Magazine

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    BLACKPINK marks 10 years with emotional fan tributes

    BLACKPINK has reached a major milestone, celebrating a decade since its debut with all four members coming together for a special 10th-anniversary event. Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rosé reunited on Friday, August 7, as the group marked 10 years since beginning its journey in the K-pop industry. The occasion also gave the members an opportunity to reflect on their career and the support they have received from fans around the world. Following the celebration, the members shared personal messages and photographs on social media, giving BLINKs a glimpse into the significance of the milestone. Jennie shared an emotional tribute expressing her gratitude to fans who have supported the group throughout its decade-long career. She reflected on how much she has experienced since BLACKPINK’s debut, including performing on major stages, travelling around the world and meeting people who influenced her journey. The singer also acknowledged that her career has come with challenges, but said the constant encouragement from fans has helped her continue pursuing her dreams. Jisoo also joined the anniversary celebrations online by sharing a previously unseen photograph from the special event. The image showed all four members together, giving fans another memorable moment from the gathering. The reunion also came after online speculation about Rosé’s attendance at the anniversary celebration. Questions had circulated about whether the singer would be able to attend because of her personal schedule. Her agency, The Black Label, subsequently addressed the speculation and provided clarification regarding her participation in the commemorative occasion. BLACKPINK’s 10-year milestone has particular significance because the group has remained one of the most influential K-pop acts internationally since its debut. The group was formed by YG Entertainment after its members were recruited through auditions in South Korea and other countries. Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rosé each underwent years of intensive training before officially debuting on August 8, 2016. Their training included vocals, dancing and language skills, preparing them for careers that would eventually take them far beyond South Korea. Over the past decade, BLACKPINK has established a global fanbase and achieved major milestones in music, touring and entertainment. The anniversary gathering therefore became more than a celebration of the group’s debut. For the members and their fans, it marked a decade of music, performances, challenges and shared memories.

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    Kylie Jenner kicks off birthday celebrations with pink kitty party

    Kylie Jenner has begun celebrating her upcoming 29th birthday with a playful pink-themed gathering, giving her millions of Instagram followers a glimpse into the festivities. The reality television star and entrepreneur shared several moments from her pre-birthday celebrations on Instagram Stories on Friday, August 7. Among the first details she showed off was her fresh manicure, featuring pink nail art that she described as her “pre bday nails.” Kylie also gave fans a look at the private celebration, which appeared to follow a pink and kitten-inspired theme. In one video, a close friend was seen dancing while wearing playful fake cat claws and a pink hat featuring kitten ears. The mother of two later shared a self-recorded clip showing herself walking across a wooden floor in a pink mini skirt. She described the gathering as her “pre bday princess kitty party,” adding a personal touch to the early celebrations. Kim Kardashian leads birthday tributes Kylie’s older sister Kim Kardashian was among the first members of the Kardashian-Jenner family to publicly mark the occasion. Kim shared an image of a crowned kitten surrounded by flowers on her Instagram Story and sent a birthday message to her younger sister. The tribute came just days before Kylie is scheduled to officially turn 29 on Monday, August 10. Other members of the family, including Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, had not publicly shared birthday messages for Kylie at the time of the report. Kylie’s romance remains in spotlight Alongside her birthday celebrations, Kylie continues to attract attention over her relationship with actor Timothée Chalamet. The couple, who have been romantically linked for around three years, have made several high-profile appearances together in 2026, including events surrounding the Critics’ Choice Awards, Oscars, NBA Finals and World Cup Final. Recent reports suggest that the pair are not rushing toward engagement and have taken a slower approach to making major decisions about their future.

