Author: newsdesk

  • Hamas says ‘Ready’ for Gaza truce after Lebanon ceasefire

    Hamas says ‘Ready’ for Gaza truce after Lebanon ceasefire

    Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a senior official in the Palestinian resistance group said Wednesday, hailing the ceasefire that took hold in Lebanon.

    “We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” the official told AFP, however, accusing Israel of obstructing a deal.

    In a statement released later Wednesday, Hamas said, “the enemy’s acceptance of the agreement with Lebanon without achieving its preconditions marks a significant milestone in shattering (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s illusions of reshaping the Middle East through force”.

    The group also praised the “pivotal” role of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon.

    In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority expressed hope that the ceasefire would bring stability to the region, especially in war-torn Gaza.

    “We hope that this step will contribute to stopping the violence and instability that the region is suffering from,” the Palestinian presidency said in a statement, highlighting the need to enforce a UN resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

    Violence in the West Bank-occupied by Israel since 1967-has surged since the Gaza war erupted after Hamas’s unprecedented October 7, 2023.

    Notably, the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect today after more than a year of fighting that has killed thousands of people.

    US President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his ministers had agreed to a halt.

    The United States is Israel’s key ally and military backer, and Biden hailed the deal as “good news” and a “new start” for Lebanon. 

    Netanyahu thanked Biden for his involvement in brokering the deal and said it would allow Israel to focus on Hamas in Gaza and Iran.

    Under the terms of the Lebanon truce, Israel will maintain “full” freedom to act against Hezbollah if it poses any new threat, Netanyahu said.

    However, a truce in Lebanon, Netanyahu said, will permit Israel to redirect its focus on Gaza, “When Hezbollah is out of the picture, Hamas is left alone in the fight. Our pressure on it will intensify.”

  • Aleema Khanum slams party leaders for leaving workers in the dark

    Aleema Khanum slams party leaders for leaving workers in the dark

    Aleema Khanum, sister of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, criticised party leadership over the lack of proper guidance and absence of instructions to party followers during the recent protest at the federal capital.

    Aleema Khanum, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), asked, “Why was the sound and light on the container shut early evening [on November 26]?

    She complained that due to the absence of a sound system and lighting, “no instructions” were issued or guidance provided to the public in “complete darkness.”

    “We pleaded all evening for the lights and sound on the container to be turned on, but there was no response from those giving directions,” former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum said.

    However, she was not the only one who had complained about the lack of professional approach of party leadership; PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai also pointed out the absence of coordination among the party leadership during the recent protest march.

    Speaking to Geo News on Tuesday night, Shaukat Yousafzai emphasised, “Authority position holders have disappointed us.”

    Yousafzai asked why the federal government’s offer for negotiations was not pursued? and why there was no consultation on the government’s proposal for talks?


    Meanwhile, Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Federal Information and Broadcasting, on Wednesday stated that security forces had not used the weapon against demonstrators on Tuesday night, noting, “During PTI protest, government property was damaged.”

    Rejecting the claims that more than 30 individuals had died in clashes between security forces in recent nights, he maintained that some people want to do politics on dead people without having “evidence.”

    It should be noted here that following the Islamabad Police grand operation against PTI workers, the PTI founder’s wife, Bushra Bibi, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, and other PTI leaders and workers had managed to escape the federal capital.

  • Javeria Saud found filming one death scene very ‘challenging’

    Javeria Saud found filming one death scene very ‘challenging’

    One of the most viewed “saas-bahu” dramas on-air nowadays recently introduced a shocking plot twist. Baby Baji Ki Bahuwain was released after the massive success of Baby Baji 1.

    The drama is based on a joint family and how people face several challenges while they are living through it all. The recently aired episodes shocked the drama’s fans when they brought in Jamal’s death sequence as a twist.

    Javeria and Saud, aka Azra and Jamal, who are both real and reel life partners, went live on Instagram and shared how they felt about the death scenario.  

