Hiba Ali Khan is a talented Pakistani TV actress who has appeared in numerous hit serials. Dil Diya Dehleez was her claim to the fame project. She also did modelling during the start of her career. Hiba Ali left the industry for many years. Last year, she made a comeback after a gap of five years with the super hit drama series Mayi Ri. Her latest notable dramas also include Raah E Junoon, Shiddat, Jaan Nisar, Mann Mast Malang and Behkaway.
Hiba Ali recently appeared in ARY Digital’s podcast, hosted by Ayaz Samoo. In the show, she revealed the reason behind divorces.
Talking about it, Hiba Ali said, “Competition from other women, is a common factor that can lead to divorce, especially among women. I have a very close friend whose husband called me and said, ‘Hiba, we will be having a divorce only because of her jealous or competitive nature. Whenever she sees expensive items with others, she comes to me and demands them — for example, a car or a jewellery set. She taunts me, saying I can’t buy them for her. She also insists on wearing sleeveless clothes despite knowing about my conservative family.’ I think social media has also made women outspoken and overly liberal.” Here is the link to the video:
A recent study found a statistically significant association between hepatitis-C virus (HCV) RNA detection in the postmortem choroid plexus (CP) and psychiatric disease—specifically schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.1 The findings provide additional clues to the understanding of neuropathology, virology, and inflammation as part of psychiatric disorders.
To further test this finding, investigators used the TriNetX database of 285 million patients and found that chronic HCV was present in 3.6% of the schizophrenia population and 3.9% of the bipolar population, compared to 0.5% in controls. Researchers extracted RNA samples from the choroid plexus of 256 total postmortem individuals who had schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD), along with controls with no psychiatric illness. The control group (N=76) had a mean age of 46 and consisted of 12 females and 64 males. The largest group included individuals (N=84) with schizophrenia group; individuals had a mean age of 44 and an average illness onset at 21 years. It included 27 females and 57 males, and an average illness onset age of 21 years. The BD group (N=73) had an average age of 44 with 34 females, 39 males, and an average onset age of 25. The MDD was the smallest group (N=23) and mean age was 43, with 10 females, 13 males, and an average onset age of 30 years. Any individuals known to be HIV positive or undergoing HIV treatment were excluded from this study.
Compared to a previous study on the same topic, the authors proposed that the viral sequence enrichment approach they used is likely more sensitive and they found more virus instances in fewer participants even with exclusion of endogenous retroviruses. They also conducted analysis of hippocampus RNA sequencing from patients with HCV but found that the virus was absent in the brain tissue. They proposed that because HCV RNA in the CP was still associated with transcriptional changes in the hippocampus, it may be related to immune response. Because of the absence of HCV in brain tissue, researchers also noted that infection of the CP with HCV does not necessarily lead to infection of the brain itself.
Higher prevalence of HCV in BPD and schizophrenia is often assumed to be related to IV drug use and other risky behaviors associated with these disorders. However, this study suggests HCV infection may be associated with disease pathology rather than behaviors such as IV drug injection. Statistically from this investigation, individuals with schizophrenia and BD may be more likely to harbor viruses in their CP. The presence of viruses in the CP in individuals with these psychiatric illnesses is consistent with reported genetic susceptibility to infection in psychiatric disease states. In some patients, viruses in the CP may also be connected to peripheral inflammation.
Ultimately, investigators found an association between HCV RNA detection in the CP and BD and schizophrenia to be statistically significant (chi square p = 0.028). These reported that the findings indicate some patients with schizophrenia and BD are not properly being assessed and treated for HCV, even though guidelines recommend universal screening and treatment..
“Our findings provide compelling support for the viral hypothesis of psychiatric disease and identify HCV as a feasible viral pathogen that contributes to the neuropathology of SCZ [schizophrenia] and [BD],” the authors said. “Given that the worldwide rate of SCZ and [BD] is approximately 1 and 3% respectively, identifying and immediately treating the small subset of patients infected with HCV has the potential to improve psychiatric symptoms for hundreds of thousands of people. Our findings underscore guidance on universal HCV screening and treatment in SCZ and BPD patients for HCV as a part of standard psychiatric care.”
References
1. Webster MJ, Balagopal A, Quinn J, et al. Association of viral RNAs in the choroid plexus with bipolar and schizophrenia and evidence for the hepatitis C virus involvement in neuropathology. Trans Psych. 2025;15(1):216.
