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  • Virat Kohli fans lose cool over bowler who dismissed him

    Virat Kohli fans lose cool over bowler who dismissed him

    Indian cricket star Virat Kohli made a dramatic return to domestic cricket after more than a decade, but his comeback did not go as planned. Playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, the 36-year-old batter was dismissed for just six runs off 15 balls in a match against Railways.

    Kohli was clean bowled by young fast bowler Himanshu Sangwan, who celebrated the big wicket with unbridled excitement. His celebration quickly went viral, with videos and pictures spreading across social media. However, Kohli’s fans reacted angrily to his glee. 

    The master batsman’s fans started trolling Sangwan on social media, posting insulting comments and swearing words. Some fans could not accept their favourite cricketer getting out cheaply and expressed their frustration online.

    Virat Kohli is one of the most followed cricketers in the world, with millions of fans not just in India but across the globe. His popularity was evident as more than 15,000 spectators came to the stadium to watch him play. However, he failed to deliver a strong performance, leaving his fans disappointed.

    Here is how users are trolling him:

  • Key nominees for the Grammy Awards

    Key nominees for the Grammy Awards

    Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the 67th annual Grammy Awards, which will be handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles.

    Beyonce leads all nominees with 11 on the strength of her groundbreaking country album “Cowboy Carter”:

    – Album of the Year –

    “New Blue Sun” – Andre 3000

     

    “Cowboy Carter” – Beyonce

    “Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter

    “Brat” – Charli XCX

    “Djesse Vol. 4” – Jacob Collier

    “Hit Me Hard and Soft” – Billie Eilish

    “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” – Chappell Roan

    “The Tortured Poets Department” – Taylor Swift

    – Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song –

    “Now and Then” – The Beatles

    “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyonce

    “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

    “360” – Charli XCX

    “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish

    “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

    “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan

    “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift, featuring Post Malone

    – Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting –

    “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Shaboozey, Nevin Sastry & Mark Williams, songwriters (Shaboozey)

    “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

    “Die with a Smile” – Dernst ‘D’Mile’ Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars & Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars)

    “Fortnight” – Jack Antonoff, Post Malone & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone)

    “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan, Daniel Nigro & Justin Tranter, songwriters (Chappell Roan)

    “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)

    “Please Please Please” – Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters (Sabrina Carpenter)

    “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Brian Bates, Beyonce, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bulow, Nate Ferraro & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyonce)

    – Best New Artist –

    Benson Boone

    Sabrina Carpenter

    Doechii

    Khruangbin

    Raye

    Chappell Roan

    Shaboozey

    Teddy Swims

    – Best Pop Solo Performance –

    “Bodyguard” – Beyonce

    “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

    “Apple” – Charli XCX

    “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish

    “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan

    – Best Pop Vocal Album –

    “Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter

    “Hit Me Hard and Soft” – Billie Eilish

    “Eternal Sunshine” – Ariana Grande

    “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” – Chappell Roan

    “The Tortured Poets Department” – Taylor Swift

    – Best Music Video –

    “Tailor Swif” – A$AP Rocky

    “360” – Charli XCX

    “Houdini” – Eminem

    “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

    “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

    – Best Rap Album –

    “Might Delete Later” – J. Cole

    “The Auditorium, Vol. 1” – Common and Pete Rock

    “Alligator Bites Never Heal” – Doechii

    “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace) – Eminem

    “We Don’t Trust You” – Future and Metro Boomin

    – Best Rock Album –

    “Happiness Bastards” – The Black Crowes

    “Romance” – Fontaines DC

    “Saviors” – Green Day

    “Tangk” – Idles

    “Dark Matter” – Pearl Jam

    “Hackney Diamonds” – The Rolling Stones

    “No Name” – Jack White

    – Best Country Album –

    “Cowboy Carter” – Beyonce

    “F-1 Trillion” – Post Malone

    “Deeper Well” – Kacey Musgraves

    “Higher” – Chris Stapleton

    “Whirlwind” – Lainey Wilson

    – Best Country Solo Performance –

    “16 Carriages” – Beyonce

    “I Am Not Okay” – Jelly Roll

    “The Architect” – Kacey Musgraves

    “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey

    “It Takes a Woman” – Chris Stapleton

    – Best Global Music Album –

    “Alkebulan II” – Matt B featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

    “Paisajes” – Ciro Hurtado

    “Heis” – Rema

    “Historias de un Flamenco” – Antonio Rey

    “Born in the Wild” – Tems

    – Artists with Most Nominations –

    Beyonce (11)

    Charli XCX (8)

    Post Malone (8)

    Billie Eilish (7)

    Kendrick Lamar (7)

    Sabrina Carpenter (6)

    Chappell Roan (6)

    Taylor Swift (6)

  • Kash Patel Faces Hard Questions in FBI Director Hearing

    Kash Patel Faces Hard Questions in FBI Director Hearing

    Kash Patel, nominated by former President Donald Trump for the position of FBI director recently attended his confirmation hearing before the Senate. His appointment has caused a lot of discussion. Republicans support him because they believe he has the right experience for the job. Democrats worry about his past and whether he will indeed be independent.

