religious minorities in India are increasingly targeted, with innocent citizens being harmed. In Madhya Pradesh, proposals have even suggested the death penalty for forced religious conversions.

The trio emphasized that India, which seeks strong ties with the United States, can demonstrate its commitment to shared values by repealing anti-conversion laws and upholding religious freedom.

Sri Lanka make big move ahead of ICC T20 World Cup

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Sri Lanka

Colombo: Ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the Sri Lankan cricket team has made a significant leadership change by replacing Charith Asalanka with Dasun Shanaka, who has been reinstated as the T20 team captain.

According to Cricinfo, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board announced that Shanaka will lead the team for the tournament scheduled in February next year and will continue as captain until the conclusion of the event.

The decision on captaincy was delayed due to the expiration of the former selection committee, which was chaired by Appul Tharanga.

Upon announcing the preliminary squad for the World Cup, Sri Lanka’s new chief selector, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, confirmed that Shanaka would helm the team. The choice was made in consultation with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya.

The chief selector stated that the 25-member squad prepared by the previous selection committee has been retained as the initial squad.

After detailed discussions with high-performance head Jerome J. Ratnayake and the coaching staff, this squad was deemed optimal for the tournament.

Wickramasinghe added that Dasun Shanaka is considered as an all-rounder, and his role will be finalized in consultation with the coaching staff in the coming days.

It is noteworthy that Shanaka had been appointed vice-captain during the tri-nation series in Pakistan last month, as Charith Asalanka had to leave the series midway due to illness.

During that tournament, Sri Lanka suffered a defeat against Zimbabwe but managed to reach the final, where they lost to hosts Pakistan.

Nora Fatehi shares insight on special dance performance in ‘Jailer 2’

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Nora Fatehi

Chennai: Indian actress and dancer Nora Fatehi has described her special dance performance in superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming film Jailer 2 as a “memorable and spectacular experience.”

Reports indicate that Nora has completed shooting her item number for the film, which was filmed in Chennai.

A video circulating on social media shows Nora leaving the set after completing the shoot. While she did not mention the film’s name in the clip, she referred to the project as “truly epic.”

Speaking about the shoot, Nora said it was the last day of filming, everything went exceptionally well, and she performed something very special, though early morning calls at 4 a.m. left her exhausted.

This marks Nora Fatehi’s first collaboration with Rajinikanth. Interestingly, the song Kavala performed by Tamanna Bhatia in Jailer (2023) gained massive popularity, raising expectations for the sequel’s special dance numbers.

Nora Fatehi is also set to make her debut as a lead actress in the Tamil film industry with Raghava Lawrence’s horror-comedy Kanchana 4, in which she will star alongside Pooja Hegde.

Jailer 2 is an action-comedy directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, featuring Rajinikanth in the lead role. The film is expected to include prominent actors such as Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, Vijay Sethupathi, Vidya Balan, and Mithun Chakraborty, and is scheduled for release in August 2026.

Lahore Bridal Fashion Week kicks off with glamour and elegance

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Lahore Bridal Fashion

LAHORE: The three-day Bridal Fashion Week in Lahore began with grandeur and flair, showcasing a spectacular blend of fashion, color, and elegance on its opening day.

Renowned dress designers presented their bridal collections on the runway, brought to life by top models and celebrated film stars, adding extra glamour to the event.

 The models displayed a dazzling array of lehengas, ghararas, ghaghras, sarees, and frocks, captivating the audience with their poise and style.

Intricate embroidery, fine beadwork, and sparkling jewelry further enhanced the beauty of the bridal outfits, creating a dreamlike spectacle on the ramp.

The excitement peaked as popular film stars made their appearance among the ensemble of models, drawing cheers from the audience.

The show-stoppers of the day included actresses Resham, Fatima Khan, and Maham Marza, whose presence added an extra layer of glamour to the event.

Attendees were treated not only to the latest trends in bridal fashion but also to an unforgettable and visually stunning celebration of style and elegance.

Toshakhana-II: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi get 17-year jail term each

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Toshakhana-II

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case.

The special Central Judge Arjumand Shah announced the verdict at Adiala Jail, although none of the lawyers representing the couple were present in court.

Under Sections 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were handed seven-year sentences each, contributing to the overall 17-year imprisonment. Additionally, the court imposed a fine of PKR 10 million on both.

The Toshakhana-II case dates back to July 13, 2024, when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi at Adiala Jail.

The couple remained in NAB custody for 37 days before the bureau filed a reference in the Accountability Court on August 20, 2024. Following the Supreme Court’s reinstatement of NAB amendments, the case was transferred to the FIA Anti-Corruption Court on September 9, 2024.

The trial began on September 16, 2024, before Special Judge Central Shah Rukh Arjumand at Adiala Jail. During the trial, a total of 21 witnesses were examined, including former Military Secretary Brigadier (R) Muhammad Ahmad, private appraiser Sohail Abbasi, and Imran Khan’s former Principal Secretary Inaamullah. Four prosecution witnesses were later withdrawn by the FIA. The trial continued for nearly a year with over 80 hearings held at Adiala Jail.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accused of receiving a Bulgari jewelry set from the Saudi Crown Prince in 2021, valued at over PKR 67.15 million. According to FIA records, the couple undervalued the jewelry through a private appraiser, recording its price at only PKR 5.9 million.

The gift, which included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings, was not deposited in Toshakhana, nor was its proper value recorded. FIA investigations revealed undue influence was used to undervalue the set.

The government was represented by Federal Prosecutors Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, Barrister Umair Majeed Malik, Bilal Butt, and Shahvez Gilani, while the defense team included Arshad Tabrez, Quthain Faisal Mufti, and Barrister Salman Safdar.

BBL sees first double century innings, record six-hitting feat

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BBL sees

Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) witnessed history as two centuries were scored in a single innings for the first time, while a record for the most sixes in a match was also set.

In a high-scoring BBL clash in Brisbane, the Brisbane Heat defeated the Perth Scorchers by eight wickets, producing multiple landmark moments. Batting first, the Scorchers piled up a massive 257 for six in their allotted 20 overs. Finn Allen led the charge with 79 runs, while Cooper Connolly contributed a rapid 77.

In response, Brisbane Heat chased down the daunting 258-run target on the fifth ball of the final over, losing just two wickets. Jack Wildermuth starred with an unbeaten 110, while Matt Renshaw smashed 102, as the duo stitched together a record-breaking 212-run partnership — the highest in BBL history.

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This marked the first time two centuries were recorded in a single innings in the league’s history. The match also saw a total of 515 runs scored, along with a record 36 sixes — the most ever hit in a single BBL game.

The 258-run chase was the highest successful run chase in Big Bash League history and the third-highest successful chase in the history of T20 cricket.