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  • Sonya Hussyn slams Rishta Aunty for shaming ‘chubby girls’

    Sonya Hussyn slams Rishta Aunty for shaming ‘chubby girls’

    Pakistani actress Sonya Hussyn has taken a strong stand against TV personality and rishta maker Mrs. Khan, condemning her for making offensive remarks about women’s body sizes. Mrs. Khan had recently stated that “being chubby means you’ll be rejected,” a comment that has sparked backlash on social media for promoting harmful beauty standards.

    Taking to Instagram, the Aangan star sharing Mrs. Khan’s controversial statement, firmly addressed the issue. “Dear Ma’am, with all due respect, it’s 2025 and time to wake up!!!” Sonya said. “Statements like ‘being chubby means you’ll be rejected’ are not just offensive and outdated, they’re harmful.”

    The actress didn’t hold back, stating that such statements destroy self-esteem. “Confidence aese remarks sy shatter hota hai. Kiyun k in baton ny ek typical mindset create kar k false beauty standards ko normalize kar diya hai or insecurities paida kar di hain.” [Confidence gets shattered by such remarks. Because these statements have created a typical mindset that normalises false beauty standards and have given rise to insecurities.]

    Sonya further emphasised that imposing outdated thinking on today’s generation is damaging and irrelevant. “These mindsets no longer serve the world we’re trying to build,” she said. “This generation must lead with better values like confidence, good character, career, professional achievements, self-growth and strong family values — regardless of gender!”

    Calling for a shift in societal attitudes, she urged people to stop reducing women’s worth to their physical appearance. “Can we please now stop this shaming culture and shrinking women by tying their worth to their size,” she said, “and rather start supporting real well-being — both mental and physical.”

    The actress also criticised the obsession with marriage, saying, “Sirf shadi kar lena maqsad nahi hona chahiye.” (Getting married shouldn’t be the only goal.)

    She stressed the importance of personal growth, mental well-being, and emotional intelligence in building healthy relationships. “Our goal is to become fulfilled, self-aware individuals who can be strong, happy, and emotionally healthy partners too — rather than repeating the cycle of toxic, unhappy marriages we’ve seen for generations.”

    Earlier, actor and TV host Javeria Saud had publicly condemned Mrs. Khan’s comments. Javeria Saud questioned why women are still judged for being “moti ya kaali” (fat or dark) in today’s world, calling it pure ignorance.

  • Kamran Akmal, Basit Ali offer two names to replace Faheem Ashraf

    Kamran Akmal, Basit Ali offer two names to replace Faheem Ashraf

    As the countdown begins for the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 showdown between Pakistan and India, two former cricketers have voiced their opinions on team selection. Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal believe Pakistan should rethink Faheem Ashraf’s place in the playing XI for Sunday’s clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

    Speaking on a YouTube channel after Pakistan’s dominant win over Oman, Basit Ali pushed for young pacer Salman Mirza to replace Faheem. Kamran Akmal, however, leaned towards Hasan Ali for the role.

    “If you want Faheem Ashraf to bat at that number, then Hasan Ali can also handle that position just as well — he can play those shots too. Plus, you can even hand Hasan the new ball,” Akmal explained.

    Pakistan began their campaign in style with a 93-run win over Oman in Match 4. Mohammad Haris led the way with his maiden T20I fifty, scoring 66 off 43 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan chipped in with 29. The pair’s 85-run stand rescued Pakistan after Saim Ayub fell for a golden duck. Later, Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten 23 off 16 and Mohammad Nawaz’s quick 19 off 10 helped the team reach 160 for 7.

    For Oman, Aamir Kaleem and Faisal bagged three wickets each, while Muhammad Nadeem added one to his name.

    Chasing 161, Oman collapsed to 67 all out in 16.4 overs. Hammad Mirza fought with 27 runs, but no other batter could survive Pakistan’s relentless attack. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Faheem Ashraf picked up two wickets apiece, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Mohammad Nawaz grabbed one each.

    The victory lifted Pakistan to second place in Group B with two points and a strong net run rate of 4.650. 

    With the India clash looming large, all eyes are now on whether team management will stick with Faheem or take the advice of former stars to bring in fresh pace power.

