Author: News Desk

  • Roston Chase appointed new West Indies Test captain

    Roston Chase appointed new West Indies Test captain

    All-rounder Roston Chase has been named the new captain of the West Indies Test cricket team, replacing Kraigg Brathwaite, who resigned from the role in March 2025, while left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican has been appointed vice-captain.

    According to Cricket West Indies (CWI), 33-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Chase was selected following a thorough process that included psychological assessments to evaluate leadership qualities. Other contenders for the role included John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, and Jomel Warrican.

    West Indies head coach Darren Sammy backed the decision, saying:  “Our new captain has earned the trust of his teammates. He understands the responsibility and possesses the leadership qualities needed to take this team forward.”

    Chase last played a Test match in March 2023. He will begin his captaincy stint in the upcoming three-match home Test series against Australia, starting June 25.

    Kraigg Brathwaite, who took over the Test captaincy in March 2021, led the team in 39 matches. Under his leadership, the West Indies secured a historic Test win in Australia in 2024, their first in 27 years, and another landmark victory in Pakistan in 2025. Following his resignation, Shai Hope was appointed captain of the West Indies white-ball teams (ODIs and T20Is).

  • PM appears in Rs10 billion defamation case against Imran Khan

    PM appears in Rs10 billion defamation case against Imran Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday made an appearance before a Lahore court in his Rs10 billion defamation lawsuit against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan.

    According to the details, PM Shehbaz appeared through video link before a sessions court as Additional Sessions Judge Yilmaz Ghani conducted the hearing.

    As proceedings continued, the premier took an oath to “speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. He also read out the part that said if he concealed anything, may Allah be displeased with him.

    During cross-examination, Khan’s lawyer Advocate Muhammad Hussain Chotya asked the PM if he had a copy of the defamation suit before him. “No, I do not have a copy of the defamation case with me at the moment,” the premier replied.

    PM Shehbaz then requested a short break, saying, “Please allow me a brief moment… my legal team is sending over a copy.”

    The court accepted the request and granted a short recess.

    The defamation suit to the tune of Rs10 billion was filed by PM Shehbaz over what he says were false and damaging statements made by Imran Khan. It stems from Khan’s claims that in 2017, Shehbaz had offered him Rs10 billion through an intermediary to drop the Panama Papers case.

    The premier had during an earlier appearance in April also responded to questions posed by the defence counsel. He had acknowledged that while the statements were made during televised programs, no media personnel or TV channels were named as parties in the lawsuit.

    PM Shehbaz had said he could not recall which city the programs were aired from nor did he confirm any direct confrontation with the former PTI chairman regarding the allegations.

    Shehbaz had also verified that he personally signed the lawsuit and that an oath commissioner validated the filing. He had admitted to uncertainty over whether he was the president of the PML-N at the time of the alleged incident but confirmed that Khan was the head of his party and a political rival during that period.

  • Here are the Pakistani artists India has blocked on Spotify

    Here are the Pakistani artists India has blocked on Spotify

    Several Pakistani songs have been removed from Spotify India after the Indian government issued a new advisory earlier this month. The order asked digital platforms to take down all content from Pakistan, including music, films, web series, and podcasts.


    The move, which began taking effect on Wednesday night, follows an official directive from India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issues on May 8.


    Here are some of the names whose songs are no longer available on Spotify India:

    Arooj Aftab – Her Grammy-winning songs like Mohabbat and Last Night are missing.

    Natasha Noorani & Shajjar – Popular tracks like Faasle and Jhol have been removed.

    Zain Zohaib Qawwals – Their well-loved qawwali Maand is no longer available.

    Talal Qureshi – A few of his electronic music tracks have also been taken down.

    Abida Parveen – Some of her Sufi songs can no longer be streamed in India.

    This action follows a directive from India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, issued on May 8. It asked all streaming and OTT platforms to remove Pakistani content citing concerns related to national security and public order.

    The removal is not limited to music. Posters and promotional images featuring Pakistani actors have also been changed. Actress Mawra Hocane has been removed from the cover of Sanam Teri Kasam on Spotify and YouTube Music. Mahira Khan is no longer seen on Raees posters, and Fawad Khan’s song Buddhu Sa Mann from Kapoor & Sons is not available to Indian users.


    Artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, Nazia Hassan, and Abida Parveen have played a big role in shaping the music scene in both countries and have a huge fan base across borders.

    Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir on April 22. In the early hours of May 7, India launched airstrikes in multiple regions of Pakistan, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad, reportedly killing at least 30 civilians and injuring over 40.

    In response, Pakistan downed six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, marking the first instance of Rafales being brought down in combat. The following day, more than 30 Indian drones were reportedly shot down across Pakistan.

    On the night of May 9, India launched missile strikes on Pakistani airbases. In retaliation, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos at dawn on May 10, targeting several Indian military installations. Key strikes included a BrahMos missile depot in Beas, an airbase in Adampur, and an airfield in Pathankot. Pakistani drones reportedly reached New Delhi, while JF-17 fighter jets destroyed India’s S-400 missile defence system in Adampur.

  • ‘Understanding zero, confidence bhi zero’: Fans react as Haris Rauf spotted at Chinese skincare clinic

    ‘Understanding zero, confidence bhi zero’: Fans react as Haris Rauf spotted at Chinese skincare clinic

    Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf recently made a surprise appearance at a skincare clinic in Islamabad, but it wasn’t the treatment that went viral. It was his hilariously blank expression while standing next to a Chinese doctor who was enthusiastically speaking in Mandarin.

    A video from the visit has surfaced online, showing Haris standing beside Dr Hanfei, a Chinese plastic surgeon and aesthetic specialist currently practising in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

    The caption read, “Pakistani cricketer Haris Rauf come to my hospital for skin care treatment. Thank you. I am Dr. Hanfei. Currently working in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. I am a plastic surgeon and Aesthetic specialist.”

    But what truly caught fans’ attention was Haris’s awkwardly polite nodding and complete lack of blinking as the doctor spoke. The internet wasted no time in turning the clip into a comedy goldmine.

    One user joked, “Haris Rauf trauma mein hai,” while another added, “Blink twice if you need help.”

    Someone even compared his confusion to “my participation in group presentations,” and another chimed in, “Haris is as confused as the Indian Army and Airforce!”

    A fan hilariously summed it up with: “Samajh nahi aaya, per acha laga,” while the most relatable comment of all might be: “Understanding zero, confidence bhi zero.”

    Even though no actual treatment was shown in the clip, Haris’s skincare visit turned into an unexpected masterclass on how to stay composed when you have no idea what’s going on.

  • Pakistanis are brilliant people, no one can overlook them: Trump

    Pakistanis are brilliant people, no one can overlook them: Trump

    Days after announcing that the United States (US) had mediated a ceasefire between Pakistan and India as tensions ran alarmingly high between the nuclear-armed neighbours, President Donald Trump has gone on to praise the Pakistanis as “brilliant people” and said that “no one can overlook them”.

    “They are brilliant people,” Trump said in an interview with US-based Fox News, adding that Pakistanis couldn’t be forgotten or overlooked because it took “two to tango”.

    The US president’s statements came a week after his announcement that Washington had successfully averted what could have been a nuclear war between Pakistan and India. The military confrontation between the two countries had come as New Delhi blamed Islamabad for an attack on tourists in held Kashmir’s Pahalgam area.

    On the night of May 6-7, India had launched a series of airstrikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir, resulting in civilian casualties. The move had resulted in a decisive response by Pakistan which saw the downing of at least five Indian jets and damage to multiple military targets across the border.

    As tit-for-tat strikes continued, American intervention had pushed both sides to finally drop their guns with President Trump on May 10 announcing that a ceasefire had been reached.

    “The situation had escalated to the point where nuclear war could have broken out,” Trump said Friday.

    The US president added that he had great conversations with Pakistan and the country would love to trade with the US. “They are brilliant people. They make amazing products. We don’t do enough trading with them.”

    On trade with New Delhi, Trump said that India was one of the highly tariffed nations, making it almost “impossible to do business”. However, India is ready to cut 100 per cent of its tariffs for the US, he added.

    The interview was the third time in a week that President Trump expressed his intentions of deepening trade ties with Pakistan and India.

