Bhatti posted pictures of himself and Salahuddin at the Islamabad airport on Friday with the caption saying they were “deeply honored to have been invited to Iran as State Guests to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei”.

He called it a “privilege” to be able to represent Pakistan at such an important occasion and said he did not take that responsibility lightly.

On Sunday, Salahuddin posted a video from the Grand Mosalla in Tehran where Khamenei’s funeral was taking place with a monologue explaining what it felt like to be there.

He said he was there not to stand with or against someone, but to observe. “What I saw was not a show of strength, it was this nation’s grief — the true grief of losing its leader,” he said.

Salahuddin said he saw the grieving people of Iran practice the same rituals for their supreme leader that “have kept the memory of [Imam] Hasan and [Imam] Husain alive for 1,400 years”.

“This mourning [in Tehran] has been going on for two days, people come, stay for a bit, leave and someone else takes their place. There is no point where everyone is here at the same time, and yet, this place is always full.”

He said he felt a “power” at the event, “with my eyes, in my heart, and I will never forget it”.

Bhatti also posted a reel showing scenes from Tehran, with mourners clad in black in the city streets and visuals of the funeral with shots of Khamenei’s coffin lying in state.

In his caption, the vlogger wrote of “a grief so large it swallowed the whole city. Streets shut down. Shops closed. A nation that stopped moving to mourn one man”.

He said he usually makes videos “about places, food, small joys. This time my camera was pointed at something bigger than me”.

“I didn’t come here to have an opinion. I came here to witness. And some things you only understand once you’ve stood in the middle of them.”

Excitement has swirled around America’s “royal wedding”, which is happening on the United States’ 250th birthday weekend amid a record-breaking heat wave, a near-total news blackout and a security lockdown of the kind typically reserved for heads of state.

The anticipation was even greater as Swift and Kelce made no public announcements about their wedding plans at the storied Madison Square Garden — and reportedly insisted guests sign non-disclosure agreements.

But the singer’s longstanding publicist Tree Paine broke the silence late Friday as she detailed a luxurious and intimate ceremony — without saying exactly when the pair wed.

“Taylor and Travis did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, her brother Austin Swift served as Taylor’s man of honour and Jason Kelce was Travis’s best man,” she said in a statement.

“The ceremony joined both families together and was officiated by friend Adam Sandler,” Paine added.

She said the couple’s wedding looks were created by Christian Dior Haute Couture, while their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin. Swift wore Cartier jewellery.

Shortly before the announcement, a giant screen outside the Garden showed the message “JUST&T MARRIED!” — T&T for Taylor and Travis.

Star-studded

Ahead of Friday’s bumper event, a crowd of Swifties — as the megastar’s fans are known — cheered and sang her songs outside the arena as a line of black SUVs dropped off guests.

“I grew up with her music and I’m really excited to get to be in New York today for her wedding day,” Mayan Menahem, 31, told AFP in Manhattan.

But heavy rain and a severe thunderstorm warning Friday night sent home many of the fans waiting outside Madison Square Garden for a glimpse of the glitterati, CNN reported.

Some 1,000 guests, reportedly banned from carrying phones, were expected to attend the secretive wedding.

Stars heading to the venue included model Gigi Hadid, actors Hugh Grant, Bradley Cooper and Dakota Johnson, and pop figures Benson Boone and Camila Cabello.

The Empire State Building said it would have a “light blue sparkle” to celebrate the wedding.

All night party

The main event came after an initial rehearsal dinner late Thursday for 100 invitees at Madison Square Garden.

Entertainment outlets said Swift and Kelce gave guests black velvet boxes etched with the couple’s initials, apparently containing a champagne flute adorned with diamonds.

Friday’s party reportedly kicked off with mid-afternoon cocktails, before a reception going late into the night.

Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw were to perform, while Ed Sheeran was also rumoured to be among those taking the stage, according to Page Six.

Royal wedding

Ahead of the nuptials, Swifties also flocked to Big Apple locations mentioned in their idol’s lyrics, including the Bus Stop Cafe in the West Village.

“She is the biggest thing in America — like, she is our royalty, she is our queen, she is everything,” said Alyssa Heinen, 24, from Manhattan. “It feels like a royal wedding to us.” To mark the occasion, the couple also donated $26 million to various US charities, including in New York and Kansas City, Swift’s spokesperson said.

Swift’s marriage to Kelce comes after a string of high-profile failed relationships — including with British actor Joe Alwyn, and singers John Mayer and Harry Styles — which became fodder for her songs.

She revealed her engagement to the hulking, bearded Kelce last August in an Instagram post captioned “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The 14-time Grammy winner is coming off a banner year with the success of her album The Life of a Showgirl, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a new song on the Toy Story 5 soundtrack.

Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, has signed on for a 14th season in the National Football League. He is also a co-host of the popular New Heights podcast alongside his brother Jason.

The actor appeared on her niece Zara Noor Abbas’ Instagram stories on Wednesday to tell her haters they need to work harder.

“They’ll say someone’s too old, someone’s too fat… they’re animals,” she said while enjoying some mangoes.

When pressed further on who these people were by Zara’s husband Asad Siddiqui, she said, “If you look at their profiles on social media, there are birds on them, there should be dogs there.”

She then realised she likes dogs and said maybe they weren’t fit for the job. She said maybe snakes would work better.

That’s when Ansari’s sister Asma Abbas walked in to say even she was tired of hearing the same old things. “I came to say they need to come up with something new. This ‘old mare’ and ‘one foot in the grave’, we’ve gotten bored of this.”

Ansari suggested the pair should do something illegal so that their opps actually have something to talk about aside from their ages.

She added that they were probably just jealous because she and her sister were active despite their age, when their critics were probably just sitting around all day.

Ansari, one of Pakistan’s most senior actors with a broad portfolio of acting projects, has to bear with ageist comments and attitudes both from the public and occasionally from within the industry.

She does have a habit of not mincing words when she thinks something isn’t right, so the disses she dished out weren’t really a surprise but they were entirely welcome for a society that has nothing better to do than criticise others.

Haider appeared on the show Rise and Shine with Zohaib Hassan and Nadia Khan where he said he found the whole thing “very disturbing” and urged content creators not to “hurt someone’s family life and privacy” in the pursuit of views.

Starting the segment on a jovial note, the actor recalled how he had woken up on Tuesday morning to a barrage of messages from everyone he knew. Some were congratulating him on getting married, others wanted to know why they hadn’t been told sooner.

Haider was, of course, puzzled and only saw his ‘wedding photos’ after scrolling through some chats. He said his first thought was, “Wow, what a bride and groom they’ve made [out of us].”

Haider said it took him around 10 minutes to actually understand what had happened, after which he called Saadia and said, “Congratulations Farah, we’re married now.” She was having none of it and asked what he was on about.

