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US-Iran talks second round reportedly expected in Pakistan, claims US media • Shaheen Bhatt announces engagement to Ishaan Mehra • Iran signals naval readiness as tensions rise with US over maritime restrictions • Field Marshal Asim Munir concludes 3-day official visit to Iran • HIV cases surge in Islamabad, raising public health concerns • Pakistan stocks rally as KSE-100 posts strong weekly gains amid improved sentiment • Iran restores tight control over Strait of Hormuz, blames US blockade • PSL 11 points table heats up after 26 matches as playoff race intensifies • Moeen Ali explains why he chose PSL over IPL • US President Trump hints at ‘surprise’ on Iran deal • Shah Rukh Khan reacts to academy clip, says he feels like king • Few issues remain in US-Iran talks, Says Ishaq Dar at Antalya Forum • US–Iran talks continue on 3-page plan to end conflict • Pakistani film “Psycho” set for worldwide release on Eid-ul-Adha 2026 • Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Love & War’ set for January 2027 release
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Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt warns family amid marital troubles

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Pakistani YouTuber

LAHORE: Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt, frequently in the spotlight due to his personal life, controversies, and outspoken statements, is once again making headlines.

Rajab Butt, who recently made news following disputes with lawyers, continues to enjoy strong support from his fan base despite widespread criticism on social media. He currently has over 8.3 million YouTube subscribers and 2.9 million Instagram followers.

Reports indicate that Rajab Butt is facing ongoing legal issues, while his marital life is reportedly under strain, as his brother-in-law, Aun Muhammad, has been making statements against him on social media.

Breaking his silence, Rajab Butt issued a firm warning on Instagram, addressing both his wife and brother-in-law. He stated that he possesses additional recordings and screenshots and will no longer tolerate harassment or false claims.

He added that even his mother, sister, family members, and young child have been unfairly targeted with personal attacks. Rajab Butt condemned the spreading of personal information, fabricated stories to garner sympathy, and social media hate campaigns.

Rajab Butt emphasized that his son, Kiwan, remains his top priority, and declared that there will be no further public debate on the matter.

He concluded by saying that while the future of his marriage rests in God’s hands, personal character assassination is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Viral Video: American singer stuns world with Quran recitation

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Viral Video

American singer Jennifer Grout is once again attracting global attention, but this time, it is not her music that is making headlines—it is her moving and spiritually inspiring Quranic recitations, which have left audiences worldwide in awe.

Known in the Arab world for her expertise in classical Arabic music, Grout’s spiritual performances have gone viral on social media, drawing admiration from viewers of all backgrounds.

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Reports indicate that Grout converted to Islam in 2013, marking a significant transformation in both her life and artistry.

After embracing Islam, she dedicated herself to learning the proper recitation of the Quran and began recording verses in her melodious voice, sharing them across various platforms—a move that has been widely praised internationally.

Grout first gained prominence in the Arab world as a finalist on Arab’s Got Talent in 2013. Remarkably, despite initially not knowing Arabic, she performed the works of legendary classical Arabic singer Umm Kulthum with exceptional skill and emotion, impressing both judges and audiences.

Her deep connection with Arabic and Moroccan music later inspired her to move to Morocco, where she not only learned the language but also embraced the local culture. During her time in Morocco, Grout’s journey of spiritual exploration culminated in her conversion to Islam.

Since then, her Quranic recitations have become a source of spiritual solace for Muslims, while non-Muslim viewers also regard her performances with respect, curiosity, and appreciation for their profound beauty. Experts describe her recitations as a unique blend of artistic talent, sincerity, and devotion.

Jennifer Grout’s rare combination of musical mastery and Islamic spirituality has earned her a distinct place on the global stage, and her life story continues to stand as a beautiful example of the universal appeal of Arabic culture, music, and the message of Islam.

PSX sees bullish week with major sector gains

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PSX sees bullish

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a remarkable week of bullish activity, reaching new record highs across major indices.

During the week, the KSE-100 Index surged by 5,375 points, climbing from 179,034 at the start of the week to 184,409 at closing. The index traded at a week-high of 187,015 points and a week-low of 179,535 points.

Market analysts noted that five key psychological levels were restored over the week, with three days of gains and two days of minor declines.

The market capitalization also saw a significant boost, rising by PKR 555 billion over the five-day trading period to reach PKR 20,768 billion.

Experts attributed the bullish trend to institutional investments and expectations of a potential reduction in the policy rate. Strong performances were seen in banking, energy, cement, and fertilizer sectors, among other key industries.

Daily turnover reached nearly PKR 85 billion, marking the highest levels in two decades, highlighting investor confidence and market momentum.

