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  • Saudi Riyal to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- August 25, 2025

    Saudi Riyal to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- August 25, 2025

    KARACHI, August 25, 2025, 8:37 PM PKT – The Saudi Riyal (SAR) maintained its value at Rs75.13 against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR) in today’s open market, consistent with August 22 and notably lower than Rs76.03 on July 28, currency traders reported.

    SAR to PKR- Daily Updates

    The selling rate remained at Rs75.70. This steady performance, propelled by ongoing remittance inflows and market balance, highlights the Saudi Riyal’s essential role in Pakistan’s financial framework.

    Economic Effects of the Riyal’s Stability

    The Saudi Riyal’s consistent rate at Rs75.13 delivers both immediate and long-term impacts. For Pakistani families, the Riyal’s dependable value sustains the purchasing power of remittances, with 1,000 Saudi Riyals converting to Rs75,130, unchanged from August 22, enabling households to meet costs for education, healthcare, and daily necessities despite rising expenses. Companies importing goods like oil and petrochemicals from Saudi Arabia benefit from the Riyal’s dollar-linked reliability, ensuring stable import costs and supporting Pakistan’s trade balance. On a broader scale, the Riyal’s performance strengthens Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, which exceeded $11 billion in October 2024, helping manage inflation and external debt. A weaker Rupee can boost export potential, and this stability fosters Pakistan’s economic resilience.

    Significance of the Saudi Riyal for Pakistan

    The Saudi Riyal is a vital economic anchor for Pakistan, driven by robust ties with Saudi Arabia, where millions of Pakistani workers contribute to sectors like construction, medical services, and hospitality. In May 2025, Saudi Arabia accounted for $913.3 million of Pakistan’s remittance inflows, the largest portion, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. From July 2024 to May 2025, total remittances reached $34.9 billion, a 28.8% increase from the previous fiscal year. The Riyal’s steady value continues to fuel economic activity and support families across Pakistan.

    Overview of the Saudi Riyal and Pakistani Rupee

    The Saudi Riyal, split into 100 halala, is Saudi Arabia’s currency, overseen by the Saudi Central Bank and pegged to the US dollar for reliability. This consistency makes it a trusted medium for remittances and trade, especially for Pakistanis in the Kingdom. The Pakistani Rupee, denoted by ₨, has been Pakistan’s currency since 1948, managed by the State Bank of Pakistan under a flexible exchange rate system. Its value is influenced by inflation, trade flows, and remittance inflows, with the Riyal-PKR rate shaped by market forces.

    Future Prospects for the Riyal-PKR Exchange Rate

    The Saudi Riyal’s steady rate at Rs75.13 reflects market equilibrium, supported by remittances and trade with Saudi Arabia. Currency traders and economic planners should remain attentive, as even minor fluctuations can affect remittances, import costs, and fiscal strategies. For countless Pakistanis, the Riyal’s reliable value remains a cornerstone of financial security and economic resilience.

    Sources: State Bank of Pakistan, Forex Association of Pakistan

  • Kneecap cancel US tour dates

    Kneecap cancel US tour dates

    Irish rap group Kneecap announced the cancellation of its upcoming US tour dates on Monday, months after slamming Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

    The group is widely known for their outspoken lyrics and political views, which have triggered many in the UK, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said that it was not “appropriate” for them to be included in the Glastonbury line-up in June earlier this year.

    Earlier this year, Kneecap also released a short video that shared insights into the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, featuring testimony from medical professionals and aid workers.

    Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, one of the group’s members, is also facing terror charges in the UK linked to an incident at a gig last November.

    The Irish rap group has now announced that they were cancelling all 15 of their US tour dates due to the scheduling conflicts with band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s next court hearing in London.

    Kneecap said that they have to cancel all 15 tour dates in October “due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour”.

     

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    The four sold-out shows in Canadia’s Vancouver and Toronto will go ahead as scheduled, they said in a statement release on social media platforms.

    “With every show fully sold out, to tens of thousands of fans, this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads,” the Irish rap group added.

    The band went on to promise that they will be coming up with “even bigger tour” for their fans.