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    Noor Hassan’s Pakistan exit remark sparks fury

    Pakistani actor Noor Hassan has sparked a heated discussion on social media after sharing a post about his decision to leave Pakistan. The actor, who has built a strong reputation through several popular television dramas, recently took to Instagram to share a picture along with a caption suggesting that he found greater peace after moving away from his home country. His remark quickly caught the attention of social media users, with many interpreting it as a criticism of the conditions in Pakistan. The statement has since generated a wide range of reactions, reflecting the growing debate among Pakistanis about life opportunities, security, freedom and quality of living. Some users strongly criticised Hassan for speaking negatively about Pakistan after gaining recognition and success in the country’s entertainment industry. They argued that celebrities who achieve fame locally should not publicly portray the country in a negative manner. Others, however, defended the actor and said his statement should be viewed in the context of the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens. They pointed to concerns surrounding economic pressures, limited opportunities, governance issues and what they described as a lack of basic rights. Several commenters also connected Hassan’s remarks to the broader issue of brain drain, arguing that many skilled professionals and young people consider moving abroad because they believe they can find better career prospects and living conditions elsewhere. The contrasting reactions have turned the actor’s social media post into a wider conversation about whether leaving Pakistan necessarily means rejecting one’s homeland or simply seeking a more peaceful and stable life. Noor Hassan is known for his performances in a number of well-known television projects, including Humsafar, Maat, Muqaddar, Meer Abro and Aseer Zadi. He has also received appreciation for his recent performance in the drama Noor Jahan. While some viewers continue to disagree with his remarks, others believe the discussion highlights genuine frustrations experienced by people who are considering opportunities outside Pakistan.

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    Amber Khan’s dance video draws mixed reactions online

    Pakistani actress, television host and former model Amber Khan has found herself at the centre of an online discussion after a recent dance video from a wedding celebration attracted criticism on social media. Amber, who has remained active in Pakistan’s entertainment industry for years, has recently been sharing glimpses of her personal and professional life with followers through Instagram and YouTube. The actress has been attending wedding festivities with friends and posting pictures and videos from the celebrations. In a recent clip, Amber was seen dancing with her friends to the popular Bollywood song “Munni Badnam Hui”. The video quickly circulated among social media users, prompting a variety of reactions from viewers. While some followers appeared to enjoy the celebratory mood and praised Amber for confidently participating in the festivities, others were less impressed by the dance performance. Several commenters criticised what they considered to be the style and nature of the performance, with some describing it as inappropriate for a public social media post. A section of users also questioned whether such dance performances were suitable for family gatherings. Some comments focused on Amber’s age, while others criticised celebrities more broadly for sharing content that they believe may invite unnecessary controversy. However, social media reactions were not entirely negative. Many people argued that celebrities should be allowed to enjoy private celebrations and that a short dance video from a wedding should not become the subject of harsh personal criticism. Amber Khan has enjoyed a long association with Pakistani television and has appeared in several drama serials, including Dobara, Kismat, Mumkin, Manjhali, Muhabbat Aur Mehngai and Modern Family. She also gained wider public attention after participating in the reality show Tamasha in 2023. Apart from acting and hosting, Amber is also associated with the beauty industry and digital content creation. She continues to maintain an active presence on social media, where she regularly interacts with her followers.

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    Tamil Nadu CM Vijay’s wife withdraws divorce petition

    CHENNAI, August 7, 2026: Sangeetha, the wife of popular actor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, has withdrawn her divorce petition filed before a family court. According to Indian media reports, Sangeetha appeared before the court through video conference on Friday and informed the judge that she no longer wished to pursue the divorce case. Based on her statement, the court allowed her to withdraw the petition and disposed of the case. According to the court order, Sangeetha had formally submitted an application seeking withdrawal of the petition. The court recorded her statement, while Vijay’s lawyer raised no objection to the withdrawal. The court also allowed Sangeetha to file a fresh petition in the future if necessary. Sangeetha had filed for divorce in February 2026. In her petition, she had alleged that Vijay was involved in a relationship with a female actor. She claimed that she became aware of the alleged relationship in 2021. According to her, Vijay had promised to end the relationship but allegedly failed to do so. The petition further alleged that Vijay gradually excluded Sangeetha from his personal and professional life. She claimed that he continued to appear publicly and travel abroad with the actress. Sangeetha also stated that photographs of Vijay and the actress were repeatedly shared on social media. She alleged that Vijay neither denied nor objected to the circulation of the pictures. According to the petition, Sangeetha said the situation caused severe emotional distress and humiliation to her and their two children, Jason Sanjay and Divya Sasha. She also alleged that Vijay withdrew previously available facilities, imposed financial restrictions and limited her movements. Sangeetha further claimed that Vijay’s behaviour and social media controversies surrounding him in 2024 caused her significant emotional trauma. She maintained that their marriage had effectively ended and existed only on paper. She alleged that the relationship had subjected her to prolonged emotional distress, humiliation and suffering.

