The dollar dropped at the opening of Asian trading on Monday as expectations of a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz pulled oil prices below $100 per barrel, even as the Trump administration played down the likelihood of reaching an agreement with Iran soon.

The U.S. dollar was down 0.2% at 158.87 yen. The euro was up 0.3% ​at $1.1642 and the British pound was up 0.4% at $1.3485.

Markets across the globe will be closed Monday for holidays, lowering liquidity across the area.
The Aussie dollar rose 0.4% to $0.7160 and the kiwi gained 0.5% to $0.5877.Westpac analysts noted in a research note: “Early Sydney trade shows a broad-based sell-off in the USD with ‘riskier’ currencies like the AUD benefitting as a result. There are early signs that risk sentiment remains supported.”

Hopes of a permanent peace pact were weak by the weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal with Iran has been “largely negotiated,” with both countries and mediators in Pakistan reporting progress.But the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz would “continue to be in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified and signed,” Trump tweeted on Truth Social on Sunday. Iran’s authorities did not respond immediately.

Oil markets slipped, with Brent crude prices falling 5.1% to $98.29 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate down 5% to $91.76 a barrel.

There was cautious pessimism among traders over whether ​a agreement ⁠would stay.Markets have been conditioned to be very patient for a concrete breakthrough but the basic case for a deal remains strong and the weekend news is providing additional conviction even if timing remains uncertain.” stated Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group Ltd in Melbourne.

Bitcoin rose 0.6% to $77,043.60, ​and ether climbed 0.4% to $2,099.77.

Hania Aamir has once again set the internet on fire after unveiling a more edgy, cropped hairdo, reaffirming her position as one of the most adventurous Gen Z style idols in the country.

Known for her short hair, Hania has now gone for a bolder pixie cut, following fellow actresses Sajal Aly, Saboor Aly and Saheefa Jabbar in embracing the “short hair, don’t care” trend that is gaining steam this season.

The actress posted a series of shots on Instagram with her new style, looking bold and edgy in the viral pics.

Many followers welcomed her metamorphosis, with the comments section overflowing with admiration, but others were less convinced, resulting in a mixed reaction on social media.

Hania also added a creative twist to her post, referencing Hollywood legend Meryl Streep, sharing a picture of her famous grey pixie hairdo from The Devil Wears Prada.

The makeover also caught the eye of industry insiders. Makeup artist Babar Zaheer described the look as “beautiful”, while actress Zoya Nasir and musician Uneera offered their opinions in the comments.

Hania, who boasts a big following both in Pakistan and internationally due to her likeable personality and daring fashion choices, is no stranger to experimenting with her look.

Her current makeover has sparked conversations around the emerging “short hair gang,” a trend that caught up earlier when Sajal Aly startled admirers with her own extreme haircut, first generating speculation that it might be a wig.

Lahore Sessions Court has confirmed the interim bail of prominent YouTuber Rajab Butt in illegal advertising of an online gambling app case, while it has given an order to prolong the interim bail of Nadeem Naniwala.

The court granted interim bail of Rajab Butt after hearing arguments in the hearings, details said. The case is on charges of improper marketing and advertising of a gambling app.

The court also took up for consideration the interim bail applications of the co-accused Nadeem Nani Wala and others during the hearing. Rajab Butt was given confirmation of his bail, while the court extended the interim bail of Nadeem Nani Wala till June 2.

The court asked the lawyers of Nadeem Nani Wala to finish their arguments in the next hearing.

More legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.

Cases of social media influencers

Official records show the two are named in many FIRs registered under various cybercrime statutes, including claims of operating or promoting gambling programs, exploitation of digital platforms and online harassment. The FIA had sent many letters before but their presence abroad meant no major progress could be made in the investigations.

Butt was booked by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in September this year for allegedly marketing online gambling apps on social media.

The NCCIA had also booked Nadeem for allegedly advertising gambling applications on his social media, but he was also arrested in September for displaying a bogus registration number – ‘IK-804’ – on his automobile.

He could not satisfy the authorities on being questioned about displaying the bogus registration number IK-804, purported to be the prisoner number assigned to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.

Also in March, Butt was booked under blasphemy and cybercrime laws for a “religious stir” after the introduction of his perfume brand that reportedly insulted Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Butt debuted his “295” perfume, named after the blasphemy statute in the Pakistan Penal Code.

Back in December, the YouTuber found himself in hot water after he was detained for illegally possessing a lion cub and guns at his home. He pled guilty in January of this year to possessing an unauthorized wild animal after being given the cub as a wedding present.

He escaped incarceration by telling a judge he would post videos on animal rights for a year.