After explaining the whole thing and laughing at the absurdity of the situation, he said Saadia became disturbed a few hours after they had discussed it at which point he suggested they should make a video explaining what had happened; she readily agreed and rushed to his office.

The video, in which the pair start by congratulating each other on getting married but quickly refute the news as a hoax, is up on their Instagram accounts. They joked that the “professional” YouTubers that had gotten them married were now obligated to send wedding gifts from the money they made off the fake news.

Haider told Hassan and Khan the video had been effective and people understood he still wasn’t married. He also admitted he wasn’t tech savvy enough to have realised some people will take the first few seconds of him and Saadia congratulating each other and try to pass it off as confirmation of their wedding.

The actor said they only took a light-hearted approach to the problem because everyone is out ranting about how AI is ruining things and nobody would’ve listened if he did the same.

He did say that this wasn’t the only problem he had with AI and spoke about his new drama Shaidai, in which everyone is convinced his on-screen death was AI-generated — he insists it wasn’t and it was just really good camerawork.

The couple, both 36, exchanged vows in front of a “tiny group of loved ones,” the media outlet said. It did not say when or where the nuptials took ‌place, though it noted Swift’s private jet recently spent time in Nashville, the city where she lived early in her career.

Swift’s publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Reuters could not confirm the Page Six report.

As workers scrambled to prepare Madison Square Garden earlier Thursday for what was expected to be a lavish celebration for the superstars, the pair showed some support for New York: The singer’s publicity team said on Thursday that Kelce and Swift had ​donated $26 million to several charities in the city and elsewhere this week.

Neither has commented publicly on their plans, but several media outlets reported that Swift and Kelce held a 100-person event ​at the sports arena on Thursday that will be followed by a larger celebration in front of 1,000 people on Friday.

Police set up barriers around the venue, closing streets and blocking pedestrian walkways. Several sport utility vehicles, with tinted windows to conceal the occupants, drove into the venue. Celebrities, including actors Bradley Cooper and Lena Dunham, sportscaster Erin ​Andrews and music producer Jack Antonoff, were photographed at or near the site in sequinned dresses or other fancy attire.

A sign posted at an entrance advised that anyone entering from June 29 through ​July 3 for “an event” could have their photo taken. By entering, people were agreeing to maintain strict confidentiality, including not discussing its hosts or attendees, the sign said, according to an image captured by a Reuters journalist.

At Madison Square Garden, workers have been hauling in food ‌and decor to make the whole place shimmer. News cameras captured foliage, a box marked “garden party” and another labelled lobster meat. The venue’s public calendar shows no events scheduled till Tuesday — a rare six-day stretch in a summer otherwise packed with concerts, with just the occasional night unbooked.

Several media outlets reported that Swift and Kelce will hold ​a 100-person event at the sports arena on Thursday followed by a larger celebration in front of 1,000 people on Friday. ​The pop superstar and National Football League player have not confirmed when and where they will marry, and ⁠Swift’s publicist has not responded to requests from Reuters for comment.

New York City already was abuzz with major happenings over the US Independence Day ​weekend. Tall ships will sail into New York Harbour to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, and a FIFA World ​Cup match is set for Sunday in nearby New Jersey. On Wednesday, onlookers stopped to watch a Russian couple of daredevils who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace.

Mamdani drops a hint

The big events coincide with high temperatures that prompted city officials to declare a heat ​emergency. When asked about a potential Swift wedding, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani used the moment to urge people to stay indoors to protect ​themselves from the extreme weather.

“If you happen to be getting married at MSG, you will be staying inside and staying cool, and I think it’s a ‌good example ⁠to set for the city at large,” he told reporters earlier this week.

Reuters confirmed that an event planning company had applied for a permit to close the streets around the Garden from Thursday through midday Saturday. Fencing was being erected around the venue’s entrances this week.

The venue sits above a major commuter hub, and passersby on Wednesday stopped to watch the preparations.

Hundreds of local law enforcement officers are expected to patrol the area, ​The New York Times reported, citing ​a memo titled “Taylor Swift wedding ⁠at Madison Square Garden”.

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that officers were “tracking” an event at the Garden on Friday night and “will, of course, have a detail in place.” A department spokesperson did not ​respond to a Reuters request for additional information.

America’s royal wedding

The union of the ‘Love Story’ singer and Kansas ​City Chiefs tight end, ⁠dubbed “America’s royal wedding,” is one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings of the century. Speculation has intensified since the couple announced their engagement in August following a public courtship that enchanted fans. Cameras caught Swift cheering on Kelce at Chiefs games and followed him as he jetted around the world ⁠to her concerts.

A ​star-studded crowd is expected, given Swift’s roster of celebrity friends, including Selena Gomez, Ed ​Sheeran, Emma Stone and Gigi Hadid. In one TV interview, Swift joked that she would invite “anyone that I’ve ever talked to.”

On the groom’s side, Chiefs coach Andy Reid was photographed ​being fitted for a tuxedo.

The singer was on an Instagram live on Tuesday to hype up his tour of Europe when a fan from Lahore asked him to visit the city.

Responding to the request, Dosanjh said, “No brother, if I come to Lahore, they won’t let me go anywhere else. You know what’s going on in the world. It’s all about politics bro.”

He went on to say that he doesn’t see himself ever getting involved in politics because it requires “very thick skin”.

“I always stay away from politics, always keep my face away from it. That’s why I say politics, for anyone who wants to pursue it as a profession, is very hard. ‘It’s not something I can handle,’ that’s what I say and stay away from it all,” Dosanjh said.

The singer, whose work in Punjabi music and cinema has amassed him a cross-border following, occasionally finds himself the victim of politics, which may explain his aversion to it.

Last year, his film Sardaar Ji 3 made waves in India and Pakistan for casting Hania Aamir as the female lead. While Pakistani audiences watched the movie in cinemas, Indians could not as it did not get a theatrical release in the country.

Dosanjh defended the film and refused to bow down to pressure from his home industry, which threatened to ostracise him entirely.

He told the BBC Asian Network things weren’t as tense when he started the project and he wasn’t going to let things “out of his control” get in the way of his commitments with the film’s team.

More recently, he starred in Main Vaapas Aaunga, a film that explores the story of Partition from the eyes of a man who went through it in his youth. Much of the story is set in the now-Pakistani city of Sargodha.

In a reel posted to her Instagram account on Wednesday, Kazim told her followers to take care of animals as the country faces record-breaking temperatures this summer.

In the video, she fawns over her dog Max and tells her son Hassan and a lady holding a container of water that they shouldn’t have taken him out in the heat — Max, for his part, enjoyed getting wiped down by a wet cloth.