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    Miss North Carolina loses crown after allegations

    Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse has been removed from her title following a review of information that recently came to light, pageant organisers announced. A Blaize Productions, which runs the state pageant, said it had made the decision to end Boltinhouse’s reign after examining the circumstances. The organisers did not disclose the nature of the information that prompted the review. Miss USA organisation president Thom Brodeur said the organisation does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia or language that degrades or strips people of their dignity. Brodeur said the issue was not linked to a single incident. According to him, the information presented to the organisation pointed to conduct that had allegedly occurred over an extended period. He said Boltinhouse had apologised and was expected to issue a statement addressing the matter. She has not publicly provided details about the circumstances leading to her removal. Boltinhouse, 27, won the Miss North Carolina USA title in June. She had been preparing to represent the state at the 75th Miss USA competition in Miami later this month. Organisers said the decision was not taken lightly and followed a “thorough review” of recently surfaced information. They said the action was necessary to protect the integrity of the title and uphold the organisation’s standards. The state’s runner-up, Myla Hadley, will now take over the title and represent North Carolina at the Miss USA pageant. Hadley said she understood the significance and responsibility attached to the position and was prepared to take on the role despite the short notice. She said she had been preparing to represent North Carolina at the national competition since she first entered the organisation’s pageant system. The winner of the upcoming Miss USA competition will go on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in November.

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    Delhi court orders removal of objectionable content about Tabu

    NEW DELHI: Bollywood actress Tabu has received relief from the Delhi High Court in a personality rights case, with the court directing several websites and online platforms to remove content deemed objectionable by the actress. According to Indian media reports, Tabu had approached the court, arguing that the material available on various websites and digital platforms violated her personality rights and was defamatory and obscene. Justice Jyoti Singh, while hearing the petition represented by senior advocate Swati Sukumar, directed multiple social media platforms, e-commerce listings and websites to remove the allegedly objectionable content. Various scenes from Tabu’s films were also discussed during the hearing. Tabu’s lawyer told the court that certain video clips were being promoted using search terms that portrayed the actress in an inappropriate manner. Some scenes, the lawyer said, had been slowed down or given altered titles to create a sexualised impression. Sukumar argued that the repeated appearance of such material through new accounts and posts made the issue more serious than an ordinary copyright or content infringement dispute. During the hearing, counsel representing an online platform referred to another personality rights case being heard by the court on the same day. The lawyer suggested that personality rights proceedings could sometimes be used to seek removal of allegedly defamatory material. The court observed that the legal questions raised in Tabu’s case could have wider implications beyond the present matter. Justice Jyoti Singh said that highly harmful material may require a mechanism capable of preventing such content from appearing online in the first place. The court also examined the safeguards currently used by online platforms, including automated content detection systems, in-app complaint mechanisms and grievance redressal procedures under the Information Technology Rules. Justice Singh observed that the key challenge was not simply the formulation or implementation of policy, but the creation of an effective system capable of preventing objectionable material from being uploaded at the initial stage. The court said an amicus curiae would be appointed to assist it in examining the broader legal questions involved in the case. The proceedings will also identify related legal issues that may require detailed consideration at a later stage. The court further indicated that it would consider developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for dealing with similar cases involving harmful or objectionable online content.

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    Shawn Mendes goes Instagram official with Bruna Marquezine

