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Singer Naseebo Lal welcomes arrival of her grandson

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Singer Naseebo Lal

KARACHI: Pakistani singer Naseebo Lal has announced that she has become a grandmother, putting an end to recent rumors circulating on social media.

For the past few days, various social media platforms had been abuzz with claims that the 56-year-old singer had given birth to a baby boy.

A photo of Naseebo Lal with her husband and a newborn child had also been widely circulated online, adding to the speculation.

In the viral picture, Naseebo Lal could be seen joyfully looking at a newborn while dressed in a red outfit, with her husband also present in the photo.

However, breaking her silence over the circulating rumors, Naseebo Lal has now clarified the truth to her fans.

Pakistani singer Naseebo Lal expressed gratitude to God in a Facebook post, announcing, “Alhamdulillah, I have become a grandmother.”

Earlier, the singer had shared a photo of the newborn on Facebook, asking fans to suggest beautiful and unique names for the baby boy.

Meanwhile, a video has also surfaced on social media showing Naseebo Lal singing at a hospital.

According to details shared on the page, the singer performed her popular song “Kadi Te Hans Bol Ve” to celebrate the birth of her grandson with the hospital staff.

Khawaja Khurshid Anwar commemorated on 41st death anniversary

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Khawaja Khurshid

Renowned Pakistani music director and composer Khawaja Khurshid Anwar is being remembered on Thursday on his 41st death anniversary for his immense contributions to South Asian cinema and music.

Born on March 21, 1912, in Mianwali, Khurshid Anwar earned a master’s degree in Philosophy from Government College Lahore in 1935 and later passed the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination in 1936, serving briefly in the civil service. He began his artistic journey in 1939 with All India Radio, marking the start of a remarkable musical career.

Known for his unmatched creativity, Khurshid Anwar could compose mesmerizing melodies even on a matchbox, instead of conventional instruments like the harmonium.

After migrating from Mumbai to Lahore, he composed music for 28 films, leaving behind an enduring musical legacy.

His compositions for films such as Koel, Chingari, Ghoonghat, Humraz, Intezaar, and Heer Ranjha reflect his artistic brilliance. However, it was the timeless song “Sun Wanjhli Di Mithi Taal Ve” from Heer Ranjha that immortalized him in the history of South Asian film music.

Peshawar police launch indigenous drone for modern policing

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Peshawar police

PESHAWAR: Peshawar Police have achieved a technological milestone by developing an advanced drone designed to strengthen surveillance and field operations.

According to the Central Police Office, the newly developed drone has a range of 10 kilometers and comes fitted with a laser system. The drone was successfully tested at the Nowshera Police Center, demonstrating its ability to carry loads of up to 10 kilograms.

Officials said the drone can be equipped with night-vision surveillance cameras, tear gas shells, and mortar rounds. Weighing 55 kilograms, the drone measures two meters in length and can reach speeds of up to 36 kilometers per hour.

The Central Police Office added that the drone can fly continuously for about one hour and is capable of reaching an altitude of 1,000 meters.

Pakistan, Afghanistan set to resume talks in Istanbul

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Pakistan

ISTANBUL: Pakistan has agreed to reopen dialogue with Afghanistan in an effort to revive stalled peace talks, diplomatic sources revealed on Thursday.

According to diplomatic sources, the Pakistani delegation was scheduled to return home today after earlier negotiations with Afghan representatives failed to yield results. However, Turkish officials requested the delegation to stay in Istanbul.

Sources added that Afghan authorities also made diplomatic contacts regarding the stalled dialogue, leading both sides to agree on reviving bilateral talks.

According to diplomatic sources, Turkey is keen to ensure that the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan talks under its mediation yield positive and lasting results.

Sources said the Pakistani delegation, which was earlier set to return home, will now extend its stay in Istanbul to resume dialogue and give peace another chance.

The negotiations, sources added, will primarily focus on Pakistan’s core demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable, and effective action against terrorist elements operating from its soil.

Pakistan has once again emphasized that Afghan territory must not be used for activities against Pakistan, sources confirmed.

The delegation participating in the renewed talks comprises the same officials who took part in the earlier round of discussions with Afghan counterparts.