    They shared the emotional and technical challenges they encountered while filming the heart-wrenching death scene. 

    Actress Javeria and her husband Saud have mentioned the difficulties they faced while shooting the death scene in the popular drama ‘Baby Baji 2’, admitting that it was difficult for them to get the shoot done as both of them shot at different times.

    Javeria and her husband also played the roles of husband and wife in ‘Baby Baji 2’ and recently Saud was shown dying in an episode of the drama.

    After hearing about Saud’s death in the drama, videos of Javeria Saud’s acting went viral on social media, where people praised her performance and expressed their sadness that Saud’s character was killed off.

    Now both the husband and wife have thanked the fans for praising Saud’s death scene in the drama and Javeria’s subsequent reaction to the news of her husband’s death.

    They thanked fans for praising their acting during a live broadcast on Instagram.

    Both actors said, “After the death scene in the drama, not only their close friends and relatives but also fans are expressing their sympathy and sending them messages on social media.”

    Saud said, “We had no idea that our death scene would hurt the fans so much, and we are grateful to the fans for expressing their sorrow and love.”

    Javeria said, “Not only fans but also relatives and friends expressed their sadness over Saud’s death scene and everyone was worried.”

    Javeria mentioned, “It was difficult to shoot the husband’s death scene, so I requested the drama team to shoot both at different times.”

    According to her, she has not yet watched the episode with the death scene, but those who have watched it are sending her messages of sorrow and sympathy.

    Javeria and Saud also thanked their fans for their love and admitted that such scenes are painful and not easy to watch or perform.

  • Watch: Law enforcement personnel kick PTI supporter down from three-storey container

    Watch: Law enforcement personnel kick PTI supporter down from three-storey container

    A video of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter being pushed down by security personnel from atop three piled-up containers has gone viral on social media.

    PTI official social media accounts shared the video and captioned it: “An innocent, unarmed protester was seen praying on a container when an armed paramilitary officer brutally pushed him off from a height equivalent to three stories. This shocking act of brutality raises profound questions: What did the officer, his superiors in the military, Mohsin Naqvi, and the PML-N hope to achieve through this horrifying display of violence and the countless other lives they have taken from their fellow citizens?” 


     
    It was clear from the video that the man tried to hold on to the container, but he was pushed nonetheless and ultimately fell.

              View this post on Instagram                      

    A post shared by The Current (@thecurrentpk)


     
    Meanwhile, there is no information and official confirmation on the current status of the man who can be seen falling down. 

    The video was recorded as PTI marched on the federal capital from November 24 to November 26, leading to violent clashes with law enforcement forces, causing the death of four Pakistan Rangers personnel and speculation of PTI supporters being killed as well.

    However, the protest ended late last night after PTI leadership, including Member National Assembly Umar Ayub, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and incarcerated leader Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, left Islamabad.

    Earlier, PTI leader Shoukat Yosafzai expressed disappointment with the party leadership over Tuesday’s final call protest as so many people had gone there and were left there by them. 

    “It was the funeral of political culture in the country,” he said, pointing out that the government handled the protestors brutally. Moreover, he said that there is a need for self-analysis as well. He expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination within the party leadership during recent events, emphasizing missed opportunities for dialogue and poor decision-making. He also said that “no leader came forward except Ali Amin”, stressing that  “those holding positions of authority have disappointed us. Ali Amin Gandapur was made a scapegoat, and from Peshawar to Islamabad, no leader was visible.”

  • A helicopter, Bushra Bibi, and two PTI leaders; Ansar Abbasi reveals strange tale of PTI dharna

    A helicopter, Bushra Bibi, and two PTI leaders; Ansar Abbasi reveals strange tale of PTI dharna

    Half a day after PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi abruptly disappeared from the protest in Islamabad, the question remains of what actually happened. 

    Journalist Ansar Abbasi claims to have details of what really happened on Tuesday night. 

