Entertainment
President, PM, military top brass pay glowing tribute to martyrs on 60th Defence Day
- ISPR says Sept 6, 1965 reflects our firm resolve against stronger foe.
- President Asif Ali Zardari calls Sept 6 a glorious chapter of sacrifice.
- PM says Sept 6 shows unity, courage against enemy aggression.
ISLAMABAD: On the 60th Defence and Martyrs’ Day, Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership paid rich tribute to the country’s martyrs, ghazis, and the resilient citizens whose courage and sacrifices continue to safeguard the nation’s freedom and sovereignty.
The day, which coincided with the blessed occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu led the homage to the nation’s heroes.
In its message, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said September 6 epitomises the unflinching resolve and unshakeable spirit of the Pakistani nation.
“On this historic day, our brave soldiers, with the support of the nation, stood like an insurmountable wall against blatant aggression, thwarting the nefarious designs of an enemy far superior in arms and numbers. The feats of heroic valour and sacrifice left an indelible message on the sands of time: that a united nation can never be defeated,” it said.
ISPR added that the courage of fearless heroes continues to inspire future generations and their legacy shall live on forever. The armed forces also expressed their resolve to extend all-out support to victims of the ongoing floods across Pakistan and reaffirmed their pledge to defend the country against any threat, vowing a “befitting and decisive response” to any attempt to disrupt the hard-earned peace.
‘A glorious chapter’
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message issued from the Presidency, called September 6 a “glorious chapter” in Pakistan’s history. He paid rich tribute to the brave soldiers and resilient citizens who, with unshakable faith and unmatched courage, have defended the nation’s borders.
The president highlighted the significance of this year’s Defence Day in light of the recent Operation “Bunyan-um-Marsoos” conducted in May 2025. “Just as our courageous forces demonstrated extraordinary valour and dedication in 1965, our sons once again proved their unmatched bravery during this year’s operation,” he said.
He lauded the professional excellence, combat readiness, and multi-domain capabilities of the Pakistan military, terming the nation’s defence “impregnable” and built on the eternal spirit of its people. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, he reiterated his commitment to modernising Pakistan’s defence capabilities and emphasised countering modern threats such as hybrid warfare, disinformation, and psychological operations.
President Zardari urged all pillars of the state, particularly the youth, to remain alert, united, and resilient in the face of evolving challenges. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir and Palestine, calling Kashmir the root cause of regional instability and condemning Israeli atrocities as genocide. He demanded a just solution for Kashmir and an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
“Let us remain steadfast, courageous, and united so that the sacrifices of our martyrs are honoured, our defence remains unbreakable, and we pass on a strong, prosperous, and peaceful Pakistan to our future generations,” he concluded, paying tribute to the families of martyrs and veterans.
‘A symbol of courage’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid glowing tribute to the martyrs and ghazis, calling September 6 “a symbol of courage, unity, and resilience.” He recalled how Pakistan’s armed forces, with the full support of the people, had thwarted enemy aggression in 1965 and proven the nation’s capacity to defend its independence and integrity.
Highlighting the recent “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, Marqa-e-Haq,” the prime minister lauded the Army, Navy, and Air Force for their unmatched professionalism and combat skills under the strategic leadership of COAS Field Marshal Munir. He said the courage of martyrs and war veterans would continue to inspire generations.
PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and constructive engagement but warned against ignoring “continuous Indian provocations and shifting regional dynamics.” He stressed strengthening defence capabilities and resolutely countering foreign-sponsored terrorism and proxy warfare.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the prime minister reiterated unwavering support for their struggle for self-determination and strongly condemned ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestine, urging uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The premier underscored that economic stability is essential for strong defence and urged the nation to rise above personal differences for sustainable prosperity and self-reliance.
“On this Defence and Martyrs Day, let us renew our pledge to the timeless principles of faith, unity, and discipline as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam, and work together for a secure, united, and prosperous Pakistan. Pakistan Armed Forces Zindabad, Pakistan Paindabad,” he concluded.
Entertainment
Christian Bale reflects on Frankenstein’s transformation in ‘The Bride!’
Christian Bale has opened up about the intense physical and emotional demands behind his transformation into Frankenstein’s monster for The Bride!, revealing that the process pushed him to some unusual coping methods just to get through the day.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor said he spent six hours a day in the makeup chair while working on the film, a reimagining of the 1935 classic Bride of Frankenstein directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Bale stars opposite Jessie Buckley, who plays the Bride and spent around an hour and a half in makeup for her own transformation.
Reflecting on the gruelling routine, Bale admitted the long hours of enforced stillness took a toll.
“I would scream like crazy, every day. Just to [release the] despair, all of that restraint that you have to display when you’re sitting still for that long,” he said, explaining how he stopped himself “from going insane” during the process.
Those screams, however, were carefully timed.
Bale said he avoided doing it on the way to work, worried it might distract him behind the wheel, and ruled out screaming alone because it could easily be misunderstood.
