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Cross-party US legislators introduce resolution demanding prompt elections in Caracas

A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a resolution urging the swift organisation of free, transparent elections in Venezuela. The measure comes seven months after the American intervention that removed former President Nicolas Maduro and placed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in charge as acting president.

Spearheaded by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the proposal demands the immediate release of political detainees and measures to protect political figures from violence or state retribution.

The resolution highlights growing Congressional dissatisfaction with the current diplomatic stance of the White House, which lawmakers argue has failed to move the interim administration in Caracas toward establishing democratic processes.

The action arrives as formal talks between the interim government and select opposition factions prepare to open without the inclusion of prominent opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado.

Machado, currently living in exile following post-election repression, has signaled intentions to return home to assist with national recovery following severe earthquakes, despite reluctance from Washington officials who argue her return could destabilise the fragile political environment.

Senatorial leadership emphasised that restoring elected governance remains vital to regional security, cross-border cooperation, and international democratic norms.

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    Kendall Jenner, Jacob Elordi heat up London romance

    Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi have once again attracted attention after sharing a romantic moment during a dinner date in London. The couple were seen leaving China Tang at The Dorchester this week while walking hand-in-hand along Park Lane. Their relaxed appearance together has added to growing interest in their relationship. Jenner looked elegant for the evening in a pale blue sleeveless pencil skirt that highlighted her model figure. She paired the outfit with a black snakeskin-style clutch and matching stilettos. The model kept her dark hair loose over her shoulders and completed her look with nude lipstick and sunglasses. Elordi, meanwhile, opted for a sophisticated pinstriped suit with a black tie and orange-tinted sunglasses. The actor was seen holding Jenner’s hand as they walked away from the hotel, giving photographers another glimpse of the couple’s growing closeness. The pair are currently in London as Elordi prepares for the premiere of his upcoming film The Dog Stars. The movie also features Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce. Their latest appearance comes amid continued reports about the couple’s relationship. Recent speculation claimed that Elordi had arranged a luxury penthouse stay for himself and Jenner at Claridge’s, reportedly costing around £60,000 per night. According to reports, the actor wanted to give Jenner a memorable experience with views across London. The reported luxury stay further fuelled public interest in their romance. Jenner and Elordi’s relationship became more widely known earlier this year after they were reportedly seen kissing at Justin Bieber’s Coachella afterparty. Their connection had already attracted attention after they were spotted together on several occasions. Since then, the pair have reportedly spent time together during trips abroad, including visits to Hawaii and Japan. Their appearance holding hands in Tokyo also became a popular topic on TikTok and other social media platforms. The romance rumours had begun earlier, with Jenner and Elordi reportedly seen having an animated conversation at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March. Their interaction prompted speculation that the two were becoming more than friends. Neither Jenner nor Elordi has publicly discussed their relationship in detail. However, their repeated public appearances and affectionate moments have continued to fuel interest among fans and entertainment followers.

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    Andrew Garfield sets his terms for a Spider-Man return

    Andrew Garfield has finally given fans a real answer on when he might swing back into the Spider-Man suit. The 42-year-old actor first played the superhero in The Amazing Spider-Man and its 2014 sequel. He returned briefly in 2021, teaming up with Tobey Maguire for a surprise cameo in Tom Holland’s No Way Home. That appearance only fueled the speculation. Fans have been asking him about a full comeback ever since, and Garfield has mostly dodged the question with vague replies. That changed recently. With Brand New Day now out in theatres, the topic resurfaced in a new interview, and this time Garfield spelled out his actual condition. He said any future project would need to feel nothing like the Spider-Man stories audiences already know. The actor wants something genuinely unexpected, a version of the character dropped into a completely different kind of film. As an example, he floated the idea of a road trip movie built around Spider-Man, something far removed from the usual superhero formula. The comment set off a wave of reactions online. Fans have started pitching their own concepts for what a Garfield return could look like. Much of the excitement ties back to a running theory that Tom Holland’s latest Spider-Man film quietly teased Miles Morales through a post-credits scene. Riding that theory, one fan on X proposed that Garfield’s Spider-Man could take on a mentor role opposite Miles, rather than headline another solo outing. There’s also a sense among supporters that Garfield has been shortchanged by the studio. Both Maguire and Holland got three Spider-Man films apiece, while Garfield only appeared in two before his brief cameo. Many fans see that gap as proof he deserves another proper shot at the role. For now, nothing is confirmed. But Garfield’s comments make one thing clear: a simple return to the character wouldn’t be enough for him. He’s looking for something that reinvents what a Spider-Man movie can even be, not just another sequel wearing the same mask. Whether Sony or Marvel ever build a project around that idea is still unknown. Until then, Garfield’s fans will keep speculating, and keep hoping he gets the film he’s actually asking for.