    He has revealed that two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders were provided helicopters to reach Hassan Abdal to convince former First Lady Bushra Bibi about the cancellation of the protest march towards D Chowk.

    The journalist revealed that following a meeting between Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Advisor of Information and Broadcasting Barrister Saif with party founder Imran Khan, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi provided them with a helicopter to fly to Bushra Bibi and convince her to stop the march.

    However, the two leaders were a bit late as the march had already moved to the federal capital.

    It merits a mention that on Monday (November 25), the second day of the protest march, at the end of the party founder meeting with Barrister Gohar Khan and Barrister Saif at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Khan had agreed not to march on D Chowk and stage the situation in in the Sangjani area.

    Party leadership was informed to stage a sit-in at Sangjani until the outcome of the background dialogue between the government and PTI. 

    Sangjani is in the outskirts of Islamabad, where PTI held its September 8 rally.

    Ansar Abbasi stated that CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur and Opposition Leader of the National Assembly Omer Ayub Khan conveyed Imran Khan’s message to Bushra Bibi; however, she remained adamant about marching towards D Chowk.

    However, prior to the march towards Islamabad, Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly was not in favour of accompanying party founder Imran Khan’s spouse, Bushra Bibi, towards Islamabad.

    Following an argument between Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, she boarded the container from Peshawar.
    On November 21, Imran Khan had put demands before the federal government from jail, including his release till Friday (November 22), to postpone his “final call” which the government did not agree to. 

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    Ansar Abbasi furthermore claimed that the Interior Minister approached Ali Amin Gandapur and Omer Ayub Khan regarding the cancellation of the party protest. However, both remained helpless as the party’s central command was in the hands of Imran Khan’s wife.

    Mohsin Naqvi said on the same day that the “secret leadership” of the PTI was controlling everything, leaving other party leaders “powerless”.

    Speaking to media as PTI convoys continue to advance towards D-Chowk after violent overnight clashes, the interior minister said that party leaders did not want bloodshed, but they were powerless in front of a “secret leadership” that actually had control over the party.

    “Even the PTI leadership does not want bloodshed, but the secret leadership’s agenda is not aligned with Pakistan,” Mohsin Naqvi said, adding that a “hidden hand” was involved in the unrest.

    “The PTI leadership wanted to engage in dialogue, but the secret leadership did not want it,” he added.

  • Ravi Shastri reveals fun story of how Virat took Anushka on Australia tour before marriage

    Ravi Shastri reveals fun story of how Virat took Anushka on Australia tour before marriage

    Former Indian team head coach Ravi Shastri recently narrated an interesting incident of star batsman Virat Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma.

    While talking to foreign media, Ravi Shastri narrated a 10-year-old story about Virat. 

    “In 2015, when I was the coach of the Indian team, Anushka and Virat were dating each other. Virat came to me and asked if it was allowed to bring only wives on the tour. Can’t the girlfriend come along?” 

    Ravi said, “I gave permission, then Kohli said that the Board is not giving permission. I called and got permission, then Anushka was with us on this tour.”

    He said, “In the first Test against Australia, Kohli scored 160 runs, after which the same thing happened, Virat gave Anushka a flying kiss while she was sitting in the stands, which happens in most matches now. Anushka has always been Virat’s biggest supporter.”

    Recently, in the Perth Test, Virat scored a magnificent century against Australia.

    Virat’s new post leaves fans in shock

    Indian star batsman and former captain Virat Kohli’s new post on social media has left fans worried.

    As per the details, Kohli’s November 20 post on the micro-blogging website X (formerly Twitter), left fans confused as to whether it was about divorce or retirement.

    “We were busy figuring out who we were. Ten years of ups and downs, and even the pandemic couldn’t shake us. If anything, it reminded us being different is our strength. So, here’s to ten years of doing it our way- the Wrogn way. Here’s to being Wrogn. And here’s to the next ten! Wrogn, for the right kind of man [sic],” he added.