“Jokes aside,” the host said looking into the camera, “I had a request for you all”.

She said she would deliver this request softly after receiving some flak for being too harsh with her last one.

“If you want to keep animals, then take care of them like you would yourself,” Kazim said as her son tried his hand at being a dog masseuse in the background.

She asked people to provide their pets and even strays water to drink and shade to sit under. This, she said, was treating them “like you should treat any living being”.

In her caption, she asked readers to consider how hard the intense heat must be for animals “who have no fan, no shade, no way to ask for help”.

“Kindness doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it is just remembering that we share this world with others too. Please be gentle. Please be mindful,” she wrote.

She’s not wrong; as global temperatures continue to rise, animals are suffering the result of a man-made ecological disaster and giving them a drink and shading them from the raging sun is the least we can do.

“It is with profound sadness that I must announce the death of my husband, Victor Willis. Victor passed away on Tuesday June 30, 2026 as a result of a short, but aggressive illness,” the post on Willis’s official page said.

The Texas-born musician was a co-founder of the Village People and co-wrote hits including ‘Y.M.C.A’, ‘In the Navy’ and ‘Macho Man’ that swept the world’s dancefloors in the late 1970s.

With their flamboyant costumes and choreography, the group became a pop culture phenomenon, targeting disco’s large gay audience with camp fantasy characters of butch builders, bikers, cowboys and soldiers.

Willis left the group in 1980 but rejoined in 2017.

He struggled with drug addiction and took a plea deal over cocaine possession in 2006.

‘Y.M.C.A’, whose lyrics urge “young men” to head to the Young Men’s Christian Association in New York, became an anthem for the LGBTQ community and beyond.

But some say the song has been co-opted by the American right wing following its use at rallies and events supporting Trump.

The president developed his own trademark dance to accompany the song — a stiff shuffle of the hips and fist bumps at waist-high level.

The band performed ‘Y.M.C.A.’ at a Trump rally in January 2025, before the Republican was inaugurated for his second presidential term.

Willis said at the time: “Let’s give President Trump a chance, regardless of what you may have thought about him in the past.”

“Let’s see what he’s going to do moving forward and if he does things to restrict LGBTQ rights, Village People will be the first to speak out,” he said.

In a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, he explained what intellectual property rights are and how he hadn’t granted them to an Indian programme where two young contestants sang his song ‘Ravi’.

“Recently, I saw this reel from India where these two kids were singing ‘Ravi’ and they’re singing it really well. They did a really good job and I really congratulate them for it. They were on some Indian TV programme, a Punjabi programme, and in the comments some of our people began to say ‘Look, he didn’t let our kids on Pakistan Idol sing his songs but gladly let Indian kids sing them. He permitted them to use his music but wouldn’t do the same for our kids,’” Ali said.

The singer said the song had been used without permission on the show. “They did not ask for permission and I did not grant it, they just played the song. The how and why of it, my legal team will get in touch with them about that.”

Coming to allegations that he deliberately took a public stance against Pakistan Idol, he said he was simply speaking at a concert press conference and was asked about the show by one of the attendees.

He said before the show’s organisers tried to use his music without paying him his due, he had wished the programme well and still believes we need more programmes like it.

Ali said the whole thing had been painted as him “not letting kids sing his songs”, which hurt because he really enjoyed seeing young singers perform on the show. He asked why nobody was going after other artists who refused to hand over the rights to their work.

The singer also took issue with the way social media pages never shared anything positive about him, like the many times artists outside of Pakistan appreciated his songs. “B Praak sang them, Guru Randhawa sang them, Diljit Dosanjh posted ‘Ravi’ so many times, made so many reels. Someday it’s Shreya Ghoshal saying something [about my music], someday it’s Sonu Nigam, nobody picks that up,” he said.

He contended that social media thrives off of controversy, but asked people to “stop dragging your own artists down”.

Ali asked his fans, listeners and people on the internet to refrain from blindly trusting what they saw on social media and not share things without verifying them first.

For singers and musicians, especially ones appearing on shows like Pakistan Idol, he asked them to make their own music instead of singing covers. “That’s how the industry will move forward, otherwise we’ll just keep singing the same songs over and over again,” the singer said.

The princess announced in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer and by January 2025, she said she was in remission. While announcing her recovery, she thanked The Royal Marsden for looking after her so well during the past year. She and her husband Prince William became patrons of the Royal Marsden Hospital at the time.

“In my new role as joint patron of The Royal Marsden, my hope is that by supporting groundbreaking research and clinical excellence, as well as promoting patient and family wellbeing, we might save many more lives, and transform the experience of all those impacted by cancer,” the princess had said at the time.

In her post on Monday, she said, “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear. What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.”

She said she had taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back. “The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people. Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare,” the princess explained.

“Every individual is different, and ensuring there is a whole person approach to care enables those living through cancer to manage the deeply personal challenge of diagnosis. Holistic therapies complement clinical pathways and support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time.

“We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment,” she said.

Her challenge will support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, helping to transform access to, and understanding of, holistic care that will enhance recovery and healing for patients across the UK.

“Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live. Between effort and acceptance, between control and trust, between thinking and simply being. Because in the end, bravery isn’t just about pushing forward. It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain or landscape you are walking.”

The TV host shared a video on Tuesday afternoon of piles of trash she came across on a trail in the hill station.

“We travel to beautiful places to escape the mess. Let’s not leave our mess behind for someone else to clean up. Take your memories. Take your photographs. Take your garbage too,” she wrote in the caption for the video.

“What is this nonsense? Wherever I go here [Nathia Gali], this is the state,” she said, pointing to  wrappers, styrofoam cups and plastic bags strewn across the ground on the trail.  

“If you had plastic bags, why not put the trash in that and put carry it till you found a trash can?” she wondered.  

“The point is, we always complain about the state of our country, what will become of it, how will the situation become better but we can’t even manage to keep it clean,” she lamented, apologising for her aggression but labelling the situation ridiculous.

Kazim said we talk about climate change and the state of the environment, with hail in the rainy season and hot weather in the winter, but it’s all happening because of our propensity to litter and not take care of our surroundings.

“So, if things are bad, it’s our own fault,” she said.

Kazim’s not wrong — Pakistanis aren’t in the habit of picking up their own trash, even in the most scenic of locations. Residents of the country’s mountainous regions have long complained of tourists who leave a trail of garbage in their wake.

The One Battle After Another actor ​took home four awards, including the special, noncompetitive honor of Icon of the Year, ‌presented by singer Janet Jackson. She also won the Fashion Vanguard Award, Best Actress, and Video Director of the Year for the short film Escape Room.

“There would be no me without you,” Taylor said to Jackson during a ​tearful acceptance speech for the Icon of the Year award, which BET describes as ​honouring those who have paid homage to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.

