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Author: News Desk

  • Sidhu Moosewala’s posthumous tour raises debate on tribute versus commercial gain

    Sidhu Moosewala’s posthumous tour raises debate on tribute versus commercial gain

    The team of late Sidhu Moosewala has announced a world tour that will use artificial intelligence to recreate the Punjabi singer and rapper’s presence on stage. Named Signed to God, the tour is scheduled for 2026 and will showcase Moosewala’s hit songs through an AI-generated avatar and holographic technology.

    The announcement was made via Moosewala’s official Instagram page, which is handled by his team. Performances are anticipated to occur in Indian Punjab as well as in Toronto, London, and Los Angeles. This technology will merge holograms, augmented reality, and other tools to create a stage experience that aims to make audiences feel as if they are witnessing Moosewala perform live.

    This marks the first posthumous world tour announced for any South Asian musician. The idea of using technology to bring back late artists has already been explored globally. Tupac Shakur appeared as a hologram at Coachella in 2012, and Michael Jackson’s The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil generated over $370 million. Additionally, Jackson’s hologram performed at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014.

    Moosewala’s upcoming tour has ignited discussion among his supporters. Many are thrilled at the prospect of “seeing” him perform, particularly those who missed his live shows during his lifetime. Conversely, some are sceptical about whether this is in line with what the artist would have preferred.

    Moosewala was recognised for exercising strict control over his creative output. In 2020, he established his own record label, 5911, to independently release his music. His untimely death in May 2022 abruptly ended a career that was deeply intertwined with themes of identity, politics, and marginalisation.

    The utilisation of artificial intelligence to recreate artists has sparked concerns about the extent to which their likeness can be managed posthumously. Fans and critics are questioning whether such tours are tributes or commercial projects designed to keep artists’ legacies active through technology.



    Moosewala was shot dead in May 2022 in Mansa district, Punjab, a day after his state security cover was scaled back. The attack, which involved multiple gunmen, was linked to gang rivalries, according to police investigations. His death sparked protests and widespread mourning among fans in India and abroad.

  • Police reveal Humaira Asghar’s bank balance, say finances were stable

    Police reveal Humaira Asghar’s bank balance, say finances were stable

    In the latest development in Humaira Asghar’s case, police have revealed that the actress had Rs. 400,000 in her private bank account, and her ATM transactions indicated she was not in financial distress.

    A senior investigating officer told the media that while she appeared financially stable, she might have been emotionally or mentally isolated.

    Two national ID cards were also recovered from her flat. One showed a changed date of birth, possibly reflecting the pressure to appear younger in an industry that values appearance over age.

    Actress Humaira Asghar’s nine-month-old body was found in a severely decomposed state inside her flat in Karachi’s Defence area last week. She had been living alone in the rented apartment.

    The body was discovered only when a court bailiff arrived to vacate the flat on the landlord’s request. Humaira had been living alone on rent, and no one had checked on her for months.

    Her mysterious death has sparked more questions than answers. Police investigations are ongoing but have yet to produce any major breakthrough.

    Phone data showed that on October 7, 2024, she tried to contact 14 people, including a well-known director currently in Islamabad, but no one responded.

    Her phone, diary, and even a damaged tablet have become key pieces of evidence. Among the 2,215 contacts saved in her phone, not one could be there for her in her final moments.

    Investigators believe she may have slipped while doing laundry. Clothes soaked in detergent were found decaying in the bathroom. The kitchen had no food, raising further concerns about her condition before death.

    Police are also investigating why the odour from her decomposed body went unreported for so long. Residents in the lower flat said they noticed a smell back in November, but the building’s watchman reportedly ignored it.

    On the other hand, her brother Naveed Asghar made some serious claims about her death. In an interview, he said, “My sister did not die accidentally. She was murdered as part of a planned conspiracy. Police officers told me that when the flat’s door was broken open, the back door was already open and the roof window had also remained open. This is why the smell did not spread. We are 90 percent sure this was a murder.”

    He further added, “I believe there should be a full and transparent investigation. The landlord’s complete data and call records must be obtained. It should also be checked how long he has been living in Karachi and whether he has any links to Lahore.”

    Naveed also demanded a detailed probe into Humaira’s travel history. “It is important to know whether she used to travel alone or with someone. That aspect also raises many questions,” he said.

    Expressing disappointment over the lack of cooperation from people in the industry, he said, “Even the cast and crew from her recent projects are not fully cooperating. I don’t understand why they are not speaking openly. Are they afraid of someone? If they are innocent, they should come forward and help uncover the truth.”

  • Four boys caught subway surfing in New York

    Four boys caught subway surfing in New York

    Four boys recently caught subway surfing in the Bronx are among the 200 people rescued through the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) drone program since it began, according to the department.

    According to the New York Police Department, the boys, aged 16, 15, 12, and 12, were captured by drones climbing up on the northbound 6 express train last Thursday as it went under a bridge and through many above-ground stations in the Bronx.

