Britain says Israel’s detention of two UK MPs ‘unacceptable’

LONDON: Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it was “unacceptable” that Israel had detained two UK lawmakers and denied them entry.

Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed, from the governing Labour Party, flew from London to Israel but were blocked from entering the country and deported, British media reported.

“It is unacceptable, counterproductive, and deeply concerning that two British MPs on a parliamentary delegation to Israel have been detained and refused entry by the Israeli authorities,” Lammy said in a statement.

“I have made clear to my counterparts in the Israeli government that this is no way to treat British parliamentarians, and we have been in contact with both MPs tonight to offer our support.

“The UK government’s focus remains securing a return to the ceasefire and negotiations to stop the bloodshed, free the hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.”

In a joint statement, the two MPs said they were “astounded at the unprecedented step” taken by Israel.

But Israel said their claim to be part of an official parliamentary delegation was “found to be false, as no official body in Israel was aware of such a delegation’s visit”.

Read More: Mass displacement in Gaza amid Israeli military actions

“Further questioning revealed that the purpose of their visit was to document the actions of Israeli security forces and spread hate speech against Israel,” added the interior ministry statement.

The incident sparked a domestic row between Lammy and Conservative leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch, who told Sky News on Sunday that she was “very concerned about a lot of the rhetoric” from Labour MPs on Israel and that she was “not surprised” the pair had been detained.

Lammy responded by writing on X: “It’s disgraceful you are cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs.”

Since renewed military operations last month ended a short-lived truce in its war with Hamas, Israel has pushed to seize territory in the Gaza Strip in what it said was a strategy to force militants to free hostages still in captivity.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said 1,249 people have been killed since Israel resumed intense bombing last month, bringing the overall death toll since the war began to 50,609.

The October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war resulted in 1,218 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

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Senior US officials to visit Pakistan next week

ISLAMABAD: A senior US official, Eric Meyer, visit Pakistan to lead an interagency delegation to Islamabad from April 8-10, 2025, ARY News reported quoting US State Department.

According to US State Department, Meyer will meet with senior Pakistani officials to promote US interests in the critical minerals sector and explore opportunities for American businesses during his visit.

The visit is part of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, where Meyer will engage with Pakistani officials to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Discussions will also focus on counterterrorism cooperation, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration in this area.

The US delegation will comprise representatives from various agencies, and the visit aims to advance US interests in Pakistan’s minerals sector. Meyer’s visit is a continuation of the US-Pakistan partnership, with a focus on deepening economic and security cooperation.

Yesterday, Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has announced the formation of a high-level delegation to engage in discussions with the United States following the imposition of U.S. tariffs.

Read more: IMF says US tariffs represent significant risk to global outlook

The delegation aims to address the impact of U.S. tariffs on Pakistan by negotiating trade solutions.

During a press conference, Finance Minister Aurangzeb revealed that a steering committee and working group have been established to prepare a comprehensive response to the U.S. tariffs.

These groups will soon present their findings to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The delegation will focus on negotiating with U.S. officials to mitigate the impact of the tariffs while exploring avenues for economic collaboration.

The finance minister emphasized that while the tariffs pose challenges, they also offer opportunities for Pakistan to strengthen its trade relations with the United States.

However, he clarified that no special package for local industries is currently under consideration.

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Watch: Microsoft AI CEO’s remarks interrupted by pro-Palestinian protester

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman’s remarks were interrupted by a pro-Palestinian protesting employee during the technology company’s 50th anniversary celebration on Friday over the firm’s ties with Israel.

“You are a war profiteer. Stop using AI for genocide,” Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad said at the event in Redmond, Washington, while interrupting Suleyman who was talking about the company’s artificial intelligence assistant product.

Suleyman responded by saying: “I hear your protest, thank you.” The protesting employee was then escorted away.

An investigation by The Associated Press revealed earlier this year that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI were used as part of an Israeli military program to select bombing targets during its wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Various other firms and educational institutions have also faced protests over their ties with Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from Israel’s military assault has mounted.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023, when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s subsequent assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gazan health officials, while also triggering accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies. The assault has internally displaced nearly Gaza’s entire 2.3 million population and caused a hunger crisis.

Read More: Israeli attacks kill, injure 100 children each day in Gaza: UN

The Verge tech news website quoted an email that Aboussad, the protesting employee, sent to other Microsoft employees justifying her protest.

Microsoft said it provided many avenues for all voices to be heard in a way that does not cause business interruption.

Aboussad was cited by AP to be saying that she and another protesting employee lost access to their work accounts after the protest.

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Two robbers arrested for murder of man in front of child in DHA Karachi

KARACHI: Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the robbery and murder of a 35-year-old man in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Karachi, ARY News reported on Saturday.

The victim, Amir Sultan, was shot dead in front of his apartment by armed robbers riding two motorcycles in Phase I near Tooba Masjid on April 2, 2025.

The suspects, identified as Umar and Asif, were apprehended following a raid by South police, acting on a tip-off from a law enforcement agency.

According to police, Sultan was killed in front of his teenage son when he resisted the robbery attempt.

Umar allegedly snatched the victim’s cell phone, while Asif provided cover to his accomplices. A third motorcyclist, who opened fire on Amir Sultan, remains at large, and a search is underway.

A video of the incident disclosed that Amir Sultan showed significant resistance against Umar. Further investigation is underway.

Read More: Viral video: Karachi man miraculously survives gun attack

Eaelir, a Karachi man miraculously survived a gun attack near Karachi’s Nishtar Park, ARY News reported on Thursday.

According to details, the incident took place in the Karachi’s Soldier Bazaar area late at night.

CCTV footage available with ARY News shows armed motorcyclists initially fired at the vehicle, prompting the driver, identified as NICVD employee Manahil, to accelerate in an attempt to escape.

However, the assailants pursued the car, and when it collided with another vehicle at a crossing, one of the attackers dismounted and fired another shot before fleeing.

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Met Office forecast soaring temperatures in Karachi, other areas

KARACHI: The mercury likely to soar to 39 Celsius in Karachi on Saturday, as the Met Office forecast hike in temperatures in Karachi and other districts of Sindh.

The weather department has forecast hot and dry winds from northwest in Karachi blowing today. Seabreeze likely to restore in the evening in city.

“Presently winds blowing from northwest at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour with 71 percent humidity.”

The Met Office has predicted increase in temperatures in Sindh and southern Punjab by two to four degree than the normal temperature in these days. Searing temperatures are also expected in southern and northern parts of Balochistan.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast maximum 44 Celsius temperature at Mithi in Sindh and Turbat in Balochistan. Temperatures could soar to 41 Celsius in Lasbela and Chhore, 40 C in Dadu and Nawabshah districts and 39 degree in Karachi and Thatta today.