Earlier, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar had announced that the previous round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul had ended without success.

On October 19, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire, which was later extended by mutual consent.

Young Australian cricketer dies after being struck on neck

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Young Australian

MELBOURNE: A 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin, has tragically passed away after being struck on the neck by a ball during a practice session in Melbourne East earlier this week.

According to Australian media reports, the young player sustained a serious injury after the ball hit his neck. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors later confirmed his death.

Cricket Victoria stated that the incident occurred when a ball from a throwing device struck Ben on the neck. Although he was wearing a helmet, it did not include a stem guard, a protective extension designed to cover the back of the neck.

Nick Cummins, Head of Cricket Victoria, said the incident was reminiscent of the tragic accident that claimed the life of Phillip Hughes 11 years ago.

Cricket Australia, the club management, and Ben Austin’s family have all expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the young cricketer’s death.

30 dead as Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc in Jamaica and Cuba

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30 dead

Hurricane Melissa, which has strengthened into a Category 3 storm, continues its destructive path after devastating Jamaica and Cuba, now heading toward the Bahamas.

At least 30 people have been killed — 25 in Haiti, four in Jamaica, and one in Dominica. In the Bahamas, authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents in the southern regions as the storm approaches.

Nearly 700,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations in Cuba, where power outages and blocked roads have been reported across affected areas.

In Jamaica, the parish of St. Elizabeth has been submerged, leaving more than half a million people without electricity. The hurricane’s fierce winds, torrential rains, and landslides have caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a state of emergency across the country and appealed for international assistance.

Meanwhile, the United States has established a special task force to coordinate relief efforts in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa.

Khurram Zeeshan, Taj Afridi face off in KP Senate by-poll

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Khurram Zeeshan

PESHAWAR: The by-election for a vacant Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently underway, as lawmakers cast their votes to fill the position left vacant by Shibli Faraz.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), polling will continue uninterrupted until 4 p.m. at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building. Provincial Election Commissioner Saeed Gul has been appointed as the Returning Officer (RO) for the by-election.

The contest is between Pakistan Tehreak e Insaf-backed candidate Khurram Zeeshan and the joint opposition nominee, Taj Mohammad Afridi.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly comprises 145 members, with 73 votes required for victory. The ruling coalition holds 92 seats, while the opposition has 53 members.

Pakistan denounces Israel’s breach of Gaza Truce Deal

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the renewed attacks by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.

“These actions constitute a clear and flagrant violation of international law, as well as a breach of the recently concluded peace agreement,”.

He said that such aggressive measures by the Israeli occupation forces threatened to undermine the international efforts aimed at establishing durable peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan calls upon the international community to ensure an immediate cessation of ceasefire violations by the Israeli occupation forces,” the spokesperson said and reiterated Pakistan’s principled position for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Gold prices surge by Rs3,500 per tola across Pakistan

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Gold prices

KARACHI: The price of gold in Pakistan increased by Rs3,500 per tola on Wednesday, according to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association (APGJA).

With the latest rise, the price of 24-karat gold now stands at Rs419,862 per tola, while the price of 10 grams of gold has gone up by Rs3,000, reaching Rs359,963.

In the international market, the price of gold also saw an uptick of $35, climbing to $3,975 per ounce.

Market experts attribute the surge to global economic uncertainty and rising investor demand for safe-haven assets.

Melissa becomes century’s most powerful Hurricane

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Melissa

Kingston/Havana: Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to strike the Caribbean in decades, hit Jamaica on Wednesday and is now moving toward Cuba, prompting large-scale evacuations and emergency precautions.

According to international media reports, more than 700,000 people across Cuba have been evacuated to safer areas due to fears of flooding, storm surges, and severe destruction.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Melissa initially struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, generating winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour, before weakening slightly to Category 4 as it advanced toward Cuba.

Heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides have been reported across the Caribbean, with at least seven deaths confirmed so far — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that the nation’s infrastructure is “not built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane,” urging citizens to remain indoors and cooperate with emergency services.

Melissa is expected to continue moving northwest, bringing torrential rain and destructive winds to parts of eastern Cuba and the Bahamas in the coming hours. Regional disaster response teams remain on high alert.