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Author: News Desk

  • Harry Brook named England’s new white-ball captain

    Harry Brook named England’s new white-ball captain

    England has named right-handed batter Harry Brook as the new captain of its men’s white-ball team, following Jos Buttler’s decision to step down after the team’s early exit from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

    Brook, who previously led England during an ODI series against Australia in September last year in Buttler’s absence, also captained the national side at the 2018 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup in New Zealand.

    Expressing his excitement over the new role, Brook stated, “It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain. Ever since I was a kid playing cricket at Burley in Wharfedale, I dreamed of representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and maybe one day leading the team.”

    “To now be given that chance means a great deal to me. I want to thank my family and coaches, who’ve supported me every step of the way. Their belief in me has made all the difference, and I wouldn’t be in this position without them,” he said.

    “There’s so much talent in this country, and I’m looking forward to getting started, moving us forward, and working towards winning series, World Cups and major events. I’m excited to get going and give it everything I’ve got,” he added in a statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday.

    At 26, Brook has been an integral part of England’s white-ball squad since his debut in January 2022. Currently ranked number two in the ICC Test rankings, he has played 26 ODIs, scoring 816 runs at an average of 34, with a highest score of 110. In T20Is, he has featured in 44 matches, with a top score of 81, and was part of England’s victorious 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad under Buttler’s captaincy.

    Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, expressed his confidence in Brook’s leadership. He said, “I’m delighted that Harry Brook has accepted the role as England’s white-ball captain across both formats. He’s been part of our succession planning for some time, albeit this opportunity has come slightly earlier than expected.”

    “Harry is not only an outstanding cricketer but also has an excellent cricketing brain and a clear vision for both teams that will help drive us towards winning more series, World Cups and major global tournaments,” he added.

    Brook’s first assignment as captain will be a three-match ODI series followed by three T20Is against the West Indies, starting on May 29 at Edgbaston. The series marks the beginning of England’s preparations for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, as well as the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

  • Did ‘Laapata Ladies’ copy ‘Burqa City’? French director responds

    Did ‘Laapata Ladies’ copy ‘Burqa City’? French director responds

    The popular Indian film Laapata Ladies has found itself at the center of controversy, after a viral video claimed its storyline is remarkably similar to the 2019 Arabic short film Burqa City.

    The debate gained momentum as the video compared scenes from both films, leading to widespread accusations of plagiarism on social media. The matter became even more sensitive after Laapata Ladies was selected as India’s official entry for the 2024 Oscar Awards.


    French director Fabrice Bracq, who directed Burqa City, has now responded to the allegations in an interview with Indian media.

    “When I read the story of the film, I was immediately shocked, and when I saw the full film, I was in a state of surprise and shock,” he said.

    “Although the story has been adapted from an Indian perspective, many scenes, characters, and messages are similar to my short film.”

    Fabrice pointed out specific elements that he believes are directly lifted from Burqa City, “The kind-hearted, simple-minded husband who loses his wife, the second husband who is cruel and abusive, the scene at the police station with a corrupt officer and his two colleagues, and the scene where shops are searched by showing a picture of a burqa-clad wife—these are exactly the scenes from Burqa City.”

    He added that both films carry a central message related to women’s freedom and feminism.

    “The main message of both films is based on women’s freedom and feminism,” he noted.
    On the other hand, Laapata Ladies writer Biplab Goswami has firmly denied the plagiarism claims.
    “The story is completely original. I registered its summary with the Screenwriters Association in 2014, which is five years before the release of Burqa City,” he said.

    Directed by Kiran Rao, Laapata Ladies was released in 2024. The film tells the story of two brides who are mistakenly switched during a train journey.

  • VIDEO: Physical altercation between female passengers, customs officials at airport

    VIDEO: Physical altercation between female passengers, customs officials at airport

    A video has emerged online allegedly showing a physical altercation between female passengers and customs officials at Allama Iqbal International Airport over the clearance of the passengers’ luggage.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), circulating online, the incident took place at the international arrival area of Allama Iqbal Airport Lahore on Monday at 1:15 am.