    “We’re going to do a lot of trade with Pakistan […] and India,” Trump said earlier this week, recalling that he warned both countries of “not doing any trade” if they did not stop fighting.

    A day after the ceasefire, he said he was going “to increase trade substantially with both of these great nations”.

    During Friday’s interview, Trump also said that mediating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India was a “bigger success” than he’ll ever be given credit for. “Those are major nuclear powers. Those are not like a little bit, and they were angry.”

  • ‘Terror financing’: India asks IMF to reconsider Pakistan bailouts

    ‘Terror financing’: India asks IMF to reconsider Pakistan bailouts

    Days after Pakistan received second tranche of $1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amid military clashes with India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi has said that the global lender “should reconsider” its loan amid allegations of “terror financing”.

    At least 70 people were killed as tensions between Pakistan and India reached a record high, resulting in the worst military violence in decades before a ceasefire was mediated by the United States (US) last Saturday.

    The escalation came after a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam area of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) last month. While New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing terror groups, the country categorically denied any involvement and offered a transparent probe into the attack. Despite the offer, India attempted to violate Pakistan’s sovereignty through cross-border attacks that led to military confrontation resulting in a befitting response from this side of the border.

    Despite India’s objections, the IMF last week approved a loan programme review for Pakistan, unlocking a $1 billion payment which the state bank said has already been received. A fresh $1.4 billion loan was also approved under the IMF’s climate resilience fund.

    India, which also represents Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh on the IMF board, abstained from the review vote with a statement from its finance ministry stating that “concerns over the efficacy of IMF programmes in case of Pakistan given its poor track record”.

    “India was the lone country which tried to stop it and it failed. It again reflects Indian frustration. Trying to criticise an institution like IMF speaks about this desperation,” reports quoted Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan as saying.

    “I believe a big portion of the $1 billion coming from IMF will be used for funding terror infrastructure,” Indian defence minister said while addressing troops at an air force base Friday. “I believe any economic assistance to Pakistan is nothing less than funding terror,” he added as Indian government members continue attempting to cash in on the conflict.

    Meanwhile, Pakistani officials highlight how Islamabad and New Delhi, over the past seven decades, have gained nothing but miseries from wars.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has offered India to sit for a comprehensive dialogue to settle contentious issues including Kashmir and jointly fight terrorism, reminding New Delhi that the neighbouring countries fought three wars in the past and gained nothing but miseries of the people.

    “After settling disputes like Kashmir and water distribution, we can talk on trade and counter-terrorism as Pakistan is the worst affected country by terrorism which lost 90,000 lives and over $150 billion economic losses,” the premier said on Friday.

    He was addressing a ceremony marking Youm-e-Tashakkur [Thanksgiving Day] as the nation celebrated Pakistan’s victory in the recent clashes with India.

  • Forbes reveals top three highest-paid athletes in 2025

    Forbes reveals top three highest-paid athletes in 2025

    Forbes has revealed its list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for 2025, and once again, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the No. 1 spot.

    According to the magazine, Ronaldo has boosted his estimated total earnings by $15 million, reaching an impressive $275 million. This marks the third straight year the Portuguese star has topped the list. Since joining Saudi club Al Nassr in December 2022, Ronaldo has seen a surge in off-field income thanks to major brand endorsements and sponsorship deals.

    Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry claimed second place with earnings of $156 million. Curry, who recently made history by becoming the first NBA player to hit 4,000 career three-pointers, continues to be one of basketball’s most marketable stars.

    British boxing champion Tyson Fury landed in third place with $146 million in earnings, despite suffering a defeat to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in December.

    Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi experienced a significant drop in the rankings, falling to fifth place this year with $135 million.

    Forbes noted that elite athletes are now earning record-breaking sums. The top 50 highest-paid athletes collectively earned $3.19 billion this year through salaries, bonuses, and prize money — a staggering 67% increase over the past three years.

    This surge in earnings is largely driven by the rise of new sports leagues and increased investments in high-profile competitions, particularly in sports like golf and basketball.