    Shawn Mendes has confirmed his relationship with Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine after sharing a heartfelt Instagram tribute that gave fans a glimpse into their romance. The Canadian singer surprised followers by posting a series of personal moments featuring Marquezine, highlighting their connection and the special memories they have created together. The post marked the first time Mendes publicly acknowledged their relationship, moving their romance from speculation into the spotlight. Mendes’ emotional message celebrated Marquezine’s presence in his life, with the singer expressing appreciation and affection for the actress. The tribute included intimate moments between the pair, showing a more personal side of the usually private star. The couple had sparked relationship rumours after being seen together on several occasions, leading fans to speculate about their growing connection. However, Mendes’ latest social media post served as a clear confirmation that the two are officially together. Marquezine, a major name in Brazilian entertainment, has built a successful acting career and gained international recognition for her role in the superhero film “Blue Beetle.” Her growing global profile has made her one of Brazil’s most recognised young stars. Mendes, meanwhile, has continued to maintain a strong presence in the music industry with his chart-topping hits and worldwide fan base. Throughout his career, the singer has often spoken about personal growth, finding balance, and protecting his private life away from the public eye. The announcement quickly attracted attention from fans around the world, many celebrating the couple’s decision to share their happiness publicly. Social media was filled with messages of support as followers reacted to the singer’s sweet tribute. With their relationship now confirmed, Mendes and Marquezine appear ready to embrace this new chapter together while continuing to focus on their successful careers. Their public debut as a couple marks a memorable moment for fans who have followed both stars throughout their journeys. https://www.instagram.com/p/DbogoGBEsW_/?img_index=3&igsh=ZXBtN2w0aTkxam5h

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    Asim Azhar invites cover artists for ‘Khabbay Sajjay’ unplugged version

    Pakistani singer Asim Azhar is giving one talented cover artist a chance to work with him on the official unplugged version of his popular Punjabi song ‘Khabbay Sajjay’. Azhar announced the opportunity through an Instagram reel after noticing the large number of fans and musicians sharing their own covers of the track. The singer asked his followers to tag their favourite cover artist in the comments of his latest reel. He said one selected artist would get the opportunity to join him for the official unplugged rendition of the song. Azhar later shared an Instagram story to clarify that the opportunity was genuine. He said he was impressed by the creativity and talent shown by musicians who had performed their versions of the song. He also hinted that the unplugged project could include a music video featuring the selected artist. ‘Khabbay Sajjay’ is among the 10 tracks featured on Azhar’s album. The Punjabi romantic song revolves around deep affection and devotion towards a loved one. The track has also attracted significant attention on YouTube, where it has crossed the one-million-view mark. With the new initiative, Azhar is not only celebrating the song’s popularity but also creating an opportunity for emerging musicians to work alongside an established Pakistani artist.

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    Cortis urges fans to put phones down

    SEOUL: K-pop boy band Cortis is challenging a growing concert habit by asking fans to put their phones away and experience performances without constantly recording them. The group made the message central to its ongoing global tour, which is also titled “Put Your Phone Down.” The tour began in Incheon on July 18 and is scheduled to travel to several international cities before returning to Seoul later this month. During the opening show, one of the members repeatedly called on the audience to put their phones down. While some fans followed the request, thousands continued filming the performance on their devices. The band’s message has sparked debate among fans, particularly within K-pop culture, where concert videos and fancams play an important role. Fans frequently record their favourite artists and share the footage online, where clips are used to revisit performances, study choreography and capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten. Some concertgoers said recording was important because live shows can be rare and expensive experiences. One 22-year-old fan said she had even rented a high-end smartphone specifically to capture Cortis’s performances. She explained that she records concerts because memories of the event can fade quickly once the show ends. Others welcomed the group’s approach. A 25-year-old concertgoer said she noticed fans dancing and enjoying themselves more freely when they were not focused on their screens. The debate reflects a wider discussion in the global music industry. Several international artists have introduced restrictions on phone use during concerts, including systems that place devices inside locked pouches for the duration of performances. Cortis, however, appears to be taking a less restrictive approach. Rather than completely banning phones, the group has encouraged fans to treat putting their devices away as a way of being more present during the show. The band’s message also softened during its second concert. According to fans who attended, the members acknowledged that people naturally wanted to record the performances but urged them to maintain a balance between filming and enjoying the experience. The group has rapidly gained attention since making its debut under BigHit Music. Its members are mostly teenagers, while the oldest member, James, is 20. Cortis has also expanded its international profile, recently performing at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. The band’s name comes from the phrase “colour outside the lines,” reflecting its stated image of challenging conventions. Its campaign against excessive phone use appears to follow that same spirit. Rather than treating concert filming as simply right or wrong, Cortis is encouraging fans to remember that a live performance is also about direct interaction between artists and their audience.