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Author: News Desk

  • If India doesn’t come here, Pakistan shouldn’t go there: Shahid Afridi

    If India doesn’t come here, Pakistan shouldn’t go there: Shahid Afridi

    Former national cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has given advice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), saying, “If the Indian team does not come and play here, then Pakistan should not go to India and play.”

    Shahid participated as a special guest in Geo News’ first podcast on Friday. He also made interesting revelations in the podcast, discussing unique aspects of life.

    He also gave important advice to the PCB on the ongoing dispute on Champions Trophy between India and Pakistan.

    He said, “If the Indian team does not come and play here, then Pakistan should not go to India and play.”

    Indian media has claimed that the Indian Cricket Board has accepted the demands of the Pakistan Cricket Board on Champions Trophy and that matters have been settled. Indian media claims that the Champions Trophy will be structured on a hybrid model. India will play its matches in Dubai.

    Indian media says that Pakistan and India will not play in each other’s country for three years. However, PCB sources have denied the claims.

    Leaked letter by Indian broadcasters asks ICC to favour India

    A letter written by an Indian broadcaster to the International Cricket Council (ICC) has come to light.

    According to Express News, while the fate of the Champions Trophy hangs in the balance, a letter written by broadcaster Star India to the ICC a few months ago has come to light. The letter states that the popularity of the Indian cricket team among cricket fans is very high stressing that it provides the ICC with the highest revenue.

    The Indian board, taking advantage of its money and the ICC’s Indian sponsors, refused to send its team to Pakistan, presenting instead the option of a hybrid model.  In response, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has taken a strong stand, sticking to his guns. However, now the letter has revealed that if the Indian team backs off from the tournament, they will suffer financial losses, while the tournament will have to suffer less if Pakistan leaves.

    Questions are being raised about the leaked letter as soon as the ICC Chairman Jay Shah received it. The letter states that the total value of the media rights of the Champions Trophy is $750 million. If India is out of the event, the ICC will have to bear a loss of 90 per cent of the 750 million US dollars.

    The other scenario is that this loss will be only 10 per cent due to Pakistan’s absence from the event.

    PCB and BCCI have reached an agreement on a hybrid model, under which the Pakistan and Indian teams will play their matches in Dubai in both men’s and women’s competitions in all events until 2027.

    An ICC board meeting will now be held on December 7, and the future of the Champions Trophy is likely to be decided in the meeting.

  • Mawra Hocane reveals two jobs she loves

    Mawra Hocane reveals two jobs she loves

    Actress Mawra Hocane is no stranger to the spotlight, but when it comes to her favourite jobs, she has two very special ones.

    She revealed them during her appearance as a guest on Something Haute with Hassan Choudary.

    “These two jobs, babysitting and acting, are my favourite jobs in the world,” Hocane said.

    The host, Hassan Choudary, curious about her legal background, asked, “But tell me, you’re a lawyer. What happened to that?”

    “I couldn’t pursue my degree, unfortunately. Five years ago, I was overly ambitious. I thought I could manage both things, but I realised that to do any job properly, you need to dedicate yourself fully. So, if I ever want to become a lawyer and pursue it, I’ll need to work just as hard as I do in my acting career. For that, this (acting) would have to be left behind,” the Nauroz actress responded.

    When asked if she had completed her law degree, Mawra confirmed, saying, “Yes, I was supposed to complete my bar exam abroad.”

    The host then asked, “So, what’s your decision on that front?”

    The Jafaa actress replied, “I’m open to studying. I would like to, whenever I find the time. I need about nine weeks to go to London and complete my bar. So, whenever I find those nine weeks, which would ideally be in August, September, or October, I’ll go. Whenever I feel this is the year I can study and take those exams, I will because I love studying.”

    Reflecting on her acting career, Hocane highlighted the challenges she faced during the shoot of Sabaat.

    “The process of Sabaat and Shahzad Bhai’s (director) approach was also very different. The characters are drawn from who you are, and since I was nothing like Anaya, it became a very painful process for me at that time. If you are not at all like the character, and you’re far apart from it, it takes a long time to get there as an actor,” she shared.

    The Neem actress also expressed her frustration about being labelled a “social media queen” rather than being recognised for her acting talent.