  • Nepal’s Gen Z use Discord to elect first woman prime minister

    Nepal’s Gen Z use Discord to elect first woman prime minister

    Nepal is slowly returning to normalcy after days of violent political unrest, with the credit for a dramatic twist in the country’s leadership goinh to an unlikely place, Discord.

    On Friday, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki became Nepal’s first woman prime minister, leading an interim government. But what made the story remarkable was how she was chosen. Gen Z protestors, frustrated with traditional politics, logged on to Discord to elect their new leader.

    Discord, a social platform launched in 2015 by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy, was once designed mainly for gamers. Over the years it has grown into a space for large communities, with servers that can hold hundreds of thousands of users. Its simple layout, lack of endless feeds, and mix of tools like text, audio, video, and moderation make it a favorite among Gen Z.

    Protestors in Nepal tapped into that power. They created a server called Youth Against Corruption, which now has more than 130,000 members according to media reports. Members organized channels for announcements, fact-checking, ground updates, helplines, and even news dumps. The setup turned Discord into a command center for mass protests.

    After Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, the group decided to vote for a new leader. On September 10, after 7,713 votes were cast, Karki crossed the 50 percent mark, according to reports. The very next day, she met President Ram Chandra Poudel and Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel to formalize her new role.

    With curfews now lifted in Kathmandu Valley and other parts of the country, daily life is beginning to settle down.

  • Samiya Hijab forgives Hassan Zahid, drops case: Reports

    Samiya Hijab forgives Hassan Zahid, drops case: Reports

    Social media influencer and content creator Samiya Hijab has reportedly dropped her case of attempted kidnapping and threatening against Hassan Zahid.

    In an exclusive interview with a social media outlet, Samiya said that she has reconciled with accused Hassan Zahid, forgiving him, “for the sake of Allah.”

    According to the news outlet, Samiya confirmed that both sides have withdrawn their allegations. Zahid apologised while offering assurances that he will not harass, defame, or harm her again, and pledged to move forward responsibly.

    With this agreement, Samiya reportedly said she will withdraw her case, a move that clears the way for Zahid’s bail approval this week. She said that Hassan is ashamed of how he has acted.

    Meanwhile, according to the outlet, Hassan will get a bail on Saturday to this agreement. Samiya was approached by Hassan’s mother and his father had apologized to her. That was the reason that compelled her to change her mind because her life was not at threat by her ex-fiancé anymore. “I have taken this decision to get out of the trauma and I just want to focus on my career from now onwards,” she said.

    Earlier, an Islamabad district and sessions court on Friday sent the suspect, who allegedly threatened and attempted to abduct Samiya Hijab, to jail for 14 days on judicial remand.

    The suspect was arrested on September 2 and a case was registered in the capital’s Shalimar Police Station at her complaint under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 365 (Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person), 392 (punishment for robbery), 500 (punishment for defamation), 509 and 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code. He has since been remanded twice.

  • Dubai businessman gives 700 free Asia Cup tickets to workers

    Dubai businessman gives 700 free Asia Cup tickets to workers

    Anis Sajan, a well-known businessman and philanthropist in Dubai, distributed 700 free Asia Cup tickets among workers, including the much-awaited Pakistan vs India match.

    The high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India will take place on September 14 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Tickets for the game have been in huge demand, but many workers in Dubai will now get a chance to watch it live thanks to Sajan’s gesture.

    Sajan arranged tickets for workers from South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Afghanistan. He also offered free pick-and-drop services so fans can enjoy the matches without worrying about transportation.

    “I have always been passionate about cricket and loved watching the stars in action. Now I want workers here in Dubai to experience the same joy. That is why I decided to gift them tickets,” Sajan told a private media outlet.

    He said most workers wanted to watch the Pakistan-India clash, so his company held a lucky draw to distribute those tickets fairly.

    Several matches of the Asia Cup, including the final, will be played in Dubai. Sajan believes cricket brings people together.

    “Whether the workers are from Pakistan or India, they watch the game together, celebrate their team’s win, and then walk back home happily hand in hand. This is the true spirit of the UAE society,” he pointed out. 

    The high-voltage clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India will take place on September 14, 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE. 

    Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a 93-run victory over Oman, while India started strong with a nine-wicket win against the UAE.

  • Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan thrash Oman by 93 runs

    Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan thrash Oman by 93 runs

    Pakistan on Friday crushed Oman by 93 runs in the fourth match of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

    After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first and posted 160 runs for the loss of seven wickets. 

    Saim Ayub and Salman Agha fell without scoring while Sahibzada Farhan made 29, Fakhar Zaman added 23 and Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with 19. Mohammad Haris stole the show with a 66-run knock.

    For Oman, Amir Kaleem and Faisal Shah shared six wickets with three each. Mohammad Nadeem picked up one wicket.

    Oman’s chase never got going as the team folded for 67 runs in 16.4 overs. Amir Kaleem scored 13, Hammad Mirza made 27 and Shakeel Ahmed added 10 runs, but none could resist Pakistan’s disciplined attack. 

    For Pakistan, Faheem Ashraf, Sufiyan Muqeem and Saim Ayub picked up two wickets each while Shaheen Afridi, Ibrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz took one apiece.

    This was the first-ever international clash between Pakistan and Oman. 

    Earlier, Pakistan came into the game in strong form, having won four of their last five T20 Internationals, including a tri-series victory over Afghanistan and the UAE.

  • Ireland will boycott Eurovision if Israel participates

    Ireland will boycott Eurovision if Israel participates

    Ireland has announced it will withdraw from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna if Israel is allowed to take part, citing the genocide crisis in Gaza. 

    In a statement released on Thursday, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ said it would find participation “unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.”

    RTÉ also expressed “deep concern” over the targeted killing of journalists in the territory, the blocking of international media access, and the continued suffering of hostages. The broadcaster is responsible for selecting Ireland’s entry into the contest.

    Ireland now joins Slovenia in threatening a Eurovision boycott over Israel’s involvement. Spain’s culture minister, Ernest Urtasun, also voiced support for a ban, stating Spain should not participate if Israel does — reflecting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s earlier call for Israel’s exclusion from international forums, similar to Russia’s ban following its invasion of Ukraine.

    Both RTÉ and Slovenia’s RTVSLO confirmed that discussions within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, are ongoing.

    This year’s contest faced backlash over the participation of Israeli artist Eden Golan, who was met with loud jeers during her semi-final performance. Golan ultimately placed second, behind Austria’s JJ, who has also publicly supported calls to exclude Israel from the competition.

    Ireland shares the record for the most Eurovision wins — seven titles — alongside Sweden. RTÉ first raised concerns about Israel’s participation with the EBU in May, shortly before the 2025 final in Basel, Switzerland. Spain’s RTV had similarly called for an EBU debate in April.

    The EBU has now extended the usual October deadline for countries to confirm their participation to December, as member broadcasters continue consultations.

    Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, acknowledged the sensitivities around the issue, saying the EBU “understands the concerns and deeply held views around the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” and is working closely with members to manage the geopolitical tensions.

    The genocide in Gaza has so far claimed over 64,000 lives since October 2023, according to health authorities. Hopes for a ceasefire have faded after an Israeli airstrike reportedly targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar earlier this week. The UN’s children’s agency reported Thursday that 13 percent of children in Gaza are now suffering from “acute malnutrition” because of Israel’s restrictions on aid deliveries.

  • Chahat Fateh Ali Khan to take legal action against restaurant for ‘leaking’ old egg attack video

    Chahat Fateh Ali Khan to take legal action against restaurant for ‘leaking’ old egg attack video

    Social media personality Chahat Fateh Ali Khan has announced taking legal action against a UK-based restaurant for sharing the video of an egg attack on him, months after denying the incident was caught on camera.

    In a video statement posted to his Instagram, Chahat revealed that the attack occurred on June 19 outside Paratha Stop Palace – a Pakistani restaurant located in Blackburn. According to him, he was exiting the venue after a performance when two masked individuals approached and smashed eggs on his head.

    Chahat said that the restaurant owners, Iram and Faiz, had invited him to perform at the venue. After the show, staff and security personnel requested photos with him. It was during this time that the attack took place.

    “One person threw an egg at me, and the other hit me on the head while throwing an egg,” Chahat explained, adding that the incident left him feeling unwell for four days.

