salma hayek embraces
| |

Salma Hayek embraces grandmotherhood, shares 1st l…

Hollywood star Salma Hayek has stepped into a new chapter of her life as a grandmother and has given fans a heartwarming first glimpse of her newborn grandson.

The 59-year-old Oscar-nominated actress shared an emotional video on Instagram on Sunday, August 16, showing herself lovingly holding the baby and speaking to him in Spanish.

Hayek revealed that the baby, born to her stepson François Pinault Jr. and his wife Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck, has been named François. However, the actress said she plans to affectionately call him “Panchito,” a nickname that she says the newborn already seems to enjoy.

“We are blessed to welcome the fourth living generation of Francois,” Hayek wrote alongside the video, expressing her joy over the newest addition to the family.

Hayek shares her 18-year-old daughter Valentina with her husband, François-Henri Pinault. She is also stepmother to Pinault’s three other children, Mathilde, François and Augustin.

Although Hayek only recently made her grandmotherhood public, reports indicate that the baby was born in July. The new parents recently marked their first month as a family, sharing photographs of their baby boy, including sweet moments with Hayek.

The Desperado and Frida star’s latest post has since drawn warm reactions from fans, who celebrated the actress’s joyful new role and the growing Pinault family.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Punjab University sports management faces backlash…

    Punjab University’s sports management has come under scrutiny after imposing one-year bans on players, coaches, managers, and team officials, a decision that has sparked debate among the university’s sports community. Critics have questioned whether disciplinary measures of this nature represent the right approach toward promoting sports development at one of Pakistan’s leading educational institutions. They argue that the primary responsibility of sports administrators should be to support athletes, improve training facilities, resolve issues, and create a positive environment for sporting growth. Concerns have also been raised over the involvement of some officials in administrative and internal matters rather than focusing solely on strengthening sports programs and addressing athletes’ concerns. A video circulating on social media has further fueled discussion, showing university officials participating in a bhangra performance with students, with critics questioning whether the department’s priorities are aligned with its core responsibilities. Sports circles have called for a balanced approach, emphasizing transparency, athlete welfare, and constructive management practices to ensure that disciplinary actions contribute to improvement rather than discouraging participation in university sports.

  • | |

    Raja Nasir Abbas condemns PIMS hospital tragedy, q…

    ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has described the PIMS Hospital incident as an extremely painful and unbearable tragedy, expressing deep concern over the loss of lives and the suffering of affected families. Speaking to the media after arriving at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Raja Nasir Abbas criticized the government’s response to the incident and questioned whether removing a health secretary could be considered an adequate action in response to such a serious tragedy. He said that simply removing a senior health official would not address the underlying issues that led to the incident. According to him, the government must look beyond administrative changes and take practical measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. “Do you think that by removing one health secretary, you have done your job?” he questioned while speaking to the media. The Senate opposition leader also expressed sympathy for the families who lost their children in the incident. He asked people to imagine the pain and suffering of parents whose children were burned to death. “What must the parents whose children were burned to death have gone through?” he asked, while condemning what he described as the actions and handling of the situation by the authorities. Raja Nasir Abbas said that such incidents raise serious questions about the quality of public services and the government’s responsibility toward citizens. He stressed that people rely on state institutions for essential services, particularly healthcare and education, and expect these institutions to provide safe and reliable facilities. The opposition leader also drew a comparison between the public education and healthcare systems and the growing reliance on private institutions. He said that when government schools fail to meet people’s expectations, families are often forced to turn toward private educational institutions. Similarly, when people do not receive satisfactory treatment or adequate medical facilities at government hospitals, they are compelled to seek treatment from private hospitals. He argued that this trend places an additional financial burden on ordinary citizens, particularly families who cannot afford expensive private healthcare or education. Raja Nasir Abbas emphasized that government institutions should be strengthened so that citizens can receive essential services without having to depend on private alternatives. He suggested that authorities need to identify weaknesses within public-sector institutions and take effective steps to improve their performance. His comments came during his visit to PIMS, where he spoke about the incident and the concerns surrounding the hospital’s safety and management. The tragedy has prompted questions about safety arrangements, institutional accountability and the government’s responsibility for protecting patients and their families. The opposition leader’s remarks also highlighted the broader issue of public confidence in government institutions. When public hospitals fail to provide adequate care or safe facilities, people who cannot afford private treatment are particularly vulnerable. He called for greater accountability and better management of public-sector institutions, arguing that administrative decisions alone cannot resolve systemic problems. The incident has intensified debate over hospital safety and emergency preparedness, with calls for authorities to investigate what happened and determine whether negligence or shortcomings contributed to the tragedy. Raja Nasir Abbas maintained that the government must take meaningful measures rather than limiting its response to the removal of individual officials. He stressed that improving public hospitals and ensuring the safety of patients should remain a priority. He further expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and condemned the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying that the suffering of parents who lost their children could not be ignored.

