تازہ ترین

  • |

    Houthi attacks kill 38 Yemeni troops, dozens injured

    Houthi missile and drone strikes killed at least 38 Yemeni government soldiers and injured 29 others on Thursday in one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, according to medical sources. The assaults targeted military camps in Marib and Hadramawt provinces, including positions near the Saudi Arabian border. Security officials said one of the missiles struck troops during their morning assembly at a military camp in Marib, causing heavy casualties. Military sources said the attacks hit camps in the Al-Ruwaik area of Marib as well as Al-Abr and Al-Wadiah in Hadramawt. The strikes left dozens of soldiers dead or wounded, with officials warning that the casualty toll could rise as some of the injured remain in critical condition. The latest violence comes as Yemen’s long-running conflict has intensified following recent regional tensions. Last month, the Iran-backed Houthi movement expanded its military actions after renewed hostilities involving Iran and the United States. The group resumed attacks after a period of relative calm, including strikes on government forces and maritime targets. In a separate incident last month, Houthi fighters killed 16 government-aligned soldiers during an attack south of the strategic port city of Hodeidah. Yemen has been devastated by conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognised government to relocate. The rebels continue to control much of northern Yemen, while government forces hold large parts of the south. Although a UN-brokered truce reached in 2022 significantly reduced large-scale fighting, the agreement eventually expired, and sporadic clashes have continued. The latest attacks highlight the fragile security situation and raise fears of further escalation in a war that has already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

  • | |

    Pakistan, allies condemn Israeli actions in Gaza

    Pakistan and seven Muslim-majority countries have jointly condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip, describing attacks on civilians, healthcare facilities and essential infrastructure as serious violations of international law. In a joint statement released on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates expressed strong concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. They said continued attacks on hospitals, medical personnel and civilian infrastructure, along with the mounting civilian death toll, particularly among women and children, represent grave breaches of international humanitarian law. The ministers warned that the ongoing violence undermines efforts to implement the next phase of the proposed peace roadmap and risks worsening instability across the region. They stressed that the protection of civilians, medical workers and humanitarian operations must remain a priority under international law, calling for unrestricted delivery of food, medicine and emergency aid throughout Gaza. The joint declaration also linked the situation in Gaza with developments in the occupied West Bank, citing settlement expansion, attacks by settlers and measures affecting East Jerusalem. According to the ministers, these actions weaken the prospects for a two-state solution and further erode the rights of the Palestinian people. The eight countries urged the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to take effective steps to ensure compliance with international law and hold those responsible for violations accountable. They said greater international action is needed to protect civilians, support humanitarian efforts and help secure a lasting ceasefire. The ministers also rejected any attempt to annex occupied Palestinian territories, impose Israeli sovereignty over them or forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland. They reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through a credible political process leading to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement comes as violence continues in Gaza despite ceasefire efforts. Recent airstrikes have caused further casualties, while negotiations over a US-backed roadmap remain stalled.

  • | |

    Umera Ahmed urges fans to avoid AI-generated content

    Renowned Urdu novelist Umera Ahmed has appealed to readers and content creators to stop producing and sharing AI-generated visuals based on her literary works, saying such content diminishes the emotional and spiritual depth of her stories. In a statement shared through her official Instagram page, Ahmed’s team thanked readers for their continued love and support but expressed concern over the growing number of AI-generated images, videos and reels portraying scenes, characters and dialogues from her novels. The statement urged fan pages and digital creators to refrain from using artificial intelligence to recreate her books. According to the team, literature offers every reader a unique and personal experience, while AI-generated visuals limit that imagination by presenting a fixed interpretation of characters and events. Special concern was raised over Ahmed’s acclaimed novel Peer-e-Kamil, which the team described as a deeply spiritual and emotionally sensitive work. They said its message, beauty and sanctity should not be diluted through artificial intelligence-generated content. While appreciating the passion and dedication of fan communities, the statement encouraged readers to experience and share the author’s work in its original form, allowing the stories to leave their intended emotional impact without technological alteration. The appeal comes as artificial intelligence continues to spark debate within Pakistan’s creative and entertainment industries. Concerns over the misuse of AI have grown in recent months, with artists and public figures warning about its impact on originality, artistic integrity and personal image rights. The discussion intensified after an AI-generated promotional music video released by the Ministry of Planning and Development drew widespread criticism. Separately, television personalities Tauseeq Haider and Farah Saadia were forced to deny false rumours after AI-created images depicting their alleged wedding circulated online. Actor Hira Tareen has also urged fellow performers to carefully review contract terms, warning that some agreements may allow studios to use an actor’s likeness for AI-generated productions without adequate safeguards.