    He further alleged that when he contacted the restaurant days later and requested CCTV footage, the management claimed no cameras were installed outside the premises. However, to his surprise, the same restaurant uploaded a video of the incident to their Instagram account nearly three months later, seeking public assistance in identifying the attackers.

    “This proves they were lying,” Chahat said, accusing the restaurant of being complicit in the attack. “I now have clear evidence against them and will pursue legal action to get the restaurant shut down.”

    He also revealed that he had received threatening phone calls from unknown numbers in the days following the attack. “They pretended to ask about my well-being but mocked me by asking if Bado Badi was seriously injured.”

    Bado Badi was a song released by Chahat in 2024, which drew strong reactions from trolls and the social media personality’s followers alike.

    Chahat said that he has recorded all the phone numbers and plans to present them as evidence to the relevant authorities.

    It merits a mention that the statement comes hours after a viral video showed two masked individuals approaching the singer and hurling eggs at him before fleeing the scene. The restaurant, in its Instagram post, appealed to the public to help identify the attackers.

    Many Pakistani celebrities, including Yasir Hussain, Ahmed Ali Butt and Asim Azhar, have condemned the act. Actor and TV host Mishi Khan has also taken to Instagram to call the attackers out, saying it was a “cheap and disgraceful tactic”.

  • Mahira Khan slams industry practice of delaying payments

    Mahira Khan slams industry practice of delaying payments

    Superstar Mahira Khan has responded to veteran actor Syed Mohammad Ahmed’s recent remarks about delayed payments in the entertainment industry, expressing concern for the technicians and crew members working behind the scenes.

    In a statement shared to her Instagram story, Khan noted that if prominent actors face such challenges, the situation is likely worse for technicians and others with less visibility. “Imagine… if senior actors, popular actors… hit maker directors go through this – just imagine what technicians go through.”

    Mohammad Ahmed, in a widely shared interview, criticised production houses for withholding payments from actors for extended periods. He stated that actors are often made to wait three to eight months for payment, and in some cases, are not paid at all. According to Ahmed, “The treatment actors receive when requesting payment is often demeaning, with some having to justify their personal financial needs.”

    In the same interview, Hajra Yamin stated that contracts are typically one-sided, favoring production houses. “If a shoot is canceled due to an actor, they are penalized, but when producers cancel, it is generally accepted without issue,” she said.

    Yamin added: “Technicians and junior crew members are affected even more than actors, with some being told to work without pay, receiving only food in return.”

    Saheefa Jabbar Khattak said that she once proposed including healthcare and anti-harassment clauses in her contract to ensure production houses cover medical expenses in case of injury. However, she said her proposal was ignored. She further revealed, “I have to go for therapy for six months after completing each drama due to mental stress.”

    Director Mehreen Jabbar noted that many in the industry choose to remain silent due to “fear of losing future work.”

    Actors Ramsha Khan, Yasir Hussain, Nadia Afgan, Alizeh Shah, and Khushhal Khan have also publicly addressed these issues. Industry insiders report that production houses rarely face penalties for delayed payments, while actors and crew continue to work under uncertain financial and physical conditions.

  • ‘I’ll walk naked around MCG’: Matthew Hayden on if Joe Root fails at Ashes century

    ‘I’ll walk naked around MCG’: Matthew Hayden on if Joe Root fails at Ashes century

    Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has backed Joe Root to finally end his century drought in Australia when Ashes kick off in November.

    Root has dominated Test cricket in recent years, but has never reached three figures Down Under.

    Speaking on the All Over Bar podcast, Hayden went all in with his prediction. “I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t make a hundred this summer,” he said.

    The five-match Ashes series begins on November 21 in Perth. For England, it is their biggest chance to claim an away Ashes since 2011 and their first overall triumph since 2015. It will also test the fearless ‘Bazball’ style under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum against Australia’s fiery pace attack.

    Root enters the series in brilliant form. Since 2021, he has piled up 5,720 runs in 61 Tests at an average of 56.63, with 22 centuries and 17 fifties. His most recent outing was the home series against India, where he hammered 537 runs in five matches at 67.14, including three centuries.

    Now, the England star sits second on the all-time Test run-scorers list with 13,543 runs in 158 matches at an average of 51.29, with 39 centuries and 66 fifties.

    With numbers like that, Hayden believes Australia is about to see a different Joe Root.