  • PM Shehbaz launches 10 million digital wallets for BISP beneficiaries

    PM Shehbaz launches 10 million digital wallets for BISP beneficiaries

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated 10 million digital wallets for beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), describing it as a landmark step toward greater transparency, financial inclusion, and the transition to a cashless economy in Pakistan.

    In a symbolic gesture, the Prime Minister activated the system with a palm touch during a ceremony attended by federal ministers, BISP officials, and international collaborators, including GIZ, a press statement issued here read.

    PM Shehbaz extended his congratulations to BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, the BISP team, and partner organisations for what he termed a “historic initiative” aimed at ensuring that genuine recipients are protected and spared unnecessary hardships.

    “The digital wallet system is, in its true sense, blessed by the soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, as it empowers BISP beneficiaries with safe, transparent, and direct access to financial assistance,” PM Shehbaz said.

    He emphasised that BISP remains a “great initiative for poverty alleviation and employment generation,” but stressed that continued efforts were needed to expand its impact.

    The prime minister termed the launch “a great leap towards a cashless economy.” He recalled that during Ramazan, 78 per cent of the relief package was successfully disbursed through digital channels despite scepticism and resistance from vested interests. “Cashless transactions are the pressing requirement of our times. They save time, end corruption, and bring efficiency, helping Pakistan progress rapidly,” he remarked.

    Read More: BISP Taleemi Wazaif: Here’s how to get cash reward for education

    PM Shehbaz revealed that he personally chaired multiple meetings on digitisation despite initial “indifferent attitudes and boredom” on the issue, underlining his resolve to transform government-to-government, business-to-business, and personal transactions into digital channels.

    The prime minister urged BISP leadership to integrate conditionalities on education and health into the programme. “If a family is receiving assistance, it should be linked with the condition that all children of that household attend school. Similarly, health initiatives must be tied to BISP support. Only then will this programme become a true legacy benefiting millions of children,” he stated, calling for reducing the existing eight to ten-month implementation cycle to just four months.

    PM Shehbaz concluded by paying tribute to all stakeholders including the State Bank of Pakistan, the IT Ministry, Pakistani banks, and development partners, for their contributions. “We are not just disbursing aid, we are raising an army of architects and workers to build the nation,” he said.

    Earlier, BISP Federal Secretary Amir Ali Ahmed briefed that under the Prime Minister’s direction, a high-level committee was formed to ensure transparency and ease of access in the digital system. “After today’s launch, 10 million digital wallets will be developed using beneficiaries’ CNICs, supported by a biometric verification system to prevent identity theft,” he said. He added that 10 million free SIM cards would also be distributed, with the first phase already underway in Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Rahim Yar Khan in collaboration with Jazz/Mobilink.

    BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid termed the launch an “important and historic milestone” in Pakistan’s social protection journey. “This programme, which supports over 10 million impoverished families, is not just financial assistance, it is a pathway to social and economic empowerment,” she said.

    She noted that linking benefits to women’s CNICs gave them recognition and inclusion in the national database. The new wallets, she added, would “open further opportunities” and be supported by digital literacy programmes for women beneficiaries unfamiliar with technology.

    Senator Rubina highlighted that BISP is the continuation of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s vision for women’s empowerment, a dream carried forward by President Asif Ali Zardari and now “excelling further under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.”

  • Gorillaz to headline Fortnite Festival Season 10

    Gorillaz to headline Fortnite Festival Season 10

    Epic Games announced on Monday that virtual band Gorillaz will headline Fortnite Festival season 10, set to begin Tuesday, August 26.

    “Band members Noodle, 2D, Russel Hobbs, and Murdoc Niccals are the Icons of Fortnite Festival Season 10,” the developer confirmed on its website.

    Epic Games confirmed that the Main Stage- where players and their bandmates perform – has been transformed for the upcoming Festival.

    “From Plastic Beach to the concrete jungle. Hit the new Main Stage complete with towering buildings, a street train, and enough graffiti to make this band feel right at home,” it wrote.

