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Newsdesk

US considering new strikes on Iran infrastructure

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US considering

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said he is considering new strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, amid ongoing tensions with Tehran.

According to comments cited by Fox News in a telephone interview, Trump suggested that further military action could be ordered if Iran continues to delay reaching an agreement.

He also posted on his Truth Social platform that Iran’s military had been “completely devastated,” claiming that key branches such as its navy and air force were effectively destroyed.

Trump further said Iran “only talks and does nothing,” describing the country as having been “defeated” and warning that it would “pay the price” for delaying negotiations on what he called a potentially beneficial deal.

Iranian officials have not yet publicly responded to the latest remarks.

Earlier, Iran’s military has claimed it carried out retaliatory operations targeting multiple US military bases and installations across the region following recent American strikes.

In a statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, Iran said the actions were conducted in response to “US aggression” and warned of a stronger reaction if attacks continue.

Iranian officials claimed that several US positions in the region were targeted, including alleged drone and missile strikes on military sites. They said a telecommunications tower and water tanks in southern Iran’s Sirik area were also damaged in earlier strikes.

The IRGC further claimed that US Fifth Fleet positions in Bahrain were hit by drones, while separate reports in Iranian and Russian media suggested additional attacks on US installations, including bases in Jordan and Kuwait. These claims have not been independently verified.

US and regional authorities have not yet confirmed most of the reported attacks.

Kuwaiti military officials said their air defense systems were actively responding to threats and monitoring national airspace amid heightened tensions.

The developments come as escalating hostilities in the Middle East raise international concern, with global actors urging restraint and de-escalation to avoid further conflict.

12 killed in mass shooting near Johannesburg, Police say

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12 killed

JOHANNESBURG: At least 12 people were killed in a shooting incident near Johannesburg, South African police said, according to foreign media reports.

Police said the attack took place in an informal settlement on the outskirts of the city, where more than 10 armed men reportedly stormed the area during the night and opened fire on residents.

Three women were among those killed, while nine others were injured and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, officials said.

Authorities said the motive behind the attack remains unknown and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the shooting.

Jennifer Winget marriage rumours spark buzz in entertainment industry

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Jennifer Winget

MUMBAI: Reports about Indian television actress Jennifer Winget getting married have begun circulating in media outlets, according to Indian reports.

Citing unnamed sources, Hindustan Times reported that Winget has been proposed to by Singapore-based businessman William Ishmael, and the couple is reportedly planning their wedding.

According to the report, the actress has begun preparations for the wedding, which is expected to be held as a Christian ceremony. The wedding is reportedly being planned for a window between September and October, or December and January.

Winget was previously married to her co-star Karan Singh Grover in 2012. However, the marriage lasted only two years, and the couple separated in 2014.

Actress Mahira Khan meets King Charles at British Asian Trust event

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Actress Mahira Khan

LONDON: Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has called for greater public awareness around mental health, saying people still feel ashamed to discuss psychological illnesses and society needs to treat them like any other medical condition.

Speaking to media during an event hosted by the British Asian Trust in London, Khan stressed the importance of changing societal attitudes toward mental health issues.

She said mental illnesses should be recognized like physical diseases, adding that incidents of harassment and violence in society are condemnable and must be addressed through accountability and a shift in mindset.

The actress also shared details of her meeting with King Charles III, saying the monarch showed strong interest in the trust’s work.

“I had a very good conversation with King Charles. He thanked me for working with the British Asian Trust,” Khan said, adding that he appeared engaged and curious about her social work.

Khan described the British monarch as a “charming personality” and said he asked about ongoing initiatives and developments in the organization’s activities.

PSDP cuts agreed as Pakistan moves closer to budget 2026–27 approval

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PSDP cuts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s coalition partners Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have agreed on cuts to the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), paving the way for the approval of the federal budget for 2026–27, officials said on Wednesday.

Following a meeting between the leadership of both parties, it was agreed to reduce development spending at the federal and provincial levels, helping streamline the budget process.

President Asif Ali Zardari approved summoning sessions of the National Assembly at 5 p.m. and the Senate at 4 p.m. today, officials said.

According to sources, the federal government has reduced the proposed PSDP by Rs 126 billion, while additional cuts are expected across provincial development programs except in Balochistan.

The adjustments are expected to generate around Rs 500 billion in savings, which will be redirected toward strategically important projects, including major water and energy schemes such as Diamer-Bhasha, Mohmand, and Dasu dams.

Officials said the federal government had initially sought nearly Rs 1.2 trillion in additional fiscal space from provinces, but revised arrangements are now under consideration. Balochistan’s development program will remain unchanged due to its revised allocation of Rs 308 billion.

Sources said the National Economic Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will finalize key decisions regarding the PSDP size and broader budget framework. The federal budget for 2026–27 is expected to be presented after approval from cabinet and parliamentary forums.

The government is also considering adjustments in provincial shares, defense spending requirements, and potential relief measures for salaried individuals and the corporate sector, depending on fiscal space.

Gold prices drop sharply in Karachi amid global decline

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Gold prices

KARACHI: Gold prices witnessed a significant decline in the local market on Wednesday, tracking a sharp fall in international rates, dealers said.

The price of 24-karat gold per tola dropped by Rs 12,627 to settle at Rs 442,436.

Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold fell by Rs 11,364, bringing it down to Rs 378,170, according to local bullion market data.

In the international market, gold prices declined by $126 per ounce, reaching $4,200, traders said.

Silver prices also saw a decrease, with the rate per tola dropping by Rs 385 to settle at Rs 6,929 in the local market.

Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashes near Muzaffarabad

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Pakistan Army

RAWALPINDI: An Mi-17 helicopter of Pakistan Army Aviation crashed near Muzaffarabad during take-off due to a technical fault, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

According to the military’s media wing, all personnel on board were killed in the incident. There were no survivors.

Rescue and recovery teams immediately reached the crash site and launched operations.

ISPR said a board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact technical cause of the crash.

The Chief of Army Staff and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow and grief over the crash of a Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter near Muzaffarabad.

The president extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the personnel who were martyred in the incident.

He said the nation pays tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and stands in solidarity with their bereaved families in their time of grief.

Zardari prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased and for patience and strength for their loved ones.

FIFA-selected referee denied entry to US ahead of 2026 World Cup

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FIFA-selected

MIAMI: A Somali referee selected by FIFA for the upcoming Football World Cup was denied entry into the United States upon arrival at Miami International Airport and was sent back on a return flight, according to media reports.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was named Africa’s Best Referee of 2025, was reportedly refused entry by U.S. immigration authorities after arriving in Miami. Officials subsequently placed him on a flight back to Türkiye.

Reports said the Somali Embassy had provided Artan with a diplomatic passport before his trip to the United States.

Neither FIFA nor U.S. authorities immediately provided details regarding the reasons for the denial of entry.

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 12 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The expanded tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time in World Cup history. The participating nations have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each, with a total of 104 matches set to be played during the competition.

Studies link smartphone boom to declining birth rates globally

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Studies link

WASHINGTON: The rapid rise of smartphones may be contributing to falling birth rates around the world, according to two new studies that examined fertility trends in the United States and dozens of other countries.

Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the U.S. birth rate has declined by 22% since 2007, the same year the first Apple iPhone was introduced.

For years, experts largely attributed the decline in births to the 2008 global financial crisis, which left millions facing economic hardship. However, birth rates failed to return to previous levels even after economic conditions improved.

Researchers noted that several factors have contributed to the trend, including greater use of contraception, higher levels of female education and rising housing and childcare costs.

The study sought to determine whether the widespread adoption of smartphones after 2007 also played a role in the decline.

Until 2011, iPhones were available through only one U.S. mobile network, creating regional differences in smartphone access. The researchers found that areas with earlier access to the devices experienced a 4.5% to 8% decline in birth rates among women aged 15 to 24, while the impact on women older than 24 was more limited.

The researchers cautioned that smartphones alone cannot explain the decline in fertility. However, they suggested that increased smartphone use may have reduced face-to-face social interaction, potentially affecting relationship formation and family planning decisions.

A separate study by University of Cincinnati identified a similar pattern on a global scale.

The researchers analyzed smartphone adoption rates and youth fertility trends across 128 countries and found that birth rates tended to fall more rapidly after smartphones became widely available.

They described the phenomenon as a “common global technology shock” affecting both developed and developing nations.

The studies noted that declining birth rates have contributed to aging populations, shrinking workforces and growing pressure on social security systems in many countries around the world.

Bushra Ansari deleted Mahira Khan, Fahad Mustafa contacts

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Bushra Ansari

LAHORE:  Veteran Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari has revealed that she once deleted the phone numbers of prominent actors Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa from her mobile after not receiving timely responses to her messages.

In a recent interview, Ansari said she had reached out to both actors on different occasions, but due to their busy schedules, she did not receive immediate replies.

She said she initially assumed they might not wish to stay in contact and subsequently removed their numbers to avoid repeated messages or misunderstanding.

The actress said the situation later took an unexpected turn when she received a message reading “Aapa, I love you, I miss you.” However, because the number was not saved, she misidentified the ender due to incomplete caller information.

She said she mistakenly believed the message was from another actress, while it was actually from Mahira Khan, who was later surprised to learn her number had been deleted.

On another occasion, Fahad Mustafa also reached out, but similar confusion occurred due to the number not being saved, leading to a brief misunderstanding, she added.

Ansari clarified that there was no personal dispute involved and said she holds both actors in high regard, praising Mahira Khan as respectful and humble, and describing both stars as among the busiest names in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.