Health experts have advised people to avoid strenuous activities during the peak heat hours and to stay indoors as much as possible.

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’سوشل میڈیا پر جو دکھاتی ہوں وہ میری نیچرل لائف ہے‘: ایمن خان

پاکستانی اداکارہ ایمن خان شادی کے بعد سے گزشتہ کئی سال سے ٹی وی ڈراموں میں تو کام نہیں کر رہیں لیکن سوشل میڈیا پر کافی ایکٹیو نظر آتی ہیں۔

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Pakistan urges UN to take concrete actions to stop Israel’s aggression in Gaza

NEW YORK: Pakistan has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take concrete actions to stop Israel’s aggression in Gaza.

During a UNSC meeting, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasized that Israel’s actions are a blatant violation of the UN charter, international law, and a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The UNSC meeting on the situation of occupied Palestinian territories was convened by Algeria with the support of Pakistan, China, Somalia and Russia.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar stressed that the situation in Palestine is a stark reminder of the erosion of humanity and that the international community cannot afford to remain silent.

He called on the UNSC to ensure the implementation of its resolutions to maintain its credibility, highlighting that over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire agreement.

Asim Iftikhar said, “We cannot be part of a body that remains a mere spectator and does nothing. We refuse to be part of this moral bankruptcy”.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the indiscriminate violence has claimed thousands of innocent Palestinian lives, including women, children, medical personnel, and humanitarian workers, marking yet another dark chapter in Israel’s brutal occupation.

The spokesperson said Pakistan denounces Israel’s latest Military offensive aimed at establishing new security corridors, including the illegal seizure of the Morag Corridor and further annexation of Palestinian land.

Read More: Hundreds of thousands flee as Israel seizes Rafah

Shafqat Ali Khan said these actions, coupled with Israel’s clear intent to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their homeland, constitute war crimes under International Law.

He stressed that the sacrilegious storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex by Israeli occupying forces during the holy occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr is of particular concern.

He said this provocative act not only violates the sanctity of one of Islam’s holiest sites but also demonstrates Israel’s determination to escalate tensions and pursue its expansionist agenda at the expense of regional peace.

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IMF says US tariffs represent significant risk to global outlook

Sweeping tariffs announced on Wednesday by U.S. President Donald Trump pose a significant risk to the global economy at a time when growth has been sluggish, the head of the International Monetary Fund said in a statement on Thursday.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said it was important to avoid steps that could further harm the global economy and appealed to the United States and its trading partners to work constructively to reduce tensions.

“We are still assessing the macroeconomic implications of the announced tariff measures, but they clearly represent a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth,” Georgieva said in her strongest comments to date on the risks posed by the U.S. trade actions.

“It is important to avoid steps that could further harm the world economy. We appeal to the United States and its trading partners to work constructively to resolve trade tensions and reduce uncertainty.”

Georgieva said the IMF would provide its assessment of the announced tariffs when it releases an update to its World Economic Outlook during the April 21-26 meetings in Washington, D.C., that bring together members and shareholders of the IMF and the World Bank.

The head of the global lender on Monday told Reuters that Trump’s push for wide-ranging tariffs was creating great uncertainty and denting confidence, but it was not likely to trigger a near-term recession.

At the time, Georgieva said the IMF would likely lower the economic outlook slightly, adding “we don’t see recession on the horizon.”

The U.S. tariffs announced on Wednesday went far beyond the levels that had been predicted or expected by trade experts.

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’احتجاجی کیمپوں میں بیٹھ بیٹھ کر بڑی ہونے والی بچی ریاست کے لیے اتنا بڑا خطرہ کیسے بن گئی‘: محمد حنیف کا وی لاگ

‘وہ بچی جو ہماری آنکھوں کے سامنے سڑکوں پر، احتجاجی کیمپوں میں بیٹھ بیٹھ کر بڑی ہوئی ہے۔۔۔ وہ ریاست کے لیے اتنا بڑا خطرہ کیسے بن گئی؟’دیکھیے سمی دین بلوچ کے بارے میں محمد حنیف کا وی لاگ۔

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Indian Muslim community rejects Waqf Amendment Bill

The Muslim community in India has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, which was recently introduced in Parliament.

The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, and grant more powers to the district administration to manage Waqf properties.

Mohammad Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi, General Secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), stated that the Muslim community categorically rejects the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, deeming it discriminatory, communally driven, and a clear infringement on the constitutional rights of Muslim residents.

Yasoob Abbas, General Secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB), termed the bill unacceptable and announced plans to challenge it in the Supreme Court if it is passed.

Maulana Yasoob Abbas said that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) ignored his opinion. He warned that the bill could cause significant damage to Waqf properties, as it grants all administrative powers to the district administration, district magistrate (DM), and commissioner.

Dr. Rehan Akhtar, assistant professor at Aligarh Muslim University and religious leader, said that since the introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill, Muslims have feared that their community’s properties will be tampered with or seized.

Dr. Rehan Akhtar expressed hope that the fear among Muslims regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill will be alleviated and that a law should be enacted to prevent encroachment and tampering with Waqf properties.

The opposition alliance has termed the bill a move to disenfranchise minorities.

Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress said that the government’s goal is to “defame” and “disenfranchise” the nation’s minorities, while Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, said that this bill would be the BJP’s “waterloo.”

Congressman KC Venugopal questioned whether the government would establish a distinct division to determine who is a five-year practicing Muslim. DMK’s A Raja challenged the government’s assertion that the Bill incorporated all recommendations of the JPC.

The opposition INDIA group said that the Waqf bill is an assault on the fundamental framework of the Constitution and that its goal is to “polarize” and divide the nation along religious lines.

The opposition MPs stated during the Lok Sabha’s debate on “The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024” that the government is attempting to conceal its shortcomings with this bill, and that even though the NDA allies supported it, they were not pleased with it.

The Bill’s clause stating that only a practicing Muslim who has been a member for five years may establish a Waqf property was also questioned by the INDIA bloc’s MPs.

Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sanghresh Nyas President Dinesh has written a letter in his blood and demanded that the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi should build hospitals, schools, colleges, and police headquarters for the public on Waqf Board properties.

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Hay shines as New Zealand beat Pakistan for ODI series win

HAMILTON, New Zealand: Mitch Hay’s rollicking 99 not out backed by some feisty seam bowling steered New Zealand to an 84-run win over Pakistan on Wednesday to take an unbeatable lead in their one-day international series.

