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Major terror attack foiled in Kharan; 12 militants killed

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Suryakumar Yadav files defamation case against actress Khushi Mukherjee

Suryakumar Yadav

Mumbai: Indian T20 cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav has filed a defamation lawsuit against Bollywood actress Khushi Mukherjee, seeking ₹100 crore in damages, following a controversial statement that went viral on social media.

According to media reports, Khushi Mukherjee alleged that Yadav frequently sent her messages, claims that Yadav’s legal team has dismissed as completely false, baseless, and damaging to his reputation.

Yadav’s lawyers emphasized that no evidence supports Mukherjee’s allegations, warning that such unverified statements can severely impact the personal and professional lives of public figures.

The legal team further stated that targeting celebrities with false accusations is not only irresponsible but also creates misleading impressions among the public, making legal action necessary to protect Yadav’s reputation.

This high-profile case has already attracted significant media attention and highlights the growing concerns of celebrities regarding misinformation and defamation on social media platforms.

Sanwal Esakhelvi releases special New Year gift for fans

Sanwal Esakhelvi

KARACHI: Singer Sanwal Esakhelvi has delighted fans by releasing a new version of the classic 1970s hit “Bewafa” alongside his legendary father, Attaullah Esakhelvi, as a special New Year gift.

The song, originally a popular track from the 1970s, has been reimagined with modern visuals and contemporary music arrangements, while preserving its classic emotions and heartfelt lyrics. It has been released in both Urdu and Saraiki languages.

The revamped version of “Bewafa” features significant contributions from Unknownish Artist in co-production and lyrics, blending traditional sentiment with modern music styles. Fans have praised it as a beautiful fusion of two musical generations.

Sanwal Esakhelvi described the collaboration as a personal honor, saying: “Singing this song with my father is a privilege for me.”

He added that the project aims to introduce the younger generation to classic Pakistani music, bridging the gap between past and present.

‘Avatar: The Way of Fire’ tops North American box office

‘Avatar

Hollywood blockbuster Avatar: The Way of Fire has maintained its position at the top of the North American box office for a fourth straight week, earning over $350 million domestically to date.

The film’s global popularity is even more remarkable, with worldwide box office receipts surpassing $1.23 billion. While these figures are slightly lower compared to previous Avatar installments, the movie has firmly established itself as one of 2025’s biggest hits.

The success of Avatar: The Way of Fire also marks a milestone for Disney this year, becoming the third film after Lilo & Stitch and Zootopia 2 to cross the $1 billion mark.

Director James Cameron had previously hinted that the future of the franchise could depend on this installment’s performance. With this record-breaking success, the path is now clear for the next chapters, Avatar 4 and Avatar 5.

The Avatar series began in 1994, though technological limitations at the time prevented Cameron from fully realizing his vision. Since the release of the first film in 2009, the franchise has been celebrated for its revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge motion capture technology, setting new benchmarks in cinematic storytelling.

The overwhelming response to Avatar: The Way of Fire proves that audiences remain captivated by the world of Pandora, reaffirming the franchise’s enduring global appeal.

500 million fans apply for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets

500 million fans

The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 has shattered all ticket demand records, with football fans around the globe submitting over 500 million requests for match tickets.

The football World Cup is one of the few major global sporting events where attending a match is a dream for passionate fans. The excitement for the 2026 edition—co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—has reached unprecedented levels. Ticket applications were received between Thursday, December 11, 2025, and Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

During the random selection draw phase, more than half a billion requests were submitted from fans across all 211 FIFA member associations, setting a new benchmark in ticket demand for sports events.

Fans will be informed via email by February 5 whether their ticket requests have been successful. The host countries—USA, Mexico, and Canada—are among the top applicants, with significant demand also coming from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.

Over the 33-day application window, an average of 15 million ticket requests were submitted daily, highlighting the massive global interest in the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked fans worldwide for this overwhelming response, noting that demand exceeded expectations.

Interestingly, the most popular match during this sales phase was scheduled for Saturday, June 27, in Miami, between Colombia and Portugal. Other top-requested games include Mexico vs. South Korea on Thursday, June 18, in Guadalajara, and the final on Sunday, July 19, in New York.