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English commentator apologizes to Jasprit Bumrah for calling him a primate

Former British cricketer Isa Guha has apologized on air to Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah for using inappropriate words during commentary.

Isa had praised Bumrah during commentary on Sunday during the third Test match between India and Australia, calling him the “most valuable primate”.

The usage of primate, the scientific word for apes and monkeys, left Indian fans furious.

Later, the female commentator said, “I had used the wrong word while praising Bumrah, and I apologize for my mistake.”

Guha’s comments during the live broadcast created a storm on social media, as she compared the 31-year-old and number one-ranked Test bowler to a primate.

IND vs AUS 3rd Test

Australia took the upper hand in the ongoing third Test at the Gabba with a commanding performance in their first innings. After winning the toss and batting first, they posted a formidable total of 445 runs. Travis Head was the standout performer, smashing 152 runs off 196 balls, supported by Steve Smith, who ended his century drought with a gritty 106. India’s bowlers worked hard, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge, claiming an impressive 6-wicket haul for 97 runs. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with two wickets, but Australia’s batting depth proved too strong.

In response, India’s batting lineup faltered under the relentless pressure from Australia’s pacers. By Tea on Day 3, India had slumped to 48/4 in just 14.1 overs. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were lethal, dismissing Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane cheaply. The top-order collapse left India staring at a massive deficit and fighting to avoid the follow-on.

With the pitch offering bounce and movement, Australia has firmly established control over the match. India’s lower order will need to mount a significant recovery to keep the game alive. As the series stands level at 1-1, this match could prove pivotal in determining the eventual winner of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

December 16, 2024
APS attack anniversary: Schools closed in Lahore, Islamabad-Rawalpindi

Deputy commissioners of Lahore and Rawalpindi have announced the closure of educational institutions in their respective districts on Dec 16 (tomorrow).

Educational institutions will remain closed on account of the 10th anniversary of the tragic APS Peshawar attack in 2014, two separate notifications said.

Meanwhile, a third notification also announced closure of educational institutions in Islamabad.

While the exact reason behind the sudden closure has not yet been announced, there is also no confirmation on the status of educational institutions in other parts of the country.

December 15, 2024
YouTuber Rajab Butt arrested over questionable wedding gifts

Amid hype surrounding his wedding festivities, YouTuber Rajab Butt has been arrested over receipt of questionable wedding gifts, reports said.

As per the details, Chung police, along with Punjab Wildlife Department, raided Rajab’s house and took him into custody after a viral video showed him receiving a lion cub as a wedding gift.

Illegal arms were also recovered from the social media star’s residence, police said.

While the details of the weapons have not yet been released, rumours claim at least one rifle was also gifted to him at his wedding. A viral video also showed him receiving a large case that he stopped the guest from opening in front of cameras.

Earlier, Rajab’s wedding remained the top trend on social media in Pakistan.

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Rajab Butt, Emaan tie the knot: Barat day pictures and videos

Rajab Butt, one of Pakistan’s top trending content creators, recently tied the knot with his beloved Emaan in a grand celebration that spanned several events. The big day took place on Thursday evening with family and friends joining the couple to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Rajab Butt looked dashing in an off-white sherwani, while Emaan looked stunning in a maroon bridal dress. They both appeared incredibly happy in the many videos and pictures from the main event have surfaced online.

Here are some highlights from Rajab Butt and Emaan’s wedding:

Mehndi Ceremony: Rajab’s close friends and family attended the festivities with a vibrant mehndi ceremony. The event was filled with music, dance, and lots of fun.

Check the pictures below:

Barat Day: The barat day was a grand affair, with Rajab and Emaan looking radiant as they greeted guests and celebrated their special day.

Romantic Photo Shoot: Rajab and Emaan also had a romantic photo shoot, capturing beautiful moments together.

Family Moments: The couple shared many heartfelt moments with their families, making the day even more memorable.

December 15, 2024
After Imad, Amir another cricketer bids farewell to int’l cricket

Days after star paceman Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim announced their retirement from international cricket, fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has also announced his decision to quit.

“I have decided to retire from international cricket. I want to express my deepest gratitude to my teammates and coaches; thank you for the love, the cheers, and the unforgettable memories,” Irfan wrote in a social media post that came after his years-long absence from the national squad.

The left-arm pacer further said he would continue to support and celebrate the game that has given him everything.

Irfan, who was known for troubling batters with his pace and height, represented Pakistan in 4 Tests, 60 ODIs and 22 T20I matches.

He was seen as a prominent figure in the 2012 series win against India, emerging as the wild card that propelled Pakistan to victory. In this series his bowling speeds reached a blazing 145 km/h. At 7 ft 1 in and bowling at brisk pace, he brought a new dimension to the Pakistan bowling attack.

His retirement is the third to be announced over the past week.