    During the hearing, Patel addressed tough questions concerning his time in the Trump administration. He responded to inquiries about his attempts to contest the 2020 election outcomes and his previous criticisms of the FBI. Democratic senators expressed concerns that he might use the FBI for political purposes rather than law imposition. They referenced his comments about the FBI  investigation into Russian interference in the election. Patel stated, “I aim to rebuild public confidence in the FBI and guarantee it functions impartially.”

    One of the biggest concerns was whether Patel would target Trump’s political opponents. He has talked about holding certain officials responsible for what he called corruption in the Justice Department. When asked if he has a list of enemies, Patel said no. He stated, “There is no enemies list,” he said my job would fairly enforce the law for everyone. Some Republicans, including Senator Chuck Grassley support Patel. They say he is committed to changing the FBI to make it clearer and fairer. Grassley praised Patel’s previous work, calling him “a fighter for fairness and accountability.”

    Patel shared his plans for the FBI. If he is confirmed he wants to reduce violent crime and improve national security. He set goals to cut drug related deaths homicides and sexual assaults by 50%. “The American people deserve an FBI that focuses on real threats, not political drama,” Patel said. Some critics question whether his goals are realistic and how he plans to achieve them.

    People outside of Washington have different views on Patel’s nomination. Some police unions especially those in Long Island support him because they believe he has the right experience for the job. A group of former Justice Department officials and  including some Republicans, has written a letter opposing his nomination. They believe he is too political and could damage the FBI’s reputation. The letter warned that his leadership might turn the FBI into a tool for political revenge.

    Despite the ongoing controversy, Patel still has a good chance of being confirmed because Republicans hold the majority in the Senate. However, this hearing revealed how divided opinions are about the FBI’s future and its ties with the government. As the Senate vote approaches, Patel needs to persuade more lawmakers that he can lead the FBI in a fair and independent manner. The final decision on his nomination will greatly influence the FBI and its operations in the coming years.

    Read Also: Heartbreaking Experience of Stevie Nicks: Tribute to Firefighters Who Save House on Fire

  • Heartbreaking Experience of Stevie Nicks: Tribute to Firefighters Who Save House on Fire

    Heartbreaking Experience of Stevie Nicks: Tribute to Firefighters Who Save House on Fire

    In recent months Stevie Nicks has shared such a heartwarming experience when she tried to save her home home during a terrible fire in the Pacific Palisades area. The intensity of the fire was so high that Nicks had to relocate her home immediately and she had no hope that her house would be saved. 

     

    Facing the Fire: An Unexpected Resurrection

    That day at Pacific Palisades came as an unexpected resurrection to anyone. The intensity of the fire in this area was so high that Stevie Nicks and her family had to evacuate their home immediately. The speed and intensity of the fire harassed everyone. And Nicks did not think herself that her house would be saved. When Stevie Nicks was leaving her house and going to a safe place, she was thinking that when she came then her house would have turned into ashes. This was a moment when there seemed to be a big difference between the destiny of man and nature.

     

    The role of firefighters

    In this story sacrifice and valiant efforts given by firefighters proved to be a turning point. When Stevie Nicks left her house she believed that her house must have been burnt down. But when she came back she found her house in such a condition that it stood as an exemplary guardian to the rest of the houses in the entire area.

     

    It was a miracle thanks should be given to the hard work and sacrifice of the firefighters. The firefighters not only saved Stevie Nicks’s house but they played a crucial role in saving the whole block. In this concert during the performance of her famous hit song “Landslide”, Nicks tributes to the Air Fighters from the bottom of her heart who saved her house.

     

    The Fire Aid Concert was held at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, its goal was to collect funds for those affected by the Los Angeles County fires earlier this month.

     

    The Placidas and Eaton fires were fueled by historic Santa Ana winds in Southern California. These fires killed 29 people and destroyed thousands of homes. And thousands of people were homeless.

