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Newsdesk

Trump recalls his mother’s ‘crush’ on King Charles

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Trump recalls

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has shared a personal anecdote, saying his mother had admired King Charles III since his childhood.

Speaking at an event held in honor of King Charles at the White House, Trump said he clearly remembers his mother often remarking that Charles was “very charming.”

“My mother had a crush on Charles can you believe it?” Trump said, drawing attention to her long-standing admiration.

He added that his mother was also fond of Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, noting that whenever she saw her on television, she would praise her beauty and elegance.

Babar Azam equals PSL record for most runs in a single season

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Babar Azam equals

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam has equalled the record for most runs in a single season of the Pakistan Super League.

During Tuesday’s PSL Qualifier, Babar played a brilliant innings of 103 runs off 59 balls against Islamabad United.

With this performance, Babar Azam has now scored 588 runs in 10 innings in PSL 2026.

He has matched the record previously set by Fakhar Zaman, who scored 588 runs in 13 innings during the 2022 edition.

Notably, Babar still has at least one and possibly two matches remaining, giving him a strong opportunity to surpass the record.

House of the Dragon Season 3 trailer debuts at CCXP Mexico

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House of the Dragon

The fantasy epic House of the Dragon set the stage ablaze at CCXP Mexico with the debut of its Season 3 trailer, hinting at an even darker and more violent chapter in the Game of Thrones prequel saga.

Cast members Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Fabien Frankel attended the event in Mexico City on Saturday, giving fans a preview of what lies ahead in the upcoming season.

Showrunner Ryan Condal appeared via video message, describing the new season as “the biggest we’ve made by any margin,” calling it dark, emotional, action-packed, and filled with “lots and lots of dragons.”

The trailer featured intense dialogue, including Corlys Velaryon questioning the future of the war and Ser Criston Cole warning of “doom and ruin” ahead, signaling escalating conflict across the realm.

Matt Smith teased that Season 3 will include “a lot of battles,” while also describing the season as “bigger, bolder, bloodier, more brutal, more dangerous.”

Olivia Cooke reflected on the fractured relationship between Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen, noting that deep hatred often stems from powerful emotional connections. Fabien Frankel added that his character is now driven purely by survival.

Smith further highlighted Daemon Targaryen’s defiant nature, emphasizing his unpredictable and rebellious personality.

With iconic dragons such as Caraxes expected to dominate the skies, Season 3 promises high-stakes drama, large-scale battles, and intensified political conflict when the series returns in June.

Reacher Season 4 in works as fans anticipate a darker and more intense chapter

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Reacher Season 4

The hit series Reacher is set to return with its fourth season, and excitement is already building among fans eager to see what the next chapter will bring.

Production for the new season was completed in 2025, and the show has now moved into post-production.

While no official release date has been announced, current expectations suggest a 2026 premiere on Amazon Prime Video, likely in the middle or later part of the year.

This season is expected to be based on Gone Tomorrow, a novel by Lee Child, beginning with a seemingly minor incident in which Jack Reacher notices a suspicious woman on a New York subway. However, the situation quickly escalates, pulling him into a high-stakes investigation involving terrorism and national security threats.

As Reacher follows the clues, the case expands into a far larger and more dangerous conspiracy than initially expected.

Actor Alan Ritchson returns in the lead role as Jack Reacher, continuing his portrayal of the former military investigator who finds himself drawn into complex cases each season.

The upcoming season will also introduce new cast members, including Agnez Mo in a major antagonist role and Christopher Rodriguez Marquette in a key supporting character.

The series remains under the direction of showrunner Nick Santora, maintaining its signature blend of action, mystery, and suspense.

This season is expected to be darker, more intense, and more psychologically gripping while retaining the high-impact action sequences fans have come to expect.

Joe Alwyn reportedly moves on with new romance as Taylor Swift prepares for wedding

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Joe Alwyn

Actor Joe Alwyn appears to have entered a new chapter in his personal life, as reports suggest he is now in a relationship, while his former partner Taylor Swift is preparing to marry her fiancé Travis Kelce.

The 35-year-old actor, known for keeping his private life away from the spotlight, was reportedly seen with his girlfriend at The Dover in London on Sunday, April 26.

According to an anonymous source cited by celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi, the outing may have been a birthday celebration for his partner.

While the identity of his girlfriend has not been officially confirmed, earlier reports have linked Alwyn to a non-industry woman from Latin America, with some speculation also mentioning director Lorene Scafaria.

Alwyn, best known for Conversations With Friends, has largely maintained a low-profile romantic life, particularly following his high-profile six-year relationship with Taylor Swift, which ended in 2023 and kept him under intense public scrutiny.

Recent reports also suggested renewed attention on his private life after he was seen attending a performance of his play The Lady from the Sea at the Bridge Theatre in London, alongside Scafaria, fueling further speculation about his relationship status.

US stresses privacy in sensitive diplomatic engagements with Iran

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US stresses privacy

The second round of ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran remains stalled amid continued uncertainty, although recent statements from the White House have indicated possible diplomatic progress.