“I ⁠worked my a** off 20 years for this. So, I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with ​arrogance; I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude,” she said.

The BET Awards were held at the ​Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast live on BET, as well as multiple Paramount-owned channels.

Comedian Druski, the youngest person ever to host the ceremony, opened with his comedic pastor persona, leading the audience in a humorous group ​prayer that blended jokes with tributes to spirituality.

The ceremony featured performances from Cardi B, Raye, T.I., ​Kehlani, Doechii, and Don Toliver.

Boundary-breaking music industry executive Sylvia Rhone was also honoured with the BET Ultimate Icon ‌Award, which ⁠recognises individuals who have made a lasting impact throughout their careers in the entertainment industry and the Black community.

“Tonight’s honour bears my name but really belongs to all of us who create culture. I’ve been fortunate to spend my life around extraordinary artists,” Rhone, 74, said as she accepted ​the award onstage.

“Black creativity ​is one of the ⁠most powerful forces in the world. It has shaped culture,” she said.

She emphasised that while technology is valuable, it is essential for Black creatives ​to preserve the soul and artistry of music for the next generation.

The ​50-year veteran ⁠of the music industry is the first Black woman to have held various top level positions at a number of well-known record labels.

She has held executive roles at Epic Records, Universal Motown, Elektra, Atlantic, and ⁠East ​West, and is known for her mentorship, including her work ​with Missy Elliott, Brandy, and Busta Rhymes.

Other honours of the night included Cardi B winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and ​Lauryn Hill taking home the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about the lives we lead, the yellow brick roads we build for ourselves, and the detours life asks us to take,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. “Some are expected. Others arrive completely out of the blue. But each one has a way of shaping us and leading us exactly where we’re meant to be.”

Commenting on the photograph she shared with the post, she said it was taken after she had just stepped off the stage at Brilliant Minds after doing something she hadn’t done in a long time: interviewing someone. “It felt like returning to my roots, to the place where my journey as a storyteller first began,” she said.

“This year, every project I’ve begun has brought me back to why I became a storyteller in the first place,” Chinoy said.

“There’s so much I’m excited to share. A film fund that will champion new voices. A residency built around ideas and creative exchange. And new characters I’m nurturing, who will soon find their way into the world,” she said.

Her Neela Asmaan project is currently calling for applicants for its new climate futures residency. Patakha Pictures, a part of Chinoy’s SOC Films, provides grants for young filmmakers to work in Pakistan.

“Sometimes, the path forward isn’t about discovering something new. It’s about finding your way back to yourself. What’s coming next feels a lot like that,” she wrote, ending on a hopeful note.

Quoting comments from a post announcing the score for one of the top 20 finalists, Riaz shared an open letter to her Instagram account, saying no crown “is worth hatred”.

“Over the past few days, I have been the target of a paid and orchestrated campaign of online harassment. Male supporters of a Miss Universe Pakistan finalist have publicly questioned my ability as a judge, sent hate, and even posted threats promising to ‘make my life miserable’,” said the former Miss Universe Pakistan — who is one of the judges for the competition this year.

“A real queen,” she said, “does not encourage harassment, intimidation, or hate to advance her own ambitions”. She said real leadership was measured by how we treat others and this behaviour was contrary to the spirit of healthy competition.

Riaz said these threats were not acceptable and will be met with legal action if they continue. “Online abuse is not beyond accountability,” she said, tagging the Punjab Police and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

“I chose to represent Pakistan with dignity, respect and unity. I will continue to do so,” Riaz said, adding that she would not let online pressure replace merit and that all judging was done “based solely on the official Miss Universe criteria”.

“To every young girl watching: never let someone convince you that bullying is the price of ambition. Pakistan deserves women who lift each other up not tear each other down,” she said, ending her message.

The comments Riaz quoted were from a post from the official Miss Universe Pakistan account announcing the judges scores for contestant Aneesa Sheikh. The contestant is appearing for selection again after failing to progress past the Top 20 stage last year.

Riaz wasn’t the only person targeted either, Miss Universe Egypt Deputy Director Kosh Himal Hewage — who is also a judge and rated Sheikh lower than Riaz did — was also called out.

Josh Yugen, the owner of the Miss Universe Pakistan franchise, responded to Riaz’s letter saying, “The most beautiful crown is one built on integrity. Kindness is never weakness, and respect is never optional. May every future queen remember that true leadership is measured by how she treats others — even in the face of adversity.”

Called the Manifesto Library, the physical iteration of her book club Service95 — which she has been running since 2021 — will open at the historic Livraria Lello bookshop in Porto, Portugal today (June 27).

While this initiative is part of a multi-day celebration of the Livraria Lello’s 120th anniversary, the library will remain at the venue as a permanent feature.

In a press release, Lipa was quoted as saying, “When I founded the Service95 Book Club, my ambition was for it to become a home for writers and readers, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances. Reading the world brings us closer — but sadly, not everyone is in favor of that.”

She called the new library a “dream collaboration” and said that the carefully curated 100 books in its collection were works that “that ask questions or have been questioned”. She noted in the statement that many of the authors of these texts had “paid for their words with their life”.

The collection includes works such as Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Reginald Dwayne Betts’ Felon. Other represented authors include Salman Rushdie and Olga Tokarczuk.

“This library is a shrine to books that have disappeared, to authors whose courage unmasks structures of power and control, and to readers who refuse to be told what book they are allowed to read. You are invited to visit and decide for yourself what belongs on these shelves. Because sometimes the most subversive thing you can do is read a book and then talk about it,” the pop star said.

Books are a big part of Lipa’s life and public image, even outside of her book club. She met her now-husband Callum Turner at a bar and they got talking because they were both reading Hermann Diaz’s Trust. She was also a keynote speaker at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the International Booker Prize this year.

On Tuesday, police in Sargodha arrested four people after a seven-year-old girl was found dead after having gone to a neighbourhood shop. Police arrested four suspects in the case with the prime suspect later being killed during an attempted escape.

On Wednesday, a three-year-old in Karachi was found murdered outside her home. The police surgeon said it was “one of the most horrific” cases she had seen in her career.

The little girl had gone outside to play at noon and her parents began to search for her when she didn’t return around four and a half hours later. Her grandfather found her body stuffed into a bag and left outside their house.

In the aftermath, many of the country’s celebrities had the same questions: how many more innocent lives have to be lost before we ensure our kids are safe?

Adnan Siddiqui, asking God to have mercy on the country, said animals shield their young from harm out of a natural instinct; how then had we humans failed to do the same for our children? He called for predators who targeted children to be given “the harshest punishment allowed by law”.

