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Salman Ali Agha creates new milestone in T20 cricket

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Salman Ali Agha

KARACHI: The third T20I between Pakistan and Sri Lanka proved disappointing for the national side in terms of result, but Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s sensational and aggressive batting display won the hearts of cricket fans.

Played in Dambulla, the match saw Salman Ali Agha produce an extraordinary innings, scoring 45 runs off just 12 deliveries, an effort that included five fours and three towering sixes. His blistering knock came at a staggering strike rate of 375.0.

This performance set a new world record in T20 International cricket, marking the highest strike rate ever achieved by a captain (minimum 10 balls faced) against a full-member team.

Previously, the record belonged to Kieron Pollard, who scored 38 runs off 11 balls at a strike rate of 345.5 against Sri Lanka in 2021. Salman Ali Agha has now surpassed that milestone with his breathtaking innings.

Notably, the elite list of fastest T20I innings by captains also features renowned batters such as Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma, and Darren Sammy, but Salman Ali Agha’s explosive knock has propelled him to the top.

Although Pakistan failed to secure victory in the match, the captain’s historic batting effort is expected to be remembered for a long time and is being seen as a positive sign for the team’s future.

Four India-backed terrorists killed in Kalat IBO: ISPR

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ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Four terrorists were killed as security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Kalat district of Balochistan, the military’s media wing ISPR said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Kalat District of Balochistan, on reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan.

During the conduct of operation, own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, four Indian sponsored terrorists were sent to hell.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.

Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area. 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.

Who Is the Villain ‘Amma’ in Mardaani 3?

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Who Is the Villain

Yash Raj Films unveiled the trailer for ‘Mardaani 3’, featuring Malika Prasad in the role of the antagonist ‘Amma’.

In the film, Rani Mukerji reprises her role as police officer Shivani Shivaji Roy, who is shown investigating the mysterious disappearance of 93 young girls over three months. The trailer hints that the mastermind behind these crimes is a woman known only as ‘Amma’.

Who is Villain ‘Amma’?

Malika Prasad, a National School of Drama-trained actor, has made a name for herself in theater and television. Born in Bangalore, she has also worked as a director.

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She made her debut in 1999 with Kanwar Heggadithi and gained recognition in Kannada cinema through films such as Masanja Kathe Parsinga, Garva, and Magha Meury.

Prasad has shared the screen with actors like Manoj Bajpai and Konkona Sen Sharma, and collaborated with director Anurag Kashyap. Her short film “For My Ella” won achievement awards at both the Sundarban International Film Festival and the LA Indie Film Festival.

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Directed by Abiraj Minwala, ‘Mardaani 3’ is set to release in cinemas on January 30, 2026, and fans are eagerly anticipating Rani Mukerji’s return and the intense showdown with the formidable villain, Amma.

Taapsee Pannu reveals dark side of bollywood

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Taapsee Pannu

Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu has opened up about the hidden realities of the film industry, expressing concern over the increasing influence of public relations (PR).

In a recent interview, the 38-year-old actress said that she deliberately reduced her workload over the past few years, which gave her insight into how PR is being used within the industry.

“Earlier, PR was mostly about highlighting one’s films or work. Today, the situation has changed,” Taapsee stated. She added that some individuals are not only spending money to promote themselves but also running negative campaigns to undermine others.

The actress questioned why someone’s success is now often linked to someone else’s loss. She also noted that many artists are creating artificial images just to stay in the news, while failing to achieve the same recognition through their work.

Taapsee emphasized that she prefers to spend her earnings on herself and her loved ones, rather than funding negative PR campaigns.

Recently, she appeared in Mudassar Aziz’s film “Khel Khel Mein” and is set to star in the upcoming revenge drama “Gandhari”, directed by Divashish Mukherjee.

This candid revelation has sparked discussion about the evolving role of publicity and media manipulation in Bollywood.

Yuzvendra Chahal–Disha Patani rumors stir online speculation

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Yuzvendra Chahal

Speculation about a possible relationship between Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and Bollywood actress Disha Patani has set social media abuzz, though neither of the two has confirmed the rumors publicly.

The chatter has largely emerged through social media posts and memes, despite the absence of any concrete evidence or verified images. Both Chahal and Patani have remained silent on the matter, which has further fueled online discussions.

Fans appear highly enthusiastic about the potential cricket–Bollywood connection, with the topic trending across various platforms. Interestingly, Patani’s name has also been linked with Punjabi singer Talvinder, adding another layer to the ongoing speculation.

The rumors gained more attention following Nupur Senan’s wedding to singer Stebin Ben, where Patani was seen holding a man’s arm in photographs shared from the event.

Social media users speculated that the man could be Talvinder, who previously kept his face covered during public appearances, stating that he wanted attention to remain on his music and emotions.

In the past, Patani has also been linked to actor and close friend Tiger Shroff, though no confirmation ever emerged.