    Gorillaz joins a lost list of ‘Fortnite Festival’ icons, including Bruno Mars (Season 9) Sabrina Carpenter (Season 8), Hatsune Miku (Season 7), Snoop Dogg (Season 6), Karol G (Season 5), Metallica (Season 4), Billie Eilish (Season 3), Lady Gaga (Season 2), and The Weeknd (Season 1).

    Reacting to the announcement as Fortnite Festival Season 10 icons, Murdoc Niccals said, “It’s an honour for all of you that I am finally to be immortalised in my own fiefdom. Watch out serfs, here I come.”

    Epic Games announced that the upcoming Fortnite Festival will introduce DARE, Clint Eastwood, and On Melancholy Hill as a playable Jam Tracks.

    The developer will also make DARE available as an Emote.

    Gorillaz members will be playable characters in Fortnite Festival season 10, while players wil also get in-game Cosmetics in the Fortnite Shop.

    The announcement came just days after a player pointed out over 300 bugs in Fortnite OG: Season 5.

    Several lauded the fan, going by the name AllyJax on X, after he compiled a list of hundreds of bugs in the game.

    The bugs included a wide range of issues, from gameplay mechanics to weapon functions in the game.

  • Karachi: BIEK science general group result 2025 announced; check here

    Karachi: BIEK science general group result 2025 announced; check here

    KARACHI: The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) has announced the results of 12th Class Science General Group Annual Examinations for the year 2025, ARY News reported.

    The declared results have 55.59 percent passing students, with 9,199 out of 16,549 candidates passing.

    In the BIEK Science General Group results 2025, students who secured top positions had a nail-biting competition, and they performed brilliantly. All 3 positions went to the students of Bahria College (Karsaz).

    Muhammad Haroon, bearing roll number 789352, from Bahria College (Karsaz), along with Maira Khan bint e Raja Khan Burdi, bearing roll number 800594 from Govt. Degree Science & Commerce College (Malir Cantt) secured the overall top position by achieving 89.81 percent.

    The second position went to Muhammad Anas from Bahria College (Karsaz) bearing Roll No. 789350, securing 89.63 percent, and the third position was secured by Ayesha Yasin, having Roll No. 800156 from Bahria College (Karsaz), securing 89.27 percent.

    In the group examinations, 16,842 candidates registered, and approximately 16,549 appeared for the exams. Out of these, 9,199 candidates were successful.

    According to the board officials, the overall pass percentage in the BIEK Science General Group results stood at 55.59 percent. Among the successful candidates, 514 secured an A-1 grade, 1,590 secured an A grade, 2,832 secured a B grade, 2,895 secured a C grade, 1,327 secured a D grade, and 36 secured an E grade.

    Officials from the Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi, also congratulated the position holders and their families.

    Students can check their results on the board’s website www.biek.edu.pk.

    Read More: CSS 2025 written result announced – Check Here

    Earlier, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) officially released the results of the Central Superior Services (CSS) 2025 written examination, underscoring the exam’s intensely competitive nature, ARY News reported.

    According to FPSC, out of 18,139 applicants, only 12,792 candidates appeared for the CSS 2025 written exam, and only 354 individuals managed to clear the written phase.

    This translates to a modest success rate of just 2.77 percent, reflecting the stringent evaluation standards maintained by the FPSC.

  • Tommy Fleetwood’s wife Clare opens up on 23-year age gap

    Tommy Fleetwood’s wife Clare opens up on 23-year age gap

    UK golfer Tommy Fleetwood’s wife, Clare, has responded to the chatter about their 23-year age difference since their marriage in 2017.

    34-year-old Fleetwood tied the knot with Clare, 57, in 2017, and the couple have a young son.

    Tommy Fleetwood is also the stepfather to Clare’s two children from her previous relationship.

    Before becoming Tommy Fleetwood’s wife, the 57-year-old served as the UK golfer’s agent and still does the job.

    During a recent interview, Clare revealed that she initially rejected the idea of a romantic relationship due to their significant age-gap.

    However, Tommy Fleetwood continued his advancement towards her and finally won her over.