2. Mandel E, Biondi MJ, Mendlowitz A, et al. Evaluation of hepatitis C screening and treatment among psychiatry inpatients.J Clin Psychiatry. 2023;84(5):22m14623.
For a late summer treat, Timex is launching four new models today. Let’s start with the newest Q Timex Enigma. We’ve covered the concept before (so head over to that story for more specs), but as a refresher, it’s a budget entry into a “mystery-style” design where the hands seem to float because most of the handset matches the dial’s color. Only the ends of the hands are colored, contrasting against the dial, here in black with white hands. It’s not as elegant as a super high-end mystery dial using a floating crystal disc, but this is a budget option that’s still a lot of fun. You can get the watch, with a 37mm gold-toned recycled stainless steel case and a black dial with a quartz movement, plus leather and fabric straps, all for $239.
The glitz, the glamour and the drama will return to Apple TV+ as Palm Royale has set Wednesday, November 12, for its Season 2 premiere. First-look photos can be found below.
The Emmy-nominated comedy series from creator Abe Sylvia tells the underdog story that follows Maxine Dellacorte (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavors to find her footing in the cutthroat world of Palm Beach high society. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, the show asks the question: “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?”
In Season 2, Maxine is left a social pariah after a scandalous public breakdown. She’ll have to draw on her deep well of cleverness and cunning to prove that not only does she belong, but she might have what it takes to rule this town. Along the way, she will uncover untold truths and finally understand what this town is truly built on … secrets, lies and the occasional felony.
The series also stars Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Leslie Bibb, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Amber Chardae Robinson, Kaia Gerber, Carol Burnett and Jason Canela.
Palm Royale received 11 Emmy Award nominations in 2024 including for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Wiig, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Burnett.
The series is written, executive produced and showrun by Sylvia for Aunt Sylvia’s Moving Picture Company. Executive producers also include Dern and Jayme Lemons for Jaywalker Pictures, Wiig, and Katie O’Connell Marsh.
Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, system components, laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, audio equipment, routers, peripherals and accessories. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. To become one of those who dare, learn more about ROG at:
Sir Keir Starmer has called US President Donald Trump’s commitment to security guarantees for Ukraine a breakthrough, as he hailed the movement towards a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.
The prime minister joined the leaders’ summit at the White House on Monday, having cut short his family holiday in Scotland. From what Sir Keir said overnight, it seems he believes that small sacrifice was well worth it.
He co-chaired a virtual meeting of European and Commonwealth allies, the coalition of the willing, on Tuesday to update leaders and to discuss next steps.
Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister had outlined plans for the coalition and US counterparts to meet in the coming days to prepare for the deployment of a “reassurance force” if hostilities were to end.
The leaders also discussed how further pressure could be placed on Putin, including through sanctions.
Separately, Trump told Fox News that Ukraine was “not going to be a part of Nato”, the military treaty of western nations, but suggested that European troops would be in Ukraine to deter any future Russian attack.
“Some of them, France and Germany, a couple of them, the UK – they are going to have boots on the ground,” he said.
Diplomatic risks
Sir Keir has long been a proponent of so-called gratitude diplomacy – thanking and praising Trump – so he was hardly likely to be critical about the outcomes.
And while anxiety in UK government circles about Ukraine’s future remains, the prime minister seems happy with what he argues is significant progress.
He told the BBC after the White House summit that it “has shown that we have moved forward”.
Behind the scenes, European officials had worried the White House meeting was fraught with risk.
One told me they felt there was a danger of President Trump sensing President Zelensky was not committed to a US-led peace process, concluding that European leaders were digging in behind the Ukrainians, and making his frustration clear on camera.
Such division would have been a gift to Moscow so all the leaders involved were at pains to make clear that was not their approach.
Before he left Washington, Sir Keir said there was “a real sense ofunity”between them.
The prime minister told the BBC he was “very pleased” with the outcomes, including progress on security guarantees, saying this would “reassure people in Europe, in Ukraine, but particularly in the United Kingdom”.
He also welcomed the “real movement forward” on bilateral and trilateral meetings between Russia, Ukraine and the US, saying this would help achieve a “peace that is lasting and just”.