    Here are the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world in 2025:

    Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer, Portugal) – $275 millionStephen Curry (Basketball, United States) – $156 millionTyson Fury (Boxing, United Kingdom) – $146 millionDak Prescott (Football, United States) – $137 millionLionel Messi (Soccer, Argentina) – $135 millionLeBron James (Basketball, United States) – $133.8 millionJuan Soto (Baseball, Dominican Republic) – $114 millionKarim Benzema (Soccer, France) – $104 millionShohei Ohtani (Baseball, Japan) – $102.5 millionKevin Durant (Basketball, United States) – $101.4 million

    Accordion body…

  • ‘My wife applies it on everyone’s face’: Ahsan Khan reveals bizarre yet brilliant skincare secret

    ‘My wife applies it on everyone’s face’: Ahsan Khan reveals bizarre yet brilliant skincare secret

    Pakistani actor Ahsan Khan recently shared the secret to his glowing skin in an interview with The Current, and it’s not what anyone expected.

    When asked about his favourite skincare product, Ahsan burst out laughing and said, “I don’t use anything.”

    Refusing to credit fancy face washes or expensive creams, he pointed out, “There are chemicals in it. Absolutely not to use.”

    Ahsan, however, did give in and revealed his effective skincare ritual. “Okay, it’s weird. So my wife makes a mask. It’s an egg white mask, and in the morning, she applies it to everyone’s face.”

    He continued with a smile on his face, “And she tells everyone, ‘Come here, apply it,’ whoever is around.”

    He explained, “There’s collagen in egg whites and a lot of… You know, it works.”

    He admitted that he’s never stuck to one product, but just uses whatever is at home.

    “I’ve used my wife’s creams too. I’ve used my mum’s products too. Some oils I’ve applied to my face,” he said.


     
    Ahsan Khan also shared his experience of working with Indian actress Sonam Bajwa.

    “Oh, Sonam Bajwa! I feel like I’ve never worked with such a professional lady,” he recalled, adding that “She was so humble that I was surprised. She had watched my old dramas and even knew my characters.”

    “Working with her, I didn’t feel like it was the first time I’d met her. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You know how they say you become a fan? I became her huge fan,” Khan said.

  • Influencer’s party to celebrate mom’s divorce has internet divided

    Influencer’s party to celebrate mom’s divorce has internet divided

    Instagram influencer Feeya surprised her followers on Mother’s Day when she shared a reel celebrating her mother’s divorce from a toxic 30-year-long marriage and the internet can’t stop talking about it.


    Feeya, who goes by the handle @haw.hayee.feeya, shared joyful photos from a party she and her siblings organized for their mom. 


    In the emotional caption, she wrote: “The happiness on her face shows that she is at peace now! ♥️

    She told us ‘I am happy with him’ but still we heard the screams.

    She told us ‘he is a nice person’ but still we saw pointing guns.

    She told us ‘he would change slowly’ but still we saw her crying over his acts.

    She told us ‘everything will be fine soon’ — but it all ended.

    The reason I posted this here is because I want every girl, every woman who has ever at some point gone through this who has even slightly faced domestic abuse  to know:

    I want you to end it. I want you to leave him.

    And while you leave him, celebrate that time because you are on the way to start a new life.


    You should be proud of yourself!


    Happy Mother’s Day to all the single mothers


    YOU ARE THE REAL WARRIORS ❤️ “


    She posted another post alongside the pictures, writing,


     “It’s mothers day today so I really wanted to wish her this way. Ending this relationship was a win for all of us. No one in the world deserves pointing guns. No one deserves domestic violence. No one deserves a relation which doesn’t bring peace. Yes I’m proud of her. Yes she is my hero. Ending a toxic relationship of 30 years is an absolute win, no one absolutely no one in our house is sad.”

    The reel quickly went viral, with many praising Feeya and her siblings for supporting their mother in taking a stand.

    One user commented, “Bravo she’s a gem for taking a stand for her children Ma Sha Allah and ending 30 years of trauma. Stay strong aunty.”


    Another added, “It’s so brave of her. Ending a relationship after giving it 30 years needs a lot of strength. Separation is much, much better than that toxic relationship. More power to her and many more like her fighting with this toxicity.”


