LAHORE: Veteran Pakistani actor Behroze Sabzwari has revealed the reason he no longer participates in podcasts.
Speaking to a journalist during a promotional event for his upcoming film Neelofar, Sabzwari said he often regrets statements he makes on podcasts. “I feel bad afterward, but what can I do? The truth just slips out of my mouth,” he remarked.
He added that his family worries about this habit, saying, “Since childhood, I’ve had this nature of speaking whatever comes to mind. But now I’ve become much more cautious.”
Explaining why he has distanced himself from podcasts, Sabzwari said, “I stopped going because they ask controversial questions just to make money, and later twist the narrative. Such people should be ashamed, but what can we do? Our audiences enjoy controversies and want to see such content.”
The actor admitted that he often becomes the center of controversy but questioned whether “speaking the truth should be considered a problem.”
At least 44 people have been killed after a massive fire broke out in a high-rise residential complex in northern Hong Kong, international media reported on Thursday.
According to reports, the blaze erupted in one of the multi-storey buildings of the large residential estate.
The Fire Department classified it as a Level 4 fire, indicating a major incident, and has been battling the flames for several hours.
Authorities confirmed that 29 people have been injured, while the dead include one firefighter. Several firefighters engaged in extinguishing the blaze were also hurt during the operation.
Officials said that 279 residents are currently unaccounted for, and many people are still believed to be trapped inside the building.
Rescue operations are ongoing, while approximately 700 residents have been moved to temporary shelters.
The residential complex consists of eight blocks, each 31 floors high, housing nearly 2,000 apartments with an estimated 5,000 residents.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, according to the news agency.
Two US National Guard personnel were shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., leaving both critically injured, American media reported on Thursday.
According to initial reports, a man opened fire on the National Guard service members near the White House perimeter, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. A heavy police contingent reached the scene immediately after the shooting.
National Guard shot near the White House at a little before 2:15.
I was in an Uber to work, with my cameraman, and heard multiple shots fired as we passed Farragut West.
A member of the National Guard fell while others rushed onto the scene.
Both injured guardsmen were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
Police confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody. U.S. authorities identified him as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived in the United States in 2021.
Following the incident, the White House was placed under temporary lockdown, while surrounding areas were cordoned off. Residents were advised to avoid the vicinity of I Street.
The US Secretary of Homeland Security said the department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to gather details.
President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism. During a speech, he also ordered a re-evaluation of every foreign national who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a social media statement, Trump referred to the shooter as a “beast” and warned that the attacker would “pay a heavy price” for targeting National Guard troops.
Authorities said the two injured guardsmen were from West Virginia. The state’s governor stated he is in constant contact with federal officials and that investigations are underway.
In a separate development, flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were briefly grounded due to heightened security concerns following the shooting. Normal operations resumed after a short suspension.
Meanwhile, United States has suspended all immigration applications submitted by Afghan nationals indefinitely, American media reported.
According to reports, the Trump administration ordered the immediate halt after an Afghan man shot and critically injured two National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C.
In a post on social media platform X, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that all immigration applications from Afghan citizens have been paused “for an indefinite period.”
Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols.
The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remains our singular focus and…
The agency stated that security and screening protocols for Afghan immigration cases will undergo further review before any applications are processed.
Admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College in “Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir” (IIOJK) have once again laid bare the anti-Muslim bias of Hindu extremist groups.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made it clear that the admissions were granted strictly on the basis of merit, not religion.
He stated that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has such an issue with Muslim students, it should declare the medical college a minority institution so that Muslim students may pursue their education in Bangladesh or Türkiye.
According to reports, in the first batch of the new medical college, 42 out of 50 seats allocated to the Jammu and Kashmir region were secured by Muslim students purely on merit.
However, Hindu extremist groups including the BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal have staged protests, demanding the cancellation of Muslim students’ admissions.
These groups claim that Hindu students should be given preference in the admissions process.
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has issued a special ruling for Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, reducing his suspension to one match after receiving a red card, just days after the striker met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ronaldo, 40, was initially facing a three-match ban for violent conduct during Portugal’s recent match against Ireland, which would have sidelined him for Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener.
However, FIFA cited that this was the first red card of Ronaldo’s international career spanning more than two decades, leading to the shortened suspension.
The striker had already served his ban in the subsequent match against Armenia, making him eligible for Portugal’s opening World Cup fixture.
Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez previously defended Ronaldo, arguing that his on-field outburst did not constitute violent conduct.
FIFA clarified that if Ronaldo commits a similar offense during the probationary period, the remaining two-match suspension will be enforced immediately.
The special ruling comes shortly after Ronaldo’s high-profile meetings with President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the latter’s visit to the United States.
DUBAI: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced the schedule for the Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in Dubai from 12 to 21 December.
The tournament will feature eight teams, including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with three additional teams joining through qualifiers.
Group A will comprise Pakistan, India, and two qualifier teams (Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 3), while Group B will include Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Qualifier 2.
The highly anticipated Pakistan vs India match is scheduled for 14 December. Both semi-finals will take place on 19 December, with the final set for 21 December.
LAHORE: Pakistani YouTuber Azlan Shah has sparked social media buzz after sharing an Instagram story hinting at a second marriage.
In his Instagram story, Azlan wrote: “There is an important thing I want to share with you all. I feel that as a public figure, it is my responsibility to speak about it myself before you hear it from someone else.”
He further stated: “It’s quite unusual, but I am getting married again. My wife has given her consent, so please keep my family away from all this; it is my personal matter.”
The YouTuber also asked his fans for prayers and good wishes at the end of his message.
It remains unclear whether Azlan Shah shared the story seriously, as a joke, or if his account was compromised.
Azlan Shah is the son of the late actor Shabbir Rana. He married social media influencer Dr. Warisha Javed Khan in 2022, and the couple has a two-year-old daughter.
KARACHI: Fans are calling Sidra Niazi the “Katrina Kaif of Pakistan” due to her charming personality and stylish presence.
Her recent appearance in the drama ‘Sanwal Yar Piya’ has captured audience attention, with her glamorous on-screen look and performance impressing viewers.
Social media users noted that Sidra Niazi’s beauty, confident screen presence, and overall look bear a striking resemblance to Bollywood star Katrina Kaif, contributing to her rapid rise in popularity.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for Bahrain on a two-day official visit, leading a senior delegation, the Foreign Office confirmed.
The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, senior officials, and other dignitaries.
During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif will hold high-level meetings with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
The official visit highlights the long-standing cordial relations between Pakistan and Bahrain and aims to strengthen results-oriented and strategic partnership between the two countries.
The visit is expected to reinforce traditional goodwill, open new avenues of cooperation, and deepen people-to-people ties, contributing to mutually beneficial collaboration.
KARACHI: A lioness at Karachi Zoo has given birth to three healthy cubs, zoo authorities confirmed here on Wednesday.
According to the spokesperson for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the cubs were born on last week , and zoo veterinarians examined them, declaring them completely healthy.
The spokesperson added that Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, has instructed officials to provide special care for the lion cubs.
However, the cubs will not be displayed to the public immediately; they will be gradually introduced for public viewing only after veterinary clearance.
Mayor Wahab said this is a joyful moment for the city and wildlife enthusiasts, highlighting that the recent improvements at Karachi Zoo are showing positive results.
