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Newsdesk

PCB bans Dasun Shanaka for one year over PSL contract breach

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PCB Bans Dasun

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board has imposed a one-year ban on Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after he was found in violation of his contractual obligations.

According to the PCB, Shanaka, who was signed by Lahore Qalandars for PSL 11, withdrew from the tournament, breaching the terms of his agreement. As a result, he has been declared ineligible to participate in PSL 12.

The board stated that strict action was taken to uphold league regulations, emphasizing that Shanaka’s withdrawal constituted a clear violation of contractual rules. Maintaining the integrity and standards of the PSL remains a top priority, the PCB added.

In response, Shanaka expressed regret over his decision, offering a heartfelt apology to fans in Pakistan and the wider cricket community.

He acknowledged that the PSL is a prestigious tournament and admitted that his withdrawal had caused disappointment, particularly among Lahore Qalandars supporters.

Shanaka clarified that at the time of his withdrawal, he had no intention of joining any other tournament.

He also reiterated his respect for Pakistani fans and said he hopes to return to the PSL in the future with renewed commitment and trust.

Elderly man appears in class 9 exams, proves age is no barrier to education

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Elderly man

Muzaffargarh: A 55-year-old man, Ghulam Qadir, is taking Class 9 examinations in Muzaffargarh, offering a powerful reminder that learning has no age limit.

Speaking to the media, Qadir shared that his children, who are well-educated, encouraged him to resume his studies and fulfill his long-standing academic goals.

Despite facing setbacks in the past, including failing his matriculation exams twice, he remained determined and never lost hope. His last attempt was 13 years ago, but he has now returned to the examination hall with renewed confidence and preparation.

“I will pass this time and continue my journey towards intermediate education,” he said, emphasizing that acquiring knowledge is a lifelong pursuit and not restricted by age.

His story has inspired many, highlighting resilience, determination, and the importance of continuous learning.

US President Trump criticizes Obama-era Iran deal

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US President Trump

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized the Iran nuclear deal negotiated during the tenure of Barack Obama, calling it “one of the worst agreements ever made.”

Trump said the new deal his administration is working on with Iran would be “far better” than those pursued during the Obama and Joe Biden administrations.

He claimed that had he not withdrawn from the earlier agreement, Iran could have developed nuclear weapons that might be used against Israel and other countries in the region.

“The previous deal was a pathway to nuclear weapons this will not happen again,” Trump stated, adding that under the proposed agreement, Iran would not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

He also alleged that the Obama administration had sent $1.7 billion in cash to Iran via aircraft, claiming that even bankers were surprised by the withdrawal of such funds from banks in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Trump criticized sections of the media, including The Washington Post, accusing them of supporting what he described as a “shameful” agreement.

The US president asserted that a deal finalized under his leadership would guarantee peace for Israel, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, adding that “the era of embarrassment is over.”

He emphasized that the negotiations with Iran are not being conducted under any pressure and expressed confidence that a successful agreement would ensure peace and stability in the region.

US-Iran talks second round reportedly expected in Pakistan, claims US media

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US-Iran talks

CNN has reported, citing Iranian sources, that the second round of talks between the United States and Iran is expected to take place on Monday in Pakistan. However, the United States has not officially confirmed the reported schedule.

According to the report, the first round of discussions had already been held in Islamabad, where both sides engaged in preliminary diplomatic engagement.

The US delegation was reportedly led by Vice President JD Vance, along with Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Iranian delegation was led by Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Following the Islamabad talks, both sides reportedly reached preliminary understandings on certain issues and agreed to continue discussions in a follow-up meeting.

Shaheen Bhatt announces engagement to Ishaan Mehra

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Shaheen Bhatt

Shaheen Bhatt, sister of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, has announced her engagement to Ishaan Mehra.

According to Indian media reports, Ishaan Mehra confirmed the engagement on his Instagram account, where the couple shared a series of photographs celebrating the occasion. In the images, Shaheen is seen showcasing her engagement ring alongside her fiancé.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shaheen Bhatt (@shaheenb)

The caption of the post read, “Maybe we liked each other a little too much.”

Reports suggest that the couple’s relationship became public in 2025, when Shaheen occasionally shared pictures with Ishaan on social media, including birthday posts, travel moments, and casual outings.

Since then, the pair has largely kept their relationship private, appearing together only at select family or informal events. Ishaan Mehra, who works as a fitness coach, has also been seen at various family gatherings of the Bhatt family.

Following the announcement, congratulatory messages poured in from friends and members of the film industry.

Shaheen Bhatt has primarily worked behind the scenes in Hindi cinema. She began her career as a child artist in the 1998 film Tamanna and later moved into writing and assistant direction. She has also contributed as a writer for Son of Sardaar (2012) and worked as an assistant director on Raaz 3 the same year.

