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Saudi Grand Mufti urges Muslims to maximize worship during first 10 days of Zil Hajj

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Saudi Grand Mufti

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Grand Mufti Saleh Al-Fawzan has urged Muslims to increase acts of worship and righteousness during the first 10 days of Zil Hajj, describing them as among the most blessed days in the Islamic calendar.

He said deeds such as prayer, charity, fasting and remembrance of Allah are especially beloved during this period.

The grand mufti highlighted the virtue of fasting on the Day of Arafah, saying that for those not performing Hajj, the fast serves as expiation for sins committed over two years.

He also reminded Muslims intending to offer a sacrifice on Eid ul Adha to refrain from cutting their hair and nails from the sighting of the Zil Hajj moon until the sacrifice is performed.

Pakistan inflation expected to rise to 7%, SBP Governor says

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Pakistan inflation

KARACHI: Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad said inflation in Pakistan is expected to rise to around 7%, while economic growth reached 3.7% during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

Addressing the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the State Bank governor said inflation is likely to ease in the second half of the next fiscal year.

He said financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is targeted to reach Rs1.5 trillion by June 2028.

Ahmad said the overall volume of lending has increased, with domestic borrowing rising while external debt has been reduced.

He attributed weaker exports to global economic conditions and noted that the country’s export target for the current fiscal year is expected to fall short by Rs2 billion.

The governor also said work on new currency notes is underway and the approval process with the government is continuing.

Pakistan to merge Board of Investment into SIFC to strengthen investment drive

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Pakistan to merge

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to merge the Board of Investment into the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to further strengthen the country’s investment promotion framework, according to government sources.

Sources said the move is aimed at empowering the SIFC and streamlining efforts to attract foreign investment.

The merger process is expected to be completed before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visits China on May 23.

Officials said the decision is part of broader efforts to enhance investment cooperation under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Under the new structure, the SIFC will play a central role in promoting foreign investment and will also be responsible for overseeing special economic zones and regulatory reforms.

Sources added that the council has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive roadmap to facilitate investment, with the goal of accelerating approvals and improving coordination among institutions.

German Chancellor urges Iran to resume talks immediately

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German Chancellor

BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Iran must return to the negotiating table and cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

According to the German chancellor, he held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump during which both leaders agreed on the need to resume diplomatic talks with Tehran.

Merz said Iran should also reopen the Strait of Hormuz to help reduce regional tensions and ensure the stability of global trade routes.

He added that the discussion with President Trump took place during his return from China and focused on the Middle East situation, Iran’s nuclear program, and broader regional security concerns.

Asian driver arrested in Dubai for reckless driving

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Asian driver

DUBAI: Dubai Police have arrested an Asian driver for dangerous driving, excessive speeding, and performing risky stunts on public roads, officials said.

According to Arab media, traffic police released a video showing the suspect driving at high speed while swerving between multiple lanes. The footage shows the vehicle making sudden lane changes, illegal overtaking, and driving in the wrong manner, putting the lives of other road users at serious risk.

Authorities said the driver also used the emergency shoulder lane, which is strictly reserved for ambulances and other emergency vehicles under highway regulations. Officials described the act as a severe violation of traffic laws.

Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police, said such behavior is considered among the most serious traffic violations, warning that even minor mistakes on highways can lead to major accidents, vehicle rollovers, or fatalities.

He added that the road shoulder is exclusively designated for emergency vehicles, including ambulances and civil defense units, and using it for overtaking or reckless driving is illegal and highly dangerous.

Police confirmed that the Asian driver was arrested and his vehicle was impounded. Under Law No. 30 of 2023, the offender will be required to pay a fine of 50,000 dirhams to retrieve the vehicle.

Dubai Police urged motorists to follow traffic rules and report dangerous drivers through the “Police Eye” service or the 901 helpline to ensure timely action.

Trump credits Pakistan for role in Iran ceasefire decision

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Trump credits

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said that the United States agreed to a ceasefire with Iran following requests from several countries, including Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters after returning from a visit to China, Trump said the decision to pause hostilities was taken on the appeal of multiple nations. He added that Washington could consider future military action against Iran if required.

Trump claimed that the US had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, adding that after a month-long ceasefire, “some rebuilding may have taken place,” suggesting the possibility of renewed operations.

He said he personally did not support the ceasefire but agreed due to diplomatic pressure from other countries, particularly Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Iran dismissed the remarks as “psychological warfare,” insisting that its defensive capabilities remain intact and warning of a decisive response in case of any renewed attacks.