New Zealand made 292-8 and bowled Pakistan out for 208 in the 42nd over in Hamilton in the second of three ODIs.

Hay’s lusty hitting snapped a mid-innings slump by the hosts as he raced to a career-best score which included 22 off the final over by Mohammad Wasim.

The wicketkeeper-batsman smacked seven fours and as many sixes in his 78-ball innings after going into the middle with New Zealand struggling at 132-5 in the 27th over.

In reply Pakistan were in early trouble when Will O’Rourke had Abdullah Shafique (one) caught at first slip in the third over and in the following over Babar Azam (one) was caught at second slip off Jacob Duffy.

Duffy struck again in his next over with the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq. Pakistan were 9-3 in the sixth over when New Zealand at the same stage were 50-0.

Ben Sears entered the attack and took two wickets in his first over, removing Salman Agha for nine and Mohammad Rizwan for five.

A combination of poor shot selection and some lively seam bowling reduced Pakistan to 32-5 after 12 overs.

Tayyab Tahir (13) and Faheem Ashraf put on 33 for the sixth wicket and when Haris Rauf retired hurt on three, his concussion replacement Naseem Shah put on 60 with Ashraf.

Both posted maiden 50s with Ashraf scoring 73 off 80 deliveries and Naseem making 51 from 44.

Sears took 5-59 for New Zealand.

Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl with overcast skies and a green-tinged wicket favouring the bowlers.

Novice Black Cap openers Nick Kelly and Rhys Mariu took control early.

They put on 54 before Kelly, in only his second international, was caught behind for a hard-hitting 31 which included four fours and two sixes.

Debutant Mariu followed soon after for 18 off 25 when a leading edge lobbed up to Azam at mid-off in Wasim’s opening over.

Wasim and Rauf slowed the scoring and it took Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell until the 16th over to get New Zealand to the 100 mark.

The introduction of spin brought Mitchell’s innings to a halt for 18, stumped by Rizwan when beaten in the air by Sufyan Moqim. Nicholls went for 22 in the following over.

Michael Bracewell and Muhammad Abbas added only 30 runs in the next 10 overs when Bracewell was caught behind off Wasim for 17.

Pakistan-born Abbas and Hay set about restoring the innings with a patient 77-run partnership until Abbas went for 41.

Muqeem was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 2-33 while Wasim took 2-78.

The third and final match is at Mount Maunganui on Friday.

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Security Concerns: Curfew imposed in Tank, South Waziristan districts

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities have imposed curfew in Tank and South Waziristan districts owing to security concerns.

The district administrations have notified that the curfew will remain imposed in Tank and South Waziristan districts from 6:00am to 6:00pm.

The people have been requested to use alternate routes and cooperate with the security agencies.

Partial curfew has also been imposed in Dera Ismail Khan.

In South Waziristan, the curfew will cover Korr Qila, Khargai and Manzai road, while Dabara Bazaar will also be closed. The Korr Qila via Gomal, Wana highway will remain open.

Movement has been completely banned at Karri Wam and Jandola during the curfew period.

The administration has said that these steps being taken to ensure protection of life and property in the region. It has also requested commuters to cooperate with the administration security agencies during the curfew hours.

It is to be mentioned here that terrorists last month attacked a security post in Tank district of KP, foiled by the military troops.

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پاکستان کو دوسرے ون ڈے میں نیوزی لینڈ کے ہاتھوں 84 رنز سے شکست: ’کم از کم کھیل کر تو ہاریں، تھوڑا تو لڑیں‘

نیوزی لینڈ نے پاکستان کو دوسرے ون ڈے میں 84 رنز سے شکست دے کر تین میچوں کی سیریزاپنے نام کر لی ہے

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لڑکیوں کو محبت کا جھانسہ دے کر بلیک میل کرنے والے ملزم کی بیوی نے اسے کیسے پکڑوایا؟

انڈیا کی ریاست مہاراشٹر کے شہر ناگپور کی پولیس نے اپنی شناخت چھپا کر خواتین کو محبت کا جھانسہ دے کر ان سے جنسی تعلقات قائم کرنے اور ان کی متنازعہ تصاویر اور ویڈیوز کو وائرل کرنے کی دھمکیاں دے کر بلیک میل کرنے والے ایک ملزم کو گرفتار کیا ہے۔

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Rami Malek leads ‘relatable’ revenge thriller ‘The Amateur’

Oscar winner and former Bond villain Rami Malek plays an unlikely action hero in the espionage thriller “The Amateur”.

The movie is based on Robert Littell’s 1981 book and film of the same name.

The 2025 remake stars Malek as Charlie Heller, a CIA decoder with an IQ of over 170, who works in the deepest depths of Langley and lives in a picture-perfect country house with his loving wife Sarah, played by Rachel Brosnahan. Their happy life ends abruptly when Sarah is taken hostage and killed during a business trip to London.

Grief-stricken Charlie tracks down the perpetrators, but to his astonishment his superiors refuse to take action. Charlie blackmails the bosses to get mission-specific training and sets out on a global manhunt to get revenge.

“I was watching Daniel Craig. I said, ‘How do I get to do that?’ I have to do it in my own way, and I’ll have to do it in an unexpected manner,” Malek, who played the antagonist Lyutsifer Safin in “No Time to Die”, said as he premiered “The Amateur” in London on Monday.

“I like doing unexpected, unpredictable characters, playing them and creating them. And here’s a story with one at the heart and centre of it. He has a unique circumstance he’s been thrust into, and no one thinks he’s capable of what he ultimately achieves. That’s something that is extremely relatable to all of us,” Malek said.

Malek, who also produced the film, said the themes of the original movie still resonate four decades later.

“It was a Cold War film, and I think there are elements of that period that still exist today. So I think it’s a very relevant story. Any underdog story is pertinent to our time and someone who speaks truth to power the way Charlie does, it’s important to have that thrown onto the big screen every so often,” he said.

Veteran actor Laurence Fishburne plays Henderson, who is tasked with getting the scrawny tech whiz field ready. The two discover their differences but also a mutual respect over the course of Charlie’s journey to avenge his wife’s death.

“The audience can expect not to be able to figure this out. A lot of twists and turns,” Fishburne said.

Directed by James Hawes and also starring Caitriona Balfe, Holt McCallany and Jon Bernthal, “The Amateur” begins its global theatrical rollout on April 9.

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Afghan refugees face deportation as deadline expires today

The deadline for Afghan refugees in Pakistan has expired and the process of the repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and illegal refugees will begin today.

Food and healthcare arrangements were made for Afghans returning to home. The authorities warned of strict punitive action against them after the deadline.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior had asked Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, staying in Pakistan, to leave the country by March 31.

