Tom Holland admits he had to fake enthusiasm for bad movies

Dr Omer Adil is no stranger to controversy, and his latest appearance on Dr Ruby Malik’s podcast has once again put him at the centre of a heated public debate. The host and YouTuber, who has built a reputation for speaking about celebrities with unusual bluntness, turned his attention this time to the husbands of wealthy and famous women, naming Bushra Ansari’s second husband as a specific example of what he described as a deeply troubling dynamic. Dr Omer Adil framed his argument by first reaching back to a conversation he once had with the late legendary singer Madam Noor Jehan, who had told him that her throat was effectively her husband, her most prized possession, the one thing that had sustained her family throughout her life. He used this anecdote as a springboard to make a broader point about the particular vulnerability of women whose talent generates significant wealth. His central argument was this: when a woman earns abundantly because of her extraordinary ability, she does not always attract people who genuinely love her. Instead, she attracts those who are drawn to what she has built. In his characterisation, these are not family members but leeches, people who attach themselves to a successful woman and remain there, draining her resources until there is nothing left. He then named Bushra Ansari directly as an example, directing his sharpest remarks toward her second husband, Iqbal Hussain. His objection was rooted in what he saw as a fundamental inversion of the role a husband should play. He questioned how a man could sit at home, making no visible financial contribution to the household, while his wife continues to work and support the family. The image he painted, of a man with a large beard sitting idle while Bushra Ansari carries the professional and financial weight of the marriage, was delivered as a pointed indictment rather than a neutral observation. This is not the first time Dr Omer Adil has publicly expressed his discomfort with Bushra Ansari’s second marriage. He has previously aired his opinions about the relationship on multiple occasions, and each time has done so without walking back his criticism. His willingness to name celebrities specifically and speak about their private lives in such direct terms is what has both earned him a loyal digital audience and placed him at the centre of repeated controversies. Bushra Ansari’s husband Iqbal Hussain had previously appeared in public alongside her and defended their relationship, pushing back against the age-gap criticism the marriage drew. He described the criticism as reflecting double standards and expressed deep admiration and support for his wife. The remarks by Dr Omer Adil have once again reignited debate about who has the right to comment on the private choices of public figures, and whether the kind of blunt, personal commentary he delivers crosses a line between honest observation and unwarranted intrusion into someone else’s marriage.

BIRMINGHAM: American R&B star Usher has addressed the viral on-stage moment from his Nashville concert, making a lighthearted remark during his latest performance in Birmingham, Alabama. While interacting with fans, the singer joked that anyone who was not willing to participate should avoid coming on stage, a comment widely seen as a playful reference to the Nashville incident that sparked widespread discussion on social media. The earlier moment went viral after Usher ended a signature audience interaction when a fan appeared uncomfortable during the performance. The fan, later identified as Gabrielle Cheyenne, later explained that she had not rejected Usher personally. Instead, she had hoped to be invited on stage by fellow performer Chris Brown after unexpectedly receiving a VIP seat upgrade. During the Birmingham concert, Usher invited another audience member on stage, and the interaction was met with enthusiasm, drawing cheers from the crowd and helping put the previous controversy behind him. The Nashville incident generated millions of views online, with fans debating the misunderstanding. However, the singer’s humorous response during his latest show signalled that he had moved on from the viral moment. Usher and Chris Brown are currently touring together across the United States, with their joint R&B tour continuing through the summer and attracting large audiences at every stop.

The Government of Pakistan has announced its annual list of civil awards as part of the country’s Independence Day celebrations, honouring 372 individuals for their contributions across various fields. The recipients will be formally presented with their awards on Pakistan Day, March 23, next year. According to the announced list, 54 awards have been allocated for services to the arts, while 29 recognise contributions to literature and nine have been awarded in the field of sports. Several prominent names from Pakistan’s entertainment and cultural landscape have been included among this year’s recipients. Actors Sania Saeed, Maria Wasti and Mahmood Aslam, musicians Shiraz Uppal and Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, better known as Xulfi, and television host Shafat Ali are among the notable awardees. In the arts category, Sultana Siddiqi has been selected for the Hilal-i-Imtiaz for her services to production, while Nisho Begum, Iftikhar Ahmed Thakur, Fasih Uddin Soharwardy, Shakir Hussain, Taranam Naz and several other prominent figures have been named for Sitara-i-Imtiaz and other civil awards. Mahmood Aslam, Sarfraz Hussain Ansari, M Ehtesham Warsi, Ghazala Kaifi, Shazma Haleem, Maria Wasti and Sania Saeed are among those receiving the President’s Award for Pride of Performance for their contributions to acting and direction. The list also recognises artists and musicians from different parts of the country. Classical musicians, singers, painters, sculptors, choreographers, qawwali performers and traditional craftsmen have been honoured for preserving and promoting Pakistan’s cultural heritage. Among the recipients are Xulfi, awarded for music; Aftab Zafar for painting and illustration; Nadeem Salamat for qawwali; Tayyeba Aziz for painting and sculpting; and several artists recognised for traditional crafts including embroidery, block printing, stone carving and regional handicrafts. The literature category features a wide range of writers, poets, playwrights and researchers. Asad Muhammad Khan has been selected for the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for his contributions to playwriting and poetry. Ejaz Rahim and Muhammad Khurshid Ul Hasan Rizvi are among those receiving the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, while writers including Shakeel Adilzada, Waheed Uz Zaman Tariq, Maqsood Hussain Jafri, Hashim Nadeem and other literary figures have been named for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz. The President’s Award for Pride of Performance in literature has also been awarded to several writers and poets, including Dr Shahida Shaheen, Ali Muhammad Farshi, Aslam Javed, Rehman Faris and other contributors to Urdu and regional literature. The government has also recognised contributions to sports. Atta Mohammad Kakar and Dr Waseem A Tai have been selected for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for their services to boxing coaching and yoga, respectively. The President’s Award for Pride of Performance in sports includes wrest­ler Bashir Bhola, shooter Kishmala Talat, squash player Noor Zaman, ramp-jump performer Sultan Muhammad Golden, boxer Muhammad Waseem and cricketer Sadiq Muhammad. Athlete Faiqa Riaz has been named for the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. The annual civil awards recognise individuals who have made notable contributions to Pakistan in areas including culture, literature, sports and the arts. The awards ceremony will be held on March 23, when the recipients will officially receive their respective honours.