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Newsdesk

Zohran Mamdani introduces discount ticket scheme for FIFA World Cup

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Zohran Mamdani

NEW YORK: Following strong public criticism over FIFA World Cup ticket prices, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has introduced a limited affordable ticket scheme for local residents.

Under the new initiative, tickets will be available for $50, aimed at making the tournament more accessible to city residents.

According to international media reports, around 1,000 tickets have been allocated for New York residents for selected group-stage and knockout matches. However, the final match is not included in the scheme.

Officials said the tickets will be distributed through a lottery system to ensure transparency.

Reports indicate that approximately 150 seats per match will be reserved under the program, and successful applicants will be allowed to purchase a maximum of two tickets each. The package will also include transport facilities to and from match venues.

The mayor said the initiative aims to connect local residents with the FIFA World Cup and reduce exclusion caused by high ticket prices, stressing that major sporting events should not be limited only to wealthy spectators.

The announcement comes amid ongoing criticism of FIFA’s dynamic pricing system, with various groups calling for lower prices and greater access for local fans.

Ex-girlfriend of Elon Musk shares details behind family decision

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Ex-girlfriend

WASHINGTON: American author and social media influencer Ashley St. Clair has spoken publicly for the first time about her decision to have a child with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, sparking widespread debate on social media.

St. Clair said that when she met Musk, she was already a single mother and facing financial pressures, making everyday life challenging. She said the idea of expanding a family with someone who expressed a strong desire for children and offered financial stability influenced her decision.

She shared on social media that Musk often spoke about time being his most limited resource and expressed a wish to have more children.

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According to her, the idea of building a stable life with someone who valued children and could provide financial security played a significant role in her thinking.

St. Clair said that raising children as a single mother had been extremely difficult, and financial stability became a key factor in her personal choices.

She first publicly claimed in February last year on the social media platform X that Musk was the father of her child. She said the relationship between them was emotionally close before her pregnancy, but their dynamic changed afterward.

She also said she kept the birth of her child private for about five months to protect the child’s privacy and security. Later, in a podcast, she alleged that financial support from Musk gradually decreased over time.

St. Clair claimed that initial monthly support was around $100,000, which was later reduced to $40,000 and then $20,000.

The report notes that St. Clair and Musk first met during an interview in May 2023. Musk, who is frequently in the news due to having 14 children with different women, has not publicly responded in detail to these specific claims.

KSE-100 falls 670 points as PSX closes lower

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KSE-100 falls

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended in negative territory on Friday as selling pressure pushed the benchmark index down by 670 points.

The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed at 167,844 points, compared to the previous close of 168,514 points.

During intraday trading, the index also touched a high of 169,624 points before declining later in the session.

Overall trading activity remained strong, with shares worth Rs22 billion changing hands as 478.7 million shares were traded.

A total of 563 companies participated in trading during the session. Of these, 160 companies recorded gains, while 280 witnessed declines.

Market analysts noted that the session reflected mixed investor sentiment as profit-taking dominated later in the day, leading to a negative close.

Pakistan calls for release of Kashmiri political prisoners, says Foreign Office

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Pakistan calls

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called for the release of all Kashmiri political prisoners and human rights activists, the Foreign Office said on Friday.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan and China have completed 75 years of diplomatic relations, marking the occasion with official-level celebrations.

He said both countries have supported each other in difficult times and continue to cooperate in trade, industry, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

The spokesperson added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China from May 23 to 26. He said the visit will help further strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.

He said the prime minister will chair a Pakistan-China business-to-business conference in Beijing and will also attend a reception. Meetings are also scheduled with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

On regional security issues, the spokesperson said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had visited Iran twice and held important meetings with Iranian leadership, discussing bilateral relations and security matters.

He said drone incidents were reported on May 17 in the airspace of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding that targeting nuclear facilities is a serious violation of international law. Pakistan expressed deep concern over the incidents and strongly condemned them, hoping such events would not recur.

Referring to Kashmir, the spokesperson said India continues to suppress voices advocating human rights in the region and highlighted what he described as ongoing atrocities in Indian-administered Kashmir.

He added that India attempts to divert attention from human rights violations by leveling baseless allegations against Pakistan, citing the Kulbhushan Jadhav case as evidence of state-sponsored terrorism.

Pakistan, he said, continues to demand the release of Kashmiri political prisoners and human rights activists. He also reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to use legal and diplomatic channels to protect its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.

The spokesperson said Pakistan and Russia had held detailed consultations on global security, arms control, and non-proliferation, agreeing to enhance cooperation in international forums, with the next round scheduled to be held in Islamabad in 2027.

UAE official calls Iran’s nuclear program top regional threat

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UAE official

ABU DHABI: Senior diplomatic adviser to the United Arab Emirates President Anwar Gargash has said that Iran’s nuclear program is now the region’s most pressing concern, according to international media reports.

Gargash warned that any further escalation between the United States and Iran could significantly complicate the regional security situation.

He said that any changes in the strategic importance or stability of the Strait of Hormuz would have serious consequences not only for the region but also for Europe, urging European countries to view the waterway as a critical energy and trade corridor.

The UAE adviser stressed the importance of pursuing a diplomatic solution, but cautioned that such efforts should not come at the cost of creating further future instability.

He said Iran’s nuclear program had shifted from being a secondary concern to the top priority issue, adding that Iran has the capability to use all available means in its strategic arsenal.

Gargash also noted that relations with the United States have become the backbone of Gulf national defence systems, with Washington playing an increasingly central role in regional security calculations.