The Afghan nationals will be deported from April 1st (today), the ministry said in an earlier statement.

“Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP) is being implemented since November 1, 2023. In continuation of the government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders,” the interior ministry said in an earlier official handout.

“All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave the country voluntarily before March 31, 2025; thereafter, deportation will commence from April 1, 2025,” the statement added.

The interior ministry said that sufficient time had already been granted for their dignified return. “It is emphasised that no one will be maltreated during the repatriation process and arrangements for food and healthcare for returning foreigners have also been put in place.”

“Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfill its commitments and obligations as a responsible state. It is reiterated that Individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfill all legal formalities and abide by Pakistan’s constitution,” it said.

Over 8,00,000 Afghans living in Pakistan illegally were repatriated to their country since Pakistan launched the campaign in November 2023. It is estimated that around 3 million Afghans still reside in Pakistan.

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چربی جلانے کا سست عمل اور وزن کم کرنے کا نہ ختم ہونے والا انتظار جس کا حل صرف ورزش ہی نہیں

موٹاپے میں کمی کا انحصار بہت سی چیزوں پر ہے۔ ان مشقوں کے دوران کتنی توانائی استعمال کی گئی؟ ورزش کی شدت کیا تھی اور آپ نے کتنی دیر تک ورزش کی جیسے عوامل شامل ہیں۔

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Donald Trump says he is not joking about third presidential term

Republican President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was not joking about seeking a third presidential term, which is barred by the US Constitution, but that it was too early to think about doing so.

Trump, who took office on January 20 for his second, non-consecutive White House term, has made allusions to seeking a third one but addressed it directly in a telephone interview with NBC News.

“No, I’m not joking. I’m not joking,” Donald Trump said, but “it is far too early to think about it.”

“There are methods which you could do it, as you know,” he said, declining to elaborate on specific methods.

US presidents are limited to two four-year terms, consecutive or not, according to the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution.

A proposal to overturn a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths of the 50 US states.

Some Trump allies have floated the idea of keeping Trump in the White House beyond 2028, and the president has also brought up the idea on a number of occasions in a manner that seemed to poke at his political opponents.

Donald Trump, who at 78 was the oldest US president at the time of his inauguration, would be 82 if he took on another four-year term following the November 2028 election.

George Washington in 1796 set the precedent for a two-term presidency, a self-imposed limit that was observed by most US presidents for more than 140 years until Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940.

Roosevelt, a Democrat who was president during the Great Depression and World War 2, broke tradition and served a third term, then died months into his fourth term in 1945. This paved the way for the amendment on term limits in 1951.

Longtime Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon said in a March 19 interview with NewsNation that he believes Trump will run again in 2028. Bannon said he and others are looking into ways to make that happen, including examining the definition of a term limit.

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پیکا قانون کی دو دھاری تلوار کے سائے میں سہمے پاکستانی: ’پیکا کالعدم نہ کیا گیا تو جمہوریت اور جمہوری رویوں کی کوئی حیثیت باقی نہیں رہے گی‘

پیکا ترمیمی بل 2025 پر نا صرف صحافتی تنظیمیں اور سیاسی جماعتوں کے اراکین بلکہ ڈیجیٹل رائٹس پر کام کرنے والی تنظیموں کے نمائندے بھی اپنے سخت تحفظات کا اظہار کرتے رہے ہیں۔ جبکہ حکومت کا کہنا ہے کہ اس قانون سازی کا واحد مقصد جھوٹی خبروں کا قلع قمع کرنا ہے نہ کہ آزادی اظہار رائے پر کوئی قدغن لگانا۔ ان سب کے تناظر میں سوال یہ اٹھ رہا ہے کہ کیا پیکا ڈیجیٹل آمریت کا پیش خیمہ بن گیا ہے؟

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Bohra community celebrates Eidul Fitr

The Dawoodi Bohra community across Pakistan is celebrating Eidul Fitr today with religious enthusiasm. Special Eid prayer gatherings were held in Bohra community mosques nationwide.

In Karachi, the largest Eid congregation took place at Tahiri Mosque in Saddar, where a large number of community members participated.

Additionally, Eid prayers were held in Pan Mandi, Soldier Bazaar, Baloch Colony, North Nazimabad, and Hyderi, where community members shared festive moments.

Following the Eid prayers, special prayers were offered for the country’s prosperity, security, and peace.

Read more: Eidul Fitr 2025: Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet today for Shawwal moon sighting

Meanwhile, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on Sunday (today), 29th of Ramadan 1446 AH, at 6:00 PM to sight the moon of Shawwal.

The meeting, chaired by Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, will be held on the rooftop of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.

Simultaneously, zonal meetings of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will take place in the provincial capitals.

The announcement of the moon sighting will determine the date for Eidul Fitr celebrations across Pakistan.

Eidul Fitr is expected to be observed across Pakistan on Monday, March 31, 2025, following the completion of 29 days of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, Eidul Fitr is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, Sunday as the Shawwal moon was sighted in both countries.

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Hamas agrees to Gaza ceasefire proposal, the group’s chief says

Hamas has agreed to a Gaza ceasefire proposal it received two days ago from mediators Egypt and Qatar, the Palestinian group’s chief said on Saturday.

“Two days ago, we received a proposal from the mediators in Egypt and Qatar. We dealt with it positively and accepted it,” Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised speech.

“We hope that the (Israeli) occupation will not undermine (it),” said Hayya, who leads the Hamas negotiating team in indirect talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza that erupted in October 2023.

Security sources told Reuters on Thursday that Egypt had received positive indications from Israel over a new ceasefire proposal that would include a transitional phase.

The proposal suggests Hamas release five of the Israeli hostages it is holding each week, the sources said.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said it had held a series of consultations according to the proposal that was received from the mediators, and that Israel had conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the United States.

Reuters asked the prime minister’s office if it had also agreed to the ceasefire proposal but it did not immediately respond.

Read more: Egypt makes new proposal to restore Gaza truce as Israeli strikes kill 65

PHASED CEASEFIRE

The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into force on Jan. 19 after 15 months of war and involved a halt to fighting, the release of some of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners.

Phase two of the three-phase deal is intended to focus on agreements on the release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Hamas says any proposals must allow the launch of the second phase, while Israel has offered to expand the first 42-day phase.

In response to calls on Hamas to disarm by Israel and the United States, Hayya said the group’s arsenal was a red line and that it would not disarm as long as the “Israeli” occupation exists.

Israel and the U.S. say Hamas must not have a role in post-war Gaza arrangements.
Israeli military strikes on Gaza continued on Saturday, killing at least 20 Palestinians across the enclave, health authorities said.

