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Newsdesk

Pakistan, Indonesia discuss expanding bilateral defence cooperation

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Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday held a meeting with Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Lieutenant General (Retd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, at General Headquarters (GHQ), where both sides discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting focused on exploring new areas to strengthen defence collaboration between Pakistan and Indonesia. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global security developments.

Both sides underscored the importance of Pakistan–Indonesia defence industrial cooperation and emphasized the need to further strengthen institutional linkages between the two countries. The significance of enhanced training collaboration was also highlighted during the discussion.

The Indonesian Defence Minister lauded the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed Indonesia’s desire to further broaden defence relations with Pakistan.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening sustainable defence ties with Indonesia, based on shared values and common strategic interests.

Actress Sangeeta Bijlani continues to inspire fans with fitness at 65

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Actress Sangeeta Bijlani

Mumbai: Former Bollywood actress Sangeeta Bijlani continues to draw admiration from fans for her fitness, health, and balanced lifestyle even at the age of 65.

According to Indian media reports, Sangeeta Bijlani follows a disciplined routine that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet as an essential part of her daily life.

She prefers simple yet wholesome meals, glimpses of which are often shared on her social media platforms.

Recently, Sangeeta Bijlani posted a picture on Instagram showcasing how she starts her day. The image featured her favorite breakfast, which included chia seeds soaked in coconut milk, a banana, assorted dry fruits, and nutritious seeds. Alongside this, she also consumed soft-boiled eggs and green tea, both considered beneficial for energy and overall health.

In the caption accompanying the post, Sangeeta Bijlani described her breakfast in detail, calling it an integral part of her healthy lifestyle.

Her Instagram page frequently features similar posts, where she shares her fitness routine and balanced diet with followers, inspiring many to adopt healthier habits.

Sangeeta Bijlani made her Bollywood debut in 1988 with the film Qaatil and quickly gained recognition for her performances.

She went on to appear in several notable films, including Tridev, Hathyar, Jurm, Yodha, Yugandhar, Izzat, and Laxman Rekha. Her last film was Nirbhay, released in 1996, after which she stepped away from the film industry.

Chinese married couple goes viral for uncanny resemblance

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Chinese married couple

Guangdong, China: A married couple from Guangdong, China, has become a social media sensation due to their striking resemblance, with many viewers jokingly comparing them to twins.

The couple, He Xian Sheng and Liang Sayo, run a family herbal medicine business that has been passed down through generations. Facing challenges in sustaining their shop, they began posting promotional clips on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.

Noticing the remarkable similarity between them, Liang encouraged her husband to create videos in matching outfits to highlight their resemblance further.

Liang said that when they first met, they did not realize how similar they looked, but after spending several years together, they noticed their striking likeness.

The couple has spent nearly all of the last two years together, which they believe has contributed to their similar appearance.

IED attacks in Tank and Lakki Marwat kill 7, injure 3 police officers

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IED attacks in Tank

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: At least seven people, including six police officers and one civilian, were killed in separate IED attacks on police in Tank and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while three other police personnel were injured.

In the first incident, an explosive device targeted a police armored personnel carrier (APC) in the Gomal area of Tank, approximately 25 kilometers from Kotwali.

The blast completely destroyed the vehicle. Initial reports confirmed that six police officers, including Station House Officer (SHO) Ishaq Ahmed Khan, ASI Sher Aslam Khan, driver Abdul Majeed, Arshad Ali, Hazrat Ali, and Ihsanullah, were killed.

A civilian bystander, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, also lost his life, bringing the total death toll to seven. Rescue 1122 teams were dispatched to the site, transferring the injured and deceased to nearby hospitals.

The second attack occurred near Darra Tang in the jurisdiction of Lakki Marwat’s Saddar Police Station, where an IED exploded, injuring SHO Razaq Khan and two other police officers.

The explosive device was reportedly placed near the Darra Tang bridge. District Police Officer (DPO) Lakki Marwat was on his routine patrol in the area at the time and was reportedly expected to pass through the same route.

Authorities noted that the area had witnessed another incident recently, in which an unknown armed group abducted a local lawyer.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, has called for an immediate report from senior officials regarding the Tank attack. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured officers.

In his statement, the Governor said, “Our brave personnel sacrificed their lives protecting the citizens’ lives and property. We take pride in our martyrs. The acts of terrorism, backed by external forces, will not weaken our resolve. The provincial government must remain vigilant and take concrete measures to ensure the security and peace of the province.”

Pakistan, Bangladesh launch scholarship program for 500 students

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Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan and Bangladesh have reached an educational agreement, under which 500 Bangladeshi students will be enrolled in Pakistani universities in the first phase of the program.

According to sources from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), students will be placed across various universities in multiple cities. The scholarship program, named after Allama Iqbal, will allow Bangladeshi students to pursue fully funded undergraduate programs in Pakistan.

HEC sources added that a large number of Bangladeshi students participated in entry tests conducted under the HEC framework. The exams were held in Chattogram, Dhaka, and Rajshahi.