Ukraine and Europe’s leaders have clearly decided together to go all in on Trump’s peace plans.
The assessment of diplomats from various countries involved is that if the process ultimately fails, they will not have contributed to that failure.
PA Media
Negotiation preparations
The UK government now seems focused on ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position for any possible peace negotiations.
From my conversations with UK officials, they believe Monday’s White House meeting was helpful in this effort on two points.
Firstly, Trump did not echo Putin’s demands for Ukrainian territory and put Zelensky on the spot on what is a sensitive and emotive issue – at least in front of the cameras.
There now seems to be an unspoken acceptance in the White House that Ukraine will need to move carefully and slowly on any discussions over land. No 10 has repeatedly said that questions of territory are a matter for Ukraine, and Ukraine alone.
“No decision should be made about Ukraine without Ukraine,” the prime minister stressed after Monday’s talks.
Secondly, flexibility is important in any negotiation. UK officials argue that Trump’s commitment to US involvement in “cast iron” security guarantees means Zelensky can now be far more flexible in his approach knowing that Ukraine will be protected by its allies.
Prospects of a pre-negotiation ceasefire seem to have been junked. Trump has dismissed the need for ceasefire and wants to move directly to agreeing peace terms.
The importance of having a ceasefire was mentioned in the White House talks by the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The UK’s assessment is that a ceasefire was never a central aim of the US administration and therefore Sir Keir should not risk being what one source called a “lone point of tension” on the issue.
The prime minister has returned to the UK, but military officials – including the chief of defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin – are travelling in the opposite direction ahead of detailed discussions about US involvement in security guarantees.
From the outset, Sir Keir has said any deal would require a strong US “backstop”.
Trump has yet to provide much detail on what US forces might offer, but European leaders seem content to take his public commitment as important progress.
The major unknown is what Moscow will do next.
One involved argues Putin could retreat from the pathway towards peace that has been created for him. If he does so they are hoping the US sides with Europe and not Russia.
On Aug. 23, the night sky will play host to an unusual lunar event known as a Black Moon.
While you won’t actually see anything unusual (in fact, you won’t see the moon at all), this event is still exciting because of its rarity.
At 2:06 a.m. EDT (06:06 GMT) — which is 11:06 p.m. PDT on Friday (Aug. 22) — the moon will officially pass through its new moon phase. At that moment, our natural satellite will be positioned in the constellation Leo, sitting just 1 degree north of the sun in the sky.
So what’s happening? A Black Moon isn’t an official astronomical term, but it’s used to describe unusual timings of new moon phases. This week’s event falls under the “seasonal” definition: the third new moon in a season that contains four new moons. A new moon is the phase when the moon’s sunlit side faces away from Earth, making it invisible in our sky as it rises and sets with the sun.
Normally, each season has three new moons, but the lunar cycle doesn’t line up perfectly with our calendar. Every so often, an “extra” new moon sneaks in and the third in that sequence is dubbed a Black Moon. The last seasonal Black Moon happened on May 19, 2023.
The new moon occurs on Aug. 23. (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night)
Summer 2025 in the Northern Hemisphere started with a new moon on June 25, followed by July 23, Aug. 3 and Sept. 21. With four new moons squeezed into the season, the Aug. 23 new moon becomes the Black Moon. Seasonal Black Moons, like the one on Aug. 23, happen only about once every 33 months.
TOP TELESCOPE PICK
(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
Want to view the night sky up close? The Celestron NexStar 8SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look, check out our Celestron NexStar 8SE review.
There’s also another definition of a Black Moon that refers to the second new moon in a single calendar month, which won’t occur again until Aug. 31, 2027.
Unlike a supermoon or lunar eclipse, a Black Moon isn’t something you can watch unfold in real time. During the new moon phase, the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, so its unlit side faces us, rendering it invisible against the bright sky.
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
But don’t be disappointed. The days immediately following the Black Moon will reveal one of the most beautiful lunar sights: the thinnest crescent. On the evenings of Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, look toward the western horizon about 30 to 40 minutes after sunset to spot a delicate silver arc, the moon’s first reappearance after going dark.
The dark moonless skies surrounding a new moon are also perfect for observing fainter deep sky objects that would otherwise be very difficult and sometimes impossible to see during brighter moon phases. It also makes for a particularly great time to study the dense core of the Milky Way.