Ushna Shah called out the lack of meaningful action in Pakistani society in response to such incidents. She said Pakistanis will “blame victims” and “be outraged online”, but will not take steps amend laws to “make punishments for assault more brutal” or even “hold boys accountable for their actions” early in life.

“We will never take women’s rights as human rights. We will continue to blame victims.”

Ayesha Omar struck a similar tone on the need for societal change while talking about the gruesome murder in Karachi.

“The environment all over Pakistan is barbaric. I’m shaken, so, so, so angry and feeling hopeless about this country,” she lamented. “and that’s what they want, for women to always be fearful and hopeless.”

She said the only way out was for the ment of this country to “speak up, step up [and] hold other men accountable”.

Aiman Khan called for “justice, accountability and a society where everyone feels safe”. She said all victims were somebody’s children and no family deserved to go through such trauma.

Iqra Aziz was distraught, saying nobody could say when this cruelty would stop because everyone knew it can be committed with impunity. She said we had convinced ourselves that we can’t send our kids outside our homes, but we couldn’t bring the predators we so feared to justice.

We can only hope that the outrage over these horrific incidents leads to meaningful change in the way we protect our children but as many stars noted, the monsters who abuse these children are not always punished.

The Korean-Canadian rapper was seen wearing a t-shirt with the Confederate flag at a fan event, with his newly founded label Upper Room posting pictures and taking them down soon after.

The flag, which was used by the Confederate States of America during the US Civil War, has come to represent white supremacist ideals and the economic justification of slavery.

Users on X — fans and ops alike — knew this was something he’d have a hard time walking away from.

Seeing the backlash, Upper Room issued an apology on Tuesday. In an Instagram story, it said, “We would like to extend our sincere apologies for the concern, discomfort, and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph.

“The garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item,” it continued. “However, upon recognising the historical significance and sensitivity associated with the symbol displayed on the T-shirt, we took measures to ensure that it would not be visible in any official content. Despite these efforts, the image was subsequently shared externally.

“We take full responsibility for this oversight,” the label said. “Upper Room and the artist unequivocally reject and do not tolerate racism, hate, discrimination, or any form of intolerance. We are also grateful to those who brought this matter to our attention. In response, we will strengthen our internal review procedures for wardrobe selection and content approval to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”

People did not buy it, saying Lee grew up in North America and should have known better.

A user called it “laughable” how the moment Lee gained control over his public image, he pulled this stunt, after remaining generally unproblematic during his time with NCT.

Another said Koreans were sensitive when it came to their own history and expected other people to respect it — as evidenced by the backlash received by Starbucks recently. They said it was wrong of Lee not to afford the same courtesy to other cultures.

Users asked fans not to defend his actions and one even wondered if he had taken inspiration from Nicki Minaj — who has, in recent times, become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump.

Lee has not addressed the controversy personally, even though some fans are demanding an apology. Upper Room’s statement can be said to be his — he founded the company earlier this month — but many have said that may not be enough in this case.

Both actors shared on their respective social media accounts on June 22 copies of a settlement agreement that stated the terms of their resolution.

The dispute between both actors began when Shajaffar appeared on the YouTube show Say It All with Iffat Omar, claiming that a person identified as “Arsalan” had caused her to feel “uncomfortable” on set. She had clarified on social media that she was not talking about Arslan Khan, her College Gate costar.

Butt’s connection to the incident was attributed to Omar, the host, who purportedly said he was the one being discussed.

Following this disclosure, Butt sent Shajaffar a legal notice against “false, baseless, malicious and defamatory” comments, and said her statements had caused “serious reputational damage, mental distress, humiliation and public embarrassment” to Butt.

Butt’s notice demanded Shajaffar “retract the allegations”, “take steps for the removal of the defamatory content”, “issue a clear, unconditional public apology and retraction” on YouTube and “refrain from repeating such allegations in the future”.

Shajaffar, in turn, issued a Rs 1 billion counter-notice to Butt, terming his legal notice “false, misconceived, mala fide, legally defective, and apparently issued with ulterior motives to pressurise, intimidate and silence my client (her) after repeated acts of harassment committed by your client (Butt)”.

The settlement reached by both parties on June 19 said that “certain misunderstandings, differences and controversy arose between the parties, including matters relating to personal statements, communications, legal notices, complaints and/or proceedings initiated or contemplated before different forums and institutions”.

It added that the parties had agreed to voluntarily resolve disputes, differences and controversies amicably in the presence and with the help of “respectable elders, well-wishers and mutual mediators”.

As per the agreement, both parties agreed to put the matter of “alleged workplace harassment” behind them and declared it “amicably resolved”.

“Both parties confirmed that the matter has been fully and finally settled,” the document said.

“No claim, allegation, ambiguity, misunderstanding, grievance or dispute now remained pending between the parties arising out of any incident, statement, communication, notice, complaint, interview, social media content, legal notice or any other matter occurring prior to the execution of this agreement,” the agreement clarified.

Both parties agreed that “All past events, statements, allegations, complaints, notices, legal communications and disputes are hereby mutually forgiven, withdrawn, settled and brought to an end.”

The agreement clarified that it was not to be “treated as an admission of guilt, liability, misconduct or wrongdoing from either party”.

The agreement said both parties were not to “make any defamatory, hostile, threatening or adverse statement against each other” and that they would “cooperate in withdrawing, closing, not pressing or rendering infructuous any complaint, application, notice, claim or proceeding filed by either party against the other”.

Shajaffar told Images she was unwell and could not attend court hearings, so she chose to settle the matter out of court. She said Meer Sikandar — the director of Meesni, in which both actors were co-stars — helped guide them to the settlement.

With additional reporting by Imran Gabol

Gul Pir took to Instagram to announce the birth of his son, Salar, and the timing of the announcement perfectly coincided with the holiday celebrating his induction into the Cool Dad’s Club.

The comedian shared pictures of himself and his wife, Dr Azeemah Nakhoda, with their baby. He also shared a video of all the Father’s Day gifts he got from his wife to celebrate the occasion.

In a touching caption, Gul Pir wrote that the moment he first held his son, his wish was to give the child “all the happiness in the world” and shield him from all pain ever.

He said he realised this wish wouldn’t come true — that the boy won’t be happy all the time, and that pain may teach him a few lessons — but Gul Pir would always have his son’s back.

“Will love you till the end and be there as your Baba. Happy Father’s Day to me,” Gul Pir said.

Separately, Karachi-based mithayi shop S Abdul Wahid posted a reel with mithayi gift boxes prepared for the announcement of Salar’s birth.

The clip of the blue, bassinet-shaped boxes was shared by the new dad on his Instagram story.

Saudi Gazette reported that General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh said Esposito recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, and joined members of a production team in prayer at a mosque while filming in the kingdom.