    According to department-released footage, one of the boys climbed onto the train’s roof and instantly crouched as it went under the Westchester Avenue Bridge. 

    After that, one of the three boys slipped, but the other three came out from between the train cars and stood up.

    The boys were also seen jumping on top of the train as it moved through the Bronx.

     After the NYPD Drone Team shared their descriptions with officers, police were able to stop the train and apprehend the boys before any serious injuries occurred.

    Since the NYPD began using drones in November 2023, authorities state that hundreds of people have been arrested for subway surfing.

    “It’s not a thrill. It’s a deadly risk,” the NYPD wrote in a social media post earlier this week. “Our drone technology has already helped save 200 lives, spotting subway surfers before tragedy strikes. We’re watching from above. Because you matter down here. Ride inside, stay alive.”

    As of July 6, three people have died subway surfing in 2025, compared to two deaths during the same period last year. In 2024, six people lost their lives due to the activity, following five deaths in 2023.

    Carlos Oliver, 15, who was subway surfing on a No. 7 train in Queens over the Fourth of July weekend, was one of the most recent fatalities.

    As the train neared the Queensboro Plaza Station, officials said he lost his balance and fell. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

  • PCB unveils packed women’s cricket calendar for 2025‑26 season

    PCB unveils packed women’s cricket calendar for 2025‑26 season

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the schedule for the 2025‑26 women’s cricket season.

    The national women’s team will open its season with a three‑match T20 International series against Ireland in Dublin from August 6 to 10, 2025. This will be followed by a high‑profile three‑match ODI series against South Africa in Lahore on September 16, 19 and 22, which will serve as crucial preparation for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.

    Pakistan Women’s Cricket Calendar 2025–26

    International Events
    Event/Series Format Venue/Location Dates
    vs Ireland 3 T20Is Dublin 6–10 August 2025
    vs South Africa 3 ODIs Lahore 16, 19, 22 September 2025
    ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup ODI World Cup Sri Lanka 30 September – 2 November 2025
    vs South Africa 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is South Africa 7 February – 2 March 2026
    vs Zimbabwe 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is TBC 24 April – 11 May 2026
    T20 Tri-series (Pak, WI, Ire) T20 Tri-series Ireland May – June 2026
    ICC Women’s T20 World Cup T20 World Cup England 12 June – 5 July 2026

    Domestic Events
    Event/Series Format Venue/Location Dates
    National Women’s One-Day Tournament Domestic One-Day Karachi 6–24 November 2025
    Women’s U19 T20 Tournament U19 T20 Karachi 15 September – 6 October 2025
    HEC Inter-University Tournament University Tournament TBC October 2025
    National Women’s T20 Tournament Domestic T20 Karachi 24 March – 17 April 2026
    Pakistan U19 tour to Bangladesh U19 International Bangladesh December 2025

    By ensuring a balanced mix of international fixtures and development pathways, the PCB aims to provide regular competition and meaningful opportunities for women cricketers across all levels. With global events on the horizon, the coming months will be vital for shaping a stronger and more competitive Pakistan women’s cricket team.

  • Husband poisons wife, children and father-in-law in Naushahro Feroze

    Husband poisons wife, children and father-in-law in Naushahro Feroze

    A man in Naushahro Feroze allegedly poisoned his wife, children, and father-in-law after his wife asked for a divorce.

    According to the police, the suspect’s wife was upset with him and had approached the court to file for divorce, which deeply angered the husband.

    The enraged husband sent poisoned drinks to his wife’s family through a neighbour’s child.

    The suspect’s father-in-law’s health deteriorated after he drank the poisoned drinks. 

    After being taken to the hospital, he passed away. Meanwhile, the suspect’s wife and children, who were in severe condition, were provided medical treatment at Kandiaro Hospital and later relocated to Gambat.

    The survivors are still in critical condition.

    Police also revealed that the wife had been staying at her father’s home following her dispute with her husband. 

    The suspect has fled and is currently being tracked by the authorities.

  • Haripur madrassah teacher arrested for abusing visually impaired 5-year-old

    Haripur madrassah teacher arrested for abusing visually impaired 5-year-old

    A madrassah teacher was arrested on Thursday in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for allegedly sexually assaulting a five-year-old, visually impaired child, according to police reports.

    A first information report (FIR) was filed by the child’s uncle at Saddar police station on July 10 under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (rape) and Section 53 (sexual abuse) of the KP Child Protection Act (CPA).

    According to the FIR, the child told his mother about the incident after feeling pain, saying that the teacher had abused him in his room at the mosque.

    “The child is visually impaired and just five years old,” the complainant stated in the FIR, demanding legal action against the suspect.

    According to Officer Farhan of the Haripur District Police, he actively worked with the Saddar police station team after the incident, and they were able to arrest the suspect.

    “Under the supervision of DSP Saddar Muhammad Arif, SHO Inspector Akhtar Hussain, along with the investigation team and other police personnel, arrested the suspect,” the statement read.