  • |

    Shanto backs Bangladesh to handle Australia’s pace and bounce

    DARWIN: Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes his team is ready for the pace and bounce of Australian conditions as the visitors prepare for their first Test on Australian soil in more than two decades. Bangladesh will face Australia in Darwin in their first Test in the country since 2003. The unfamiliar conditions are expected to provide a major challenge, particularly against an Australian attack capable of generating significant pace and bounce. Bangladesh’s preparations suffered an early setback when they were bowled out for just 54 against a Cricket Australia XI in a practice match. Shanto, however, insisted the result had not damaged the team’s confidence after spending around 10 to 12 days preparing in Darwin. “Tackling the bounce is the key,” Shanto said at his pre-match press conference, adding that Bangladesh had spent recent months preparing on bouncy pitches at home. The captain acknowledged that the opening phase against the new ball could be Bangladesh’s toughest test but urged his batters to remain disciplined and trust their natural game. Bangladesh arrive with reasons for optimism. They defeated Australia 2-1 in an ODI series in June, securing their first bilateral series victory over the 2023 ODI World Cup champions. The matches were played on relatively quick pitches, giving the visitors useful experience before their Test assignment. Their improvement has also been reflected in the World Test Championship standings. Bangladesh currently sit fourth after completing a 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan in May, compared with seventh place in the previous WTC cycle. Shanto said the team had made steady progress, particularly with the ball, but believed greater consistency from the batting unit could take Bangladesh to another level. The visitors are also considering a combination of three fast bowlers and two frontline spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. Mehidy heads into the match with confidence after scoring a century in the tour game. Shanto expects the Darwin pitch to offer opportunities for both batters and bowlers. “There’s grass on the wicket, but it’s a good wicket where both batters and bowlers will find help,” he said. For Bangladesh, the Test represents more than a difficult overseas assignment. It is an opportunity to measure their recent progress against one of cricket’s strongest teams in conditions that demand patience, discipline and adaptability.

  • |

    Ayesha Zafar shines as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in final T20I

    DAMBULLA: Pakistan women ended their Sri Lanka tour on a positive note as Ayesha Zafar produced an all-round performance to guide her side to a four-wicket victory in the third and final T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. Although Pakistan claimed the final match, Sri Lanka secured the three-match T20I series 2-1 after winning the opening two encounters. Chasing a modest target of 114, Pakistan reached 117 for six in 18.2 overs, with Ayesha leading the run chase through a composed 39 off 31 balls. Her innings featured six boundaries and came at a crucial stage when Pakistan needed stability after losing early wickets. Young batter Shawaal Zulfiqar provided valuable support with a quick 21 from just 12 deliveries, striking three fours and a six to keep the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari picked up two wickets each, but the hosts were unable to defend their total as Pakistan finished the chase with 10 balls to spare. Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 113 for six in 20 overs. Athapaththu was once again the standout performer for the home side, scoring 34 runs and hitting five fours during her innings. Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by 23-year-old Momina Riasat, who delivered an impressive spell of 2 for 18 in four overs. Ayesha Zafar also contributed with the ball, claiming one wicket before making the decisive impact with the bat. The victory gave Pakistan a much-needed confidence boost after a difficult tour, where they managed two wins from six matches across the ODI and T20I series. Despite losing the T20I series, the final-match triumph offered encouraging signs, particularly through the performances of Ayesha Zafar and Momina Riasat. With several young players stepping up under pressure, Pakistan will take valuable positives from the tour as they begin preparations for upcoming international assignments.