    With the post coming after Indian singer and composer A. R. Rahman and his wife Saira Banu’s separation, netizens started speculating if Kohli was also hinting at divorce.

    However, it turned out to be a promotional post for a brand.

    Virat’s association with this brand

    Sporting Beyond is a new company that helps athletes with their business. It’s like a team that takes care of everything from sponsorships to charity work.

    Recently, a big cricket star, Virat Kohli, joined Sporting Beyond. He said he’s excited to work with this team because they share his love for sports and his values.

    Sporting Beyond is still new, but it’s already making a big impact. It’s helping athletes focus on their sport while they handle the business side of things.

    “Looking back, we’ve always been a bit different. We never fitted into any box they tried putting us in. Two misfits, who just clicked. We’ve changed over the years, but always done things our way. Some called us crazy; others didn’t get it. But honestly? We didn’t care.,” he wrote.

  • Are Justin and Hailey Bieber ending their marriage? Here’s what they say

    Are Justin and Hailey Bieber ending their marriage? Here’s what they say

    Canadian singer Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber are laughing off endless divorce  rumors.  After six years of marriage and the arrival of their baby son Jack Blues, the couple is more focused on their family than gossip. 


     According to People magazine, the couple revealed that they find the divorce chatter “annoying” but dismiss it as “just noise.”


     “They laugh at the constant rumors,” an insider shared with People. 
     “They are just focusing on their family now and have been even more in love since baby Jack arrived.” 

     For Justin, 30, and Hailey, 28, their family life has only strengthened their bond. Justin, who’s been in a “happy bubble” since the birth of their son, is committed to being a devoted dad and husband. “He wants to focus on being a great dad,” People Magazine added.  


     Hailey Bieber recently shared a touching anniversary post, featuring a Polaroid of her and Justin sharing a kiss with the caption, “06 years, Love you baby.”  

    The global superstar Justin Bieber and Hailey have welcomed their first baby, and they couldn’t be any happier.  


    The proud parents shared news of the arrival of their little bundle of joy, Jack Blues Bieber, on August 23. The news was shared by Justin himself on his Instagram account. 

    Justin Bieber posted a picture of his baby’s feet on Instagram. He captioned it:
    “WELCOME HOME
    JACK BLUES BIEBER”


    The blues is a category of music. So we are guessing their son has been named for the music, not the colour. 


    When the couple announced they were expecting the baby for the first time on May 09, 2024, they did so through quite a sweet video and pictures from their vows renewal ceremony. 

     Hailey has been updating her fans on her pregnancy journey on social media.

    Back in 2018, Justin Bieber married Hailey Baldwin in a courthouse ceremony and the next year, they tied the knot in front of family and friends.

  • ‘Disappointing’; PTI leader Shoukat Yousufzai hits out at party leadership

    ‘Disappointing’; PTI leader Shoukat Yousufzai hits out at party leadership

    PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai has been actively conducting interviews with channels to express disappointment with the party leadership over Tuesday’s final call protest.

    Talking to ARY News, Shaukat Yousafzai confirmed that Bushra Bibi and Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur are in Mansehra and are safe.


    “It was the funeral of political culture in the country,” he said, pointing out that the government handled the protestors brutally. Moreover, he said that there is a need for self-analysis as well. He expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination within the party leadership during recent events, emphasizing missed opportunities for dialogue and poor decision-making. He also said that “no leader came forward except Ali Amin”, stressing that  “those holding positions of authority have disappointed us. Ali Amin Gandapur was made a scapegoat, and from Peshawar to Islamabad, no leader was visible.”

    He then turned his guns towards the main leaders. “Where were Barrister Gohar and Salman Akram Raja? Sher Afzal Marwat was also absent when the leadership did not have the authority to make decisions; why did it take so many workers?” 

    Talking about Bushra Bibi’s role, he remarked, “She holds no political position, yet her stance overrules others.” He further questioned the absence of other leaders, asking, “Where was Salman Akram Raja, the General Secretary, during all this?”