    The investigation is still ongoing, according to the DPO’s statement.

    According to Sahil’s Cruel Numbers 2024 study, the Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and all four provinces documented up to 3,364 child abuse cases in 2024.  The report was based on information collected from 81 national and regional newspapers nationwide.

    “The objective of the report is to present the data on the situation regarding violence against children (up to 18 years) in cases of sexual abuse, abduction/kidnapping, missing children, and child marriages,” the report stated.

  • Haris Rauf resumes bowling after injury, fit for WI series

    Haris Rauf resumes bowling after injury, fit for WI series

    Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has resumed bowling after recovering from a hamstring injury. He’s back in action at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where he has restarted his bowling routines during training.

    After a ten-day rest period, Rauf is now bowling with full run-up and intensity as part of his rehabilitation process.

    The injury happened while Haris Rauf was playing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US. It forced him to miss the rest of the tournament and also ruled him out of the home T20I series against Bangladesh. However, his recovery comes as positive news for Pakistan cricket, especially with the upcoming series against the West Indies in sight.

    Rauf’s comeback is likely to strengthen Pakistan’s pace attack, which has recently been affected by injuries. His rehabilitation has been closely monitored by the coaches and medical staff at the National Cricket Academy to ensure he regains full fitness before making a return to the national side.

    If his recovery continues on the same track, Haris Rauf could be available for selection for the T20I series against West Indies in July.

  • Here’s Bangladesh squad for T20I series against Pakistan

    Here’s Bangladesh squad for T20I series against Pakistan

    Bangladesh has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, set to begin on July 20. 

    All three matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

    The Bangladesh Cricket Board has kept the same squad from the recent Sri Lanka series, with Litton Kumar Das set to lead the team in the T20I series against Pakistan.

    The squad includes Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin.

    Previously, Bangladesh recently lost a home T20I series against Sri Lanka by 1-2.

  • Legends slam Big Three’s grip on cricket, call for fairer revenue share

    Legends slam Big Three’s grip on cricket, call for fairer revenue share

    The dominance of cricket’s Big Three – India, Australia, and England – is now drawing criticism from some of the sport’s most respected former players, raising concerns about their control over the sport’s finances and influence.

    On the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast, Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, Brian Lara, and David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd expressed their frustration over the current state of international cricket, criticising how the Big Three continue to control the sport’s direction.

    Brian Lara believes the influence of money has driven players to leave international cricket and chase lucrative contracts in franchise leagues. David Lloyd added, “The Big-Three, that can’t be alright that they take all the money. They get the big broadcast deals, you’ve got to have a more even distribution to allow West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka to compete.”

    The growing popularity of franchise leagues has caused many cricketers to retire early from international cricket to focus on financially rewarding opportunities around the world. The West Indies have been among the hardest hit, with their on-field performances suffering as a result.

    Alastair Cook shared his disappointment about what frustrates him most in modern cricket, saying, “That playing for your country isn’t the biggest thing,” Cook said. “And I don’t blame the players, I just think there’s got to be a way of keeping the international cricket (fair through equal money).”

    Michael Vaughan also criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not splitting its revenue more fairly. “The thing that annoys me most about the game is that the pie is not split right,” he said. “Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, they have to get more so they can pay their players and keep them playing international cricket.”

    According to reports, the Big Three receive over 50 percent of the ICC’s total revenue. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alone takes home around 38.4 percent of the $600 million share, while the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia get 6.89 percent and 6.25 percent, respectively. Critics say this uneven distribution allows these countries to control the global calendar and leaves other boards struggling to retain talent.

    The financial gap has pushed many players from smaller nations to prioritise franchise cricket, which offers far more security and income than representing their country. The West Indies, in particular, have seen a sharp drop in performance as several top players turn away from national duty.

    Despite the growing calls for reform, the Big Three remain firmly in control of the sport’s direction.

  • Bushra Bibi’s son arrested for shooting teenage domestic help

    Bushra Bibi’s son arrested for shooting teenage domestic help

    The son of former first lady Bushra Bibi has been arrested for opening fire at his teenage domestic help, police said Thursday.

    As per the details, Musa Maneka lost his temper during an argument and opened fire at teenage Ali Bahadur in Pakpattan. The injured boy was immediately shifted to a local hospital where doctors have confirmed his condition as stable and out of danger.

    The incident reportedly occurred at the residence of Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband Khawar Maneka, and Saddar Police Station responded immediately. Musa was subsequently taken into custody. Further investigation is currently underway.

    It may be noted that Bushra Bibi, the spouse of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, is currently imprisoned along with Khan following the couple’s conviction in the £190 million case since January.

    The court sentenced Khan and his wife to 14 and seven years imprisonment, respectively.
     

    As per the 148-page verdict, the former premier was convicted of “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the ex-first lady was convicted of “involvement in illegal activities”.