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Author: News Desk

  • T20 World Cup: Jason Gillespie reveals why he deleted his tweet supporting Bangladesh

    T20 World Cup: Jason Gillespie reveals why he deleted his tweet supporting Bangladesh

    Former Australia fast bowler and ex-Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie has explained why he deleted a social media post questioning the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) handling of Bangladesh’s concerns regarding participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

    Gillespie said he took down the post after receiving abusive responses on X for raising what he described as a simple and logical question.

    “Because I got abused for asking a simple question that’s why,” Gillespie said in response to a user asking why the tweet had been deleted.

    The controversy began after the ICC removed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup and replaced them with Scotland following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) refusal to send its team to India due to security concerns.

    In the now-deleted post, Gillespie questioned why Bangladesh could not play its matches outside India, pointing to past precedents.

    He noted that India had previously declined to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and was allowed to play those games at neutral venues. “Can someone make this make sense?” he asked in the post.

    Soon after sharing the message, Gillespie faced a wave of hostile and abusive comments, which led him to delete the tweet.

    Bangladesh’s concerns largely stemmed from a recent Indian Premier League incident (IPL) involving fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was reportedly dropped from the tournament after receiving threats from Hindu extremist groups. 

    Bangladesh cited the episode as evidence that if a single player could not be protected, the safety of an entire national squad could not be guaranteed.

    The ICC rejected the argument, stating that the IPL incident was a domestic issue and unrelated to the World Cup’s security arrangements.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan has openly backed Bangladesh’s position. Reports suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering several protest options, including a possible boycott of its February 15 match against India in Colombo.

    PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has also delayed a final decision on Pakistan’s participation in the tournament after meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, saying the board will announce its stance by Friday or early next week.

  • Indonesia receives first three Rafale jets from France

    Indonesia receives first three Rafale jets from France

    Indonesia has received its first three Rafale fighter jets from France, marking a significant step in modernising the country’s ageing air force, a defence ministry official said.


    As per the details, the jets are part of a multi-billion-dollar defence deal between the two countries.


    Jakarta, France’s top arms client in Southeast Asia, has purchased up to 42 Rafale jets and French-built frigates and submarines as President Prabowo Subianto increases defence spending.


    “The aircraft have been handed over and are ready for use by the Indonesian Air Force,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait told Reuters.


    He confirmed that Indonesia has officially taken possession of the jets following an $8 billion agreement signed in 2022 and expanded last year.


    The three Rafales arrived on Friday and are now stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, on Sumatra’s western coast. Sirait said more jets are expected later this year, though he did not specify the number.


    Alongside the Rafales, the country has evaluated other options, including China’s J-10 and the US-made F-15EX.


    For the longer term, Jakarta has also signed a contract to acquire 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkiye. These fifth-generation jets are powered by General Electric F110 engines, the same type used in Lockheed Martin’s fourth-generation F-16 fighters.


    Separately, Reuters reported this month that Indonesia and Pakistan have discussed a potential deal for Jakarta to purchase combat jets and armed drones.

  • Muamma is the best drama on TV right now

    Muamma is the best drama on TV right now

    Muamma, Saba Qamar’s latest drama is a psychological thriller with all the elements that a Pakistani drama needs.

    In Episode 9 and 10, Jahan Ara’s (Saba Qamar) new tenants are right where she wants them. Junaid (Ali Ansari) has expressed his love for Jahan Ara despite his wife, Maira (Anoushay Abbasi) being pregnant and oblivious to his night-time conversations with Jahan Ara.

     

    We also see flashbacks of Jahan Ara’s life. A controlling, viscious, cheating husband who is in jail for murder, a father who literally threw her out and a helpless mother. A greedy brother and a father who, even if he realises that he did his daughter wrong, would never admit it. She’s had a tough life and she took ownership of it in the most twisted of ways.

     

    And that is the beauty of Muamma. Jahan Ara is the villain of the drama, the breaker of marriages because she initiates the ‘firnedship’ between the men and then watches their lives unfold. But we feel bad for her as well and find her well, relatable. 

     

    Relatable, how? She had a bad childhood with an overbearing father, fell in love but was unable to marry the love of her life (Usman Mukhtar) for reasons that we still don’t know and was treated horribly by her husband, who met with women and made her serve them. 

