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Australia set Pakistan 232-run target in second ODI in Lahore

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Australia set

LAHORE:  Australia posted 231 all out in 50 overs, setting Pakistan a target of 232 runs in the second match of the one-day series on Wednesday.

Batting first after Pakistan won the toss, Australia struggled to build big partnerships but managed to reach a competitive total despite regular wickets falling.

Cameron Green and captain Josh Inglis top-scored with 51 runs each, while Matt Renshaw made 43 and Oliver Peake added 31. Matthew Short scored 15, Marnus Labuschagne 5, Matthew Kuhnemann 5, and Alex Carey was dismissed for a duck.

For Pakistan, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Arafat Minhas, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.

Pakistan will now chase 232 runs to take control of the series.

Ranveer Singh faces fresh setback amid ‘Don 3’ controversy

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Ranveer Singh

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has encountered a new setback amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his upcoming film Don 3, after a major industry body reportedly issued a non-cooperation directive against him.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has instructed its members not to cooperate with the actor, bringing renewed attention to the dispute.

In response, Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson said the actor holds deep respect for the film fraternity and everyone associated with the Don franchise, but has chosen not to comment publicly on the matter.

The spokesperson added that Ranveer believes professional disputes and sensitive issues should be resolved privately with dignity, seriousness, and mutual respect rather than through media discussion.

The statement further said that several speculations and reports have circulated in recent days, but the actor has deliberately remained silent to avoid fuelling further controversy, focusing instead on his current and upcoming projects.

FWICE, however, said it had issued the non-cooperation directive on Monday, claiming that Ranveer Singh had been approached multiple times for clarification and dialogue regarding the issue. The body said three reminder letters were also sent, but no response was received from the actor nor did he appear before its representatives.

The development has further intensified the controversy surrounding Don 3, with industry discussions continuing over the actor’s silence and the federation’s stance.

Who is Momina Iqbal’s husband? Details emerge

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Who is Momina Iqbal’

LAHOREL: Details have surfaced about the husband of Pakistani actor Momina Iqbal, who recently tied the knot in a series of wedding ceremonies held in Lahore.

Momina Iqbal, known for her performances in popular television dramas, has completed her mayun, mehndi, nikah and other wedding events, with photos and videos widely circulating on social media.

According to media reports, her husband Hamza Habib is a Lahore-based businessman described as financially stable and successful, though he has largely remained away from the media spotlight.

Recent attention on the couple increased after Hamza Habib appeared in support of his wife following allegations of harassment and threats involving a political figure.

He stated that the engagement was arranged with mutual consent between both families, who reportedly share long-standing friendly relations. The couple is said to have solemnised their nikah in a private ceremony in late May 2026.

Earlier, Momina Iqbal had shared on social media that she and her family were allegedly threatened by a politically influential individual, prompting an investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.

Federal budget delay linked to political deadlock over key legislation

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Federal budget

ISLAMABAD: The delay in the federal budget has been caused by a political deadlock over key legislation, parliamentary sources said on Tuesday.

According to sources, the government wants to pass important legislation before the budget session, as the proposed laws are expected to have significant implications for the upcoming fiscal year. However, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is opposing the proposed amendments.

Sources said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has conveyed a clear stance during his address in Shigar Valley, adding that the party is resisting the proposed legislative changes. If the amendments are not approved before the budget session, changes in the next financial year may not be possible.

Parliamentary sources further revealed that efforts are underway to convince the PPP, with key political figures assigned the task of negotiations.

They added that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is currently busy with election campaigning in Gilgit-Baltistan, and a new date for the budget session is likely to be announced only after securing his agreement.

Meanwhile, The federal government will not present the budget on June 5, according to official sources.

Sources said the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 3 has been postponed, and a formal notification has also been issued.

Officials added that a new date for the federal budget presentation has not yet been finalized. However, it is likely to be presented on either June 8 or June 12.

Meanwhile, sources in the National Assembly said June 10 is also being considered as a possible date for the budget presentation.

According to the notification, a new date for the NEC meeting will be announced later.

Iran warns it will halt US talks if Israel continues strikes on Lebanon

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Iran warns

TEHRAN: Iran has warned that it could suspend negotiations with the United States if Israel continues its military operations in Lebanon, according to Iranian officials.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said talks with Washington would be halted if Israeli strikes on Lebanon persist.

Meanwhile, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani stated that ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza could force the “Axis of Resistance” to respond.

 He added that the group is capable of affecting maritime traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in a manner similar to developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Ibrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, warned of “serious consequences” if attacks on Lebanon do not stop.

He said Iran is fully prepared for a military response, cautioning Israel and US forces in the region that the threats were not empty and that American military presence could also face repercussions.

Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif criticises development delays in Gilgit-Baltistan

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Ex-PM Nawaz

GILGIT:  Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister  Nawaz Sharif has criticised the pace of development in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying many projects remain incomplete and road conditions in the region are a source of concern.

Addressing an election rally in Gilgit, he said he had visited Skardu and Gilgit several times during his tenure as prime minister and expressed disappointment over the current state of infrastructure.

“The roads are in poor condition, full of potholes. I feel pain seeing this,” he said, questioning why key projects such as the Mansehra-Gilgit road had not been completed.

Nawaz Sharif said he did not want to criticise any political party but questioned why development initiatives were neglected despite repeated announcements. He added that his party has always sought votes based on performance rather than criticism of opponents.

He claimed that hospitals, hydroelectric projects, and the Nagar development project were initiated by his government, and asked which other party had delivered similar work in the region.

The PML-N leader also pointed to the limited flight operations at Gilgit Airport, saying it should be expanded and could handle significantly more traffic than the current three weekly flights.

He said future plans include expanding healthcare facilities so residents do not need to travel to Islamabad for treatment, improving tourism for job creation, and providing interest-free loans, scholarships, laptops, and a women’s university for local students.

Nawaz Sharif also referred to the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project, saying land acquisition funds were allocated during his tenure but the project remains incomplete, adding that timely completion would have benefited both Gilgit-Baltistan and the wider country.

Actress Raveena Tandon’s mother’s home targeted in theft

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Actress Raveena Tandon

MUMBAI: Jewellery and luxury watches worth around ₹25 lakh have been stolen from the residence of Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon’s mother in the Juhu area of Mumbai, according to Indian media reports.

Police confirmed that the incident came to light when family members discovered that valuables were missing from a locked safe. The stolen items reportedly included expensive jewellery and watches.

Authorities have arrested a woman in connection with the case, who is said to be known to the family. The accused has been identified as 47-year-old Rashi Chhabria.

Police said the woman had been visiting the household since 2020 and had gained the family’s trust by assisting and caring for the actress’s mother.

Officials added that several stolen watches have been recovered from the suspect’s possession, while investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining jewellery.

Supercomputer reveals favourite to win 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Supercomputer

The FIFA World Cup, the biggest event in world sports, is set to begin on June 12, featuring a historic expanded format for the first time.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first World Cup to include 48 participating teams.

The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with a total of 104 matches scheduled throughout the competition. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will also feature a newly introduced Round of 32.

With more teams and greater competition, predicting a winner has become increasingly difficult. However, the Opta supercomputer has made data-driven projections using advanced AI-based simulations.

According to the model, Spain are the strongest favourites to lift the trophy, with a 16.1% chance of winning the tournament after running more than 10,000 simulations.

France are ranked second, followed by England in third and Argentina in fourth, with all four teams having more than a 10% chance of winning the World Cup.

Despite being favourites, Spain also face uncertainty, with a 52.1% probability of not reaching the quarter-finals. However, if they progress, their chances improve significantly, with a 39% likelihood of reaching the semi-finals and a 25.6% chance of making the final.

The data also suggests that the expanded format increases unpredictability, although Spain remain the clear front-runners in the statistical model.

New Drama Buzz: Saba Qamar may play Anmol “Pinkie” character

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New Drama Buzz

KARACHI: Reports suggesting that a television drama based on alleged drug dealer Anmol, known as “Pinkie,” is in development have triggered widespread debate on social media.

According to media reports, a private production house is working on a drama inspired by the controversial figure, with acclaimed actress Saba Qamar reportedly set to play the lead role.

A circulating image reportedly shows Saba Qamar alongside producers Asad Qureshi and Abdullah Kadwani, further fueling speculation that the project may soon move into production. Some claims also suggest that journalist Shahzeb Khanzada is associated with the script, although no official confirmation has been made.

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However, no formal announcement has been issued by the production team or channel regarding the project, leaving the information unverified at this stage.

The rumored drama has drawn criticism from a section of social media users, who argue that producing content on an ongoing legal case is inappropriate and could be seen as controversial.

Critics also questioned why more focus is not being placed on dramatizing the lives of prominent historical and literary figures such as Fatima Jinnah, Bano Qudsia, and Dr. Arfa Syeda, instead of individuals involved in alleged criminal cases.

On the other hand, fans of Saba Qamar have expressed excitement over the possibility, stating that the actress is known for her powerful performances and could portray the role effectively if the project goes ahead.

They believe the drama could potentially achieve popularity similar to previous successful television productions, depending on its execution and storytelling approach.

Dua Lipa marries actor Callum Turner in private London ceremony

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Dua Lipa marries

LONDON: International pop star Dua Lipa has officially tied the knot with actor Callum Turner in an intimate and private wedding ceremony held in London, marking the culmination of their long-standing relationship.

According to British media reports, the couple got married on May 31 at the historic Old Marylebone Town Hall in London, in a low-key ceremony attended only by close family members and a small circle of friends. The event was kept highly private, followed by a small dinner gathering for select guests.

Dua Lipa appeared in a classic white bridal outfit, accessorized with gloves and a stylish oversized hat, while Callum Turner wore a navy blue suit with a tie, presenting an elegant and formal look for the occasion. The couple was later seen holding hands and enjoying their newlywed moment.

Eyewitnesses reported that Turner became emotional upon seeing his bride walk in, visibly overwhelmed during the ceremony. Guests said the actor appeared tearful and struggled to contain his emotions, while family members also became emotional during the moment.

The couple’s relationship reportedly began in January 2024 when they were first spotted together at an event in London. They later confirmed their relationship publicly on social media in July 2024, drawing widespread attention from fans worldwide.

After approximately a year of engagement rumors, their wedding has now been confirmed, bringing joy to fans across the globe. Reports also suggest that the couple plans to celebrate their marriage in two stages, with a larger second celebration expected to take place in Sicily, Italy.

In a 2025 interview, Dua Lipa had expressed that sharing a lifelong journey with a partner and growing old together as best friends was deeply meaningful to her.