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    POC holders allowed to perform Hajj under Pakistan…

    ISLAMABAD: Holders of the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) will now be able to perform Hajj under Pakistan’s official Hajj quota, according to sources familiar with the development. Sources said one per cent of Pakistan’s total Hajj quota will be reserved for POC holders. The decision is expected to provide an opportunity for overseas Pakistanis of Pakistani origin who no longer hold Pakistani citizenship or passports to perform Hajj through Pakistan’s quota for the first time. Under the arrangement, 1,792 POC holders will be eligible to perform Hajj using Pakistan’s allocated quota. The sources said Saudi Arabia has allowed POC holders to be included in Pakistan’s Hajj quota. The permission is being described as a significant development for people of Pakistani origin living abroad who have surrendered their Pakistani citizenship or passports but retain their connection with the country through the Pakistan Origin Card. POC holders will reportedly be eligible to benefit from both the government and private Hajj schemes. This will give eligible applicants the option of choosing between the two arrangements, subject to the applicable rules and requirements. The allocation of one per cent of the overall quota means that a specific number of pilgrims of Pakistani origin will be accommodated within Pakistan’s annual Hajj arrangements without holding Pakistani citizenship. The facility is particularly significant for overseas Pakistanis who have maintained strong links with Pakistan despite giving up their citizenship. The Pakistan Origin Card provides such individuals with a formal connection to the country and facilitates their access to several rights and services. Sources said the inclusion of POC holders in Pakistan’s Hajj quota has been permitted by Saudi authorities following discussions concerning arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims. The move is expected to benefit members of the Pakistani diaspora who have previously faced limitations in performing Hajj through Pakistan because they no longer possess Pakistani passports. The development comes as preparations for the upcoming Hajj season continue. A large number of Pakistani pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under both government and private schemes. The government has also been working on arrangements concerning accommodation, transportation, medical facilities and other services for Pakistani pilgrims. The inclusion of POC holders could further strengthen the connection between Pakistan and its overseas community, particularly those who continue to maintain cultural, family and social ties with the country.

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    Carson Daly shuts down The Voice exit rumors with …

    Carson Daly has officially put an end to speculation about his future on The Voice, assuring fans that he is not leaving the long-running singing competition after 15 years. Rumors about Daly’s departure began circulating after NBC announced a new version of the hit series, The Voice: Celebrity. The upcoming spin-off will feature actress and television personality Keke Palmer as host, leading many viewers to believe Daly was stepping away from the franchise. However, the veteran TV host quickly addressed the reports through a message shared on Instagram.  “Many today have asked if I am leaving The Voice. Nope,” Daly wrote, making it clear that he has no plans to exit the original show. The 53-year-old television personality explained that NBC is simply experimenting with two different formats. The traditional version of The Voice will continue to air during the fall, while the celebrity edition is scheduled for the spring. “We are gonna try out these two formats this fall/spring and see how it goes. Hopefully, this clears up any confusion,” Daly added in his post.  Daly also praised Keke Palmer, saying she is the perfect choice to host the celebrity spin-off. While Palmer will front the new series, Daly will continue hosting the original The Voice, a role he has held since the show’s debut in 2011. In addition, he will remain involved behind the scenes as a producer for the celebrity version.  The announcement comes as NBC looks to refresh the franchise with a new concept featuring celebrity contestants instead of aspiring singers. The celebrity edition will include actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, influencers, and other well-known personalities competing for the title, while the classic version will continue showcasing undiscovered vocal talent.  Fans were relieved after Daly’s clarification, with many taking to social media to celebrate the news. Having hosted the show for more than 30 seasons, Daly has become one of its most recognizable faces, known for guiding contestants through emotional moments and keeping the competition running smoothly. His reassurance also ends days of online speculation that suggested he was stepping away because of scheduling demands. Instead, Daly confirmed that he remains committed to the original series and is excited to see how the two-format approach performs with audiences.  For now, viewers can expect to see Carson Daly exactly where they have for the past 15 years—hosting The Voice while helping the franchise enter an exciting new chapter with its upcoming celebrity spin-off. 