    As per the purported FIR, upon inspection of the luggage, 24 security cameras were recovered from the passengers’ belongings, which were subject to customs duty, along with wedding outfits. “These items were taken into custody by customs officials. This led to them (passengers) becoming enraged and starting to hurl abuses. They tore Mahnoor’s (soldier) uniform,” the FIR reads.

    It further reads that during the chaos, the passengers took their seized belongings outside and handed them over to seven to eight unidentified individuals, who were apparently their relatives. The items that were already in the custody of customs were also vandalized.

    Meanwhile, footage of the incident has gone viral on social media. In the first half of the clip, a female passenger is seen hitting the customs officers with shoes, upon which a female customs official strongly retaliates, dragging the passenger by her hair.

    In the second half of the footage, female passengers were purportedly seen dragging their luggage away, with a male individual assisting them. 

    According to media reports, the fight broke out between passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi and customs officials over the clearance of items such as closed-circuit cameras and bridal lehengas. The situation escalated, eventually leading to the physical fight between the female passengers and customs officials.

  • ‘50% mobile services, 40% ATMs’: PTA warns of major disruptions if LDI licenses revoked

    ‘50% mobile services, 40% ATMs’: PTA warns of major disruptions if LDI licenses revoked

    The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman, has cautioned that revoking the licences of defaulting Long Distance and International (LDI) operators could significantly impact mobile and financial services across the country. He warned that such actions could disrupt 50 percent of mobile services and block 40 per cent of ATMs nationwide.

    While briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on Monday, the PTA chief revealed that nine LDI companies currently owe substantial dues. Of these, five operators have already paid Rs. 64 billion, while the remaining principal amount stands at Rs. 24 billion.

    Among the defaulting companies, five have expressed a willingness to settle Rs. 8.2 billion through instalments. However, the remaining Rs. 16 billion is linked to companies refusing to pay their dues. Show-cause notices have been issued, and license cancellations remain a possibility, the PTA chairman stated. However, he clarified that the authority lacks the legal jurisdiction to approve instalment-based recoveries independently.

    Federal Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, echoed these concerns, warning that allowing payments in instalments could set a precedent across various sectors, potentially creating regulatory complications. She further explained that even if the outstanding amounts are recovered in parts, they would be held in an escrow account until legal proceedings conclude, rendering them unusable by the government in the meantime.

    Shaza Fatima also emphasised that the PTA cannot act unilaterally and must work in coordination with the IT Ministry. She pointed out that ongoing court cases have stalled any decisive action, as the judiciary has explicitly ordered a freeze on proceedings for now.

    The committee chair urged the PTA and the IT Ministry to engage with the LDI companies to seek a resolution. Concluding the discussion, the PTA chairman stated that a final decision, including potential license cancellations, would be made once all legal hearings are completed. However, he cautioned that if the government loses the court cases, any recovered funds would need to be returned.

  • ICC fines Pakistan, again

    ICC fines Pakistan, again

    The ICC has once again fined the Pakistan cricket team for a slow over-rate in the third ODI against New Zealand.

    Already penalised in the first two matches for the same offence, the team repeated the mistake and incurred another fine in the third match.

    They fell one over short, resulting in a five percent deduction from their match fee.

    Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan accepted the mistake and acknowledged the team’s shortcomings.

    New Zealand whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 in the three-match ODI series. Prior to this, they had also defeated the Green Shirts 4-1 in the five-match ODI series.

  • Pakistani-origin Scottish cricketer says Babar Azam, Imran Khan her inspiration

    Pakistani-origin Scottish cricketer says Babar Azam, Imran Khan her inspiration

    Scottish leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood has expressed her excitement about playing in Pakistan, calling it a special moment for her.

    Currently in Lahore for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the 25-year-old cricketer has represented Scotland in 8 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 57 T20 Internationals.

