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Newsdesk

Trump praises Pakistan’s Leadership for mediation role after Strait of Hormuz reopening

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Trump praises

Trump praises Pakistan’s Leadership for mediation role after Strait of Hormuz reopening

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has lauded Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their “excellent role” in mediation efforts following Iran’s decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you Pakistan, thank you to its Prime Minister and Field Marshal both great personalities.”

In a separate post, Trump also thanked Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their “great courage and support” in helping maintain regional stability.

The development comes after Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in the context of the Lebanon ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media that all commercial shipping through the strategic waterway would remain fully open for the duration of the ceasefire.

The move is being seen as a key step toward easing regional tensions and restoring confidence in global trade and energy supply routes.

PM Shehbaz approves Rs 32.12 per litre reduction in diesel price

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PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a reduction of Rs 32.12 per litre in the price of diesel, providing relief to consumers.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the price of diesel has been reduced from Rs 385.54 per litre to Rs 353.43 per litre following the approval.

The prime minister said that the impact of the reduction in petroleum prices will be passed on to the public as quickly as possible.

Sources in the Petroleum Division said that it has been decided to keep petrol prices unchanged for now.

Shahid Afridi offers support to ailing ex-Afghan cricketer Shapoor Zadran

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Shahid Afridi

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed deep concern over the health of former Afghan fast bowler Shapoor Zadran and offered his full support.

According to reports, the 38-year-old ex-cricketer is in critical condition and has been admitted to the intensive care unit due to a serious medical complication.

His family has also shared updates on social media, requesting fans to pray for his recovery.

Reacting to the news, Afridi said he spoke with Zadran’s brother and was saddened to hear about his condition. In a message shared on social media platform X, he wrote, “You have always been a fighter on the field, and I am confident you will fight this battle with the same spirit. Praying for your speedy recovery.”

Afridi further assured support, stating that both he and Pakistan stand with Zadran during this difficult time, adding that he is available for any kind of assistance if needed.

It is worth mentioning that Zadran represented Afghanistan in 44 One Day Internationals, taking 43 wickets, and claimed 37 wickets in 36 T20 Internationals. He also had a brief but impactful presence in franchise cricket before announcing his retirement in 2025.

Quetta Gladiators beat Lahore Qalandars by 6 wickets in PSL 11 clash

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Quetta Gladiators

KARACHI: Quetta Gladiators secured a comfortable six-wicket victory over Lahore Qalandars in a match of Pakistan Super League Season 11.

Batting first after winning the toss, Lahore Qalandars were bowled out for 134 runs in 19.5 overs. Haseebullah Khan top-scored with 33 runs, while Usama Mir added 22. Fakhar Zaman made 20, Abdullah Shafique scored 17, and Sikandar Raza contributed 15 runs.

For Quetta Gladiators, Jahandad Khan and Usman Tariq picked up three wickets each.

In reply, Quetta Gladiators chased down the 135-run target comfortably in the 17th over, losing four wickets. Rilee Rossouw remained unbeaten on 60, while Hasan Nawaz scored 49.

On the points table, Quetta Gladiators now sit in fourth place with 6 points from 7 matches, while Lahore Qalandars are seventh with 4 points from 6 games.

8 dead as gas pipeline blast triggers fire in Haripur industrial area

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8 dead

Haripur: A tragic fire broke out after a gas pipeline explosion at the Hattar Industrial Estate in Haripur, leaving at least eight people dead and eight others injured, officials confirmed.

According to District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur, the victims and injured all belonged to the same family. He said the fire erupted after a gas pipeline burst in the industrial zone, causing widespread damage.

Emergency response teams from five districts participated in firefighting operations, with police also assisting Rescue 1122 personnel in relief and rescue efforts.

Authorities said five bodies were shifted to Kot Najibullah Hospital, while three others were taken to the trauma centre for further procedures.

Investigations into the cause of the pipeline explosion are underway, officials added.

Police launch investigation after allegations against Katy Perry

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Police launch

Global pop star Katy Perry has become embroiled in a new controversy after Australian actress Ruby Rose made serious allegations, prompting police to launch an official investigation.

According to media reports, Ruby Rose claimed in a series of social media posts that she experienced inappropriate behaviour several years ago at a nightclub in Melbourne. She stated that she kept the matter private for nearly two decades before deciding to speak out.

The actress further said the incident had a lasting impact on her life, which is why she remained silent for so long. In a later update posted on April 14, she confirmed that she had completed her formal reports and, under police instructions, would not comment further on the matter publicly.

In response, Katy Perry’s representatives strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless and dangerous lies.” Her team added that Ruby Rose has previously made serious claims against other individuals, which were denied by those involved.