    “A huge part of my work in Pakistan has been produced by people, and I was really heartbroken over not getting the due attention as an actor. When I did my film, a lot of critics, even from outside Pakistan, said great things about my performance, but in Pakistan, every intro still started with ‘social media queen’ or ‘sensation’ or ‘influencer’,” Mawra Hocane concluded.

  • Netflix’s ‘Famous’ on rise, fall, comeback of Yo Yo Honey Singh gets release date

    Netflix’s ‘Famous’ on rise, fall, comeback of Yo Yo Honey Singh gets release date

    Streaming giant Netflix has announced the release date for the much-awaited docu-film ‘Famous,’ which delves into the life of Indian singer-rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh.

    Netflix India confirmed in an Instagram post shared on Friday morning that ‘Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous,’ a docu-film that follows the rise, fall, and comeback of the rapper, will premiere on the streaming platform on December 20 this year.

    “The name you know, the story you don’t. Witness the rise of a legend who changed the face of Indian music forever,” read the announcement post, featuring the first official poster of the title.

    The film is directed by Mozez Singh and produced by Oscar-winning Sikhya Entertainment, led by Guneet Monga and Achin Jain, and covers the life of Hirdesh, famously known as Yo Yo Honey Singh, highlighting his rapid rise to fame and the challenges he faced during his comeback.

    The production company shared, “With ‘Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous,’ we delve into his story in its rawest form—from his meteoric rise to his struggles and ultimate comeback as Hirdesh Singh. It was fascinating to discover how little we knew about the real person behind the stage name.”

    “Capturing Honey Singh’s journey has been an incredible experience. He is a fascinating man who has already lived so many lifetimes in this one life. I’m so thankful that he trusted me with his life story,” added Singh. “We have covered everything in this film—love, pain, family, success, failure, loss, mental health, and the fight to come back.”

    “This docu feature highlights his evolution, his lasting impact on popular culture, and a lot of stories that no one has ever heard before. We’re thrilled for you to meet the legend, the man who is responsible for creating a revolution in the Indian rap and hip-hop scene, a man entirely unique in his making,” the post read.

    On the work front, Yo Yo Honey Singh made a comeback earlier this year with his multi-lingual album, titled ‘Glory,’ featuring artists from around the world, including Pakistan. The 18-track album was released in August.

  • World Bank announces 100 billion dollar support for world’s poorest countries

    World Bank announces 100 billion dollar support for world’s poorest countries

    The World Bank announced Thursday that it had raised close to $24 billion to provide loans and grants for some of the world’s poorest nations, which it can leverage to generate a record $100 billion in total spending power.

    Donor countries committed $23.7 billion to replenish the bank’s concessional lending arm, known as the International Development Association (IDA), a World Bank spokesperson told AFP, marking a slight increase from the roughly $23.5 billion pledged during the last fundraising round three years ago.

    The Bank can use this money to borrow on financial markets, allowing it to leverage the amount raised by around four times, unlocking around $100 billion in new loans and grants, up from $93 billion in 2021.

    “We believe the historic success of this IDA21 replenishment is a vote of confidence and support from donors and clients,” a World Bank statement read, referring to the current IDA funding round.

    “This funding will be deployed to support the 78 countries that need it most,” World Bank President Ajay Banga said in a separate statement, referring to the developing countries that are eligible for IDA support.

    It would, he added, help provide “resources to invest in health, education, infrastructure, and climate resilience,” as well as helping to stabilize economies and create jobs.

    The World Bank’s announcement follows two days of talks in the South Korean capital, Seoul, a city still reeling after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday local time, before backtracking under pressure from lawmakers.

    IDA has become the single largest source of concessional, or below-market, climate finance, and around two-thirds of all IDA funding over the past decade has gone to support countries in Africa, according to the World Bank.

    IDA replenishment is a crucial part of the Bank’s operations, and happens once every three years, with much of the funding coming from the United States, Japan and several European countries including the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

    This year, the United States announced ahead of time that it would commit a record $4 billion in new funding to the IDA, while other countries — including Norway and Spain — also significantly stepped up their financial support.

    Thirty-five former recipients of IDA assistance have graduated from developing economy status in recent decades, including China, Turkey and South Korea, with many of them now donors to the fund.

  • Javed Akhtar pens a special message for Pakistani actor Ahsan Khan

    Javed Akhtar pens a special message for Pakistani actor Ahsan Khan

    For decades, we have been captivated by his iconic lyrics, like “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” and “Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum.” However, Ahsan Khan is the first actor fortunate enough to have Javed Akhtar write a few verses specifically for him.