    In a heartbreaking comment, one person shared, “So happy for her. My mother ended up dead due to toxic relationship and I will always regret that why couldn’t she live for herself.”


    However, not everyone agreed with the celebration. Some users felt divorce should not be publicly celebrated:
    “It is good to celebrate when you come out of a painful situation.”

    “It is wrong to celebrate divorce and put it on social media, whatever was the reason behind it.”


    “I do not agree with celebrating divorce but I cannot judge someone else’s pain.”

    Despite the mixed opinions, Feeya continued to share her journey.

     In another reel, she and her siblings took their mom shopping and gifted her expensive items:


    “We wanted to surprise our mother for her new single life. Divorce is not a shame, it’s a win,” the caption read.

    After receiving criticism about the celebration, Feeya posted a response video, directly addressing the negative comments about her mother’s iddat and divorce:

    “Before you comment about my mother’s iddat and divorce, I want to address this issue right here. Till yesterday I thought of not speaking about it, but some comments were quite disturbing which made me feel like I should address this thing.
    He abandoned her 10 years back. They had no contact. Guns pointing, abusive language, threats of murder and what not?


    As a daughter I do respect him but if we talk about humanity, no one is allowed to treat a woman like a slave.
    This is my respect for him that I didn’t name him anywhere. This is my respect for him that I didn’t tell the world the whole story and the impact it had on my mind.


    I respect him still but no woman should go through what my mother went through. Those 10 years were already her iddat period.”

  • Arnab Goswami launches Islamophobic attack on Aamir Khan over Turkey visit

    Arnab Goswami launches Islamophobic attack on Aamir Khan over Turkey visit

    Bollywood star Aamir Khan has become the latest target of controversial Indian TV anchor Arnab Goswami’s hate-filled agenda as he went on a venomous rant against the actor for his 2020 visit to Turkey and his meeting with Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

    In a viral clip, Goswami questioned Khan’s patriotism, linking the actor’s professional decisions to anti-national behaviour. With his theatrics, which often include yelling and finger-pointing, he demanded to know if Khan received any support or “subsidy” from Turkey while filming Laal Singh Chaddha, simply because the country isn’t seen as politically friendly by the Indian establishment.

    He even made bizarre comparisons, asking, “Would you watch a film shot in Lahore or Karachi,” painting Khan’s visit as some kind of betrayal. The motive was clear,  to incite outrage by using a Muslim actor’s travel choice as fuel for his hate-mongering narrative.

    Critics and social media users were quick to call out the show for its blatant Islamophobia. Many pointed out that Goswami has a history of targeting Muslims with baseless accusations disguised as patriotism. The pattern is repetitive and intentional: label, shame, and alienation.

    Journalist Farid Khan weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Indian media is attacking actor Aamir Khan now. They did the same to Col. Sofiya Qureshi. Muslims who are opposing Pakistan will spend the rest of their lives proving loyalty to India, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”

    Meanwhile, Aamir Khan remains focused on making meaningful cinema. His upcoming film Sitare Zameen Par, releasing on June 20, 2025, follows a basketball coach mentoring children with Down syndrome. Despite being praised for its concept, the film is already facing boycott calls, once again revealing the toxic environment manufactured by anchors like Goswami.

    At a time of serious military tensions between India and Pakistan, following the April 22 Pahalgam incident, such media spectacles are dangerous. Instead of promoting peace or accountability, Arnab Goswami once again chooses to fan communal hatred, proving that for him, attacking Muslims isn’t commentary, it’s his entire brand.

    Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated following the Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir on April 22. In the early hours of May 7, India launched airstrikes in multiple regions of Pakistan, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad, reportedly killing at least 30 civilians and injuring over 40.

    In response, Pakistan downed six Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, marking the first instance of Rafales being brought down in combat. The following day, more than 30 Indian drones were reportedly shot down across Pakistan.

    On the night of May 9, India launched missile strikes on Pakistani airbases. In retaliation, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos at dawn on May 10, targeting several Indian military installations. Key strikes included a BrahMos missile depot in Beas, an airbase in Adampur, and an airfield in Pathankot. Pakistani drones reportedly reached New Delhi, while a JF-17 fighter jets destroyed India’s S-400 missile defence system in Adampur.