The Israeli military said it had begun “ground activity” in the Jneina neighbourhood of the Rafah area to expand what it described as the security zone in southern Gaza.

On March 18, Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Gaza, which it said were intended to increase pressure on Hamas to free hostages.

It has since issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of residents in several areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, citing rocket firing into Israeli territories.

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Palestinian officials say.

Israel began its offensive after thousands of Hamas attacked communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

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Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy

SANHAJA, Tunisia: In a northern Tunisian olive grove, Yassine Khelifi’s small workshop hums as a large machine turns olive waste into a valuable energy source in a country heavily reliant on imported fuel.

Holding a handful of compacted olive residue — a thick paste left over from oil extraction — Khelifi said: “This is what we need today. How can we turn something worthless into wealth?”

For generations, rural households in Tunisia have burned olive waste for cooking and heating, or used it as animal feed.

The International Olive Council estimated Tunisia will be the world’s third-largest olive oil producer in 2024-2025, with an expected yield of 340,000 tonnes.

The waste generated by the oil extraction is staggering.

Khelifi, an engineer who grew up in a family of farmers, founded Bioheat in 2022 to tackle the issue. He recalled watching workers in olive mills use the olive residue as fuel.

“I always wondered how this material could burn for so long without going out,” he said. “That’s when I asked myself: ‘Why not turn it into energy?'”

Beyond profit, Khelifi hopes his startup helps “reducing the use of firewood as the country faces deforestation and climate change”.

At his workshop, employees transport truckloads of olive waste, stacking it high before feeding it into the processing machines.

The material is then compacted into cylindrical briquettes and left to dry for a month under the sun and in greenhouses before its packaging and sale.

The soul of olives

Khelifi began developing his idea in 2018 after he travelled across Europe searching for a machine to turn the olive paste into long-burning fuel.

Unable to find the right technology, he returned to Tunisia and spent four years experimenting with various motors and mechanical parts.

By 2021, he had developed a machine that produced briquettes with just eight-percent moisture.

He said this amount significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to firewood, which requires months of drying and often retains more than double the amount of moisture.

Bioheat found a market among Tunisian restaurants, guesthouses, and schools in underdeveloped regions, where winter temperatures at times drop below freezing.

But the majority of its production — about 60 percent — is set for exports to France and Canada, Khelifi said.

The company now employs 10 people and is targeting production of 600 tonnes of briquettes in 2025, he added.

Selim Sahli, 40, who runs a guesthouse, said he replaced traditional firewood with Khelifi’s briquettes for heating and cooking.

“It’s an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative,” he said. “It’s clean, easy to use, and has reduced my heating costs by a third.”

Mohamed Harrar, the owner of a pizza shop on the outskirts of Tunis, praised the briquettes for reducing smoke emissions, which he said previously irritated his neighbours.

“Besides, this waste carries the soul of Tunisian olives and gives the pizza a special flavour,” he added.

‘Protect the environment’

Given Tunisia’s significant olive oil production, waste byproducts pose both a challenge and an opportunity.

Noureddine Nasr, an agricultural and rural development expert, said around 600,000 tonnes of olive waste is produced annually.

“Harnessing this waste can protect the environment, create jobs, and generate wealth,” he said.

Nasr believes repurposing olive waste could also help alleviate Tunisia’s heavy dependence on imported fuel.

The country imports more than 60 percent of its energy needs, a reliance that widens its trade deficit and strains government subsidies, according to a 2023 World Bank report.

Fuel and gas shortages are common during winter, particularly in Tunisia’s northwestern provinces, where households struggle to keep warm.

Redirecting agricultural waste into alternative energy sources could ease this burden.

Yet for entrepreneurs like Khelifi, launching a startup in Tunisia is fraught with challenges.

“The biggest hurdle was funding,” he said, lamenting high-interest bank loans. “It felt like walking on a road full of potholes.”

But now his goal is “to leave my mark as a key player in Tunisia’s transition to clean energy”, he added. “And hopefully, the world’s, too.”

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Rasha Thadani to replace Sreeleela opposite Kartik Aaryan

The newest star kid on the Bollywood block, Rasha Thadani, daughter of ’90s diva Raveena Tandon, is reportedly set to replace South Indian starlet Sreeleela, in the Kartik Aaryan-starrer ‘Pati Patni or Woh 2’.

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In a major casting update, Rasha Thadani might be replacing Sreeleela in the much-awaited ‘Pati Patni or Woh’ sequel, starring Kartik Aaryan and Bhumi Pednekar, reported Indian media.

The development came because the makers of the title were eager to introduce a fresh pairing in the film, and as Sreeleela and Aaryan are already set to share the screen in another film, they have now decided to replace her with Thadani.

Quoting a source close to the development, the publication reported, “Sreeleela and Kartik are already working together in Anurag (Basu)’s film. The team of Pati Patni Aur Woh 2 feels a new jodi will attract attention.”

Nonetheless, the rumoured lovebirds Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela will continue to co-star in the yet-to-be-titled romance musical of filmmaker Anurag Basu.

Meanwhile, Raveena Tandon’s first-born, Rasha Thadani, 20, made her Bollywood debut earlier this year, with Ajay Devgn’s ‘Azaad’, co-starring his nephew Aaman Devgan. Besides her performance in the debut film, the star kid took social media by storm with her stunning dance moves in the hit song ‘Uyi Amma’.

Also Read: Rasha Thadani reacts to comparisons with other star kids Janhvi, Khushi, Suhana

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Special Eid trains begin operation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has launched a special Eid train service to facilitate travel during Eid-ul-Fitr to enable citizens to reach their hometowns safely and on time.

Three special trains have been scheduled on key routes. The first train departed from Karachi Cantonment to Lahore on March 26, comprised of 16 coaches, and passed through major cities like Hyderabad, Rohri, Multan, and Sahiwal.

On the same day, a second train left Quetta for Peshawar Cantonment with 11 coaches, traveling via Multan and Sahiwal. The third special train will depart from Lahore to Karachi on March 27, with 16 coaches, stopping at Khanewal, Multan, Sahiwal, and Rohri.

To make travel more affordable, Pakistan Railways is offering a 20% discount on train fares across all classes for the first three days of Eid. This discount applies to mail, express, passenger, and intercity trains.

Read More: Pakistan Railways announces reduction in train fares on Eid

The initiative, introduced on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to reduce travel costs and help people celebrate with their families. The government remains committed to providing affordable, safe, and comfortable train services for all citizens.