According to Al-Sheikh, the actor’s decision followed positive experiences during his time in Saudi Arabia and interactions with Muslims while working on a production in the country.

He also said Esposito expressed appreciation for the community and hospitality he encountered during filming.

A video shared on social media showed the actor praying alongside members of the production team inside a mosque, the report said.

Esposito has built a decades-long career in film and television and is also known for his performances in Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, and other productions.

The report said he earned international recognition and multiple award nominations for his portrayal of Gus Fring.

According to Saudi Gazette, Esposito is currently involved in filming Seven Dogs, one of several major productions being developed as Saudi Arabia expands its entertainment and film sectors and seeks to attract international productions and talent.

Cover photo: Red Sea Film Festival / Instagram

In a video posted on his Instagram account on Saturday, the actor warned the move would result in local artists, technical crew and other people associated with filming losing their jobs.

He started by recognising that the government was working to promote filmmaking in Pakistan, “Recently, we’ve all been very happy the way the Punjab government, the Sindh government, the federal government have been supporting our film industry, the way they’ve been making investments and lending support.”

“But something came up in the budget that has left us shocked and worried… On one hand, you’re talking about supporting the industry; on the other, there’s talk of removing taxes from international projects,” the actor said.

He said the “confusion” from the authorities had left many people scratching their heads.

Quraishi said Pakistani dramas had made a place in the world and were popular across a number of international markets, such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Azerbaijan and Turkiye. He questioned why we would encourage film imports when our own content was well-received.

The actor went on to say that every drama shot in Pakistan has “at least 100 people” attached to it, from actors to writers, directors, technical staff and vendors. He said if even 10 slots on TV were given to foreign content, it would result in the loss of at least 1,000 Pakistani jobs.

Back in the day, he said, at the very least, Pakistani dubbing artists could make a living from foreign content. Quraishi said even that had dried up nowadays after artificial intelligence had taken over dubbing work.

“The loss will be borne by our own people. It doesn’t matter to me or to other people raising concerns… but there are people who need work and we want all of them to have jobs,” he said.

He requested the government to reconsider its decision in the interest of Pakistan’s people.

Earlier on Thursday, actor and director Shamoon Abbasi also objected to the move, saying it took Pakistan “10 years to re-establish our drama industry” after a prior surge in the airing of foreign content.

“Bringing back foreign content to Pakistan will destroy the actors, producers, directors [and] writers once again,” Abbasi said.

The two posted a reel on Instagram on Friday, talking about the virus and how freely available treatment can help patients and society.

In the clip, Munawar tells viewers that people infected by HIV can opt for free treatment in Pakistan. He said getting treated can bring patients to a point where the disease becomes “undetectable”.

He explained that this meant individuals who get treated can’t transmit the disease to others. “In three months, the viral load in your blood can drop to zero and a large portion of your blood can effectively be cleaned.”

Bhutto said the safest person, from a medical point of view, isn’t the one who’s never been tested, it’s the one whose viral load is suppressed.

Munawar said people stayed away from testing and treatment out of a fear of society and their ignorance. He said people often die because this fear prevents them from getting diagnosed.

“If this disease is not treated in a timely manner, a patient can die within 10 years,” the actor said.

Bhutto said, “The more you know about HIV, the safer you are.”

HIV and the stigma around the condition remain a serious problem in Pakistan, with the health ministry saying in May that nearly 20,000 patients had “gone missing” after discontinuing treatment.

The ministry said an estimated 369,000 people were living with HIV in Pakistan, while only 84,000 cases were currently registered, highlighting a significant detection gap. In 2025 alone, 14,000 new cases were reported.

The country reeled in horror in April, when an exposé from the BBC revealed severe medical malpractice in Punjab’s Taunsa which led to a surge in HIV infections among the area’s children.

At the time, Bhutto said medical malpractice “accounted for the majority of major outbreaks” and the victims were “victims are almost always children”.

“Prejudice against the disease must stop so these children can live full and happy lives,” the activist said.

“We celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of James ‘Jimmy’ Burrows, who passed away peacefully today surrounded by his loving family,” his family said in a statement. The time and place of his death were not disclosed.

Burrows won 11 Emmy Awards for excellence in television and helmed more than 1,000 episodes of hit programmes, working as a director, producer and writer.

Burrows was among the early innovators of the multi-camera sitcom — short for situation comedy — when his prolific career began in the 1970s, directing episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Laverne & Shirley and The Bob Newhart Show. His first Emmy came for directing Taxi, a groundbreaking comedy starring Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman and Tony Danza, about the rough-and-tumble staff of a New York City taxicab company.

He directed 236 episodes and also co-created Cheers with longtime collaborator James Brooks, as well as its spin-off Frasier. His other hit shows include The Big Bang Theory, Mike & Molly, and 3rd Rock from the Sun. Recently, Burrows took a rare step in front of the camera and starred as himself in The Comeback, reuniting with Friends star Lisa Kudrow for a show that pokes fun at life behind the scenes working on a sitcom in Hollywood.

“For more than five decades, Burrows was one of the most influential and beloved directors in television history. As a legendary director, mentor, and creative force, he helped shape generations of comedy and brought immeasurable joy to audiences around the world,” his family said.

Cover photo: AFP

Khan, who is a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) goodwill ambassador, urged people to remember that “When one family finds safety, we all share in a more hopeful future.”

The star, while undertaking her duties with the UNHCR, said she had met Afghan refugees “who were forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives from nothing”.

Seeking asylum is “not an abstract idea”, she said. “It is the moment everything changes for a family.”

She said there were refugee parents she had interacted with who were “working every day to give their children a future” and young people “determined to continue their education”.

Despite losing everything, she said, refugee families continued to hold onto hope.

The actor said she had “seen resilience in places where life has been incredibly hard” and how “safety can change what tomorrow looks like”.

Khan was appointed UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador to Pakistan in 2019, when she said she was proud to have come from a country that had a long history of hosting refugees.

She joins a handful of Pakistani celebrities who serve as goodwill ambassadors for different UN organs; Saba Qamar works with the UN agency for children while Shehzad Roy works with the Office on Drugs and Crime. Fawad Khan is the goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Programme and Hania Aamir recently joined the list last October with UN Women.

Afghan refugees who sought asylum in Iran and Pakistan have been returning to Afghanistan. According to figures from the UNHCR, over 5.5 million refugees had returned between October 2023 and February 2026.

Her acting prowess is compelling and irrefutable. All she needs to do is step into a frame and the eye is drawn towards her. She won’t be the loudest voice in the room. Nor will she court headlines with regular, viral social media content. She might not play the ‘main lead’, per se, in a project. But in spite of all this, Hajra always stands apart, on the basis of sheer talent.

