Entertainment
Megan Moroney landed surprising duet with Ed Sheeran
Megan Moroney made a major change to her plans after receiving an unexpected phone call from music icon Ed Sheeran.
The country singer arranged a weekend trip, but everything shifted when Ed personally asked her to join him for a performance at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Megan told PEOPLE that she first thought the invitation was a joke. However, she shared that Ed wanted her to play the famous venue with him during a writers round, and even though she had a trip scheduled for the same weekend, she chose to cancel it right away.
The Tennessee Orange singer explained that she did not hesitate because in her words, when Ed Sheeran calls and asks you to perform, you drop everything.
She later spoke warmly about the Perfect hitmaker, saying he remained humble despite being one of the biggest artists in the world.
The I’m Not Pretty singer added that he told her that his wife Cherry Seaborn and their daughters Lyra Antarctica and Jupiter were fans of her music.
Megan described the moment as both surprising and special.
At the same time, Ed opened up about his own journey, as he recently admitted that he felt intensely unhappy during the first ten years of his career.
The Photograph singer explained that he har no balance in his life because he put work above everything else.
According to him, all his success came at the cost of his personal life.
Moreover, Ed told The Sun that everything changed once he got married, started a family and began spending more time with his friends.
He said that focusing on being a real person again became his true measure of success.
Entertainment
Robert Downey Jr. hails Timothée Chalamet as ‘one of the greats’
Robert Downey Jr. gave Timothée Chalamet validation that he has reached the level of excellence he’s been striving for.
The Dune star has long spoken openly about his “pursuit of greatness” and now, he’s gotten a major seal of approval from the legend.
During a recent Q&A for Marty Supreme, the Avengers: Doomsday star didn’t hold back, calling the newly minted Golden Globes Best Actor winner “one of the greats.”
“You’ve talked a lot lately about this,” Downey, 60, said about Chalamet’s great ambitions. “I am literally twice your age. When I was 30, I was making a movie with Norman Jewison.”
He recalled, “It was called Only You. Me and Marisa Tomei. We were on the Amalfi coast somewhere and I just go to Norman Jewison, you know Moonstruck and all these great movies, I go, ‘Norman, I think I am one of the greats.'”
“I want you to tell me if you agree with that.” the Iron Man lead continued. “He looked at me like I was nuts. He said, ‘Well, Mr. Downey, that remains to be seen.'”
“And I want to say in front of God and everyone in this audience here with you that as of Marty Supreme, it no longer remains to be seen. Let’s hear it for, Timothée Chalamet,” he added.
For the unversed, the 30-year-old French-American actor openly told the industry about wanting to be a great actor during his acceptance speech at the 2025 SAG Awards.
“I can’t downplay the significance of this award, because it means the most to me,” Chalamet said in his acceptance speech after he won best actor for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I am inspired by the greats,” he added.
It is pertinent to note that Marty Supreme has shattered one record after another since opening over the holidays.
Its latest box office milestone came Tuesday when passing up Leonardo DiCaprio’s rival Oscar contender One Battle After Another to end the day with an estimated cume of $72.27 million, according to A24.
The newly released film Marty Supreme earned Chalamet his first Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe awards, making him a frontrunner for a Best Actor Oscar at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.
Entertainment
Ishrat Fatima joins PTV as mentor a day after quitting Radio Pakistan
Information Minister Atta Tarar has announced the return of veteran broadcaster Ishrat Fatima to Pakistan Television, where she will serve as a mentor to aspiring newscasters and broadcasters.
The announcement was made during a media interaction at her residence in Islamabad, where the minister appeared alongside the veteran broadcaster. The development comes after Fatima’s retirement, marking the end of her 45-year-long association with Radio Pakistan.
Tarar expressed his gratitude to Fatima for accepting his request to rejoin Pakistan Television as an expert and mentor. He noted that her expertise would be invaluable in training newcomers in the art of news reading and broadcasting under various circumstances.
“She is a seasoned newscaster with an illustrious career,” the minister remarked and added, “Every Pakistani identified her voice as she brings over four and a half decades of experience and service to the nation.”
“Following her retirement from Radio Pakistan, I personally requested her to join PTV to train the next generation and promote the Urdu language. Her return will encourage us all and strengthen PTV as an institution. Throughout her career, she maintained professional integrity without any political associations.”
The minister said there would be a surprise upon her formal return, noting that Pakistan Television is all set to welcome her back.
Speaking to the media, the veteran broadcaster described news reading as her lifelong passion and thanked the minister for honoring her with this responsibility.
Fatima said that she looks forward to teaching the younger generation and contributing to the betterment of the institution. She also urged the government to continue encouraging competent individuals in every field.
Entertainment
PSX rebounds on rate cut hopes, US-Iran de-escalation talk
The equity market rose on Friday as investors bought the dip pointing to US–Iran de-escalation and a dovish tilt in rate expectations, lifting risk appetite early in the session.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s benchmark KSE-100 Index climbed to an intraday high of 184,645.65, gaining 3,189.32 points, 1.76%, from the previous close of 181,456.33, and reached a low of 182,559.69, up 1,103.36 points, or 0.61%.
“The market witnessed a sharp recovery after the latest news flows suggest the de-escalation between the US and Iran,” said Huzaifa Riaz, Director, Mayari Securities (Pvt) Limited.
“Additionally, sentiment around the next monetary policy remains dovish as the latest auction suggests a 50 bps cut, which could further improve a risk-on sentiment,” he added.
Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and CEO of Arif Habib Commodities, echoed the sentiments, saying: “Bullish activity witnessed in early session at PSX amid reports of US-Iran de-escalation,” adding: “Speculations over further SBP policy easing amid falling government bond yields played a catalyst role in bullish activity at PSX.”
A Topline Research survey ahead of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Monetary Policy Committee meeting on January 26, 2026, showed 80% of participants expect a rate cut.
Of those, 56.4% see 50 bps, 15.4% expect 100 bps, 5% look for 25 bps, and 3% foresee 75 bps, while 20% expect no change. In the previous decision on December 15, 2025, the SBP cut 50 bps.
SBP reserves rose $16 million to $16.072 billion in the week ended January 9, taking total liquid reserves to $21.248 billion (commercial banks $5.177 billion, up $40 million).
The SBP noted ongoing foreign exchange purchases amid a steadier current account supported by remittances; from June 2024 to September 2025, net market purchases totalled $9.7 billion.
The central bank projects the FY26 current account deficit at 0–1% of GDP and sees reserves at $17.8 billion by June 2026 with planned official inflows.
On Thursday, the KSE-100 Index fell 1,113.48 points (0.61%) to 181,456.34 from 182,569.82, after trading between 183,717.54 and 180,783.63.
-
Politics1 week agoUK says provided assistance in US-led tanker seizure
-
Entertainment1 week agoDoes new US food pyramid put too much steak on your plate?
-
Entertainment1 week agoWhy did Nick Reiner’s lawyer Alan Jackson withdraw from case?
-
Sports5 days agoClock is ticking for Frank at Spurs, with dwindling evidence he deserves extra time
-
Business1 week agoTrump moves to ban home purchases by institutional investors
-
Sports1 week agoPGA of America CEO steps down after one year to take care of mother and mother-in-law
-
Tech4 days agoNew Proposed Legislation Would Let Self-Driving Cars Operate in New York State
-
Business1 week agoBulls dominate as KSE-100 breaks past 186,000 mark – SUCH TV