The sources noted that Bangladeshi students warmly welcomed Pakistani officials during the testing process and took photographs with them, reflecting strong goodwill and enthusiasm for the educational collaboration.

BBL: Mohammad Rizwan retired by captain over slow scoring

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BBL

Sydney: In an unusual incident during the Big Bash League (BBL), Melbourne Renegades captain Will Sutherland retired Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan during his innings, apparently due to slow scoring.

The incident occurred on Monday in the 33rd match of the 15th edition of the BBL, when Melbourne Renegades faced Sydney Thunder. Rizwan had scored 26 runs off 23 balls when the captain signaled him to leave the field.

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A video shared by the BBL on social media shows Sutherland gesturing Rizwan back to the pavilion so that he himself could take the crease.

 Commentators on the broadcast praised the decision, saying it could have been done a little earlier. The video quickly went viral, sparking strong reactions from cricket fans, many of whom called the forced retirement “embarrassing.”

Rizwan has struggled with the bat during the ongoing BBL season. In eight matches so far, he has scored 167 runs at an average of 20.88 and has yet to hit a half-century.

In the match, Melbourne Renegades posted 170 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan to finalize squad for Australia, World Cup

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Pakistan to finalize

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold final consultations on the national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and the three-match home series against Australia later this week.

Sources said head coach Mike Hesson will return to Lahore after completing the Sri Lanka tour. Members of the national T20 squad are arriving back in Pakistan today following the series in Sri Lanka. Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha will meet with selectors to finalize the squad.

Once consultations are complete, the PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, will approve the official squad announcement. The PCB has already submitted the preliminary names for the T20 World Cup to the ICC. Changes to the list can still be made before January 31 with ICC approval.

Probable Players:

The likely squad is expected to include captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed.

Other potential inclusions are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza, and Khawaja Nafi. Reserve players may include Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Junior, and Usman Tariq.

Iran ready for both war and negotiations, says Foreign Minister Araghchi

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Iran ready for both

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran is prepared for both conflict and dialogue amid ongoing unrest in the country.

In a statement, Araghchi noted that violence escalated over the weekend, with terrorists targeting both protesters and security forces, but added that the situation is now fully under control.

He said that peaceful demonstrations over the past few days had turned violent, with around 350 mosques set on fire within two weeks.

 Despite the unrest, Iranian security forces exercised restraint, recognizing that many of the protesters’ demands were legitimate and being heard by the government.

Araghchi also accused recent US comments of exacerbating the protests. “After President Trump spoke of intervention, the protests turned bloodier to create a pretext for outside interference,” he said.

He emphasized, “We are ready for both war and negotiations.”

The remarks follow recent statements from US President Donald Trump, who said that Iran has reached out for negotiations and that arrangements are underway.

Trump also warned that the US is considering military options in Iran, which he suggested might need to be acted upon even before talks begin.

China opposes possible US military action against Iran

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China opposes

Beijing/Washington: China has voiced its opposition to any potential US military action against Iran in response to the ongoing protests in the country.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that China always opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries and the use of force in international relations.

The statement emphasized that national sovereignty must be respected and the safety of all nations ensured under international law. It added that China hopes the Iranian government and people can overcome the current challenges and maintain national stability.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor also commented on the situation, urging an end to the violence in Iran. “The use of force is a sign of weakness, not strength,” the Chancellor said.

The remarks come as US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington is considering various options in response to the unrest in Iran, including military action. Speaking aboard Air Force One while traveling from Florida to Washington, DC, Trump said the US is in contact with Iranian opposition leaders.

He added that Iran reached out to discuss the nuclear deal recently, and the US is open to meeting with them. However, Trump reiterated that military action remains one of the options under consideration.

Hania Amir responds with humor to Astrologer’s divorce prediction

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Hania Amir responds

KARACHI: Pakistani actress and social media sensation Hania Amir recently caught the attention of fans after responding with her signature wit to an unusual prediction about her personal life.

Hania Amir, one of Pakistan’s most-followed Instagram celebrities, is widely admired for her candid personality, sharp humor, and engaging presence on social media.

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A local TV channel recently shared a video on Hania Amir’s Instagram account in which an astrologer claimed, based on her horoscope and astrological signs, that the actress would face divorce in 2026—despite the fact that Hania is currently unmarried.

Hania did not miss the opportunity to respond humorously. She commented on the video, saying, “Strange… first let the marriage happen.”

Her witty reply quickly went viral, drawing a flood of humorous comments from fans. One user tagged Hania, asking, “Hania, did you know about this?” Another jokingly wrote, “So you got married secretly and didn’t tell us?” Others questioned the logic, asking, “How can there be a divorce before marriage?”

Separately, rumors surfaced late last year suggesting that Hania Amir and her former boyfriend, singer Asim Azhar, might be rekindling their relationship with possible marriage plans. However, neither party has issued an official statement regarding these reports.

Hania Amir’s playful response once again showcased her ability to entertain fans not only on screen but also in her real-life interactions, reaffirming her status as one of Pakistan’s most relatable and beloved celebrities.