“You know, some time ago, someone observed that I seemed very calm and asked if I was not as passionate about my work,” Hajra tells Icon. “I said no, I just know where I am going, and I know that what is to happen is unstoppable. No one can get in my way because the big guy at the top is looking after me. I am just, very patiently, looking forward to all the different pieces of the puzzle to come together.”

This was our conversation a few weeks ago. Today, her words ring true, with some of the pieces of the puzzle truly coming together neatly.

Whether playing the unwanted wife, a doomed girlfriend or another supporting character, actress Hajra Yamin has the rare ability to draw all eyes to herself. And it’s not because of her curly locks. As audiences celebrate her layered performance in Dr Bahu, she explains why she would willingly straighten her hair and trade her critical acclaim for commercial success…

In a recent episode of the currently on-air ARY Digital drama Dr Bahu, Hajra’s character, Minna, suffered a breakdown and, without too many words or theatrics, she made the audience cry with her. Social media has been flooded with praise for her performance, with many pointing out that they want to see an actress of her calibre in more dramas and in even better roles.

Throughout Dr Bahu, even though she is not playing the lead, Hajra has consistently delivered an outstanding performance. She expresses emotion and restraint through fleeting glances, pauses or a subtle squaring of her shoulders, establishing her character as a crucial linchpin of the storyline.

She is also starring in two other mainstream dramas: the top-rated Humrahi on Geo Entertainment and the long-awaited Aik Mohabbat Aur on Green Entertainment. Again, she may not be playing the archetypal lead, but when she comes onscreen, her impact lingers.

“I would, one day, like to be the main lead in a love story,” she says, “but as an actor, you have to make the best out of whatever comes your way. So, if what I am doing on-screen today is making the audience pause and feel that my performance is memorable, it is because, over these years, I have been preparing. All this love and attention will take me to better places.”

She adds: “Where I am right now is also a great place. If I had gotten everything early, then what I am doing right now would not have come to me. I did not have the same hold over my craft back when I first started out eight years ago. There were highs and lows but, looking back today, it was all fun.

“It’s so crazy, but when life gets difficult, one of the first things that comes to my mind is how I can translate the emotions I am feeling on to the screen. Ultimately, it is a luxury to get tired while struggling in a line of work that you love.”

She also has the audience’s love, I point out to her. She smiles. “This is something that I only realised recently. It is overwhelming.”

Making ‘space’

The audience’s faith in her stems from the many different roles that she has played over the course of her career. Hajra has always tried to swim against the tide, opting for challenging characters rather than the usual commercially viable ones.

Having said that, with Dr Bahu, one wonders if she is getting pigeonholed into playing the unwanted wife? After all, she had played a similar role in her last memorable role in Noor Jehan. While both roles have been lauded, did she also sense the repetition?

“The basic crux is the same,” she agrees, “which is why I had initially refused to play my role in Dr Bahu. But then, Nadeem [Baig] bhai, who has produced the drama under the Six Sigma Entertainment banner, intervened and told me that he really wanted to see me in this role. I had played Sumbul in Noor Jehan and Ifra in Main Manto Nahin Hoon, and he said that Minna in Dr Bahu would depict me in a new light.”

But does it really?

“The thing is, when I read the whole script, I felt that Minna’s background was different from Sumbul’s,” she replies. “She is educated but lacks confidence. She is patient, but she will reach a breaking point and finally make a decision for herself. I was very focused on portraying Minna in a different way, and then, of course, she does reach a different conclusion.”

She continues: “I also have to give credit to Adeel Husain for giving me the freedom to perform. The first time I saw him act was in Daam. He had been incredible, and I was very excited to be acting with him in Dr Bahu. He is incredibly generous and secure as an actor, giving you room to play while, in a very raw, organic way, making sure that his own character is registered.

“You see, in Dr Bahu, Minna did not have as many nuances to her as Sumbul had in Noor Jehan. I learnt from Adeel how an actor needs to make space for themselves, shamelessly, passionately, regardless of the script. I love it.”

Gravitating to directors

It seems that Nadeem Baig was right: Minna has proven to be yet another feather in Hajra’s well-plumed acting hat.

“Nadeem Baig is someone that I can always trust to be fair with every single character in a story,” declares Hajra. “Although he is a male director, he has a well-developed female gaze. He knows how to tell a story in an extremely sensitive way, capturing details and nuances that even you sometimes don’t realise are there.”

Is this why she signed on to play the minuscule role of Ifra in the Nadeem Baig-directed Main Manto Nahin Hoon? “Yes,” comes the reply. “Ifra’s character on paper was far more limited than what Nadeem Baig made it appear on screen. I think if any director can pull off a script written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar, it’s Nadeem Baig. He told me that my character will be loved, and I was on board.”

She adds, “The drama had such a great ensemble cast that I knew that, even if I was playing a small role, it would be seen, and that is exactly what happened — it was watched by a lot of people.”

We move on to her more recent characters. What inclined her towards Humrahi, which features Danish Taimoor and Hiba Bukhari in a romantic pairing?

“This was the first time that I was going to work with Babar Javed, and he’s a very respected name in the industry,” says Hajra. “I really enjoyed myself. I learnt how to channel my emotions without being allowed the luxury of time. As actors, we need to be flexible because, sometimes, there are lighting issues or outdoor shoots that need to wrap up by a certain time. Humrahi taught me that, with a good director of photography (DOP) and good production quality, a lot more work can be completed without compromising on the acting.”

And what prompted her to sign on to Aik Mohabbat Aur, co-starring Ahad Raza Mir and Maya Ali? “The director, Farooq Rind,” she says simply. “When I read the script, I didn’t see much room for myself, but my manager insisted that Dada — a popular nickname for Farooq Rind — would make something substantial of the role. When I started shooting for the drama, I clicked with him within a few days. He is such a pleasant, patient director to work with.”

She adds, “Usually on TV drama sets, there is this rush to get work completed. But with directors such as Nadeem Baig and Farooq Rind, the scenes being played out are the main priority. When you get a taste of sets like these, where the performance is everything, where you rehearse and where everyone on set is treated equally, you no longer want to settle for less.”

The hair and after

Hajra has straight hair in Aik Mohabbat Aur, which I observe is a departure from her signature thick, curly mane. “Yes, I wanted to try out a new look, even though the director said that he was fine with my hair. However, I wanted it to be straight.”

In fact, Hajra’s curly hair is striking and unique — has she ever considered getting it permanently straightened to achieve a more conventional look? “I have thought about it and, if the director or a character requires it, I am willing to change my appearance,” she replies.

“I really love my hair, though. What irks me, though, is when people start talking about only my hair and not my performance.” I don’t think that’s possible, I tell her.

Commercial or critical acclaim?

Does she prefer commercial or critical acclaim?