     

    In this story, the main thing that is promising is the unity of the community. What Stevie Nicks had to say about saving her home and firefighters that “I think, they saved the whole area” it shows that people help each other during natural calamities. And sacrifice themselves for others.

    Read Also: Gracie Abrams Supports Dora Jar In Preparing For Her European Tour or Shares Insights About Her Personal Life

  • Gracie Abrams Supports Dora Jar In Preparing For Her European Tour or Shares Insights About Her Personal Life

    Gracie Abrams Supports Dora Jar In Preparing For Her European Tour or Shares Insights About Her Personal Life

    Gracie Abrams is in the news because of her music and some unexpected. A group of her fans started a request on Change.org asking her to change her tour opener from Dora Jar. They feel that Dora’s music was slow and not energetic enough for the concerts. The person who started the petition using the name “Dexter Morgan” argued that Dora’s style doesn’t fit the tour’s vibe.

    Abrams quickly responded to the petition, calling it “wildly uncool and bizarre.” She confirmed her full support for  Dora Jar and expressed her excitement about having her on the tour. Abrams encouraged fans to respect and appreciate all artists. She said, “I am so proud and excited to have Dora Jar joining me on tour. It’s dishe artening to see such a petition, and I hope everyone can come together to support all artists involved”

    Dora Jar stayed positive despite the petition and did not let it discourage her. She focused on the upcoming tour and responded with excitement saying, “I’m looking forward to performing and connecting with Gracie’s wonderful fans. Let’s make these shows unforgettable!”

    Despite this ongoing controversy, Abrams is focused on her European tour which starts on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. She will visit cities like Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, and London before finishing in Glasgow on March 12. Fans are exited, especially since she recently toured with Taylor Swift as an opening act for the Eras Tour. Many new fans found her music during that time and they can’t wait to see her perform at her shows.

    Gracie Abrams is making big progress in her music career. On October 18, 2024, she released a deluxe version of her album, “The Secret of Us. ” This edition has four new songs and three live recordings. One of the new songs, “That’s So True,” reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, marking Abrams’ first No. 1 hit in the UK. 

    Her popularity is growing fast, and she has expanded her “The Secret of Us” tour. Due to high demand she she has scheduled extra shows in New York, Los Angeles, and London. Tickets are selling quickly and some venues sell out in minutes. 

    Fans are curious about her relationship, but Graice Abrams likes to keep her personal life private. In a recent interview, she said, I appreciate the interest in my personal life, but I prefer to let my music speak for itself and keep certain aspects private.” With her tour coming soon and her career growing, 2025 looks promising for Gracie Abrams. Fans are excited to see what she will do next!

    Read Also: A Controversial Statement of Bryce Mitchell: Tough Reaction From UFC and Dana White

  • House help was verbally abusing Nida Yasir’s young son

    House help was verbally abusing Nida Yasir’s young son

    When a trusted employee turns abusive, how does a mother react?

    Television host Nida Yasir recently shared an unsettling experience about her house help verbally abusing her young son Balaaj in her show Good Morning Pakistan.

    Nida Yasir shared, “During the COVID-19 period, I hired an educated female house help for my son. However, I came to know through my neighbors that she was verbally abusing Balaj.”

    When Nida first confronted her son, he assured her that he could manage the situation.

     “I have heard complaints about you, our neighbors also told me that you verbally abuse Balaaj,” she told the house help.

    The incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role parents play in protecting their children’s well-being and the need for vigilance in the home.

    Earlier, Nida spoke about the rules her 15-year-old daughter must follow while taking part in a panel discussion on her show, ‘Good Morning Pakistan.’

    One female participant shared her concerns, saying: “My daughter is very fond of making reels, and she uses social media so much that now she is not even paying attention to her studies. If I prohibit her, she becomes rude.”

    Nida Yasir replied, “My daughter is more than 15 but she is still not allowed to post Instagram reels by her father even though we are related to the entertainment industry and generally It is believed that people in this industry are liberal.”

    She added, “We are from the entertainment industry, but we still do not allow our daughter to use social media in this way.”

    Nida Yasir advised the woman that children should not be given too much freedom at a young age and that it is necessary to impose some restrictions on them. “Your daughter is only 15-years-old; she should not be allowed to engage in such activities now.”

    She also suggested that the woman ask her husband to be a little stricter with their daughter, stating that “Children always need a father’s strictness in such situations.”

  • Aid experts dismiss Trump’s ‘Gaza condoms’ spending claim

    Aid experts dismiss Trump’s ‘Gaza condoms’ spending claim

    US aid experts on Wednesday rejected Donald Trump’s claim that the United States had spent $50 million to fund condoms for the genocide-battered Gaza Strip, which the president has sought to make a poster child for wasteful spending.