Iran signals naval readiness as tensions rise with US over maritime restrictions

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Iran signals naval

TEHRAN: Supreme Leader of Iran Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has stated on social media that Iran’s naval forces are fully prepared to inflict new setbacks on its adversaries, saying the navy stands ready to deliver “fresh and bitter defeats” to enemy forces.

In a separate development, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh told a media briefing that the United States’ alleged blockade of Iranian ports is illegal and argued that Iran’s defensive measures are aimed at protecting the wider region.

Khatibzadeh also commented on statements attributed to US President Donald Trump regarding deadlines for a potential agreement, accusing Washington of presenting contradictory positions on military action and diplomacy.

He said Iran must continue strengthening its defense capabilities and suggested that the country would persist in its stance amid ongoing tensions, adding that conflict cannot produce positive outcomes.

Field Marshal Asim Munir concludes 3-day official visit to Iran

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Field Marshal Asim

RAWALPINDI: Field Marshal Asim Munir and Mohsin Naqvi have concluded a three-day official visit to Iran along with a high-level delegation, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed that during the visit, Field Marshal Asim Munir met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and held separate meetings with Speaker of the National Assembly Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Major General Ali Abdollahi, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters.

During the meetings, Field Marshal Munir emphasized the importance of dialogue, de-escalation, and sustained diplomatic engagement for resolving regional issues.

He also expressed gratitude to the Iranian leadership and people for their warm hospitality.

According to ISPR, the army chief conveyed best wishes from the President, Prime Minister, and people of Pakistan, and reiterated the commitment to further strengthen the longstanding and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran.

HIV cases surge in Islamabad, raising public health concerns

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HIV cases surge

ISLAMABAD: The spread of HIV in Islamabad is accelerating, according to official data, triggering growing concern among public health experts.

A government report revealed that 498 HIV cases were recorded in 2025, while a total of 618 new cases were reported between January 2025 and March 2026 in the federal capital.

Statistics indicate that more than 41 individuals, on average, contracted HIV each month in Islamabad. A significant majority of those affected are young men, with adult males accounting for 64 percent of all reported cases.

Authorities stated that among the 618 cases, 397 were men, 106 women, 93 transgender individuals, and 22 children.

The report further highlighted that 120 new cases emerged in the first quarter of 2026 alone. The highest monthly spike was recorded in July 2025 with 63 cases, while the lowest numbers 31 cases each were reported in June and December.

Health experts attribute the surge largely to unsafe sexual practices, particularly among young men under the influence of наркотics.

The use of crystal meth, commonly known as “ice,” has been identified as a major contributing factor, as it often leads to high-risk behavior and unprotected intercourse.

Nationwide, the estimated number of people living with HIV in Pakistan stands at approximately 350,000, underscoring the scale of the public health challenge.

Pakistan stocks rally as KSE-100 posts strong weekly gains amid improved sentiment

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Pakistan Stocks

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange witnessed a robust performance during the outgoing week, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining nearly 4 percent on a weekly basis.

The KSE-100 Index surged by 6,748 points over the week, closing at 173,939 points compared to 167,191 points at the start of the trading period.

During the week, the market successfully crossed six psychological thresholds, reflecting strong bullish momentum. Out of five trading sessions, the market remained positive for four days, while only one session ended in the red.

The index touched a weekly high of 174,404 points, while the lowest level recorded during the week stood at 160,158 points.

Market capitalization increased significantly by Rs776 billion over the five trading days, reaching a total of Rs19,250 billion.

Trading activity also remained strong, with approximately 5 billion shares exchanged during the week, amounting to a value of Rs241 billion. On a weekly basis, average daily trading volume rose by 37 percent to reach 1 billion shares.

Market experts attributed the bullish trend to improved investor confidence, driven by signals of easing tensions between the United States and Iran, which helped stabilize sentiment in global and regional markets.

Iran restores tight control over Strait of Hormuz, blames US blockade

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Iran restores tight

Tehran: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has announced that control over the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous status following continued US restrictions on Iranian ports.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the IRGC stated that no changes have been made to the Strait’s operational status, emphasizing that it is now fully under the strict control of Iran’s armed forces.

In an official statement, the IRGC criticized the United States, accusing it of engaging in “maritime piracy” under the guise of enforcing a blockade.

 The statement further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under tight surveillance and control by Iranian forces.

An IRGC commander warned that stringent monitoring of the waterway will continue until the United States restores complete freedom of navigation for vessels in the region.

Iranian authorities also said that security and oversight of regional sea routes have been further intensified to prevent any illegal activities.

The move is being viewed as a reassertion of Iran’s influence over one of the world’s most critical global trade corridors.