According to international media, White House Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Velez said that sensitive diplomatic discussions with Iran will not be disclosed publicly.

She added that President Donald Trump has made it clear that the United States will prioritize its own conditions in any agreement and will not accept any deal that compromises American interests.

The statement also reaffirmed Washington’s position that Iran must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

The US and Israel have repeatedly warned Iran to fully halt its uranium enrichment activities, which they believe could potentially lead to nuclear weapons development.

However, Iran maintains its long-standing position that nuclear issues are not part of its current negotiations with the United States, further complicating diplomatic efforts.

Heatwave alert issued as temperatures may soar up to 52°C in South Punjab

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Heatwave alert

LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has warned that temperatures in South Punjab could rise up to 52°C amid an intensifying heatwave.

According to an alert issued by the PDMA Punjab, heat intensity is expected to increase across the province, with May and June likely to be the hottest months of the year. The authority said South Punjab may experience extreme temperatures reaching 52°C.

Director General PDMA stated that overall temperatures during May and June are expected to remain between 43°C and 45°C, while recent days have already recorded readings 2 to 4 degrees above normal.

PDMA spokesperson Umar Javaid said a mild heatwave is likely to affect southern regions from April 29 to May 3. However, western weather systems may bring a slight temperature drop in upper parts of the province.

The authority has advised citizens, especially children, women, and the elderly, to take precautionary measures, avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight, and increase water intake.

Relevant departments have been instructed to remain on high alert with round-the-clock staffing, while Rescue 1122 has been directed to ensure immediate emergency response readiness. Motorway Police have also been asked to issue traffic advisories for travelers.

In case of emergencies, citizens have been advised to contact the PDMA helpline 1129.

Global defence spending rises 2.9% to $2.88 trillion despite US cutbacks: SIPRI report

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Global defence

Global military expenditure increased by 2.9 percent in 2025, reaching a record $2,887 billion despite a decline in US defence spending following President Donald Trump’s decision to halt new military aid for Ukraine.

According to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), this marks the 11th consecutive year of growth in global defence spending.

The report states that military expenditure now accounts for 2.5 percent of global GDP, the highest level since 2009.

Analysts say ongoing global conflicts and long-term defence planning by several countries are expected to sustain this upward trend beyond 2026.

The United States, China, and Russia remain the top three defence spenders, together accounting for $1,471 billion—around 51 percent of total global military expenditure.

US defence spending fell to $954 billion in 2025, largely due to the suspension of new Ukraine aid packages. Over the past three years, Washington had provided $127 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.

However, the report notes that the decline may be temporary, as the US Congress has already approved a defence budget exceeding $1 trillion for 2026, with projections suggesting it could rise to $1.5 trillion by 2027.

A significant regional driver of the increase was Europe, where defence spending rose by 14 percent to $864 billion.

In contrast, Israel’s military expenditure declined by 4.9 percent to $48.3 billion following the end of the Gaza conflict in 2025, while Iran’s spending also dropped for a second consecutive year, falling 5.6 percent to $7.4 billion.

US signals tough stance as Rubio says Iran seeks path toward agreement

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US signals tough

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Iranian negotiators appear serious about reaching an agreement with the United States and are looking to move past the current diplomatic deadlock.

In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said that while Iranian negotiators want to resolve the ongoing impasse, he believes the country’s political leadership is “fragmented” and creating obstacles in the negotiation process.

He further claimed that Iran’s leadership is seeking additional time, adding that the country is facing severe economic difficulties, including high inflation, financial strain on state institutions, and challenges in paying salaries.

Rubio also asserted that Iran’s missile capabilities have significantly weakened, claiming reductions in stockpiles and damage to production facilities, along with losses in its air and naval strength.

When asked about the US response if Iran refuses to engage in talks, Rubio said such decisions rest with former President Donald Trump, adding that economic sanctions on Iran are already “extraordinary” and could be further intensified.

He argued that the ongoing tensions have highlighted what he described as the threat posed by Iran, claiming that Tehran seeks to use both its energy resources and strategic position to exert pressure globally an approach he termed unacceptable.

Man arrested over alleged online harassment of Akshay Kumar’s daughter

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Man arrested over

An important development has emerged in the online harassment case involving the 13-year-old daughter of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, with police arresting the first suspect linked to the incident.

According to Indian media reports, the case dates back to October last year when the actor revealed during an event that his daughter, while playing an online game, was asked by an unidentified user to send inappropriate images. Sensing the suspicious nature of the request, the child immediately exited the game and informed her mother.

Following the incident, Akshay Kumar had warned about the growing risks of online platforms for children, stressing that such cases can lead to serious issues including blackmail and exploitation, making digital awareness and child safety essential.

After the complaint, the cybercrime unit launched an investigation and, using digital tracking tools, identified and arrested the suspect. Officials confirmed that interrogation is underway to determine whether the accused was involved in targeting other minors as well.

Reports further suggest that the case has sparked renewed discussions on cyber safety, with the incident being used in educational campaigns to raise awareness about online risks and responsible internet usage among children.