Instead, what began as a private release gradually became a shared ritual on set.
“Oh man, I’m telling you, the whole crew got involved by the end because people would hear us screaming,” Bale said.
“We would open the doors, and gradually, a bit like the Bride’s revolution, a few people were going, ‘Can we do it too?’ And then by the end, there were like 30 people who would hear us and run to the makeup trailer to be a part of it and scream as well.”
The role adds another extreme chapter to Bale’s long history of physical transformations.
Over the years, he has become known for radically altering his body for characters, from bulking up on a strict protein-heavy diet for American Psycho to shedding 60 pounds over four months to reach 120 pounds for The Mechanist.
For that film, his daily intake reportedly consisted of “water, an apple, and one cup of coffee per day.”
Not long after, Bale went in the opposite direction, gaining around 100 pounds of muscle in just six months to play Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, cementing his reputation for total physical commitment.
The Bride! is set to open in cinemas on 6 March, distributed by Warner Bros.
Entertainment
Reba McEntire’s fiancé Rex Linn values ‘work’ more
Reba McEntire and Rex Linn’s wedding plans are on hold, and according to the couple, it all comes down to one clear priority, work.
Speaking on the red carpet at the 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, 1 February, McEntire explained that her fiancé has a firm rule when it comes to life decisions.
As she put it plainly, “Work comes first.” Their wedding, it seems, is no exception.
The 70-year-old singer and actress shared that Linn, 69, is currently juggling multiple professional commitments, which has pushed their nuptials further down the calendar.
The couple are waiting to hear whether their NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, in which they star together, will be renewed for a third season.
On top of that, Linn has recently landed a role in Stick alongside Owen Wilson, adding another project to an already busy schedule.
Those developments, McEntire said, have naturally delayed any wedding planning.
While the date may be undecided, the couple do not appear frustrated by the wait. In fact, McEntire has made it clear that working side by side is something they genuinely enjoy.
Later that evening, she told PEOPLE that collaborating professionally has been one of the highlights of their relationship.
She spoke warmly about the range of projects they have tackled together over the years, from films to television, across both dramatic and comedic genres.
Linn proposed to McEntire on Christmas Eve in 2024, and since then, the pair have continued to prioritise their shared careers.
The couple, who have been together for six years, currently appear together in Happy’s Place. Their on-screen history also includes Big Sky, The Hammer, Young Sheldon and The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, making their professional partnership almost as established as their personal one.
McEntire has previously said that there is no pressure to rush down the aisle.
Back in November, she told PEOPLE that they were simply enjoying their engagement and had no set timeline for the wedding, reiterating that work would guide their plans.
She echoed that sentiment in a separate interview with E! News, adding that when the ceremony does happen, it will reflect who they are as a couple.
According to McEntire, the wedding will be “nontraditional,” focusing on comfort, good food and time with friends rather than convention.
For now, though, the aisle will have to wait, because for Rex Linn, work still comes first.
Entertainment
Stefon Diggs reveals if he will propose Cardi B
Stefon Diggs has hinted that a wedding proposal to Cardi B could be in the works, though he is focused on securing his own championship ring first.
Speaking at a media presser on Monday ahead of Super Bowl LX, the New England Patriots wide receiver was asked if his partner would be receiving a ring of her own if he wins the big game this Sunday.
Diggs laughed at the suggestion, responding, “It’s on the agenda, maybe, right? Right?”
However, he made it clear that the upcoming match against the Seattle Seahawks is his immediate priority, adding, “I gotta get mine first, though.”
The couple, who first sparked dating rumours in February 2025 before making their relationship Instagram-official last June, have had a whirlwind year.
They welcomed a son together in November 2025, adding to their busy family lives.
Cardi, 33, is currently a mother of four, sharing three children, Kulture, 7, Wave, 4, and one-year-old Blossom, with her former partner Offset, from whom she is currently divorcing.
Meanwhile, 32-year-old Diggs is a father to five other children, four of whom were born just last year.
Despite his focus on the pitch, Diggs remains a huge supporter of Cardi’s career and recently praised her performance on Saturday Night Live.
While he admitted he isn’t an expert on the music industry, he told PEOPLE, “I don’t know too much about music but I know she’s one of the best to ever do it and one of the best out right now.”
He expressed his excitement for her upcoming tour, noting that it falls during his football off-season, which should allow him to travel and support her in person.
He even joked about being a dedicated fan in the crowd, saying, “I’ma get me a big a** sign that says, ‘Go, go go go.’”
Cardi has fully embraced her role as a supportive partner, appearing at several of Diggs’ games, including the recent AFC Championship victory over the Denver Broncos.
She is also set for a busy Super Bowl weekend herself, with a scheduled performance at the Fanatics Super Bowl party on Saturday.
Diggs emphasised that he wants to see her continue to flourish and reach her potential as she balances her role as a mother with her global music career.
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