Meanwhile, Eidul Fitr 2025 is expected to be observed across Pakistan on Monday, March 31, 2025, following the completion of 29 days of Ramadan.

According to the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the Shawwal crescent is likely to be visible on the evening of Sunday, March 30, provided weather conditions remain clear.

Khalid Ijaz Mufti, Secretary General of the council, stated that the new moon will be born on Saturday, March 29, at 3:58 PM Pakistan time. By sunset on Sunday, the moon’s age will exceed 26 hours, making it visible to the naked eye.

Mufti explained that the moon must be at least 18 hours old at sunset to be sighted, a requirement that will be easily met. The time difference between sunset and moonset, essential for visibility, will also exceed the minimum threshold of 40 minutes across different cities.

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پاکستانی کمپنیوں پر امریکی پابندیوں کا سلسلہ جاری: جوہری اور بیلسٹک میزائل پروگرام کے لیے اس کا مطلب کیا ہے؟

امریکی محکمہ تجارت کے بیورو آف انڈسٹریز اینڈ سکیورٹی کی رپورٹ کے مطابق، ان کمپنیوں کو اس فہرست میں شامل کرنے کی بنیادی وجہ یہ ہے کہ وہ پاکستان کے جوہری اور بیلسٹک میزائل پروگرام میں معاونت فراہم کر رہی تھیں۔

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دلی کی جامع مسجد میں روزانہ افطار بانٹنے والی ہندو لڑکی

نیہا بھارتی گذشتہ تین برس سے ہر رمضان میں روزے داروں کے لیے افطار کا اہتمام کرتی آئی ہیں۔ پرانی دلی کے چاوڑی بازار علاقے کی رہائشی نیہا ہندو ہیں۔ تو آخر وہ افطار کا اہتمام کیوں کرتی ہیں اور وہ بھی دلی کی جامع مسجد میں

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Appeals court rejects Trump bid to lift order barring deportations

WASHINGTON: A US appeals court denied on Wednesday a bid by the Trump administration to lift a lower court order barring summary deportation of Venezuelan migrants using an obscure wartime law.

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to temporarily keep in place the ban on deportations carried out under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA).

President Donald Trump sent two planeloads of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to a prison in El Salvador on March 15 after invoking the AEA, which has only been used previously during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II.

District Judge James Boasberg issued a restraining order that same day temporarily barring the administration from carrying out any further deportation flights under the AEA, which the Justice Department appealed to remove.

Attorneys for several of the deported Venezuelans have said that their clients were not members of Tren de Aragua, had committed no crimes and were targeted largely on the basis of their tattoos.

Judge Patricia Millett, an appointee of Democratic president Barack Obama, and Judge Karen Henderson, an appointee of Republican president George H.W. Bush, voted to keep the temporary ban on deportations using the AEA in place.

The third judge on the panel, Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, dissented.

Millett said the Venezuelan migrants had been deported based on the government’s allegations alone “with no notice, no hearing, no opportunity — zero process — to show that they are not members of the gang.”

“If the government can choose to abandon fair and equal process for some people, it can do the same for everyone,” she said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the prison in El Salvador on Wednesday where the Venezuelans are being held.

Noem said on social media before her arrival that she would be meeting Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to discuss how the United States “can increase the number of deportation flights and removals of violent criminals from the US.”

‘Nazis got better treatment’

During a hearing on Monday at which the government sought to have the court order lifted, Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign said it “represents an unprecedented and enormous intrusion upon the powers of the executive branch” and “enjoins the president’s exercise of his war and foreign affairs powers.”

Millett for her part said “Nazis got better treatment” from the United States during World War II under the AEA.

Lee Gelernt, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed suit against the deportations along with other rights groups, welcomed the appeals court move.

“The decision means that hundreds of individuals remain protected from being sent to a notorious black-hole prison in a foreign country, without any due process whatsoever,” Gelernt said.

Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, said “President Trump is bound by the laws of this nation, and those laws do not permit him to use wartime powers when the United States is not at war and has not been invaded.”

Boasberg, the district court judge, has said migrants subject to potential deportation under the AEA should be “entitled to individualized hearings to determine whether the Act applies to them at all.”

Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Boasberg, even going so far as to call for his impeachment, a remark that drew a rare public rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

In his latest outburst, Trump said on Thursday Boasberg was “highly conflicted” and called for an investigation into a courts system that was he said was “rigged” against him.

The contentious case has raised concerns among legal experts that the administration may potentially ignore the court order, triggering a constitutional crisis.

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North Korea leader Kim Jong Un touts AI suicide drones, early-warning aircraft

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of suicide drones with artificial intelligence (AI) technology and said unmanned control and AI capability must be the top priorities in modern arms development, state media reported on Thursday.

Kim inspected new upgraded reconnaissance drones that are capable of detecting various tactical targets and enemy activities on land and at sea, KCNA state news agency said.

“The field of unmanned equipment and artificial intelligence should be top-prioritized and developed in modernizing the armed forces,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

The nuclear-armed North also officially unveiled an airborne early-warning aircraft for the first time, a capability that could improve its aging air defence systems.

Photographs published by state media showed Kim climbing steps toward the door of a large aircraft with four engines and a radar dome mounted on the fuselage, and viewing the aircraft on a low fly-by.

Using commercial satellite imagery, analysts have previously reported that North Korea was converting the Russian-made Il-76 cargo aircraft for an early-warning role.

Such an aircraft would help augment the North’s existing land-based radar systems, which are sometimes limited by the peninsula’s mountainous terrain, London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies said in a report in September.

“The ability of an AEW aircraft to look down mitigates some of the challenges of the terrain and ground-clutter returns to track low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles,” the report said.

Read more: North Korea has sent more troops to Russia; Reports

One AEW aircraft would not be enough, however, and North Korea would risk canabilising the rest of its cargo fleet to build more, the report said.

South Korea’s military said the aircraft’s operational capability is not yet clear but its appearance indicated it is “large and heavy and probably susceptible to interception.”

While the aircraft was refurbished from the existing fleet, “Russia may have had something to do the internal system and parts,” Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung-jun told a briefing, when asked about possible Russian assistance.

Russia has provided North Korea with anti-air missiles and unspecified air defence equipment, in return for Pyongyang’s deployment of troops to help with the Ukraine war, South Korea’s national security adviser Shin Won-sik said in November.

Kim separately inspected newly developed equipment for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, electronic jamming and attack systems, KCNA said.

Photos showed fixed-wing UAV zeroing in on a tank-shaped target then exploding in flames. Kim was seen walking with aides with what appeared to be an unmanned surveillance aircraft that resembles the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude surveillance aircraft parked on the tarmac in the background.

