North Korean hacking group builds AI tools for cyberattacks – report

Actor Kajal Aggarwal has opened up about why she chose to focus more on South Indian cinema than Bollywood during her two-decade-long career. In a recent interview, the actress said the decision was driven by the quality of roles and the professionalism she experienced in the South Indian film industry. Born into a Punjabi family in Amritsar, the 41-year-old actress has successfully balanced careers in both Hindi and South Indian cinema. However, she revealed that she received stronger scripts and more meaningful characters in Telugu and Tamil films, making it easier for her to prioritize projects in the South. Kajal explained that she never wanted to accept average or uninspiring roles simply to remain active in Bollywood.Instead, she chose films that challenged her as an actor and allowed her to grow professionally. According to her, South Indian filmmakers consistently offered better opportunities that matched her expectations and career goals. Speaking about the differences between the two industries, Kajal highlighted professionalism and punctuality as one of South cinema’s biggest strengths. She said film sets in the South operate according to strict schedules, with cast and crew respecting call times and production timelines. In contrast, she noted that delays are common in Bollywood, where work often does not begin on time. Kajal admitted that she is accustomed to disciplined work environments and prefers productions that value time management. She suggested that Bollywood could benefit from adopting the same level of punctuality practiced in the South Indian film industry. The actress also reflected on her experience working alongside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the film Sikandar. Kajal revealed that she was excited to share the screen with the actor because he had been her childhood crush. However, she humorously recalled that Salman was the co-star who made her wait the longest on set. She said that while waiting for filming to begin, she often spent time exercising in the gym available on the set. Kajal added that her habit of arriving on time comes from years of working in South cinema, where schedules are generally followed more strictly. Kajal Aggarwal made her acting debut in the 2004 Hindi film Kyun…! Ho Gaya Na before rising to fame in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Over the years, she has become one of the industry’s most successful and highest-paid actresses. She is next set to appear in The India Story, directed by Chetan DK and co-starring Shreyas Talpade.

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that banned militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), are operating from Afghan territory under the protection of the Afghan Taliban. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, Dar described terrorism originating from Afghanistan as a serious threat to regional peace and stability. He said these militant groups continue to carry out attacks from across the border, posing a major security challenge for Pakistan. Dar stated that Pakistan has witnessed more than 2,000 terrorist attacks so far this year, resulting in the deaths of over 560 civilians. He also claimed that evidence had emerged linking some Afghan nationals to several of these attacks. The foreign minister urged SCO member states to call on the Afghan Taliban to fulfill their counterterrorism commitments and prevent Afghan territory from being used by militant organizations. Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, Dar said dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only sustainable solutions to regional disputes. He highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting diplomatic engagement and stressed the importance of supporting ongoing peace initiatives. Dar also noted that Pakistan hosted talks between Iran and the United States in April 2026, which, according to him, led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in June 2026. He urged the international community to support diplomatic efforts while remaining vigilant against attempts to undermine the peace process. Looking ahead, Dar said Pakistan will assume the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State in September 2026 and host the SCO Summit in 2027. During its chairmanship, Pakistan plans to prioritize regional connectivity, trade, agricultural cooperation, youth exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties. On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, Dar also met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and efforts to promote peace and stability. Dar emphasized the need for restraint, de-escalation, and continued diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges, while both sides agreed to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest.

INDIANAPOLIS: A large number of members of the Sikh community participated in a Khalistan referendum held in Indianapolis, Indiana, despite rainy weather, as organizers called for the creation of an independent Sikh state. The event was organized by Sikhs for Justice, with participants travelling from different cities and states across the United States. Organizers said voting continued despite the rain, with women and children also among those attending. Polling was scheduled to remain open until 6pm, after which organizers were expected to announce the final turnout. Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised during the event, while some participants also expressed support for Kashmir’s independence. Ghazala Habib, chairperson of Friends of Kashmir, addressed the gathering and said she was the only non-Sikh speaker to speak from the stage. Vikramjit Singh, a representative associated with the Khalistan Referendum Campaign, said the initiative was launched in 2020 but faced disruptions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the first voting event under the campaign was held in London on October 31, 2021, attracting thousands of Sikh participants. According to Singh, subsequent voting events were organized in countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Canada. He said Canada hosted three events in Toronto, two in Vancouver and another in Calgary, while the United States has held voting in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and now Indianapolis. Singh claimed that nearly two million Sikhs worldwide had participated in the campaign so far. However, the figure could not be independently verified. He accused the Indian government of committing historical injustices against Sikhs, citing the 1984 attack that damaged the Akal Takht and subsequent violence against the Sikh community, as well as what he described as the exploitation of Punjab’s economic resources. Singh said supporters of the movement wanted to pursue their demand through peaceful and democratic means. He called for a formal referendum in Punjab whose outcome, according to him, would have legal and political effect for all parties. Organizers said details of the Indianapolis vote and the next stage of the campaign would be announced after polling concludes. The campaign is expected to hold another referendum in Canada on October 18, although the specific city has not yet been confirmed.