The PSX’s performance reflects renewed optimism among investors, signaling a positive outlook for Pakistan’s equity markets in the near term.

Actress reveals how she lost 40kg without using Ozempic

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Actress reveals

The use of the weight-loss drug Ozempic is reportedly on the rise in India’s entertainment industry, with several Bollywood celebrities rumored to be turning to the medication to shed extra kilos.

However, emerging Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has firmly denied using the drug, distancing herself from the growing trend.

Speaking on Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Bhumi addressed speculation surrounding her dramatic weight loss, stating that she lost more than 40 kilograms through hard work, discipline, regular exercise, and a balanced diet, without relying on any shortcuts or medication.

“I achieved this transformation through exhausting effort and consistency,” she said, adding that the widespread use of weight-loss injections has made people skeptical about natural weight loss.

Bhumi revealed that she is frequently asked whether she used Ozempic, and joked that some people even went as far as asking if she had a rib removed. She expressed disappointment that years of dedication are often reduced to assumptions about a single injection.

The actress also spoke candidly about the challenges she faced during her weight-loss journey, noting that a significant portion of it coincided with one of the most difficult periods of her life.

She recalled being hospitalized with dengue fever in November 2023 while preparing for a shoot, during which she lost nearly 12 kilograms and suffered severe hair loss.

“I spent Diwali in bed while everyone else was celebrating,” she said.

Bhumi emphasized that her transformation was the result of years spent in the gym, strict discipline, and mindful eating, stressing that it is unfair to dismiss sustained effort by attributing it solely to a drug trend gaining popularity in the industry.

Trump’s remarks on unilateral military authority spark global concern

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Trump’s remarks

A statement by US President Donald Trump, marked by aggressive overtones, has triggered widespread concern across the international community.

According to international news agencies, President Trump said in a recent interview that he has the authority to order US military action against any country in the world. He asserted that, as Commander-in-Chief, he holds full powers to issue such orders and that “no one can stop” him.

Trump further stated that decisions to launch military strikes are based solely on his personal judgment and moral principles, adding that he does not consider the opinions or objections of others.

The remarks came at a sensitive time, as the US Senate approved a resolution for debate requiring President Trump to seek congressional authorization for any further military action in Venezuela. The motion passed with 52 votes in favor and 47 against.

Following the vote, President Trump sharply criticized members of his own Republican Party who supported the resolution, warning that they would not be re-elected to the Senate in the future.

However, Trump later canceled a planned second phase of military operations against Venezuela.

It is worth noting that on January 3, US forces carried out a military operation targeting Venezuela’s presidential palace, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were arrested. The couple were reportedly detained in their residence, transferred by helicopter to a naval vessel, and subsequently taken to the United States.

President Maduro and his wife were later presented before a New York court on charges including drug trafficking and other serious crimes.

Both rejected the allegations, describing their detention as an abduction rather than a lawful arrest, and emphasizing Maduro’s status as Venezuela’s sitting president.

According to reports, the US operation resulted in the deaths of around 100 people, including 55 Venezuelan and Cuban military personnel.

The incident has since ignited an intense legal and political debate over under what authority the United States carried out the attack on Venezuela and detained its president and first lady.

Pakistan’s overseas workforce exceeds 700,000 in 2025: Official Data

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Pakistan’s overseas

ISLAMABAD: More than 762,000 Pakistanis moved overseas for employment in 2025, including 18,352 highly educated professionals, according to official data released by the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment.

The bureau reported that 762,499 Pakistanis sought jobs abroad in 2025, marking an increase from 727,381 in 2024.

Professional Breakdown

According to the data, those who left Pakistan for overseas employment in 2025 included:

5,659 accountants

10,503 cooks

3,795 doctors

5,946 engineers

1,640 nurses

1,725 teachers

163,718 drivers

6,475 electricians

In addition, 465,138 laborers, 5,700 masons, 12,703 technicians, 11,777 managers, 2,306 plumbers, and 2,027 waiters also secured foreign employment.

Skill Levels

The bureau categorized overseas workers as follows:

18,352 highly educated individuals

13,657 highly skilled workers

222,171 skilled workers

42,257 semi-skilled workers

466,062 unskilled workers

Top Destination Countries

Saudi Arabia remained the top destination, receiving 530,256 Pakistani workers, followed by:

Qatar: 68,376

United Arab Emirates: 52,664

Bahrain: 37,726

Kuwait: 6,590

South Korea: 39

Among Western and European destinations:

United States: 1,005

United Kingdom: 4,355

Germany: 984

Italy: 813

Other notable destinations included China (2,230), Japan (2,210), and Romania (1,109).

Officials say the data highlights Pakistan’s continued reliance on overseas employment as a major source of livelihood and foreign remittances.