    Speaking to a private news channel in Lahore, Abtaha Maqsood shared her feelings about being back in Pakistan. “My parents are from Lahore, and it feels great to be back here,” she said.

    She revealed that her passion for cricket was inspired by her father, who is a huge cricket fan: “Because of him, I developed an interest in cricket. I used to play with my brother and father in our home garden, and that’s where my love for the game began.”

    “I have never played in Pakistan before. It has been eight years since I last visited, and meeting my relatives here has been wonderful. Getting the opportunity to play at Gaddafi Stadium is something very special for me,” she added.

    When asked about her role models, Abtaha named several cricketers who inspired her. “I have a few role models, and the king of spin, Shane Warne, is one of them. I watch his videos a lot. I am also a big fan of Imran Khan. He is a role model for me and my family,” she stated.

    Regarding her current goals, Abtaha emphasised the importance of qualifying for the World Cup. “Our biggest target right now is to qualify for the World Cup. That is why we are here—we want to play another World Cup,” she said.

    She also mentioned that she follows Pakistan cricket and has a favourite player on the team. “Of course, I watch Pakistan cricket. My favourite player at the moment is Babar Azam. He is an incredible batter,” she added.

  • PCB breaks silence on reports claiming Mohsin Naqvi’s resignation

    PCB breaks silence on reports claiming Mohsin Naqvi’s resignation

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dismissed reports claiming that Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has resigned from his position.

    According to PCB officials, the speculation was dismissed, stating that neither the Federal Interior Minister nor the PCB Chairman has stepped down. The rumours began circulating on various sports websites and social media platforms after Naqvi was elected as President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), with claims that he might resign as a result of increased responsibilities.

    Adding to the controversy, former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal publicly called for Mohsin Naqvi’s resignation, criticising the national team’s continuous poor performances.

    Addressing Naqvi directly, he said, “If you cannot control these embarrassing defeats and the team’s performance, then resign and go home. Don’t further damage the credibility of the cricket board.”

    Despite the criticism and ongoing speculation, Mohsin Naqvi remains in his role as PCB Chairman.

  • Raid on dance party: Two cops suspended for releasing video of suspects in custody

    Raid on dance party: Two cops suspended for releasing video of suspects in custody

    The District Police Officer (DPO) has suspended the investigation officer and Muharar concerned for releasing a video of the suspects who were arrested at a farmhouse near Pakki Havali village during an alleged dance party, according to a press release issued by the police on Sunday.

    On Friday night, following a “tip-off” about an alleged dance party near Pakki Havali village, the police raided the farmhouse, apprehending 55 people, including women, and placing them under arrest.

    Later, on the complaint of Sub Inspector (SI) Muhammad Sadiq, a case was filed against the suspects under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order 1979, Section 6(a) of the Punjab Prohibition of Sheesha Smoking Act 2014, Section 6 of the Punjab Sound System Regulation Act 2015, and Sections 292 and 293 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

    Meanwhile, the local court ordered the release of all 55 individuals, including women, and discharged the case after the suspects were presented before a magistrate on Saturday for physical remand.

    Following the cancellation of the case by the court, the police clarified in a press release that they neither made nor released any video of the suspects in an “official capacity.” The press release further said, “The police always hold self-respect of citizens as their top priority as per the SOPs.”

    The suspension of the cops comes days after social media users slammed cops for publishing a video of suspects involved in an alleged dance party.

    One user took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “This is absolutely ridiculous to make video of these girls and boys. This needs to stop. Koi aqal karo (Come to your senses).”

    Another user wrote, “Releasing videos of these individuals before their crime is proven is against the Constitution and the law,” while the third user questioned, “The boys and girls—whose videos went viral now carry a negative identity for the rest of their lives. Who is responsible for that? Bring them to light—make them answerable.”

    The fourth user asked, “It is strange that when Punjab police arrest drug dealers and murderers, they cover their faces when posting online, but incidents like this are recorded and posted online showing faces; what is the need for that?”

