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Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar denies divorce rumors

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Bollywood singer

MUMBAI: Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar has addressed recent social media speculation about her marriage, clarifying that she and her husband Rohanpreet Singh, as well as their families, should not be targeted amid rumors.

Neha took to Instagram Stories to urge fans not to criticize her “innocent husband” and “loving family,” noting that it is their support that has helped her reach her current position.

She emphasized that her frustration is directed at certain individuals and systems, not her marital life.

The singer admitted that she should not have shared her feelings emotionally on social media, explaining that the media often exaggerates minor issues.

She added that the experience has been a lesson and that she will no longer discuss her personal life publicly.

Concluding her post, Neha expressed love for her fans, apologized for any misunderstanding, and promised to return soon with renewed energy.

The clarification comes after she previously posted that she was taking a temporary break from responsibilities, relationships, and work, requesting photographers and fans to respect her privacy. That post was later deleted, which fueled rumors about a possible divorce.

Imaan and Hadi handed jail sentence in controversial social media posts case

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Imaan and Hadi

ISLAMABAD: A sessions court on Saturday sentenced lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse Hadi Ali Chattha to a total of 17 years in prison on multiple charges in a case pertaining to social media posts.

Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the brief verdict in court, awarding 17-year prison terms to both Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha.

During the hearing, Special Prosecutors Barrister Fahad and Rana Usman were present in the courtroom, while no lawyers appeared on behalf of the accused.

The judge also issued a 22-page written order, stating that under Section 9 of the PECA Act, both defendants were sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of PKR 5 million.

Under Section 10, they were given 10 years imprisonment and PKR 30 million fine, and under Section 26A, 2 years imprisonment and PKR 1 million fine.

In total, both defendants received 17-year prison sentences and a combined fine of PKR 30.6 million, while under Section 11 of PECA, they were acquitted of certain charges.

Strong buying pushes PSX back into high gear

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Strong buying pushes

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) recorded a robust performance during the outgoing week, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining 4,068 points.

During the five-day trading period, the index rose from 185,098 points to close at 189,166 points, reflecting renewed investor confidence. The market successfully regained four key psychological levels over the week.

Trading activity remained mixed, as the market witnessed declines on two days and gains on three days.

During the week, the KSE-100 Index touched a high of 189,566 points, while the lowest level was recorded at 186,127 points.

Over the five trading sessions, market capitalization increased by Rs244 billion, taking the total market cap to Rs21,219 billion.

Market experts attributed the positive trend to expectations of a cut in the monetary policy rate, which encouraged fresh investment. They added that buying interest in undervalued stocks by investors further supported market capitalization growth.

Scotland replaces Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026

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Scotland replaces

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to include Scotland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, replacing Bangladesh, following the latter’s refusal to play matches in India.

According to Indian media reports, the decision was taken after Bangladesh declined to tour India for the tournament. The ICC had earlier granted the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) a 24-hour deadline to resolve the issue, but the matter remained unsettled within the given timeframe.

Sources revealed that the ICC Chief Executive informed the ICC Board in writing on Saturday morning that Bangladesh’s demands were not in line with ICC policies.

The letter stated that Bangladesh failed to comply with the ICC Board’s decision, prompting the council to take final action.

The same communication was also sent to BCB President Aminul Islam, who is a member of the ICC Board.

Meanwhile, the ICC has formally extended an invitation to Cricket Scotland to participate in the tournament. However, no immediate response has been issued by Cricket Scotland’s Chief Executive.

Sources said Scotland was selected based on its strong performances in previous ICC events and its current ICC men’s T20I ranking of 14th.

In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Scotland finished third in Group B, while in the 2021 edition, the Scottish side stunned the cricketing world by defeating Bangladesh — a result still remembered as one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Deadly rains and heavy snowfall wreak havoc in Afghanistan, 61 killed

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Deadly rains

Severe rain and heavy snowfall have caused widespread devastation across Afghanistan, leaving at least 61 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to international news agencies.

Reports said that snowfall and rainfall have continued since Wednesday in several provinces, including Parwan, Wardak, southern Kandahar, northern Jowzjan, Faryab, and central Bamyan, along with other regions.

Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that the recent spell of extreme weather has resulted in 61 fatalities and 110 injuries nationwide.

Officials stated that at least 458 houses have been completely or partially damaged, while major highways and inter-provincial roads have been closed due to heavy snowfall and the risk of avalanches. Significant losses to livestock have also been reported.

The Meteorological Department has warned that more snowfall is expected in parts of the country later this week, raising fears of further casualties and damage.

The natural disaster has struck at a time when Afghanistan is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people relying on aid due to economic hardship, food shortages, and limited access to basic services.

Grand Slam milestone: Djokovic becomes first player to 400 wins

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Grand Slam milestone

MELBOURNE: Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has etched his name in history by becoming the first player ever to win 400 matches in Grand Slam tournaments.

Djokovic achieved this milestone at the 2026 Australian Open, defeating his Dutch opponent 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on Saturday to reach the Round of 16.

With this victory, Djokovic surpassed previous records, with Roger Federer holding 369 Grand Slam match wins and Rafael Nadal securing 314 wins in these major tournaments.