North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s war against Ukraine are believed to have been engaged in drone warfare, gaining valuable battleground experience.

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Ben Affleck feels ‘lucky’ to have Jennifer Garner after JLo divorce

After his divorce from Latin pop star Jennifer Lopez, Hollywood A-lister Ben Affleck feels ‘lucky’ to have a ‘partner’ in ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

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In his latest cover interview with an international magazine, actor-director Ben Affleck reflected on his relationship with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, as the two continue to co-parent their three children.

Addressing the contact scrutiny around his personal life, Affleck revealed, “I’ve ended up focusing on this – look, I know what’s going on in my life – and also, really, more importantly, my kids know.”

“We used to have a thing, my ex-wife and I, when they would see something on a supermarket stand, we would say, well, ‘You know this isn’t always true because if it were, you would have 15 brothers or sisters or whatever the number of stories is where they said that your mom was pregnant’,” ‘The Accountant’ actor shared.

“I’m really lucky that I have a really good co-parent and partner in Jennifer Garner, the kids’ mom, who’s wonderful and great and we work together well,” he added. “It’s more of a headache than anything else and there certainly are worse things. I have yet to figure out why I’m an object of…’

It is worth noting here that Affleck and Garner, who were married for 13 years, from 2005 to 2018, share three kids; Violet, Fin and Samuel. They announced their separation in 2015, before finalizing their divorce three years later.

Years after his divorce from Garner, Affleck rekindled his relationship with his ex-fiancee Jennifer Lopez in 2021, and the two tied the knot the following year. However, their marriage ended after two years, when the ‘Atlas’ star filed for divorce from him last August.

They settled their divorce through mediation the following month and it was approved by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge earlier this year.

Also Read: Ben Affleck ‘happier’ than ever after Jennifer Lopez divorce

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‘Nadaaniyan’ actor defends co-stars Ibrahim, Khushi amid backlash

Bollywood actor Jugal Hansraj came out in support of his ‘Nadaaniyan’ co-stars Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, amid criticism of their poor performances. 

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Ibrahim Ali Khan, eldest son of Bollywood A-lister Saif Ali Khan, made his much-awaited film debut with Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment’s ‘Nadaaniyan’, co-starring Khushi Kapoor, in her second release of the year.

Young film director Shauna Gautam’s debut feature, also featuring veteran actors Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, Mahima Chaudhary and Jugal Hansraj, opened to largely negative reviews, ever since it started streaming on Netflix earlier this month.

The title majorly garnered underwhelming reviews for the ‘unpolished’ acting chops of the lead actors, who also made it to numerous meme pages and were ridiculed on social media for their disappointing performances.

Amid this, Hansraj, who essays Dr Sanjay Mehta, father of Khan’s character Arjun, in the film, has come out in support of young star kids, slamming the ‘personal attacks’ on them.

In his new interview, the ‘Mohabbatein’ actor said, “Criticism should be constructive. If somebody who knows about cinema or has some experience in the field, has a show or an article where they write about what worked and what didn’t, that’s something one can learn from.”

“But on social media, I’ve noticed that there are a lot of personal attacks, which are not criticism. It’s just being silly and petty,” he added. “Who am I to say it’s bad? I just say it didn’t work for me or I didn’t connect with it. But some people proclaim as if they know everything.”

Also Read: Ibrahim Ali Khan threatens Pakistani film critic after ‘Nadaaniyan’ review

Hansraj also noted, “In the ’80s, many actors started off new with their first films, but there was no social media, so they were given space and time to grow and improve. There was equal awkwardness in all of us when we started off, but because of the lack of social media, there wasn’t this unfair scrutiny.”

“Now, unfortunately, young actors – not just these two, but many others – are under intense spotlight… Personal attacks are not cool. If you have something constructive to say, please say it. That kind of feedback helps actors learn and improve. But personal attacks about appearance get murky and messy,” he concluded and maintained that he is not a supporter of this kind of criticism.

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Bird flu spreads to mammals, fears of human transmission

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has increasingly spread to mammals and infected hundreds of people, raising concerns that it may lead to human-to-human transmission and turn into a new pandemic.

Cases of the disease in mammals have mostly been detected in the Americas and Europe.

Sheep were added to the list on Monday with the UK government announcing a first case had been detected at a farm in northern England.

Some of the mammals such as dairy cows and sheep are farmed and so interact closely with humans, increasing the threat of transmission, while others have much less contact with people.

Pigs represent a particular concern for the spread of bird flu because they can become co-infected with bird and human viruses, which could swap genes to form a new, more dangerous virus that can more easily infect humans.

Read more: US reports first outbreak of deadly H7N9 bird flu since 2017

Here is a list of the types of mammals, other than humans, in which the virus – which has also infected hundreds of wild and captive bird species – has been detected between 2016 and 2025, according to data gathered by the European Food Safety Authority and U.S. Department of Agriculture, opens new tab.

Each category can include several species.

Updated data is preceded by a star *.

Mammal	Country
Alpaca	U.S.
Badger	Netherlands
Bear	Canada, France, U.S.
Beech and pine marten	Netherlands, Germany
* Bobcat	U.S.
* Canadian lynx	U.S.
Caracal	Poland
Cat	Canada, France, Italy, Korea, U.S.
* Cheetah	U.S.
Coati	Germany, Uruguay
Cow	U.S.
Coyote	U.S.
* Crabeater seal	Antarctica
Dog	Canada, China, Italy
Dolphin	Canada, Chile, Peru, UK, U.S.
Domestic pig	France, Italy
* Ermine	U.S.
* European pine marten	Netherlands
Ferret	Belgium, Slovenia
Fisher	U.S.
Fox	Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, United Kingdom, U.S.
Goat	U.S.
Leopard	U.S.
Lion	Peru
Lynx	Finland, U.S.
Mink	Canada, Finland, Spain
Mountain lion	U.S.
* Mouse	U.S.
Opossum	U.S.
Otter	Chile, Netherlands, Finland, U.S.
* Pig	China, Indonesia, U.S.
Polar bear	U.S.
Polecat	Belgium, Netherlands
Porpoise	Chile, Sweden, United Kingdom
Prairie vole	U.S.
* Rabbit	U.S.
Racoon	Canada, U.S.
* Rat	U.S.
* Ringed seal	Canada
Sable	Finland
Sea lion	Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
* Seal	Antarctica, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, U.S.
Seal (fur)	Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Russia, Uruguay
* Serval	U.S.
* Sheep	UK
Skunk	Canada, U.S.
Squirrel	U.S.
* Southern elephant seal	Antarctica
* Stoat	U.S.
Tiger	U.S.
Wild dog	Finland, Japan, UK

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt to expand E-fine system

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to expand its E-Fine system to all relevant departments to digitise government affairs and promote e-governance in the province ARY News reported.