  • | |

    Shah Rukh Khan overtakes Virat Kohli in brand rankings

    Shah Rukh Khan has reclaimed the top position as India’s most valuable celebrity brand, surpassing cricketer Virat Kohli in the latest Kroll India Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025. The report values Khan’s brand at $177.9 million, marking a significant rise from his third-place ranking in 2024. The increase reflects the commercial success of his recent films, strong audience appeal and continued popularity among advertisers and major brands. Actor Ranveer Singh secured second place with the same estimated brand value of $177.9 million, while Kohli dropped to third with a valuation of $158.4 million after recording a notable decline over the past two years. The rankings evaluate celebrities based on endorsement deals, brand partnerships, public image, media visibility and influence across digital and social media platforms. Khan’s brand value has grown by $57.2 million during the last two years, highlighting his strong comeback and renewed commercial strength. Among female celebrities, Alia Bhatt remained the highest-ranked woman, securing sixth place with a brand value of $93.9 million. She was followed by Deepika Padukone in seventh with $89.2 million. The top 10 also includes Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar, reflecting the continued commercial influence of Bollywood’s biggest names. Further down the rankings, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan retained places among India’s leading celebrity brands, while younger stars including Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor continued to strengthen their commercial presence. The latest rankings underline the growing importance of box office performance, digital influence and public engagement in determining the market value of celebrities, with Shah Rukh Khan once again emerging as India’s most sought-after brand ambassador.

  • | |

    Alia Bhatt leads female celebrities in India’s brand rankings

    Actor Alia Bhatt has emerged as India’s highest-ranked female celebrity in the Kroll Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2025, securing sixth place overall with a brand value of $93.9 million. While Shah Rukh Khan retained his position as India’s most valuable celebrity brand, Alia topped the list among female stars, reflecting her strong commercial appeal and endorsement value. According to the report, Deepika Padukone ranked seventh with a brand value of $89.2 million, while Alia’s husband, Ranbir Kapoor, secured 10th place with a brand valuation of $80 million. Among the rising stars, Rashmika Mandanna claimed 12th position with a brand value of $75.2 million. Veteran actress Kareena Kapoor Khan ranked 15th with a brand value of $61.8 million, followed by Kiara Advani in 16th place at $51.9 million. The report also highlighted the growing commercial influence of younger actresses. Kriti Sanon secured 18th place with a brand value of $50.2 million, supported by the success of her skincare venture, while Ananya Panday ranked 19th with a valuation of $48.5 million, driven by her partnerships with several international brands

  • | |

    PTI backs new provinces with constitutional consen…

    PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan has voiced support for the creation of new provinces, saying administrative reforms are needed to improve governance, but stressed that any such move must be carried out strictly under the Constitution and with broad political consensus. Speaking during a television interview on Thursday, Gohar described the formation of new provinces as a national necessity. However, he emphasized that constitutional requirements must be fulfilled, including securing a two-thirds majority in the relevant provincial assemblies before any proposal could move forward. The PTI chairman also expressed skepticism about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif completing his full five-year constitutional term, though he did not elaborate on the reasons behind his remarks. The debate over creating new provinces gained momentum after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi recently argued that Pakistan’s governance system had become ineffective and required major structural reforms, including the establishment of additional administrative units. Naqvi later clarified that his comments reflected concerns about the country’s governance over several decades rather than criticism of the current government. The proposal has drawn mixed political reactions. Murad Ali Shah firmly rejected any suggestion of dividing Sindh, stating that the provincial assembly has repeatedly passed unanimous resolutions opposing such a move. He maintained that any change would require constitutional approval through a two-thirds majority in the concerned assembly. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah distanced the government from Naqvi’s remarks, describing them as the minister’s personal opinion. He said any discussion on creating new provinces should take place in parliament and follow the constitutional process. Sanaullah noted that establishing new provinces involves complex constitutional, financial and administrative considerations, including representation in parliament and resource distribution.