“Commercial,” she answers promptly. “I love being critically acclaimed, but I have been there, done that, and I think that some people subconsciously have started thinking that I only want to work in certain genres. That’s not true. As an actor, I want to work in every genre and be seen in every type of project.”

She continues: “I am at a point in my career where I know what I bring to the screen and the impact that I leave. I am blessed that, even when I play a relatively small role, the response is always phenomenal.”

I tease her: some of her peers might find working with her intimidating. Her eyes widen, and she exclaims, “Yes, I have heard that!” She pauses. “It can sometimes lead to power struggles, when people register your talent but still don’t want to work with you. There have been times when actors and actresses have said that they don’t want to work with me because they feel that I will overshadow them.”

That sounds like a blessing and a burden, I comment. She agrees.

“Luckily, I have now found a selection of people who want to collaborate with me rather than dim my light. This is why I have become very selective about the work that I do — I want to only work with people who are secure and want to work collectively to make a project better.”

Garnering praise

It is a testament to Hajra’s talent that even when she is relegated to a comparatively small role — the unwanted wife, the girlfriend who gets murdered after four episodes and so on — the audience is riveted by her performances. Imagine the power that she could wield should channels, producers and directors sign her on for better roles and give her better placement in dramas.

At this point, though, when she is being showered with praise from around the world, social media is rife with comments on how the audience wants to see more of Hajra Yamin. That includes Indian writer, actress and producer Sutapa Sikdar, the widow of late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, who recently praised her performance in Doctor Bahu online, calling her “an underrated gem.”

“It’s all upwards from here,” I venture.

Hajra smiles knowingly, as if she’s seen the highs and lows, understood her worth and is ready to take on the future.

“There can be no other way,” she tells me.

Originally published in Dawn, ICON, June 14th, 2026

When Esquire asked him who he thinks should take on the role’s great power and great responsibility, Holland had another young Brit in mind: “Owen Cooper would be awesome. Obviously, he’s super-talented and he’s the talk of the town right now.”

Holland told the outlet he’d love to stay involved in the franchise as a producer though it’s “pretty tough to get a producing credit on future movies.” Still, he said, he’d love to offer a level of mentorship similar to what Robert Downey Jr offered him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“In the way that Robert Downey was such a mentor for me in my first three movies, I would love to be that person for whoever is next,” he explained.

Holland’s choice makes sense given Cooper’s award-winning TV debut in Adolescence where he played Jamie Miller, a troubled teenager who stabs a classmate to death. His performance won him a Golden Globe and made him the youngest boy actor to bag a Primetime Emmy.

Holland is likely the most seasoned Spider-Man, having done more films as the superhero than both his predecessors — Tobey Maguire starred in three instalments while Andrew Garfield was in two. The upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be Holland’s fourth.

Cooper has also previously expressed interest in portraying the friendly neighbourhood hero. He told i-D magazine in March 2025, “I want to play Spider-Man.”

Separately, Holland gave the media the strongest confirmation yet of his marriage to his Spider-Man co-star Zendaya.

He told Esquire his grandmother had been tricked by AI-generated images of his wedding and thought she hadn’t been invited to the event. When asked if he had to explain the photos to other relatives, he responded, “No, because they were all there.”

The actor refused to comment further, saying, “That’s all you’ll get on that.”

In a reel on her Instagram account, Ansari said, “I’ve been hearing for about two months now that Somali pirates had captured our compatriots along with some Indians and Bangladeshis. These men who left their homes to work hard for their families are in dire straits.”

The actor said she had seen a few clips on the internet and thought the seamen must have been rescued by now, “Obviously, all their countries must be making efforts for their safe return, but how do we actually save their lives? Their children, their families are so worried.”

Talking about the squalid conditions the hostages are kept in, Ansari said she had seen videos of them drinking visibly unsafe water and was worried if they were able to charge their phones to maintain contact with their loved ones.

“Please, take this seriously. It’s a matter of life or death… I was under the impression this had been resolved, but then I saw a clip of this little girl who was missing her dad, my heart hurts so much [for her],” the actor said.

Ansari said these men had gone to sea to earn an honest living; they weren’t trying to break the law or immigrate illegally.

She requested the Foreign Office to “please do something for them” because it didn’t seem fair to these hard-working men and the families they left behind at home. “Maybe one of them is sick, God forbid… We don’t know” she worried.

Eleven Pakistani sailors were part of the crew of the MT Honour 25 which was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia in April. Foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that Islamabad had been in touch with the vessel’s owners and the government of Somalia to secure the crew’s release during a press briefing last week.

He recalled that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been in touch with the Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali over the issue.

A statement from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs on June 8 also said they remained in touch with the foreign ministry and the embassy of Somalia to facilitate rescue efforts.

Cover photo: Fahim Siddiqi/White Star

In an Instagram story posted on Tuesday, the actor asked why people began to call for dog culling whenever they heard of a dog with rabies.

“When we don’t punish all people for the sins of any one person, we shouldn’t punish all dogs because a few carry rabies. Only people with thoughtfulness and compassion will understand this,” Farooq said.

Addressing the haters, she said she prayed for “God to soften your hearts one day”.

On Monday, the actor had put up a post from Lahore-based animal rights activist Uswa Ahmed on her story. In the video, Ahmed can be heard asking sanitation workers from the Suthra Punjab project why they had killed dogs.

They were moving a trailer full of dog corpses which sparked the activist’s reaction. The workers denied having killed them and drove away with Ahmed in pursuit.

The comments under the post were largely supportive, but some questioned the activist’s priorities for speaking up for animals. Others made fun of her for referring to strays she cares for as her “children”.

The Lahore High Court has barred authorities from culling dogs, instead directing them to use more humane methods of controlling stray animal populations as prescribed under the Punjab Animal Birth Control Policy 2021.

Despite the orders, there are reports of The dog culling in the city with guns and poison as of last month.

‘Champion’ Zoro the golden retriever, whose appearances in the 2019 drama Ehd-e-Wafa made him a national celebrity, died on Monday at the age of nine.

The announcement of his passing on his Instagram page read, “With deepest grief and sorrow we announce the departure of Champion Zoro from this mortal world. A wonderful pet who shall be remembered for his loyalist real-life character in Ehd e Wafa. Zoro, you will be missed dearly!”

Zoro, the family pet of the former head of the military’s media wing ─ which produced Ehd-e-Wafa ─ played the beloved companion of the show’s lead Saad (Ahad Raza Mir).

Aside from his fame on television, Zoro was a regular favourite in the dog show circuit, having taken home 10 awards for being the very best boy.

He was given the title ‘Champion’ by the Pakistan Kennel Club in recognition of his impressive record of wins.

Rest in peace, Zoro. You will be missed.