    Read more: Paige Spiranac roasts Marvel hero over painfully slow golf game

    “We’ve got a 23-year age difference. Of course I turned him down. I was like, ‘Don’t be stupid!’” she said.

    However, Clare learned to navigate the anxieties arising from the chatter about their age-gap after she became Tommy Fleetwood’s wife.

    “It kind of is and isn’t (a thing for them). I mean it was way more at the beginning. It was kind of thinking what other people are thinking all the time. Within the industry it was kind of big news in our circle,” she said.

    Clare continued, “I was a little bit paranoid about all that really. But not for any reason of our relationship. I had full faith that once we fell in love I knew that that’s it. Baby and dog yeah, we were in.”

    The 57-year-old revealed that some doubted their relationship at first, however, they changed their mind after seeing them as a couple.

    “The people who were the doubters have redeemed themselves let’s say and admitted they doubted wrongly,” she said.

  • Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre’s memoir to release posthumously

    Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre’s memoir to release posthumously

    The memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who accused Jeffrey Epstein and Duke of York Prince Andrew, has been scheduled for release.

    Giuffre wrote the memoir titled “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” before ending her life on April 25 earlier this year.

    American publishing house Alfred A. Knopf has now announced that the memoir will be released on October 21, five months after her death.

    According to the publishing house, Giuffre had been working on “Nobody’s Girl” with author-journalist Amy Wallace.

    Alfred A. Knopf also shared an email from Virginia Giuffre in which she expressed her wish that the memoir be released “regardless” of her circumstances.

    The 41-year-old was getting treatment following a serious accident on March 24.

    “In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODY’S GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices,” she wrote in her email.

    Read more: Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal; Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre dies by suicide

    Virginia Giuffre had been claiming for years that she was the victim of a sex-trafficking ring operated by Jeffrey Epstein.

    “The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders,” the email read.

    Apart from Epstein, she also accused Britain’s Duke of York Prince Andrew of exploiting her during her teenage years in the early 2000s.

    In 2022, Giuffre settled a lawsuit in which she accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her at Epstein’s mansion in New York and on his private Caribbean island.

    It is worth noting here that Jeffrey Epstein died inside a New York City jail in 2019, while his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving her sentence for sex trafficking charges.

  • PSX turns bearish as KSE-100 sheds 677 points

    PSX turns bearish as KSE-100 sheds 677 points

    KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) turned bearish on Monday with its benchmark KSE-100 Index losing 677.75 points, a negative change of 0.45 percent as compared to the last trading day.

    The KSE-100 of the PSX closed at 148,815.31 points against 149,493.06 points on Friday, the last trading day.

    The price of shares was Rs 26.343 billion, up from Rs 40.450 billion on the previous trading day, and a total of 693,301,556 shares were traded during the day, compared to 802,006,843 shares the day before.

    Of the 479 firms that traded their shares on the stock exchange, 204 made money and 246 lost money, while the share prices of 29 companies stayed the same.

    Sui South Gas, with 27,053,428 shares at Rs 42.27 per share, Secure Logistics Gro, with 32,587,401 shares at Rs 18.42 per share, and Kohinoor Spinning, with 113,886,282 shares at Rs 7.07 per share, were the top three trading businesses.

    Indus Gadoon Textile Mills Limited came in second place with a Rs31.95 increase in its per share price to Rs449.26, while Dawood Lawrencepur Limited saw a greatest increase of Rs 32.08 per share price, closing at Rs 352.92.

    The share price of PIA Holding Company LimitedB fell by Rs653.30 to settle at Rs27.11.10, while Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited had the worst drop of Rs944.36 per share, closing at Rs 30,336.89.

    In contrast, 324 firms exchanged shares in the futures market, with 93 of them seeing gains and 224 experiencing losses. The prices of seven of the companies stayed the same.

  • Baby Emmanuel Haro: Missing 7-Month-Old’s Case Takes Dark Turn

    Baby Emmanuel Haro: Missing 7-Month-Old’s Case Takes Dark Turn

    August 25, 2025: The search for Baby Emmanuel Haro, a 7-month-old missing from Southern California, continues as authorities have arrested his parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, on suspicion of murder.