FIFA and TikTok partner to deliver unique digital experience for World Cup

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FIFA and TikTok

Zurich: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and TikTok have signed a first-of-its-kind “Preferred Platform” agreement to expand coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and offer football fans a unique digital experience worldwide.

The partnership is designed to make football’s biggest event more accessible to millions of fans through innovative digital engagement. Under the agreement, TikTok becomes FIFA’s first official preferred platform, providing fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and digital content.

A dedicated “FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub” will be launched on TikTok, featuring match ticket information, viewing details, and interactive gaming features. Broadcasters and official media partners will be able to live stream content, post match clips, and generate revenue through advertising on the platform.

To safeguard FIFA’s intellectual property, TikTok will implement strict anti-piracy measures. For the first time, FIFA and TikTok will also launch a comprehensive Creator Program, granting selected TikTok creators from around the world direct access to press conferences and training sessions to deliver immersive World Cup content to their followers.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the goal is to bring the excitement of the 2026 World Cup closer to fans than ever, emphasizing TikTok as the ideal platform for this mission.

TikTok’s Global Head of Content, James Stafford, highlighted the platform’s growing football audience, noting that 42 percent of sports content viewers on TikTok show increased interest in live matches. He added that the company aims to engage younger audiences and women in particular.

The agreement builds on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, whose videos on TikTok garnered billions of views. The collaboration has now been significantly expanded for the 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams, with the aim of taking the tournament to new digital heights.

Babur Azam’s selfie with Indian fan goes viral in Melbourne

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Babur Azam’s selfie

Melbourne: Pakistan’s national cricketer Babur Azam shared a memorable moment with an Indian fan, which quickly went viral on social media.

After the Melbourne Stars faced Sydney Sixers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Babur Azam interacted with fans, signing autographs and taking photos.

Among the spectators, an Indian girl wearing her national team jersey approached him, holding a poster with his picture, and requested a selfie along with an autograph.

Babur Azam obliged, posing for a photo with the fan and signing her poster. The heartwarming moment received widespread attention online, with fans praising his courteous and positive demeanor. Many noted that despite the intense emotions surrounding Pakistan-India cricket matches, Babur Azam’s popularity transcends borders.

On the match front, Sydney Sixers defeated Melbourne Stars by six wickets. Babur Azam had a modest outing, being dismissed LBW by Stars captain Marcus Stoinis in the seventh over after scoring 14 runs off 17 balls, including one boundary.

Although visibly disappointed, he did not contest the umpire’s decision and returned to the pavilion after a brief conversation with his batting partner.

So far in the tournament, Babur Azam has delivered mixed performances, scoring 145 runs across seven innings, including two half-centuries.

Autonomous Robo-car now available for public purchase

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Autonomous Robo-car

Self-driving vehicles are currently limited to a few countries and mainly offered through ride-sharing services. However, those who wish to own a car capable of autonomous driving—with minimal steering involvement—may soon have that option.

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the company Tenser unveiled its new self-driving robo car designed for everyday consumers.

According to the company, the car can be driven manually as well. When seated in the driver’s position, a touch-screen display allows the steering wheel, brake pedals, and other controls to appear at the push of a button. In autonomous mode, the steering wheel is concealed inside a side screen on the driver’s seat.

The vehicle is equipped with dozens of microphones that enable passengers to give voice commands, such as adjusting the air conditioning or rolling down windows. Each passenger will have access to their own screen, with a total of four displays inside the car. Cameras mounted above each display also provide video call functionality. Passengers in the driver’s seat can interact with these features even while the car is in autonomous mode.

For safety and navigation, the car includes cameras, LiDAR, radar, and ultrasonic sensors that detect objects and help plan the route. Small external displays are installed at each corner of the car to signal pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street.

The robo car will be available in silver and black. While the company has not yet disclosed the price, it confirmed that the vehicle will be released to consumers later this year, initially in the United States, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.

Haris Waheed shares miraculous experience during Umrah with father

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Haris Waheed

KARACHI: Pakistani actor Haris Waheed recently recounted a miraculous event that occurred during his Umrah pilgrimage with his father.

Haris Waheed, who performed Umrah alongside his father, shared the experience with his fans on social media. He posted a video on Instagram showing his father in a wheelchair during the pilgrimage.

According to the actor, his father had used a wheelchair to perform Umrah but was able to walk back home on his own.

Moved by the sight, Haris Waheed said tears came to his eyes and credited the moment to Allah’s blessings, expressing immense happiness for his father.

The video quickly went viral on social media, with fans congratulating the actor on performing Umrah and offering prayers for his father’s health and well-being.