     

    It is surprising that Jahan Ara turned out to be a woman who wants to see if men break from their marriages, sets up situations to make them chase her and then supports the wives when their marriages are in trouble. She seems to have a twisted saviour syndrome, wanting to save women from bad marriages which she is instrumental in breaking.

     

    At the end of episode 10 we see the glass crack after Junaid accidentally throws a ball at it and Jahan Ara’s secret is at risk of being exposed. What will happen if it is, although at this point of the show it likely isnt. But it’s important to show that while Jahan Ara now lives in her own world where nothing she does has consequences, like sending Zeeshan to prison and her staff member for spying on her. How she managed to do so in such little time with the police is not explained but it does show the power she now weilds and the contrast between her past and present is striking. We want to know more and more about how she became the twisted convoluted person she is and can’t wait for the next episode to find out.

  • Fox Cricket secures broadcast rights for Pak-Australia series amid Indian reports of ‘no interest’

    Fox Cricket secures broadcast rights for Pak-Australia series amid Indian reports of ‘no interest’

    Amid reports of “no Australian broadcaster being interested” in the upcoming Pakistan-Australia T20 series, Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports have secured the broadcast rights for the same, CODE Sports and CODE Cricket Australia’s Chief Cricket Writer Daniel Cherny confirmed Tuesday.

    The announcement comes hours after earlier reports, mainly by Indian media, claimed that no Australian broadcaster had picked up the rights due to the absence of major cricketing names in the Australian side.

    The series, which begins on Thursday night, will feature three matches scheduled for January 29, January 31 and February 1.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan’s T20I squad has received a boost with the return of former captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. Both missed Pakistan’s recent three-match series in Sri Lanka.

    Shadab Khan also returns and will lead a strong spin unit that includes Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq.

    Pakistan’s squad also features Salman Ali Agha as captain, along with Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan.

    The series has also gained extra attention after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a promotional video for the tour. The promo blends traditional Pakistani hospitality with a subtle jab at India, and it quickly sparked reactions across social media.

    The video shows an Australian guest enjoying local food in Lahore, only to ask who will pay the bill. Players and locals respond that “Agha Ji” will take care of it. The promo then highlights Pakistan’s welcoming culture as Salman Ali Agha tells the guest, “You are our guest.”

    The standout moment comes when a taxi driver refuses to accept fare from the Australian passenger. The guest thanks him but forgets to shake hands. The driver smiles and says, “You forgot to shake hands. Looks like you also stayed with our neighbors.”

    The line drew strong reactions online, as users praised the subtle dig at India and called it one of the best moments of the promo.

    The handshake reference comes after a series of diplomatic and cricketing tensions, including India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players during the Asia Cup 2025.

    The promo ends with Salman Ali Agha delivering a strong message. “While we take pride in our hospitality, when it comes to cricket, we are fully prepared for the competition,” he says.

  • Govt issues new instructions amid risk of political, religious symbols on kites

    Govt issues new instructions amid risk of political, religious symbols on kites

    The Punjab government has imposed strict restrictions under Section 144 to prevent provocation and maintain public order during Basant, banning the use of kites carrying any kind of images or symbols.

    According to an official notification, the government has enforced the measures to ensure religious harmony and public safety during the festival. The notification clearly prohibits the manufacture, sale, transportation and use of kites displaying images of sacred books, religious places, personalities, national flags or political party symbols. 

    The ban on kites with religious or political imagery will remain in effect for 30 days.

    The notification states that only plain kites without any pictures, whether single-coloured or multi-coloured, will be allowed during Basant. Authorities have declared the production, storage, sale and use of illegal kites a punishable offence.

    Punjab government said that there was a risk that certain elements could use religious or political symbols on kites to incite unrest during the festival. It added that the orders under Section 144 have taken immediate effect and directed law enforcement agencies to take strict action against violations.

    Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department said the government has granted conditional permission for a “safe Basant” in Lahore from February 6 to 8. 

    The festival will be treated as a recreational event, and authorities will not tolerate any violation of the law.

    The spokesperson said the restrictions aim to protect public order and respect religious sentiments. He confirmed a complete ban on metallic wire, nylon string and glass-coated kite string. Manufacturing, transport, storage, sale and use of dangerous strings and kites remain strictly prohibited.