    Pakistani actor Ahsan Khan recently shared the stage with legendary Indian screenwriter and poet Javed Akhtar at the Tahbib Multilingual Festival in Dubai, which celebrates global art and literature.

    On Wednesday, Khan shared a memorable behind-the-scenes moment from the event on his Instagram. He posted a video showing Akhtar creating a sweet couplet for him on the spot.

    Akhtar wrote, “Ahsan Khan ke liye aik sher, unka karam hai unki mohabbat, kya mere naghmay, kya meri hasti. Dua goh, Javed Akhtar.”


    The moment was captured on camera, with Akhtar sitting on a sofa, writing on a hardback book, while Khan enjoyed his tea from the sidelines.

    A fan commented, “Wow… only in Dubai can Indian and Pakistani stars meet,” with a heart emoji. Heart emojis flooded the comments section as fans showed their appreciation for Akhtar’s gesture.

    Both Khan and Akhtar were in the UAE for the Tahbib Multilingual Festival, held from December 1-3. The festival celebrates languages, cultures, and diversity. Khan’s video included highlights from his time in Dubai, from boarding the plane to participating in panel discussions on the cultural impact of music, art, and cinema.

    Javed Akhtar is one of India’s most influential figures in lyricism, music, and screenwriting.


    Check the post below:

  • Leaked letter by Indian broadcasters asks ICC to favour India

    Leaked letter by Indian broadcasters asks ICC to favour India

    A letter written by an Indian broadcaster to the International Cricket Council (ICC) has come to light.

    According to Express News, while the fate of the Champions Trophy hangs in the balance, a letter written by broadcaster Star India to the ICC a few months ago has come to light. The letter states that the popularity of the Indian cricket team among cricket fans is very high stressing that it provides the ICC with the highest revenue.

    The Indian board, taking advantage of its money and the ICC’s Indian sponsors, refused to send its team to Pakistan, presenting instead the option of a hybrid model.  In response, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has taken a strong stand, sticking to his guns. However, now the letter has revealed that if the Indian team backs off from the tournament, they will suffer financial losses, while the tournament will have to suffer less if Pakistan leaves.

    Questions are being raised about the leaked letter as soon as the ICC Chairman Jay Shah received it. The letter states that the total value of the media rights of the Champions Trophy is $750 million. If India is out of the event, the ICC will have to bear a loss of 90 per cent of the 750 million US dollars.

    The other scenario is that this loss will be only 10 per cent due to Pakistan’s absence from the event.

    PCB and BCCI have reached an agreement on a hybrid model, under which the Pakistan and Indian teams will play their matches in Dubai in both men’s and women’s competitions in all events until 2027.

    An ICC board meeting will now be held on December 7, and the future of the Champions Trophy is likely to be decided in the meeting.

    ICC meeting on Champions Trophy fate postponed, again

    India has once again refused to accept the formula proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding Champions Trophy deadlock, leading to further postponement of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) board meeting scheduled for Thursday.

    As per the details, the meeting scheduled for the day in Dubai will now be held on December 7 — only after India responds to Pakistan’s position, and all stakeholders are confident of a solution that could be accepted by both countries.

    The PCB has made it clear to the ICC that the meeting should only be called once India has responded, and a decision can be made, reports said.

    Earlier, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Dubai to attend the meeting scheduled for the evening on Dec 5. A major decision on the Champions Trophy was likely to be made during the same.

    Meanwhile, an Indian cricketing website claimed that the Champions Trophy will be held under the hybrid model and “Pakistan has accepted it”.

    However, PCB has officially only offered a two-nation formula instead of the hybrid model. Under said arrangement, Pakistan shall also not play any ICC tournaments on Indian soil for at least the next three years.

    Among other conditions put forth by Pakistan, a 3-nation series with India should also be played at a neutral venue.

    While reports say that India is not likely to accept any demands but a majority of the board members “will agree to hold Champions Trophy under two-nation formula”, PCB has rubbished all claims and reiterated its stance.

  • Punjab University student ‘shot dead’ on campus

    Punjab University student ‘shot dead’ on campus

    A student of the Punjab University in Lahore has allegedly been murdered on campus within the institution’s premises on Thursday, triggering protests in the New Campus.


    The News has reported that the PU administration has denied that the murder took place, instead terming it “a mysterious death”. 


    Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, has alleged that the murder happened on campus. 


    Progressive Students Collective (PSC), a left-leaning student group, claimed in a social media post: “Today [Yesterday, December 5], a student of Gender Studies in Punjab University named Ammar Rana was murdered inside the campus in broad daylight.”

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    PSC condemned the murder while questioning the state of security inside the University campus and the administration’s denial in an attempt to silence protesting students.

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    However, amid conflicting reports, the most dominant ones suggest that Rana Ammar Akhtar, a 22-year-old Gender Studies student from Kasur, was fatally wounded in a shooting incident. He was immediately rushed to the nearby Shaikh Zayed Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. 


    The victim suffered three gunshot wounds to the chest, stomach, and leg. 


    His body was handed over to the police for postmortem examination.

    The details leading up to the incident suggest that the deceased student, Rana Ammar, along with three friends of the Department of Gender Studies Dilawar and Huzaifa, were sitting in their car outside PC Dhaba when the pistol in Huzaifa’s hands went off, and three bullets hit Ammar in the chest.

    Huzaifa immediately fled the scene while Dilawar took Ammar to Sheikh Zaid Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

    However, police took Dilawar into custody.

    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) operations Faisal Kamran told Dawn that three students, who were also friends, were sitting in a car outside a cafeteria on the new campus of the university when their gun went off, claiming the life of the said victim.


    Following the tragic murder, Islami Jamiat Talaba students staged a protest outside the campus, which resulted in severe traffic disruptions on some of the busiest roads of the city- Canal Road, Barkat Market, and nearby areas. 


    Police was deployed at the scene to control the situation and prevent it from deteriorating further. 


    However, after negotiations with the protesters, the students eventually dispersed and the road was reopened for traffic. 


    Videos of the protesting students vandalising the university’s admin block and later staging a sit-in flooded social media.


    Notably, Punjab University officials conducted a press conference and reiterated their version of the story, stating that their investigation found no evidence of a shooting incident on campus.


    They said that security staff reviewed CCTV footage from all locations mentioned by the Jamiat protestors yet found no signs of gunfire, bullet shells, blood, or eyewitness accounts to support their claim.


    While accusing IJT of politicising the situation and manipulating the students, the Punjab University officials informed the media that the deceased student was a relative of a University administrative officer. 


    The administration said that while they regretted the student’s death, they have investigated that the student is the nephew of PU’s admin officer Rana Irshad, and according to him, the deceased had no connection with any student organisation.


    They said the PU administration will not get blackmailed by anyone stating the damage caused to the admin block by the IJT students. Officials requested that the media, students, teachers, and employees not believe in hearsay.


    Additionally, they said that the university administration is in contact with the police for investigation.


    Meanwhile, University teachers and students are calling for an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident and ensure campus safety, as the frequency of these incidents has intensified in the previous month.

  • Establishment won’t hold dialogues with PTI, claims Muneeb Farooq

    Establishment won’t hold dialogues with PTI, claims Muneeb Farooq

    Political analyst Muneeb Farooq on Thursday claimed that the establishment had communicated to the Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif-led government that it will not hold a dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) under any circumstances.

    Appearing on the Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Muneeb Farooq explained that if the dialogue ever takes place, it would be between the incumbent government and the former premier Imran Khan’s party.

    Citing the official statement of the 84th Formation Commanders Conference issued by the military’s media wing, the political analyst claimed that there is no room left for the PTI, adding, “The best bet is Ali Amin Gandapur because he [Gandapur] maintained occasional contact with the establishment at different levels.”

    The conference was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on November 5, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir and was attended by corps commanders, principal staff officers, and all formation commanders of the Pakistan Army.

    During the conference, the attendees expressed concern over the “malicious propaganda” carried out in the aftermath of the lawful deployment of the Pakistan Army in the federal capital to “secure key government buildings and provide a safe environment for the valued visiting delegations,” Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.


    As per ISPR’s statement, the attendees condemned the coordinated efforts by certain political elements to undermine the Army’s reputation and its relationship with the public. The forum labelled this attempt as part of a larger, externally-fueled plot, which it vowed would fail.

    “This pre-planned coordinated and premeditated propaganda reflects the continuity of a sinister design by certain political elements as an attempt to drive a wedge between the public [and] armed forces and institutions of Pakistan,” the ISPR statement read.