  • | | |

    PTI seeks LHC order for August 5 Minar-e-Pakistan …

    LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has moved the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking judicial intervention after the Lahore district administration allegedly failed to decide its application for permission to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on August 5. The constitutional petition, filed by PTI Lahore President Mian Usman Akram through legal counsel, names the Deputy Commissioner Lahore and other relevant government authorities as respondents. The party argues that the delay has created uncertainty over one of its planned political gatherings at a time of increasing political activity across the country. According to the petition, PTI submitted its application to the Deputy Commissioner’s office on July 22, requesting official permission to organize a peaceful public rally at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan. However, despite the passage of several days, the district administration has neither approved nor rejected the request. The petitioner contends that the prolonged silence from the authorities amounts to an arbitrary exercise of power and effectively prevents the party from exercising its constitutional rights. It argues that every citizen and political party is entitled to hold peaceful public meetings and political gatherings, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law. PTI maintains that administrative authorities cannot deny constitutional freedoms simply by delaying decisions on lawful applications. The petition states that the failure to issue a timely decision has deprived the party of sufficient time to make arrangements for the proposed gathering and has created unnecessary legal uncertainty. The petition further argues that public assemblies are an essential component of a democratic society, allowing political parties to communicate with supporters and present their views peacefully. It says government officials are legally required to act fairly, transparently, and within a reasonable timeframe while deciding such applications. Seeking judicial relief, PTI has asked the Lahore High Court to direct the Deputy Commissioner Lahore to decide the pending application for the August 5 rally without further delay. The party has also requested the court to declare the prolonged inaction unconstitutional, unlawful, and without legal authority. In addition, the petition urges the court to ensure that the respondents perform their statutory duties in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws, enabling the party to exercise its democratic and political rights through a peaceful public gathering. The case is expected to come before the Lahore High Court in the coming days. The court’s decision could determine whether the district administration must promptly rule on PTI’s request ahead of the proposed August 5 rally. At the time of filing, no official response had been issued by the Lahore district administration regarding the allegations made in the petition.

  • |

    Ben Carroll becomes Victoria premier as Labor seeks fresh start before election

    Australia’s state of Victoria has a new premier after the ruling Labor Party selected Ben Carroll as its leader ahead of the closely watched state election in November. The leadership change comes as Labor attempts to improve its standing with voters after months of declining public support under former premier Jacinta Allan. Carroll, who had been serving as Victoria’s deputy Labor leader, was elected unopposed on Tuesday shortly after Allan announced her resignation. He now takes charge of Australia’s second most populous state, which includes the city of Melbourne, at a time when Labor faces a difficult electoral challenge. Allan became premier in 2023 but struggled to maintain public confidence as concerns over the economy and growing dissatisfaction with Labor’s long period in office affected her popularity. The party has governed Victoria for the past 12 years, and recent opinion polls suggested many voters were ready for a change. Several surveys conducted before Allan stepped down indicated that the opposition Liberal Party was on course to win the November election. However, some polls suggested the Liberals might need support from the right wing One Nation party to form a government if they fail to secure a clear majority. Speaking after announcing her resignation, Allan warned that the possibility of a Liberal and One Nation alliance remained the biggest concern for Labor. She argued that such a coalition would pose a significant political challenge for the state and urged voters to consider the implications before casting their ballots. One Nation was founded in 1997 and was once considered a fringe political movement. In recent years, however, the party has gained greater public support through its tough stance on immigration and other national issues. Its leader Pauline Hanson has seen her popularity rise, with some opinion polls showing stronger public approval for her than for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The leadership transition comes just one day after an Australian court rejected Hanson’s appeal against a ruling that found she had racially discriminated against a Muslim senator by telling her to return to Pakistan. The decision kept the earlier judgment in place and added further attention to One Nation during an already important political period. Allan said she had been prepared to contest any leadership challenge within Labor but ultimately decided that stepping aside was in the party’s best interest. She explained that a leadership battle only months before the election would consume valuable time and resources that should instead be focused on the campaign. She also expressed confidence that she could have retained the leadership if challenged, but said avoiding internal divisions would give Labor a better chance of competing effectively in November. With Ben Carroll now leading the party, Labor hopes a fresh face at the top will help reconnect with voters and improve its prospects in one of Australia’s most important state elections. The outcome will be closely watched across the country as a measure of changing political trends and the growing influence of smaller parties such as One Nation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *