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Newsdesk

Pooja Bhatt reveals Mahesh Bhatt’s conversion claim in marriage

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Pooja Bhatt

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Pooja Bhatt has made a significant revelation about her father and renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, stating that he converted to Islam in order to marry actress Soni Razdan.

In a conversation on a YouTube programme, Pooja Bhatt said she respects her father’s decisions and believes that truth and responsibility form the foundation of any relationship.

She questioned whether it is better to have a father who openly acknowledges his relationships or someone who leads a double life in secrecy.

According to her, Mahesh Bhatt began a new life with Soni Razdan but did not completely cut ties with her mother. She also claimed that in 1986, he embraced Islam for his second marriage so that he would not have to legally divorce his first wife.

Pooja Bhatt further said that one of her father’s qualities is his loyalty to relationships, adding that once he commits to someone, he does not easily let go.

Following her remarks, the statement has sparked debate on social media, with users sharing mixed reactions and opinions on the issue.

Fahad Mustafa opens up about the price of fame

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Fahad Mustafa

KARACHI: Pakistani actor, host and producer Fahad Mustafa has spoken candidly about the emotional cost of fame, saying that success has brought him immense love but taken away much of his personal freedom and privacy.

In a recent television program, Fahad Mustafa said he can no longer live a normal life like ordinary people, as public outings have become difficult due to constant crowds of fans wherever he goes.

He added that he is now rarely invited to weddings, dinner parties or family gatherings because his presence tends to draw excessive attention and disrupt the environment of such events.

The actor also shared a personal reflection about his children, saying they no longer ask him to go out for dinners or outings as frequently because public places often become crowded, making it hard for the family to spend peaceful time together.

Fahad Mustafa said fame may appear glamorous from the outside, but it comes with sacrifices that only those living the life truly understand. He added that while success brings many rewards, it also takes away the comfort of private living.

The actor rose to massive popularity through his hit game show and has also earned widespread recognition for his performances in television dramas and films, establishing himself as one of Pakistan’s most successful entertainment figures.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan gets relief as court restores appeal in property case

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Rahat Fateh Ali

LAHORE: Renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been granted relief in a hereditary property dispute case after the Lahore High Court set aside a lower court’s decision to dismiss his appeal.

According to details, the Lahore High Court declared null and void the trial court’s ruling that had rejected the appeal due to non-payment of court fees.

Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi issued an eight-page detailed verdict in the case.

The court restored the singer’s appeal but directed him to deposit a penalty of Rs100,000.

The judgment stated that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had filed a civil suit regarding possession of a double-storey house measuring one kanal and nine marla in Faisalabad. A civil court had ruled against him on May 14, 2019, after which he filed an appeal in the trial court.

The trial court dismissed the appeal on technical grounds, citing non-payment of Rs15,000 in court fees.

The Lahore High Court observed that dismissing an appeal solely on non-payment of fees violates the principles of justice and stressed that appeals should be decided on merit rather than technical grounds.

The court further noted that the appellant was given only four days to submit the court fee, which was insufficient, and emphasized that the right of appeal is a valuable legal right that cannot be denied on minor procedural lapses.

The High Court ordered the trial court to decide the appeal on merit within two months without unnecessary delay and directed all parties, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, to appear before the relevant court on June 2.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani calls for immediate end to Iran war

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New York Mayor

NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for an immediate end to the ongoing war with Iran, saying the conflict is costing civilian lives and placing a heavy burden on ordinary citizens.

In a post on the social media platform X, Mamdani said the war began three months ago without public consent and has already resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.

He claimed that 13 U.S. soldiers were also killed in the conflict, adding that working-class families are bearing the economic consequences of the war.

The mayor said rising fuel and food prices in the United States have severely impacted household budgets, arguing that people are paying the price for a war initiated without congressional approval.

Mamdani added that every lost life and every dollar spent reflects what he described as an irresponsible policy decision, urging an immediate halt to the conflict.

Romania expels Russian Consul General after drone attack incident

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Romania expels

BUCHAREST: Romania has expelled the Russian Consul General and ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in the Black Sea port city of Constanța following a reported drone incident that injured civilians.

According to international reports, the decision came after a Russian drone allegedly struck a residential building, leaving two people injured and triggering a security response from Romanian authorities.

Romania’s President chaired an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, where officials demanded that Russia take full responsibility for the incident and issue a formal apology.

Following the meeting, the Russian Consul General was declared persona non grata and expelled from the country, while the closure of the Constanța consulate was also announced.

The Romanian Ministry of Defence said the drone entered Romanian airspace and crashed into the roof of a ten-storey residential building in the city of Galați, causing a fire.

Authorities said around 70 residents were evacuated, while the injured included a woman and a child with minor injuries.

Romanian Air Force scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter in response, but officials said the low-altitude flight made interception difficult without risking further civilian damage.

The Foreign Ministry described the incident as a serious and irresponsible provocation by Russia, saying it violated both Romanian sovereignty and NATO airspace.

Russia’s presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the situation, while the Russian Foreign Ministry indicated it would respond to Romania’s actions.

The Russian state news agency TASS reported that Moscow is considering possible retaliatory steps following the expulsion and consulate closure.

Argentina announce FIFA World Cup squad,  Messi to lead team

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Argentina announce

BUENOS AIRES: Defending champions Argentina have announced their squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with star forward Lionel Messi included in the 26-member lineup.

According to details, Messi will captain the side in what will be his sixth World Cup appearance, marking another major milestone in his illustrious international career.

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The 39-year-old played a pivotal role in Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar, where they defeated France in a dramatic final to secure their third world title.

With his inclusion in the squad, Messi is set to join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo among a select group of players to feature in six World Cup tournaments.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has selected a balanced squad combining experienced and young players for the tournament.

Key players named in the squad include Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.

Messi has so far made 198 international appearances for Argentina and could reach the 200-cap milestone if he participates in upcoming friendly matches against Honduras and Iceland.

Argentina have been placed in Group J and will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

Pakistan to play 1,000th ODI in upcoming series against Australia

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Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan are set to reach a major milestone as they will play their 1,000th One-Day International (ODI) during the three-match series against Australia starting Saturday in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan and Australia are set to face off in the opening match of their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, scheduled to be played on Saturday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The ODI series between Pakistan and Australia will begin at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the second and third matches will be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

The milestone match will mark Pakistan’s 1,000th ODI appearance, a landmark moment in the country’s cricket history. Pakistan captain described the achievement as a special occasion for the team.

He said the side’s confidence is high following success in previous ODI series against Australia, adding that crowd support in Rawalpindi and Lahore always boosts player morale.

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said Australia remain one of the strongest teams in the world, making contests between the two sides highly competitive.

He added that players have worked hard in the training camp and are fully focused on securing victory in the series.

Pakistan and Australia have faced each other in 111 ODIs so far, with Pakistan winning their last two bilateral series 2-1.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also introduce live streaming of matches for the first time via PCB Live, while fans will be able to watch the series on PTV Sports.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Australia are set to face off in the opening match of their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series, scheduled to be played on Saturday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The Australian team is currently in Pakistan for the series, which will see the first ODI played in Rawalpindi, while the remaining two matches are scheduled in Lahore.

The second ODI will be held on June 2, followed by the third and final match on June 4 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Both teams are expected to hold training sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday as preparations intensify ahead of the series opener.

Australia have made a squad change, with Cooper Connolly replacing Mitchell Marsh for the tour.

Pakistan, Australia unveil ODI series trophy ahead of opener in Rawalpindi

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Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: The trophy for the Pakistan-Australia ODI series was unveiled on Friday ahead of the opening match of the three-match contest.

Captains of both sides participated in a joint photoshoot with the trophy as preparations intensified for the series opener scheduled for Saturday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The Australian team is currently in Pakistan for the three-match ODI series, with the first match set to be played in Rawalpindi, while the remaining two games will be held in Lahore.

The second ODI will take place on June 2, followed by the third and final match on June 4 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Both teams are also scheduled to hold practice sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the opening fixture.

Australia have made a change to their squad, bringing in Cooper Connolly as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh.

Captain Shaheen Afridi confident ahead of Australia ODIs

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Captain Shaheen Afridi

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said the national team is well prepared for the upcoming series against Australia and expressed hope that Babar Azam will continue his strong performances.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Shaheen said the training camp had gone well and described every player in the squad as important for the team.

He said Pakistan has prepared thoroughly for the Australia series, adding that Babar Azam’s recent form has been excellent and the team expects him to maintain his consistency.

The ODI captain also emphasized the importance of giving opportunities to young players, saying it is crucial for the future of Pakistan cricket. He added that the absence of Mohammad Rizwan from a series does not mean the end of his career.

Shaheen further said he expects young players to deliver strong performances and noted that decisions regarding bowling and batting combinations are made according to pitch conditions.

President Trump announces end of Strait of Hormuz blockade

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President Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has been lifted, while insisting that Iran must agree never to possess nuclear weapons or an atomic bomb.

In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz should be fully reopened immediately and remain free of tolls or restrictions to ensure uninterrupted maritime traffic.

The US president stated that any naval mines present in the sea would be eliminated, claiming that American forces had already destroyed several mines using advanced minesweeper technology, while Iran would remove or destroy the remaining explosives.

Trump added that ships delayed due to the blockade could now resume passage through the strategic waterway.

Discussing Iran’s nuclear program, Trump claimed that Iranian nuclear material was buried deep beneath collapsed mountains following B-2 bomber strikes carried out 11 months ago.

He said the United States would extract the Iranian nuclear residue from underground and claimed that both the U.S. and China possess the technical capability to carry out the operation.

According to Trump, the process would be conducted in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after which the recovered nuclear material would be destroyed.