    The case, initially reported as a kidnapping, has raised suspicions of foul play, leaving many questions about what happened to Baby Emmanuel Haro.

    US News – Latest News from United States

    What Happened to Baby Emmanuel Haro?

    On August 14, Rebecca Haro claimed that Baby Emmanuel Haro was kidnapped from a Big 5 parking lot in Yucaipa. She told authorities that while changing her son’s diaper outside her car, an unknown man attacked her, knocking her unconscious. When she awoke, Baby Emmanuel Haro was gone. Rebecca, who had a black eye, said she had been at the parking lot after her older son’s football practice with her husband, Jake Haro, and their two other children.

    However, inconsistencies in Rebecca’s story led investigators to question her account. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department noted gaps in her narrative, and when pressed for clarification, she stopped cooperating. This shifted suspicion toward the parents in the disappearance of Baby Emmanuel.

    Why Were Baby Emmanuel Haro’s Parents Arrested?

    Investigators grew wary of Jake and Rebecca Haro after Rebecca provided conflicting details about Baby Emmanuel Haro’s missing case. Court records reveal Jake’s prior conviction for child cruelty in 2023, for which he served 180 days in jail and remains on probation. Additionally, Jake’s former wife recently filed for a restraining order against him, citing domestic violence.

    On August 22, authorities arrested the couple at their Cabazon home, using armored vehicles to gain entry. Both are being held without bail in county jail, charged with murder under California law, which carries a minimum 25-year sentence. The sheriff’s department stated, “Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” intensifying the focus on finding Baby Emmanuel Haro.

    Despite extensive searches in Yucaipa and Cabazon, Baby Emmanuel has not been found. Authorities followed leads as far as Kern County, 180 miles north, but no trace of the infant was located. The sheriff’s department is reviewing hours of security footage from relevant locations and has not ruled out foul play in Baby Emmanuel Haro’s case.

    “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. The search for Baby Emmanuel continues as investigators work to uncover the truth behind his disappearance.

    Ongoing Investigation into Baby Emmanuel Haro’s Case

    The arrest of Jake and Rebecca Haro has shocked the community, with residents gathering outside the family’s home after the news broke. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department posted on X, confirming the arrests and ongoing efforts to locate Baby Emmanuel. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging anyone with information about the child to come forward so this missing case can be solved.

  • Kumail Nanjiani says Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ led him to seek therapy

    Kumail Nanjiani says Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ led him to seek therapy

    Actor Kumail Nanjiani has revealed that the negative response to Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ led him to seek therapy for his mental health.

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    Nanjiani starred as superhero Kingo in the 2021 title alongside a star-studded cast, including Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Kit Harington, among others.

    However, the film proved to be a disaster for Marvel, becoming the worst-reviewed film by the studio at the time.

    At the worldwide box office, ‘Eternals’ generated $402 million against a reported budget of around $200 million.

    Unlike other superheroes in Marvel, Kumail Nanjiani and other ‘Eternals’ actor never featured again in any of the following projects.

    During a recent interview, the actor revealed that he had signed a deal for as many as six Marvel films at the time of his casting as Kingo.

    Read more: Kumail Nanjiani reveals why Elon Musk didn’t like ‘Silicon Valley’

    “I talked about how I was in this big movie. It came out right after COVID, so I had a year and a half at home to just be like, ‘Oh, when this thing comes out!’. But then it came out and it got really bad reviews and it didn’t do that well. It shattered me too much. That’s when I was like, ‘Oh I need to go to therapy to figure this out,’” he said.

    The actor maintained that he was under the impression that he would be involved in Marvel films for a long time after the film.

    However, the negative response to ‘Eternals’ cut his superhero career short and he was never seen in the role again.

    “I signed on for six movies. I signed on for a video game. I signed on for a theme park ride. They make you sign up for all this stuff. And you’re like, ‘This is the next 10 years of my life, so I’ll be doing Marvel movies every year and, in between, I’ll do my own little things, whatever I want to do.’ And then none of that happened,” Kumail Nanjiani  said.