    Responding to the programme host Shahzeb Khanzada’s observation that Imran Khan’s wife’s bail was not the result of the understanding between the government and Bushra Bibi, Muneeb Farooq asserted that Bushra Bibi was “100 per cent released through understanding.”

    “It was a surprise factor for the establishment and Mohsin Naqvi that she did not honour the commitment and agreement on which she came out,” Farooq added.

    Recalling Bushra Bibi’s insistence on marching towards the D Chowk last week, Farooq mentioned that Bushra Bibi’s decision was outside the syllabus for the establishment and the government.

    Bushra Bibi, on her imprisoned Imran Khan “final call,” had marched towards Islamabad along with Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur on November 24.

  • Beatles legend McCartney stars in new UK coin collection

    Beatles legend McCartney stars in new UK coin collection

    There are few accolades missing from Beatles songwriter Paul McCartney’s stellar career, and now he is to be recognised with a collection of £5 ($6.35) coins, the UK’s Royal Mint said Friday.

    The 82-year-old composer of timeless hits such as “Yesterday”, “Let it Be” and “Hey Jude” helped design the coin, and said being the star of the collection was “a huge honour”.

    “It’s not anything I would have ever expected to happen when I was a kid,” he added.

    The coin’s design features the psychedelic “magic piano” featured in the 1967 Magical Mystery Tour film, music notes chosen by McCartney, a bass guitar and the logo of his post-Beatles band Wings.

    “Our coins recognise the greatest icons and events in British history, so it’s fitting that Paul McCartney’s remarkable music career is now celebrated on an official UK coin,” said Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint.

    “What makes this coin extra special is that Paul has been involved throughout the design process… and we hope fans will enjoy the layered references to songs, instruments and bands,” she added.

    McCartney has sold more than 100 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide and has just begun the European leg of his “Got Back” tour.

    The coins can be bought on the Royal Mint’s website, with prices starting from £15.50.

    The Royal Mint will also next year auction a gold coin that weighs five kilogrammes, took over 250 hours to make and is signed by McCartney.

    The £5 coin is issued as a souvenir for special occasions. They are not in ordinary circulation.

  • Pushpa 2 beats Jawan in Hindi box office opening day record

    Pushpa 2 beats Jawan in Hindi box office opening day record

    Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Indian actor Allu Arjun, has made history by earning INR 175.1 crore on its opening day, becoming the biggest opener ever in India, beating ShahRukh Khan’s Jawan which earned INDR 64 crore net in Hindi box office, taking the title of the highest Hindi opener. 

    The film, released on December 5, 2024 is already making waves globally. Pushpa 2 could have grossed over INR 200 crore, including overseas collections.

    The film was released on over 10,000 screens worldwide, and has captivated audiences across the globe.

    On its opening day, Pushpa 2: The Rule earned INR165 crore net in India. The Telugu version brought in INR 85 crore, while special premiere shows in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bengaluru generated INR 10.1 crore. The Tamil and Malayalam versions earned INR 7 crore and INR 5 crore, respectively.

     Pushpa 2 is directed by Sukumar, and includes talented cast such as Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Sunil Jagapathi Babu and Rao Ramesh. 

    Despite the excitement of the mega opening, the situation took a dark turn when chaos broke out as soon as Allu Arjun arrived at a theater, leading to a stampede. Tragically, a 35-year- old woman lost her life, while her son, 9, was severely injured.

    Reports indicate that thousands of fans gathered at the theater to see the film and its cast, causing the situation to spiral out of control. Meanwhile, tickets for Pushpa 2 in major cinemas in Mumbai and Delhi have been priced at over 2500 Indian Rupees.

    Earlier, details were revealed about how much Tamil film superstar Allu Arjun had charged for his new film ‘Pushpa 2’.

    Blockbuster films like Baahubali and Pushpa not only broke box office records, but the actors starring in these movies have also received huge remuneration, of which Allu Arjun is considered one of the highest-paid actors.

    The Tollywood superstar has become India’s highest-paid actor after he charged 300 crore Indian rupees for ‘Pushpa 2’, which is more than the total budget of many Bollywood films.

    Earlier, Indian Tamil film legend Rajinikanth had charged 250 crore rupees for his film ‘Jailer’.

    The trailer of Allu Arjun’s film Pushpa 2 was released on November 17 on YouTube in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil languages, and it managed to get millions of views within a few hours.