    “We identified and stopped $50 million being sent to Gaza to buy condoms for Hamas,” Trump told reporters, referring to the group that has ruled the Palestinian territory for nearly two decades.

    “And do you know what’s happened to them? They’ve used them as a method of making bombs.”

    Trump offered no evidence to back his claim, which prompted both vehement rejections and ridicule from relief agencies and experts.

    The United States sent no condoms to any part of the Middle East since 2019, according to a detailed report last year from the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

    Its only family planning contribution to the region was a small shipment of injectable and oral contraceptives worth $45,680 that was sent to Jordan in 2023, the report said.

    International Medical Corps, a humanitarian aid organisation, said it received about $68 million from USAID for its Gaza operations since October 7, 2023 — the day Hamas launched a major attack on Israel –- which paid for two field hospitals providing lifesaving care.

    “No US government funding was used to procure or distribute condoms,” the organisation said in a statement.

    ‘Dangerous’

    On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the $50 million expenditure was discovered in Trump’s first week by the budget office and the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

    She called it a “preposterous waste of taxpayer money.”

    “The White House claim that DOGE uncovered $50 million in funding for condoms in Gaza is quite obviously untrue,” Matthew Kavanagh, director of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Policy and Politics, told AFP.

    “It does not even make sense.”

    A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests $50 million would buy over a billion condoms for Gaza’s adult population.

    “What’s going is here is NOT a billion condoms for Gaza,” Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, wrote on X, the Musk-owned site formerly called Twitter.

    “What’s going on is that the bros at DOGE apparently can’t read (government) spreadsheets.”

    Jesse Watters, host of a conservative-leaning talk show on Fox News, said that Hamas were using the non-existent US shipments to make “condom bombs,” floating explosives-laden balloons into Israel — a claim echoed by Trump.

    Soon after returning to office for a second term on January 20, Trump ordered a 90-day freeze in foreign assistance.

    He has vowed a review to ensure that aid conforms with policies of his administration, which opposes abortion, transgender rights and diversity programs.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a memo that the United States was freezing nearly all aid disbursement except for emergency food and military aid to Egypt and Israel.

    “What seems clear is the administration is taking a large grant to support healthcare infrastructure in Gaza and mischaracterising it in order to justify the dangerous halt to lifesaving aid programs around the world,” Kavanagh said.

  • ‘Economic revival’: Govt boasts drop in inflation rates

    ‘Economic revival’: Govt boasts drop in inflation rates

    Islamabad has taken credit for the drop in inflation from 28.8 percent to just 7.2 percent during the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2024-25. The government asserts that falling inflation rates can be attributed to the crusade against smuggling, hoarding and illegal foreign exchange operations.

    According to the announcement made by the Finance Ministry, the slowdown in inflation was made possible by the federal government’s responsible fiscal policies. Furthermore, the stabilisation of the exchange rate, coupled with improved procurement for essential commodities, helped control rising prices.

    The announcement further revealed that Islamabad’s crackdown on illegal foreign exchange companies was able to instill confidence in the market, allowing for the supply of goods to stabilise.

    Data from the finance ministry show that the long-term inflation rate will sit close to approximately seven percent in the upcoming half of the fiscal year. This is likely to create an environment that will assist business growth.

    The reasoning behind this is that high inflation rates erode customer purchasing power, leaving consumers to allocate their funds to more essential goods and services.

    Furthermore, as inflation peaked at approximately 29 percent in 2023, businesses had to make the tough decision of either raising prices to maintain profit margins or to keep prices unchanged while absorbing the difference. The latter practice, while helpful in retaining customers, results in smaller profit margins.

    However, experts predict that low inflation rates, coupled with declining policy rates, can bolster economic growth. Businesses and consumers will increase their expenditures, resulting in a rise in aggregate demand.

    Falling inflation rates outline the federal government’s achievements, as this outcome could not have been achieved without fiscal consolidation. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should also be credited for controlling the rate of inflation as well.

    This is because the SBP raised the interest rate to about 22 percent, easing the inflationary pressures in the economy. Funds previously used for consumption purposes were diverted to savings accounts in an attempt to capitalise from the high interest rates in the economy.

    This allowed the inflation rate to decline to a more manageable 7.2 percent in the first half of FY 2024-25. Rising interest rates also brought vast amounts of foreign currency into Pakistan, as foreign investors purchased local treasury bills to benefit from their high profit rates. This helped stabilise the exchange rate as well.