In a separate remark, he said the UAE had been considering a possible withdrawal from OPEC over the past three years.

Trump Jr wedding attendance by Trump Jruncertain

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Trump Jr wedding

WASHINGTON: Attendance by US President Donald Trump at his son Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding remains uncertain, according to American media reports.

The wedding is expected to take place this week on a small island in the Bahamas and will be attended only by close family members and a few friends.

Sources said President Trump is not expected to attend the ceremony.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, President Trump said his son wanted him to be present at the wedding, but current circumstances may prevent his attendance.

He added that his focus is currently on major national and international issues, including Iran, making it difficult for him to participate in the private family event.

PCB announces16-member ODI squad for Australia series

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PCB announces

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against Australia national cricket team, with fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi appointed as captain.

According to the PCB, the series will be played from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Key players including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem have been recalled to the national side.

New inclusions in the squad include Ahmad Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir, while Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been named as wicketkeeper-batters.

The selection committee has dropped several players, including Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Hussain Talat, Muhammad Rizwan, Wasim Jr and Saad Masood from the ODI setup.

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered due to injuries and are currently undergoing rehabilitation programs, while Usman Khan was ruled out due to illness.

The final squad features a mix of experienced and young players as Pakistan prepares for the high-profile ODI series against Australia.

Actress Momina Iqbal’s wedding date confirmed

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Actress Momina

Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal is set to tie the knot on June 1, according to her sister, amid an ongoing legal dispute involving alleged threats from a political figure.

Rumors regarding Momina Iqbal’s wedding had been circulating on social media for the past several days before her sister, Ramsha Iqbal, confirmed the reports publicly.

The actress has recently been at the center of controversy after alleging that she and her family received death threats from an influential political personality.

Momina Iqbal had shared details of the matter through an Instagram story, prompting police authorities to take immediate action. Officials expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon.

According to reports, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency also summoned a Punjab lawmaker following a harassment complaint filed by the actress.

Ramsha Iqbal, who is representing her sister in the case, told media that authorities had responded positively during proceedings and thanked the media for its support. She said all relevant evidence had been submitted and the lawmaker had also been called for questioning.

She added that the family did not want to further publicize the matter but acknowledged facing difficulties despite receiving support and security assistance from the government. According to her, security had also been provided to Momina Iqbal’s future in-laws after they allegedly received threats.

Ramsha Iqbal revealed that the actress is set to marry Muhammad Hamza Habibi and that the Nikah ceremony will take place on June 1.

She said the marriage was arranged with the consent of both families and clarified that the groom is not related to them.

She further stated that she would continue pursuing the legal case, adding that she had completed her law degree abroad and also possessed legal experience in Pakistan.

Elon Musk nears trillionaire status as SpaceX eyes massive IPO

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Elon Musk

NEW YORK: Elon Musk, already regarded as the world’s richest person, is moving closer to becoming the world’s first trillionaire as SpaceX prepares for a potential public offering at a reported market valuation of $1.75 trillion.

Musk holds a major stake in SpaceX, and analysts believe the company’s proposed valuation could significantly boost his personal wealth if the share offering moves forward as planned.

The billionaire entrepreneur is reportedly considering listing SpaceX shares on the U.S. stock market, a move that could push his net worth beyond the $1 trillion mark.

According to reports, SpaceX is targeting mid-June 2026 for its initial public offering (IPO). Company documents state that the fundraising effort is aimed at supporting long-term plans to send humans to the Moon and Mars, citing concerns about the long-term survival of humanity on Earth.

The documents reportedly state that the company does not want humanity to face the same fate as dinosaurs.

While the filings do not specify how much capital SpaceX intends to raise, several reports suggest Musk is aiming to secure around $75 billion in investment funding for future projects.

SpaceX has become one of the world’s leading private aerospace companies after successfully developing reusable rockets and building the large-scale Starlink satellite network.

Meanwhile, Musk could also potentially reach trillionaire status through Tesla, which previously approved a compensation package tied to ambitious performance targets.

However, analysts say major challenges remain. Tesla’s market value would need to climb to nearly $8.5 trillion from its current level of around $1.5 trillion for Musk to fully unlock parts of that package.

Similarly, SpaceX would face pressure to significantly grow revenues and justify a $1.75 trillion valuation if the IPO proceeds.

NCCIA summons MPA, wife after actress Momina Iqbal’s complaint

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NCCIA summons

KARACHI: Actress Momina Iqbal has alleged online harassment and cyberbullying by a political figure, prompting Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to formally initiate legal proceedings and summon MPA Saqib Chadhar and his wife Samira Khan.

According to media reports, the agency has directed both individuals to appear before authorities on May 22 following a complaint filed by the actress.

In her application, Momina accused an influential political personality of subjecting her to prolonged online harassment, cyberbullying, mental distress and death threats.

The actress had earlier shared a detailed statement on Instagram, claiming she repeatedly approached the NCCIA, Federal Investigation Agency and Punjab Police regarding the matter, but alleged that political influence prevented proper action from being taken.

She further claimed that instead of receiving justice, she was discouraged from pursuing the case, while both she and her family continued to face serious security threats.

Momina called for a transparent and impartial investigation and urged authorities to provide immediate protection for her family. She also tagged senior officials, government institutions, news channels and media platforms in her social media post.

The actress expressed hope that action would be taken against anyone found misusing authority or obstructing justice in the case.

Following her allegations and the agency’s response, the matter has gained significant attention on social media, where many users have urged authorities to ensure swift and fair action.

The case is now being closely watched as investigations move forward and more details are expected to emerge.