After the match, Djokovic said, “I feel really great. It’s a fantastic start, but things can change and I’m not overconfident because I learned a lesson last year. I’m still trying to give the young players a tough challenge.”

This landmark achievement cements Djokovic’s legacy as one of tennis’ greatest and most consistent performers in history.

Speculation swirls as actress Merub’s birthday photos go viral

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Speculation swirls

Rising Pakistani showbiz actress Merub celebrated her 24th birthday, but it wasn’t just the glamorous party that caught public attention—viral photos and videos from the celebration have sparked widespread speculation on social media.

While the birthday event featured close friends and members of Merub’s inner circle, social media users were quick to notice the presence of a particular individual, triggering rumors about a possible new chapter in the actress’s personal life.

Fans closely examined the images and pointed out subtle details, including matching outfits worn by Merub and Haavi during different moments of the celebration.

These visual cues fueled online discussions, with users zooming in on photos and sharing their own theories across various platforms.

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A post shared by Merub Ali (@meruub)

The images, now widely circulated with intriguing captions, have given rise to questions about whether a new romantic connection has entered Merub’s life.

The curiosity has only intensified due to the silence from both Merub and Haavi, as neither has issued any clarification or response to the growing buzz.

Entertainment circles have also taken note of the sudden attention. While some believe the speculation is unfounded and merely the result of friends attending the same gathering, others suggest the signs point toward the beginning of a new personal journey for the actress.

For now, the birthday celebration has transformed from a simple milestone event into one of the most talked-about celebrity moments online, keeping fans eagerly watching for any official word.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announces upcoming visit to Pakistan

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FIFA President

DAVOS: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced plans to visit Pakistan in the near future to promote and strengthen the development of football in the country.

In an interview in Davos, Infantino said he had given a commitment to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is now preparing to make the visit.

He praised the newly appointed leadership of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), describing Pakistan as a “great football country” with significant potential.

Expressing optimism about the future of the sport, the FIFA chief said he hopes Pakistan will emerge as one of Asia’s leading football nations. He added that FIFA is actively working to support Pakistan in achieving this objective through institutional reforms and development initiatives.

Relations between FIFA and Pakistan have improved steadily in recent years. Last month, Pakistani lawmaker Syeda Amna Batool was appointed to FIFA’s Institutional Reforms Committee, marking a significant step in strengthening cooperation.

Earlier, FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa visited Pakistan in November 2025.

During his three-day visit, he held meetings with football officials and government representatives to discuss the expansion of football infrastructure and governance reforms.

Football has long enjoyed popularity among Pakistani youth, with increasing interest at national and international levels.

Local tournaments, school competitions, and community clubs across major cities have further fueled enthusiasm for the sport.

Despite this growth, football continues to operate under the long-standing dominance of cricket, which remains Pakistan’s most popular and commercially successful sport. However, recent developments signal renewed hope for football’s revival in the country.

Investment scam costs Pakistani cricketers millions

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Investment scam

Karachi: Several current and former national-level cricketers have reportedly lost millions of rupees after falling victim to an alleged investment fraud, sources revealed.

According to sources, both former and serving Pakistani cricketers were affected by the scam. However, none of the players has so far filed an official complaint with any platform, nor have they approached the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for intervention.

Sources said the cricketers invested money with a businessman after being influenced by a former national team captain, while some players made direct investments independently. The list of affected individuals reportedly includes former as well as current captains of the national team.

It was further disclosed that the players handed over huge sums running into crores of rupees in pursuit of unusually high returns.

Initially, investors received exceptionally high profits, which increased their confidence. However, the businessman later disappeared, raising serious concerns.

Sources added that the cricketers made repeated efforts over several weeks to recover their money, and while some managed to receive partial repayments, most remain unpaid.

A well-known players’ agent is also among those who allegedly suffered financial losses. The accused individual is reportedly residing in the United States and had close personal ties with several Pakistani cricketers.

According to the players, the businessman’s phone has been switched off, and no profit payments have been received for the past two months.

The affected cricketers are now seeking recovery of their original investment, but all attempts to contact the individual have so far failed.

Sources say the situation has caused deep concern among the players, though no formal legal action has yet been initiated.

Karan Johar’s ‘Homebound’ misses Oscar nomination

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Karan Johar

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar’s social drama Homebound has concluded its Oscar journey without receiving a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

Indian media reports indicate that anticipation was high over whether Homebound would make it to India’s official Oscar entry shortlist. However, the film, produced in the COVID-era backdrop, ultimately did not secure a nomination.

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A post shared by Dharma Productions (@dharmamovies)

Despite this, Karan Johar expressed pride in the project, thanking director Neeraj Ghaywan in an Instagram post for his contribution. Ghaywan also shared a message on Instagram, appreciating Johar’s support and calling him “a strong pillar without whom reaching this stage would not have been possible.”

Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Jahnvi Kapoor in lead roles. Johar highlighted the director’s work and encouragement through his Instagram stories, celebrating the film’s journey and international representation.

Lead actor Vishal Jethwa stated in an interview that representing India on the global stage and making it to the final 15 shortlisted films was an honor in itself, describing the experience as “extremely special.”

While Homebound did not secure a nomination, its international exposure and critical recognition mark a significant achievement for the filmmakers and the cast.