    According to the Home Department, kite flying before the approved dates can lead to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Rs2 million. 

    Those involved in the manufacture or sale of prohibited materials may face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to Rs5 million.

  • Govt bans pet lions, other big cats’ ownership in Punjab

    Govt bans pet lions, other big cats’ ownership in Punjab

    Days after two separate lion attacks in Lahore left at least two children injured, Punjab (CM) Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the revocation of all permits for keeping big cats as pets in the province.



    One of the incidents involved an eight-year-old boy, Wajid Ali, who was attacked by a pet lion in the provincial capital’s Sabzazar area. Police said the child went near the lion’s cage while playing when the animal attacked him.


    Due to inadequate enclosure arrangements and alleged negligence of the owner, the lion chewed off the boy’s arm. Authorities said the owner attempted to keep the incident under wraps and misled officials by claiming the injury occurred when the child’s arm was caught in some machine. 



    Doctors later amputated the child’s arm to save his life because of the severity of the injuries.



    Separately, a pet lioness attacked an eight-year-old girl in Lahore’s Bhekewal Pind area, leaving her seriously injured. Police said the animal was being transported by its owner in an auto-rickshaw when it became agitated, broke free and attacked the girl.



    “Following such incidents, CM Maryam Nawaz on Monday decided to revoke the legal permission to keep pet lions across the province,” the Punjab government said in a statement.


    The provincial chief executive also directed authorities to provide Wajid with a modern bionic arm.


    Police said both the owners were arrested and first information reports (FIRs) were registered against them.


    According to the provincial government, 59 big cats have so far been seized from different parts of Punjab, while 10 suspects have been arrested for violating standard operating procedures related to the housing of such animals.

  • Three suspects killed after Philippine mayor survives daylight rocket launcher attack

    Three suspects killed after Philippine mayor survives daylight rocket launcher attack

    The mayor of Shariff Aguak, a municipality in the province of Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines, has narrowly escaped an assassination attempt after gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at his convoy in broad daylight.

    As per the details, the attack took place at around 6:20 am on Sunday, with CCTV footage showing suspects firing a rocket launcher at Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan’s bulletproof black SUV near a petrol station. The mayor was inside the armoured vehicle at the time of the ambush.

    According to Anwar Kuit Emblawa, the mayor’s executive secretary, the SUV absorbed the impact of the blast, preventing the mayor from getting hurt. “Had the vehicle not been armoured, the mayor would be dead,” Emblawa said in an interview. “By God’s grace, he’s unscathed, not a scratch.”

    The mayor’s backup vehicle, a pickup truck, was also hit by bullets during the attack. Two security escorts travelling with the convoy sustained injuries. Emblawa said the wounds were non-life-threatening and confirmed that both guards were being treated at the Bangsamoro Regional and Medical Center in Datu Hoffer.

    Initial reports said the assailants carried out the attack from a white minivan before fleeing the area. The incident occurred in a populated area during daylight hours, with vendors and bystanders present near the highway.

    “It happened in full view… parked right by the highway with vendors around,” Emblawa said, adding that investigators were expected to identify suspects quickly due to the presence of CCTV footage and witnesses. When asked about a possible motive, he said: “That’s one of the risks politicians face.”

    The broad daylight attack prompted a pursuit operation by a joint police and military team. According to the Philippine News Agency, three alleged ambushers were later killed during the chase. Authorities said high-powered firearms were recovered from the suspects’ vehicle.

    Ampatuan has survived multiple attempts on his life, with reported attacks in 2010, 2014 and 2019. He sustained injuries in two of the earlier incidents, after which his vehicle was upgraded with armour.

    Shariff Aguak, formerly known as Maganoy, is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao del Sur and forms part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It was renamed in 1996 and has a population of 33,982, according to the 2020 census.

  • VIDEO: Babar Azam smashes 21 off five balls against Shaheen Afridi in practice session

    VIDEO: Babar Azam smashes 21 off five balls against Shaheen Afridi in practice session

    Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam delivered a strong statement ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 by smashing 21 runs off five balls against left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi during an intra-squad practice session.

    The face-off took place as Pakistan’s players resumed preparations following their return from overseas leagues. 