The E-Fine system, initially launched in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, and Swat, has shown promising results. In Peshawar, 4,201 out of 4,219 challans have been paid under the E-Fine system, while in Dera Ismail Khan and Swat, 36 and 875 challans have been paid, respectively. In Abbottabad, 282 out of 289 challans have been paid online.

The provincial government has directed all relevant departments to take necessary steps to implement the E-Fine system and ensure digital revenue collection.

This digital system has generated over Rs30 million in revenue, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing transparency, accountability, and departmental performance.

Read More: New car registration policy comes into effect

One of the key benefits of the E-Fine System is the convenience it offers citizens, who no longer need to visit government offices to pay fines and fees, saving them time and resources. Building on this success, the government plans to expand the system to all departments that impose fines, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for citizens.

To achieve this goal, the government will establish an integrated coordination mechanism among relevant departments and develop a timeline-based implementation plan. This will enable the E-Fine System to be rolled out across the province quickly and efficiently, further enhancing the government’s digital governance initiatives

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Armaghan booked in money laundering case

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Money Laundering Circle has booked Armaghan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case, in the hawala hundi and forgery case, ARY News reported.

According to the FIA, Armaghan was involved in a massive forgery scheme, earning between $300,000 to $400,000 per month . He allegedly used cryptocurrency to launder the money and even purchased several luxury cars with the illicit funds.

Investigations have revealed that Armaghan operated a call center that targeted American citizens, scamming them out of their money, the FIR read. The suspect had also opened bank accounts in the names of his employees to facilitate the fraud.

According to FIR, Armaghan’s team consisted of 25 individuals, each of whom would scam at least five people per day. The suspect had also established a company in the United States with his father’s help to facilitate the hawala/hundi business.

The authorities have recovered three luxury cars worth millions of rupees from Armaghan’s possession, and it is reported that he had sold five more cars.

Earlier on Saturday, Armaghan refused to confess the crime after which the court dismissed petition for confessional statement under section 164.

He was produced before the Judicial Magistrate-South’s court for confessional statement in Mustafa Amir murder case. Court said that the statement under 164 could not be recorded owing to the mental condition of the accused.

Armaghan in his statement said that he killed Mustafa Amir over personal dispute. “I didn’t pre-plan the murder,” he said. “It was a sudden act,” Armaghan stated.

“You will be sent to jail if you confess the crime or not,” the court said.

Read More: Mustafa Amir Case: Armaghan’s father facilitated weapons purchase

“I don’t want confess any crime,” accused Armaghan said. “Police has used ‘black magic’ on me, owing to which I feel pain in the body,” accused said.

“I didn’t kill Mustafa Amir, left him in the car only to set the front portion of the vehicle on fire,” he said. “I had left the matter of Mustafa Amir to God,” he said.

After a while, accused said that he didn’t directly kill the victim. “It was in his fate to die, I had a little part in it,” Armaghan added.

Mustafa Amir was kidnapped and allegedly murdered by his friends in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on January 06. According to the police, the youth’s friends stuffed his body in the trunk of his car and torched it in the Hub area of Balochistan.

The case has garnered widespread attention, with recent updates shedding light on the prime suspect, Armaghan. Investigators have uncovered details regarding his business dealings, digital currency accounts, and other activities.

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US delegation aims for Black Sea ceasefire in Ukraine, Russia talks

A US delegation will seek progress toward a Black Sea ceasefire and a broader cessation of violence in the war in Ukraine when it meets for talks with Russian officials on Monday, after discussions with diplomats from Ukraine on Sunday.

The so-called technical talks come as US President Donald Trump intensifies his drive for a halt to Russia’s three-year-old assault against Ukraine. Last week, he spoke with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A source briefed on the planning for the talks said the US side was being led by Andrew Peek, a senior director at the White House National Security Council, and Michael Anton, a senior State Department official.

They met the Ukrainians on Sunday night and plan to sit down with the Russians on Monday.

The White House says the aim of the talks is to reach a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, allowing the free flow of shipping.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the US, Russian and Ukrainian delegations were assembled in the same facility in Riyadh.

Beyond a Black Sea ceasefire, he said, the teams will discuss “the line of control” between the two countries, which he described as “verification measures, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are.” He said “confidence-building measures” are being discussed, including the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russia.

Russia will be represented by Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who is now chair of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service.

Read more: Trump floats US takeover of Ukraine nuclear plants

Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian delegation, said on Facebook that the US-Ukraine talks included proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure.

After Russian forces made gains in 2024, Trump reversed US policy on the war, launching bilateral talks with Moscow and suspending military assistance to Ukraine, demanding that it take steps to end the conflict.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who met Putin in Moscow in early March, played down concerns among Washington’s NATO allies that Moscow could be emboldened by a deal and invade other neighbors.

“I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two, Witkoff told Fox News.

“I feel that he wants peace,” Witkoff said of Putin.

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‘India has been robbed of Oscars many times’: Deepika Padukone

Bollywood A-lister Deepika Padukone believes India has been robbed of Oscars many times and several deserving movies have been snubbed by the Academy Awards.

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In the latest video shared on her Instagram handle, Deepika Padukone talked about Adrien Brody’s Best Actor Oscar win for ‘The Brutalist’, and said she is really ‘happy’ for him.

However, going ahead, Padukone took a dig at Hollywood’s Academy of Motion Pictures, as she talked about one Oscar win that felt personal to the Bollywood star.

She said, “India has been robbed of the Oscars many times. Many, many deserving movies I feel like just got snubbed. Whether its movies, whether its talent…”

“But I remember being in the audience and when they announced RRR, I got emotional,” added the ‘Pathaan’ actor. “Outside of being an Indian, I had really nothing to do with that movie but that was like a huge, huge moment. That felt very, very personal.”

 

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For the unversed, ace filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli’s magnum-opus ‘RRR’ won Oscars for the Best Original Song category, for its tapping number ‘Naatu Naatu’, in 2023.

Meanwhile, India’s latest official entry to compete for Best International Feature Film, at Oscars 2025, filmmaker Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’, failed to make it to the top 15 shortlisted films for the next stage.

On the work front, Deepika Padukone, who gave three back-to-back hits last year, including, ‘Fighter’, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and ‘Singham Again’, has been on her much-deserving maternity break, since welcoming her first child with husband Ranveer Singh, six-month-old daughter Dua.

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut criticizes Oscars for selecting ‘anti-India’ films

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