For now, the alleged link between Yuzvendra Chahal and Disha Patani continues to dominate social media conversations, with fans eagerly awaiting an official statement.

BBL: Haris Rauf takes stunning catch to dismiss Alex Carey

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BBL

In the 34th match of the Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf grabbed a spectacular catch to dismiss Alex Carey.

Adelaide Strikers were bowled out for 83 runs, and Melbourne Stars chased down the target of 84 runs in 15.1 overs for the loss of four wickets. Tom Curran was named Player of the Match for taking four wickets while conceding just 10 runs.

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Rauf’s highlight came when he dived to catch Alex Carey off Curran’s delivery for just 3 runs, ending the Strikers’ opener’s innings. The catch has since gone viral, showcasing Rauf’s athleticism and sharp fielding skills.

In the match, Haris Rauf bowled 4 overs, conceding 20 runs without taking a wicket, but he continues to lead the league with 15 wickets.

Meanwhile, another Pakistani pacer, Hassan Ali, representing Adelaide Strikers, bowled 4 overs for 21 runs and picked up one wicket.

This victory strengthened Melbourne Stars’ position in the BBL standings, while Adelaide Strikers struggled to post competitive totals.

Pakistan, Japan sign agreement to improve child healthcare in South Punjab

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Pakistan

Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan and Japan have signed a grant agreement aimed at enhancing child healthcare services, particularly in southern Punjab.

According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Japanese government will provide financial assistance for improving pediatric healthcare in the region.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will extend a grant of 2.91 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately USD 18.62 million.

Under the project, the Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health (ICH) Multan will be upgraded to strengthen medical facilities. ICH Multan, the largest tertiary care children’s hospital in the region, will receive improved healthcare infrastructure to ensure more effective and quality services for children.

The Exchange of Notes was signed on behalf of Pakistan by Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Hamir Karim, while Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi signed on behalf of the Government of Japan.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Muhammad Hamir Karim expressed appreciation for the valuable support of the Japanese government and people, assuring full facilitation to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

 He added that Pakistan looks forward to further strengthening meaningful cooperation between the two countries.

Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to close collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of deepening friendly relations and bilateral cooperation in the health sector.

Pakistan ranks 98th in world passport strength list for 2026

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Pakistan ranks 98th

ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan has once again ranked among the countries with the weakest passports in the Henley Passport Index for the first half of 2026.

According to the index, released for January to June 2026, Singapore holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, allowing its citizens to travel visa-free to 192 countries.

The second-strongest passports belong to Japan and South Korea, whose holders can travel visa-free to 188 countries. Countries such as Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden, Spain, and Switzerland share the third spot with access to 186 countries, while Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Finland, Greece, and the Netherlands rank fourth with 185 countries accessible without a visa.

Other notable rankings include Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UAE in fifth place (184 countries), Croatia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, and Poland in sixth (183 countries), and Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, and the UK in seventh (182 countries).

Weakest Passports

Pakistan has been ranked as the fourth weakest passport globally, placing 98th overall, with visa-free access to only 31 countries. Yemen shares the 98th spot with Pakistan, followed by Iraq (99th), Syria (100th), and Afghanistan (101st).

Other regional rankings include Somalia (97th), Nepal (96th), Bangladesh (84th), and Palestine, North Korea, and Eritrea (jointly 94th). India ranks 80th, China 59th, Iran 92nd, and Saudi Arabia 54th.

The Henley Passport Index highlights the global disparities in travel freedom, with South Asian countries like Pakistan continuing to face significant restrictions on international mobility.

Pentagon briefs Trump on potential military options against Iran

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Pentagon briefs Trump

Washington: The Pentagon has provided President Donald Trump with a briefing regarding potential military action against Iran, according to US media reports.

Two defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that airpower and long-range missiles remain central to any potential military response against Iran.

The report noted that Pentagon planners also presented cyberoperation options and psychological campaigns to the president, aimed at disrupting Iranian command structures, communications, and state-controlled media.

US officials indicated that a combination of cyber operations, psychological tactics, and conventional military force could be considered as a single integrated option.

Both officials emphasized that no final decision on military action has been made, and diplomatic channels remain open.

Fresh smartphone rankings reveal strong entry of new devices

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Fresh smartphone

No change has been observed in the top three positions of the trending smartphones list during the second week of 2026. However, several new smartphones have successfully secured places in the top ten rankings.

According to the list of trending devices for the first week of the new year, Xiaomi 17 Ultra 5G continues to hold the top position, followed by Samsung Galaxy A56 in second place and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in third.

Among the new entrants, Xiaomi Poco M8 Pro has claimed the fourth position, while Realme 16 Pro+ 5G secured fifth place. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max stands at number six on the list.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G is ranked seventh, Motorola Signature (new entry) occupies the eighth spot, Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is placed ninth, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 5G (new entry) rounds out the list at number ten.

The latest rankings highlight continued dominance by established brands, alongside growing interest in newly launched devices among consumers.