    However, the SBP has slashed interest rates over the past six and a half months to boost investment levels once again. Reports have revealed, however, that even falling interest rates have not derailed the downward trajectory of inflation rates.

  • Islamabad halts FBR’s ‘scandalous’ car purchase amid corruption probe

    Islamabad halts FBR’s ‘scandalous’ car purchase amid corruption probe

    Islamabad has halted the purchase of approximately 1,100 cars which the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wanted for its employees. The purchase order has been suspended until claims into corruption at the federal level can be investigated thoroughly.

    Senator Saleem Mandviwala chaired the meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue to look into allegations raised against government officials.

    The agenda of the meeting revolved around dissecting the scandalous purchase order made by the FBR and its subsequent approval. As per reports, the initial purchase order was made for only 1010 cars after which officials tacked on an additional 70 cars to the order to boost the total number of cars to 1080.

    Senator Faisal Vawda had received threats as he brought the suspicious matter to light. Furthermore, reports revealed that raids against a rival car manufacturer had occurred around the time of the purchase order. These matters warrant a probe and investigations are underway.

    Faisal Vawda who had initially ‘blown the whistle’ surrounding the purchase process made additional allegations. He revealed that FBR officers had issued him death threats and he substantiated his claims naming multiple senior officers.

    The Senate Secretariate released the names of the three officers whom Faisal Vawda had named. The officers were identified as Ali Saleh Hayat, Shahid Soomro and Hayat Siddiqui – and were indeed working for the FBR.

    In light of the allegations, FBR Chairman Rashid Mehmood Langrial said that the purchase order would be suspended immediately. In addition to the suspension, reports reveal that he also pledged to conduct an extensive investigation into every single allegation made in the senate meeting.

    He requested that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should look into Faisal Vawda’s allegations regarding threats made on his life. The senator has remained extremely vocal throughout the process. According to Vawda, FBR officials even raided Toyota Indus’ offices once he made allegations against the revenue watchdog.

    Langrial suggested that in addition to the FBR’s internal review, the Senate Panel could order an ‘external agency’ to look into the matter as well. Given Faisal Vawda’s position on the matter, it is likely that an external investigation will be launched soon.

    Langrial also highlighted the need for the automobiles by suggesting that tax officials could not ensure compliance with taxation laws without physically visiting business premises. He cited the existence of a “cash economy” as the reason behind the compliance issue.

    The FBR’s revenue shortfall for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2024-25 surged to 384 billion rupees. The revenue target was set at approximately six trillion rupees however, the FBR was only able to collect 5.624 billion rupees as per reports.

  • ‘Keep quiet… you talk too much’: American woman snaps at Ramzan Chhipa during presser

    ‘Keep quiet… you talk too much’: American woman snaps at Ramzan Chhipa during presser

     
     
    Onijah Andrew Robinson, an American woman who traveled to Pakistan for a failed online romance, snapped at social worker Ramzan Chippa on Friday at the Chippa Foundation’s Headquarters in Karachi.  Amidst tense atmosphere, she told Ramzan Chhipa to “Keep quiet” and accused  him of talking too much. 
     
     
     
    The rude remarks sparked heated debates, with Ramzan, the head of the Chhipa Foundation, calling her mentally unstable.
     
     
    She said, “I request the government to give me $100, 000, I want to go to Dubai with my husband.”
     
    Onijah insisted that $20,000 should be given to her, with the remainder allocated to improving Karachi’s infrastructure, particularly its roads and cleanliness. 
     
     
     
    “This entire situation is damaging Pakistan’s image,” Chhipa said, urging Ahmed Nidal Memon and his family to step forward and resolve the matter.
     
     
     
    The drama unfolded further when Ramzan Chhipa personally intervened, bringing Onijah to the Chhipa Foundation’s headquarters from Tipu Sultan Police Station. He revealed that Onijah had not slept for three days and was struggling with her health.
     
     
     
    “She is like my sister, and we will take care of her,”  Chhipa added, ensuring her safety and comfort with the help of Chhipa’s female volunteers.
     
     
    As this unusual story continues, some well-known figures have shared their thoughts. Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab also commented on Onija situation, who became the talk of the town for coming to Karachi in search of love.
     
     
    Kamran Tessori remarked, “People go abroad to acquire an American passport, but look at our talented young men who, along with an American passport, end up leaving a woman on the payment .”
     
    Meanwhile, Murtaza Wahab, talked about the generosity of Karachi’s people. “Karachiites have big hearts. People go to the United States, and we invite others here,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Onijah has been receiving marriage proposals from all over Pakistan as her story continues to capture attention.