Australian authorities confirmed that an investigation is underway into the alleged incident. Police stated that the case is being handled by Melbourne’s Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team, and relates to an alleged event that reportedly took place in 2010 at a venue in Melbourne.

Mahira Khan highlights Pakistan’s cultural identity at Harvard Pakistan conference

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Mahira Khan

Cambridge: Renowned Pakistani actor Mahira Khan represented Pakistan at the Harvard Pakistan Conference held at Harvard University in the United States, drawing international attention to the country’s cultural and creative presence.

The event, organized by the Pakistan Students Association at Harvard University, brought together political, academic, business, and entertainment figures from Pakistan.

The conference aimed to discuss Pakistan’s challenges, development opportunities, and future prospects through dialogue and exchange of ideas.

During the event, Mahira Khan spoke about Pakistan’s culture, positive global image, and the importance of representation on international platforms. Her remarks were widely appreciated by attendees.

Sharing pictures from the event on Instagram, she described the moment as unforgettable, saying that some dreams are only seen while others manifest into reality. She expressed gratitude for being able to share a part of her journey with her followers and thanked those who supported her along the way.

Mahira Khan also said that she not only represents herself but also represents the place she comes from, adding that speaking at Harvard University’s Pakistan Conference was an honor for her. She thanked students for their warm welcome and hospitality.

The event was also attended by several notable figures, including former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, singer Momina Mustehsan, and designer HSY (Hassan Sheheryar Yasin).

Her participation is being viewed as part of a growing trend of Pakistani artists gaining visibility on global academic and cultural platforms, contributing to a positive international image of Pakistan.

Shah Rukh Khan’s ex-bodyguard shares insights into superstar’s life

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Shah Rukh Khan

Former bodyguard of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, Yaseen Khan, has opened up about his experiences while working closely with the superstar, revealing fascinating details about his lifestyle and personality.

According to Indian media reports, Yaseen said in a recent interview that his life during that period felt like that of an actor. “I traveled in private jets and even had eight passports filled with stamps,” he recalled.

Yaseen, who worked with Shah Rukh Khan and his family from 2001 to 2011, said he traveled extensively around the world and stayed in luxury hotels. He added that he had never even seen an airplane before joining the actor’s team.

Speaking about Shah Rukh Khan’s personal life, Yaseen highlighted his dedication as a father. He said the actor remains deeply involved in his children’s lives, never missing school events and keeping a close eye on their activities.

Recalling a moment from a US trip, Yaseen revealed that during a film shoot, he saw Shah Rukh Khan preparing for his children’s exams himself and later teaching them online, reflecting his strong commitment to their education.

Europe faces jet fuel crunch as Middle East disruption threatens flight operations

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Europe faces

Europe could face a major aviation crisis as jet fuel reserves are projected to last only six weeks, raising concerns that flight cancellations may soon begin.

According to British media reports, Fatih Birol warned that disruptions caused by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are driving up global prices of petrol, gas, and electricity.

He noted that countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern fuel supplies including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, and South Korea are being affected first, with the impact expected to spread to Europe and the United States.

Fatih Birol cautioned that unless Europe secures at least half of its fuel imports from alternative sources, reserves could fall to critically low levels by June, potentially forcing airlines to cancel flights.

The Gulf region remains the largest supplier of jet fuel globally, while major refining hubs in countries such as South Korea, India, and China also rely heavily on crude oil from the Middle East. This dependency has disrupted the global jet fuel supply chain amid the ongoing crisis.

The report added that European markets will need to intensify efforts to secure alternative supplies to maintain adequate reserves during the peak summer travel season. Even if Gulf supplies resume soon, shortages could still emerge ahead of the high-demand period

PM Shehbaz arrives in Antalya for third phase of peace mission

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PM Shehbaz

Antalya: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in the Turkish city of Antalya as part of the third phase of Pakistan’s ongoing peace mission.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin warmly received the premier and the Pakistani delegation at the airport.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Yousaf Junaid and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister is scheduled to attend the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he will participate in the “Leaders Panel” and present Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global issues.

On the sidelines of the forum, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other world leaders.

The Pakistani delegation accompanying the prime minister includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and spokesperson for international media Musharraf Zaidi.

Earlier, during his visit to Qatar, the prime minister met Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where both sides discussed the regional situation and emphasized the importance of de-escalation and dialogue for peace and stability.

The premier also condemned recent attacks on Qatar and other Gulf countries.

In the first phase of his peace mission, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks in Jeddah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, briefing him on developments related to US-Iran ceasefire efforts and Islamabad negotiations. The Saudi leadership appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace in the region.