  • | | |

    Bullet casing found near spot where Mir Raza Ali&#…

      Police investigating the death of a young man, Mir Raza Ali, have recovered a spent bullet casing from the area where his body was found in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar neighborhood. The discovery is being treated as a potentially important piece of forensic evidence that may help investigators determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to police sources, the bullet casing has been collected and will be sent for forensic examination. Experts will conduct ballistic testing to determine the type of firearm from which the bullet was fired. Investigators hope the analysis will establish whether the casing can be linked to a specific pistol or any weapon previously used in other criminal cases. Officials said that forensic testing is a standard part of the investigation and could provide valuable clues regarding the events leading up to Mir Raza Ali’s death. If the casing matches a firearm recovered in the future or one already registered in forensic databases, it could help identify those responsible or provide investigators with new leads. Police sources stressed that it is still too early to reach any conclusions about the case. They cautioned against speculation, saying that the investigation remains in its initial stages and that all available evidence is being examined carefully. Authorities emphasized that no official determination has yet been made regarding the motive or the exact circumstances of the young man’s death. Investigators have also confirmed that the pistol believed to have been used in the incident has not yet been recovered. The search for the weapon is continuing, and police teams are working to locate it as part of the ongoing investigation. Recovering the firearm is considered a key objective, as it would allow forensic experts to compare it directly with the recovered bullet casing and establish whether the two are connected. In addition to the forensic examination, investigators are expected to continue gathering evidence from the crime scene and surrounding areas. Police may also review available surveillance footage, interview potential witnesses, and collect any additional material that could assist in reconstructing the sequence of events. Such investigative steps are commonly taken in cases involving suspicious deaths to ensure that all possible evidence is preserved and analyzed. Authorities have reiterated that the investigation is progressing and that further updates will be shared once forensic reports and additional evidence become available. Until then, police are urging the public to avoid drawing conclusions based on unverified information. The recovery of the bullet casing marks an important development in the investigation, but officials maintain that it represents only one piece of the overall evidence. The final findings will depend on forensic analysis, witness statements, and any additional evidence collected during the course of the inquiry. For now, investigators remain focused on uncovering the facts surrounding the death of Mir Raza Ali and determining whether any criminal involvement was responsible for the incident.

  • |

    ‘Ramayana: Part One’ finally gets official release date

    The makers of one of the year’s most anticipated films have finally locked in a release date. Sony Pictures confirmed on X that the epic will hit theatres soon. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in lead roles. It’s set to release on November 6, 2026, just two days ahead of Diwali. Produced by Namit Malhotra, the project is being released as a two-part film. While Part One arrives this November, Part Two isn’t expected until around Diwali 2027, though an exact date is yet to be revealed. Ranbir Kapoor recently opened up to The Direct about the difficulty of adapting the sprawling epic into just two films. He admitted that doing justice to the story in such a limited format wasn’t easy. The 43-year-old actor explained that a story as vast as Ramayana would typically need far more room to be told properly. He said condensing it into two parts posed a genuine creative challenge. Kapoor also pushed back against the idea that the story required reinterpretation for today’s audiences. He said the text has endured for roughly 4,000 years, offering timeless lessons on courage, forgiveness, compassion and the battle between good and evil. He added that Lord Rama has remained a moral guide for millions of people across generations. For Kapoor, the story’s themes still resonate strongly without needing modern updates. The film’s trailer, released in July, opens with Yash’s Ravana declaring dominion over all three worlds before triggering widespread chaos. That destruction prompts Lord Vishnu to take the form of Ram to restore balance. The story then follows Ram’s journey through childhood, battles with demons, and his marriage to Sita, before he is sent into 14 years of exile. Sita and Lakshman choose to accompany him during that period. The narrative eventually shifts toward Sita’s abduction by Ravana, setting up the climactic battle that follows. With the release date now locked, anticipation for the film’s arrival is only expected to grow.