According to media reports, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Qatar have recently engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts aimed at encouraging a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

King Khan adds luxury Cadillac Escalade worth over ₹4 crore to his car collection

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King Khan

MUMBAI: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has expanded his luxury car collection with a high-end SUV reportedly worth more than ₹4 crore, sparking fresh attention on social media.

The actor was recently spotted driving the newly acquired Cadillac Escalade on the streets of Mumbai, with videos and images quickly going viral online.

According to reports, the 61-year-old star imported the vehicle privately, as Cadillac does not officially sell cars in India. After import duties and additional charges, the SUV’s estimated value is said to be between ₹4 crore and ₹5 crore.

The Cadillac Escalade is considered one of the most premium full-size luxury SUVs globally, powered by a 6.2-litre V8 engine designed for both performance and comfort.

The vehicle features a 38-inch curved OLED display, a high-end entertainment system, flexible cargo space, a tri-zone climate control system and signature ambient lighting.

Luxury amenities also include heated, cooled and massage seats, a built-in refrigerator mode console, and a dual-pane panoramic sky roof.

Fans reacted widely on social media, with many praising the actor’s lifestyle and calling him the “King of Bollywood,” while others commented humorously on the scale of his wealth and luxury collection.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in blockbuster films “Pathaan,” “Jawan” and “Dunki” in 2023, and also made a cameo appearance in “Tiger 3.”

He is currently working on his upcoming film “King,” directed by Siddharth Anand, which also stars Suhana Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, with a possible Christmas release this year.

‘3 Idiots’ sequel buzz builds as new story details, cast rumors emerge

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‘3 Idiots’

MUMBAI: Fresh developments surrounding a possible sequel to Bollywood blockbuster “3 Idiots” have sparked renewed excitement among fans, with reports suggesting a new narrative direction and a major time jump.

According to entertainment reports, the sequel to the 2009 hit film is expected to move beyond a traditional continuation and instead explore the characters’ lives in a new phase, introducing a significant time leap in the storyline.

The original film’s emotional depth and nostalgic tone are expected to remain intact, while the new installment is likely to blend familiar elements with fresh storytelling angles.

Sources claim that superstar Aamir Khan has already begun preliminary work on the project, further fueling speculation around the film’s development.

Reports also suggest that acclaimed director Rajkumar Hirani may once again helm the project, although no official confirmation has been made.

Meanwhile, actor Vicky Kaushal is reportedly being considered for a key new role that could introduce a fresh twist to the storyline.

The sequel is said to potentially bring back the original lead characters while also introducing a new generation, expanding the scope of the narrative.

The original “3 Idiots,” released in 2009, remains one of the most influential and successful films in Indian cinema, widely praised for its commentary on the education system and youth pressure.

With growing speculation around casting and production, anticipation continues to build as fans await official confirmation of the project.

Hadiqa Kiani honored with Sitara-i-Imtiaz at Lahore ceremony

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Hadiqa Kiani

LAHORE: A dignified civil awards ceremony was held at the Governor House Lahore, where celebrated Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in recognition of her outstanding contributions to music.

The award was presented by Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider on behalf of the President of Pakistan during the formal ceremony.

Sharing the moment on her Instagram account, Hadiqa Kiani posted videos and photos of receiving the award and expressed deep gratitude, pride and humility over the honor.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hadiqa Kiani (@hadiqakianiofficial)

She said it felt “incredible” to receive the Sitara-i-Imtiaz two decades after being awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, calling it a deeply meaningful milestone in her artistic journey.

The singer dedicated the award to her son, fans, family and supporters, saying they have been part of her journey throughout the years.

Hadiqa Kiani also noted a personal coincidence, saying she wore a red outfit for the ceremony—similar to the one she wore when she received her Tamgha-i-Imtiaz 20 years ago.

Hina Altaf recalls disturbing experience during drama shoot

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Hina Altaf

KARACHI: Pakistani actress and host Hina Altaf has revealed a disturbing and unsafe experience during the shooting of a drama project, drawing attention to workplace safety in the entertainment industry.

In an Instagram story, Hina Altaf said she felt “highly unsafe and extremely uncomfortable” after an interaction with a person present on set.

She said she immediately sensed that the situation was not secure and chose to remove herself from the environment without delay. The actor added that she also reported the incident to the relevant production house.

Following her statement, social media users praised her courage and decision to speak out, expressing strong support for her stance.

Many users described her disclosure as an important step toward highlighting harassment issues in professional workplaces and stressed the need to ensure safe working environments for women in the entertainment industry.