    The brief but explosive exchange quickly went viral on social media, with fans and analysts focusing on Babar’s aggressive intent against the team’s strike bowler.

    Babar, who recently returned from the Big Bash League 2025–26 after representing Sydney Sixers, showed clear attacking intent. 

    On the opening delivery, he stepped down the pitch and launched Shaheen straight down the ground for a six. He followed it with a clean strike over the covers on a low full toss.

    Shaheen then tested Babar with a short ball, but the right-hander stayed ready and pulled it confidently for another six. The bowler changed his angle and came around the wicket on the fifth delivery, only for Babar to flick the low full toss into the leg side for a boundary, completing a 21-run burst off five balls.

    Shaheen also returned home after his BBL stint with Brisbane Heat, where injury limited his involvement. Both players have now shifted focus to Pakistan’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, which forms an important part of preparations for the T20 World Cup.

    The T20I series will take place on January 29, January 31 and February 1, starting at 4 pm (Pakistan Standard Time).

  • France set to ban social media for children under 15

    France set to ban social media for children under 15

    French lawmakers have approved legislation seeking to prohibit social media access for children under the age of 15, a proposal strongly backed by President Emmanuel Macron as part of efforts to curb excessive screen use among minors.


    The bill was passed by the National Assembly following a lengthy overnight debate, with 130 lawmakers voting in favour and 21 against between Monday and Tuesday. It will now be sent to the Senate for consideration before it can become law.


    Macron welcomed the vote, calling it a “major step” in safeguarding children and teenagers, in a post on X.

    The proposed law also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools and would make France the second country, after Australia, to impose age-based restrictions on social media use. Australia introduced a similar ban for under-16s in December.


    Concerns over the impact of screen time have intensified as social media usage has expanded, with experts warning of potential harm to child development and rising mental health issues.


    “The emotions of our children and teenagers are not for sale or to be manipulated, either by American platforms or Chinese algorithms,” Macron said in a video message broadcast on Saturday.


    Authorities aim to implement the new rules for newly created accounts starting with the 2026 school year.


    Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister and current leader of Macron’s Renaissance party in the lower house, said he hoped the Senate would approve the bill by mid-February, allowing the ban to take effect on September 1.

    Beyond mental health concerns, Attal said the measure would also counter “a number of powers that, through social media platforms, want to colonise minds.” 


    This month, France’s public health agency ANSES warned that platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have multiple harmful effects on adolescents particularly girls – although it noted that social media is not the sole factor behind deteriorating mental health. Identified risks include cyberbullying and exposure to violent content.


    The legislation specifies that “access to an online social networking service provided by an online platform is prohibited for minors under the age of 15”, while exempting online encyclopedias and educational platforms.

    The ban would depend on the introduction of an effective age-verification system, work on which is currently underway at the European level.


    Criticism has come from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, with lawmaker Arnaud Saint-Martin describing the proposal as “a form of digital paternalism” and an “overly simplistic” response to the challenges posed by technology.

    Macron has also expressed support for banning mobile phones in high schools. France previously prohibited mobile phone use in middle schools in 2018 for students aged 11 to 15.

  • Maryam Nawaz’s husband jokes about missing photos with wife at son’s wedding

    Maryam Nawaz’s husband jokes about missing photos with wife at son’s wedding

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s husband, Muhammad Safdar, has responded to questions about the absence of photos of the couple from their son Junaid Safdar’s wedding, using humor to dismiss the controversy.

    A video of Safdar went viral after a reporter asked why pictures of him with Maryam Nawaz did not appear on social media during wedding celebrations. Safdar replied with a light tone, “If you want, I can go to the Chief Minister right now and stand with her to take a picture and send it to you.”

    He added, “Pictures do not matter. The heart should stay connected.”

    The reporter then asked, “Okay sir, is the heart connected?”

    Safdar answered, “Very much.”

    When the reporter pressed further and asked, “How much, sir?”

    Safdar responded, “So much that when the heart beats here, it pumps there, and when it beats there, it pumps here.”

    Junaid Safdar, grandson of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, married Shanzeh Rohale, daughter of PML-N leader Rohail Asghar. 

    The wedding took place with family members and party leaders in attendance, but images of the parents of the groom posing together did not appear on social media or in news coverage.