    In a frustrated tone, he lamented the exclusion of experienced party members from decision-making processes, saying, “Our opinions were ignored. If we are not considered politically relevant, remove us from the party.”

    Shaukat Yousafzai further said that it was already known that the government would demonstrate fascism in D Chowk. He demanded an investigation within the party as to why D Chowk was chosen as the target area for a sit-in. 

    The party’s former General Secretary then appeared on Geo News to raise the question of why, if the federal government had asked for talks, they were not held. “Why were consultations not held on the government’s offer of talks,” he asked in an exasperated tone. 

    Notably, former party leader Faisal Vawda also held a press conference and called this the “final nail in the coffin of PTI” while warning of tougher times ahead for them and an impending ban on the party. 

    On November 26, Islamabad Police announced a grand operation against PTI workers, as a result of which PTI leaders and workers, including the wife of PTI founder Bushra Bibi, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, left the federal capital for Mansehra and their press conference is awaited.

  • Singer Abdul Hannan’s streaming accounts hijacked

    Singer Abdul Hannan’s streaming accounts hijacked

    Singer Abdul Hannan’s Spotify and Apple Music accounts have been hijacked by scammers uploading fake or AI-generated music, according to his team.


    On Monday, Hannan’s team shared a statement on Instagram, which the artist reposted.

     “Hannan’s streaming accounts are being misused with fake or AI-generated music,” the statement read. “Scammers are trying to profit from unauthorized streams, affecting many artists. We’re working to resolve it quickly.”


    The team asked fans to avoid streaming the unauthorized songs and warned that any new music from Hannan will be announced on his official Instagram account. They also urged streaming services like Spotify to address the issue promptly.


    An unusual song titled ‘Akha Cilam Cilam Valo’ appeared on Hannan’s Spotify profile, featuring an unrelated individual’s picture as artwork. This song was never announced or released by Hannan.


    DAWN’s Images has reached out to Spotify for comment but has not received a response yet.
    Scams involving streaming accounts are not uncommon. In September, a man in the US was accused of using AI tools and bots to fraudulently stream songs billions of times to earn revenue.

  • Blast outside Indian Rapper Badshah’s nightclub in Chandigarh

    Blast outside Indian Rapper Badshah’s nightclub in Chandigarh

    Two explosions took place outside the Seville Bar and Lounge in Chandigarh, a bar owned by Indian rapper Badshah, and the De Orra Club, according to Indian media.

    Chandigarh police suspect the blasts were part of an attempted extortion.  CCTV footage shows a man throwing what appears to be crude bombs outside the clubs before fleeing.


    The explosions caused damage, shattering the windows of both clubs, but no injuries were reported.


    After receiving the information, Chandigarh police and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) arrived at the scene.


    As the investigation continues, police are also looking into a possible dispute between the partners of the two clubs, according to NDTV.


    The Seville Bar and Lounge was opened by Badshah in December 2023.

    Earlier, Badshah reacted to rumors about his relationship with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir.


    The two stars have shown admiration for each other after often being spotted together.


    Recently, Hania gave a shoutout to Badshah after attending his concert in Dubai. She shared a video on her Instagram stories where the two were seen bowing to each other before hugging.

    “That’s my beautiful friend! He’s an absolute rockstar! Hero hai!” she wrote, fueling rumours of their relationship.


    Badshah has now address all claims in his interview to an Indian media outlet.


    “Hania is a perfect friend of mine, and we share a great connection. We have a lot of fun whenever we meet, and that’s all there is to it. She is happy in her life and I am in mine. Our equation is wonderful, but people often misinterpret it and see what they want to believe,” the rapper said.


    Badshah, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, is known for his Punjabi, Bollywood and Haryanvi songs, giving one hit hip-hop track after another.


    Hania, on the other hand, recently received global praise for her role as Sharjeena in Pakistan’s hit serial, ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ alongside Fahad Mustafa. The drama was especially popular with Indian audiences.