    “This is ridiculous. The only reason these boys and girls have been arrested is because they are from the lower middle class. Upper classes and elites have raves and parties all the time in their leafy neighbourhoods, but no one raids them. Let the people enjoy for god’s sake,” wrote another user.

  • Wasim Akram set to make PSL commentary debut

    Wasim Akram set to make PSL commentary debut

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the names of its star-studded commentary panel for the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    According to the official statement, former England captains Sir Alastair Cook, Mark Nicholas, Dominic Cork, JP Duminy, Mike Haysman, Martin Guptill, and Athar Ali Khan will be part of the commentary team.

    Two-time Women’s World Cup-winning Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar will also make her PSL commentary debut this season.

    Pakistan’s former captains Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, and Aamer Sohail, along with Bazid Khan, Urooj Mumtaz, and cricket analyst Sikandar Bakht, will also be on the panel. Notably, the Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram will be making his PSL debut as a commentator.

    For the first time, PSL will feature full Urdu commentary, with Tariq Saeed, Ali Younis, Aqeel Samar, Marina Iqbal, and Salman Butt taking on the responsibility.

    Renowned presenters Zainab Abbas and Erin Holland will host the matches throughout the tournament.

    The 10th edition of PSL is set to take place from April 11 to May 18, with matches scheduled in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan.

  • Netanyahu and Trump to talk tariffs, Iran and Gaza

    Netanyahu and Trump to talk tariffs, Iran and Gaza

    Netanyahu becomes the first foreign leader to meet with Trump in the US capital since the president unveiled sweeping levies on multiple countries in his “Liberation Day” announcement on Wednesday.

    Arriving in Washington direct from a visit to Hungary, Netanyahu’s chief objective will be to persuade Trump to reverse the decision, or at the very least to reduce the 17 percent levy set to be imposed on Israeli imports before it takes effect.

    Before leaving Budapest, Netanyahu said his discussions would include a range of issues, including “the tariff regime that has also been imposed on Israel”.

    “I’m the first international leader, the first foreign leader who will meet with President Trump on a matter so crucial to Israel’s economy,” he said in a statement.

     

    “I believe this reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the United States and Israel, which is so vital at this time.”

    Analysts said Netanyahu will seek to secure an exemption from the tariffs for Israel.

    “The urgency (of the visit) makes sense in terms of stopping it before it gets institutionalised,” said Jonathan Rynhold, head of political studies at Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv.

    Such an exemption would not only benefit Trump’s closest Middle East ally but also “please Republicans in Congress, whose voters care about Israel, but are unwilling to confront Trump on this at this point,” he said.

    Israel had attempted to avoid the new levy by moving preemptively a day before Trump’s announcement and lifting all remaining duties on the one percent of American goods still affected by them.

    But Trump still went ahead with his new policy, saying the United States had a significant trade deficit with Israel, a top beneficiary of US military aid.

     

    Gaza truce, hostages

    The Israeli leader’s US trip is “also a way for Netanyahu to play the game and show Trump that Israel is going along with him,” said Yannay Spitzer, a professor of economics at Hebrew University.

    “I would not be surprised if there is an announcement of some concession for Israel… and this will be an example for other countries.”

    Netanyahu will also discuss the war in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli hostages still held in the Palestinian territory, and the growing “threat from Iran”, his office said.

    Israel resumed air strikes on Gaza on March 18, ending nearly two months of ceasefire with Hamas that had been brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

    Efforts to restore the truce have since failed, with more than 1,330 people killed in renewed Israeli air and ground operations, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

    Palestinian militants there still hold 58 hostages, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

    On Iran, Trump has been pressing for “direct talks” with Tehran on a new deal to curb the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday rejected the idea of direct negotiations with the United States as “meaningless”.

    There has been widespread speculation that Israel, possibly with US help, might attack Iranian facilities if no agreement is reached.