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    Madhuri Dixit returns to TV as Marathi KBC host

    Madhuri Dixit is all set to make her much-awaited return to television, this time stepping into the role of a host after nearly 24 years. The Bollywood icon will be taking charge of Kon Honar Crorepati, the Marathi adaptation of the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati. The announcement marks an exciting new chapter for the 59-year-old actress, who has already built a strong connection with television audiences through her previous appearances as a judge and host. Madhuri expressed her excitement about joining the show, describing the opportunity as an honour and highlighting the programme’s ability to inspire people through knowledge, determination and ambition. According to Madhuri, Kon Honar Crorepati is not simply a quiz-based programme. She believes the show celebrates curiosity, aspirations, hope and the courage people show while chasing their dreams. As someone who proudly identifies with Maharashtra, she is especially excited about interacting with contestants, listening to their personal journeys and watching their dreams unfold on the iconic hot seat. The upcoming season will carry the tagline “Aata Khel Badalnar,” signalling that the game is about to take a new turn. With Madhuri at the centre of the show, viewers can expect a fresh hosting style and a different energy from previous seasons. Although many fans primarily know Madhuri for her celebrated film career, she is no stranger to television. She first stepped into hosting in 2002 with the matchmaking show Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai. Her appearance came years before matrimonial reality programmes became a major part of Indian television. Madhuri later became a familiar face on reality television through her judging roles. She served as a judge on popular dance-based programmes including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Dance Deewane, where her knowledge of dance and warm personality made her a favourite among viewers. The Kaun Banega Crorepati format, meanwhile, has traditionally been strongly associated with Amitabh Bachchan. The veteran actor has hosted almost every season of the original Hindi version since its launch in 2000. The major exception came during the third season, when Shah Rukh Khan took over as host. The Marathi version has also seen several prominent personalities in the host’s chair. Actors such as Sachin Khedekar and Swapnil Joshi, along with filmmaker Nagraj Manjule, have previously led different seasons of Kon Honar Crorepati. Madhuri’s appointment also makes history within the Indian Crorepati franchise. She becomes only the second woman to host a version of the format in India. Actress Radhikaa Sarathkumar previously hosted the Tamil edition. With one of Bollywood’s most recognisable stars now leading the Marathi edition, expectations are high for the upcoming season. Kon Honar Crorepati is scheduled to premiere soon on SonyLIV.

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    PSX drops over 1,000 points

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained under pressure on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 Index fell by more than 1,000 points during intraday trading, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in global financial markets. By late morning, the KSE-100 Index had dropped to around 174,994 points, losing over 1,049 points, or approximately 0.6%, from the previous session. Selling pressure was witnessed across several major sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration, oil marketing companies, power generation and refineries. Heavyweight stocks also traded in negative territory, contributing to the market’s decline. The latest downturn follows a sharp fall in the previous trading session, when the benchmark index lost nearly 1,581 points. Analysts attributed the continued weakness to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have fuelled concerns over global economic stability and pushed international oil prices higher. Global market uncertainty also weighed on investor confidence. Asian stock markets showed mixed performance as investors assessed the US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. The central bank’s policy stance left markets uncertain about the future direction of interest rates, while rising US Treasury yields added to concerns. Meanwhile, international oil prices remained volatile. Brent crude slipped below $90 per barrel after surging sharply a day earlier as conflict in the Middle East intensified. Despite the heightened tensions, reports indicated that commercial shipping through the region continued. Regional equity markets also experienced fluctuations, with technology shares remaining under pressure following recent losses linked to concerns over heavy investment in artificial intelligence and slowing returns.

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