  • | | |

    CBFC orders cuts in Emraan Hashmi’s Awarapan 2 b…

    Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi’s much-awaited film Awarapan 2 has officially received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), but only after several significant edits were made. The film has been awarded a U/A 16+ certificate, allowing viewers aged 16 and above to watch it under parental guidance. The CBFC approved the film on August 5, 2026, with a final runtime of 140 minutes and 20 seconds. However, before granting certification, the board instructed the filmmakers to implement changes at nine different points throughout the movie. According to reports, the CBFC asked the makers to tone down violent sequences, remove certain objectionable words from both the audio and subtitles, and include mandatory health warnings related to smoking and drug use. The board also directed the filmmakers to display the Hindi title prominently and ensure that anti-smoking messages remain visible during scenes featuring tobacco use. In addition, the certification body required a warning related to child trafficking to be included in the film. Some action scenes were shortened to reduce the intensity of violence, while one particular sequence was reportedly cut by nearly 50 percent. A scene involving drug inhalation was also modified to comply with certification guidelines. The end credits were adjusted to better align with the background music. Overall, approximately four minutes of footage were removed, while another 20 seconds of content were altered. Despite these edits, the film’s official runtime remains unchanged at 140 minutes and 20 seconds. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, Awarapan 2 stars Emraan Hashmi alongside Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi in key roles. The film serves as the sequel to the 2007 hit Awarapan and continues the emotional storytelling of the original while introducing a darker, revenge-driven narrative. Produced by Vishesh Bhatt, the sequel also reunites composer Mithoon and lyricist Sayeed Quadri. Fans can look forward to refreshed versions of the iconic songs “To Phir Aao” and “Tera Mera Rishta,” along with several new tracks created specifically for the film. With the required CBFC changes now completed, Awarapan 2 is set for a theatrical release on August 14, 2026. The film is expected to attract both longtime fans of the original and new audiences eager to see Emraan Hashmi return to one of his most memorable franchises.

  • |

    Saba, Soha reveal why they missed Saif’s first wedding

    Saif Ali Khan’s sisters, Saba and Soha, have opened up about missing their brother’s wedding to Amrita Singh. Their confession quickly caught the internet’s attention. Speaking with Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi, the Pataudi sisters revealed they were still in school when Saif got married. They said the news reached them in an unusual way. Saba explained that she and Soha were called into the principal’s office when the wedding happened. Their parents had phoned in specifically to instruct them not to tell anyone about it. She added that by the time they got the call, the news had already made it into the newspapers. Despite that, they were still told to keep quiet about it. Soha addressed the reaction from Neha Dhupia during the conversation, admitting she was quite young at the time. She recalled learning about the wedding from her French teacher rather than her own family. She described the entire event as something that happened almost without warning. According to her, it truly was a last-minute affair that caught everyone off guard. Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh got married in October 1991, in a private Islamic ceremony. The wedding wasn’t a public affair, which explains why even close family members were kept out of the loop. The couple went on to build a life together over the next several years. They welcomed daughter Sara Ali Khan in 1995, followed by son Ibrahim Ali Khan in 2001. After thirteen years of marriage, Saif and Amrita eventually parted ways in 2004. Their children have since gone on to build their own careers in the entertainment industry. Decades later, this candid revelation from Saba and Soha has given fans a rare, personal glimpse into a chapter of their brother’s life that mostly stayed private at the time.