On Saturday, Amir announced his retirement from international cricket. The announcement from Amir had come a day after all-rounder Wasim announced his decision to retire.

After Imad, Amir also bids farewell to international cricket

Pakistan’s national team fast bowler, Mohammad Amir, has announced his retirement from international cricket, following the same decision made by all-rounder Imad Wasim.

Amir posted on Instagram with a caption stating: “It is an honour to play for Pakistan in all three formats. I know it is a difficult decision, but I feel it is the right time to take on the responsibility for the next generation and take Pakistan cricket to new heights. I want to thank the PCB for always providing much-needed support over the years, and I look forward to seeing the team perform. I would also like to thank the Pakistani fans for always supporting me throughout my career.”

32-year-old Mohammad Amir has played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20 Internationals for Pakistan since making his international debut in June 2009. He has taken 271 international wickets and scored 1,179 runs across all three formats.

Imad Wasim announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on December 13. Both Amir and Imad last represented Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The two players have been key members of the Pakistan cricket team in recent years and also represented the Pakistan Under-19 team at the start of their respective careers.

Amir was part of the victorious 2009 ICC T20 World Cup squad, while both he and Imad were members of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy-winning team.

Imad Wasim bids farewell to international cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday.

Imad wrote in a message on Instagram, “To all fans & supporters. After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket. Representing Pakistan on the world stage has been the greatest honour of my life, and every moment wearing the green jersey has been unforgettable.”

He further wrote, “Your unwavering support, love, and passion have always been my biggest strength. From the highs to the lows, your encouragement has pushed me to give my best for our beloved country. While this chapter comes to an end, I look forward to continuing my journey in cricket through domestic and franchise cricket, and I hope to keep entertaining you all in new ways. Thank you for everything. Pakistan Zindabad.”

Imad Wasim had withdrawn his retirement before the T20 World Cup 2024.

Imad has represented Pakistan in 55 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 75 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He has not played any Test matches for the national team.

Imad made his ODI debut on July 19, 2015, against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and his T20I debut on May 24, 2015, against Zimbabwe in Lahore.

December 15, 2024
Nasir Adeeb apologises to Reema for ‘unverified’ Heera Mandi claim

With Nasir Adeeb’s comments about star actor Reema Khan drawing strong reactions from celebrities and general public alike, the veteran scriptwriter has issued a public apology over his claims.

The Legend of Maula Jatt writer had in a recent podcast claimed that Reema was once rejected by him and film director Younus Malik while visiting Lahore’s Heera Mandi area for casting.

Adeeb’s claim had sparked backlash from fans and celebrities, including Imran Abbas, Sanam Jung, Rabia Enum, Bushra Ansari and Fahad Mustafa, all of whom shamed the writer.

“I apologise in front of everyone… to Reema Ji… [I am] asking for her forgiveness… that she may forgive me for saying something I did not verify,” the writer said while taking back his claim of Reema belonging to the infamous Heera Mandi area known for housing brothels until a few years ago.

Adeeb said that Allah has ordered us to not believe in hearsay, and he had committed a grave mistake by not verifying the claim. “We need to verify news before spreading it,” he added.

Earlier, Rabia Anum, Imran Abbas slams Nasir Adeeb for defaming Reema

Senior scriptwriter Nasir Adeeb has come under fire for derogatory remarks about film star Reema’s past. Several showbiz personalities have demanded that he apologize to the actress.

In a recent podcast, Nasir Adeeb claimed that he and director Younis Malik went to Heera Mandi in Lahore to find a heroine for a film.

He stated, “We were shown several girls, including Reema Khan.” However, he did not cast her because he “did not like her.”

Although Nasir Adeeb did not cast Reema, he acknowledged that she later became a superstar in the film industry.

Social media users and celebrities criticized Nasir Adib for the weird remarks about the famous actress. Imran Abbas, Sanam Jang, and Rabia Anam were among those who spoke out against him.

In a social media post, Imran Abbas called Nasir Adeeb’s comments “shameful,” writing, “Even today, some people take pleasure in humiliating and disturbing others by talking about the past of actors.”

Actress Sanam Jang expressed surprise at Nasir Adeeb’s remarks, questioning why he was discussing someone’s past in this manner.

TV host Rabia Anam also criticized Nasir Adeeb and demanded that such podcasts, which tarnish others’ honor, should be stopped. She encouraged women not to lose heart, writing, “Women should remember that some people can criticize them to put them down, but they should not lose heart.”

December 14, 2024
Cricket Australia to lose $100,000 due to THIS reason in India Test

Cricket Australia will be facing a huge financial loss in the ongoing third Test against India, reports said Saturday.

The first day of the third Test at the Gabba was rained out with only 13.2 overs played. Australia had scored 28 runs off 80 balls when rain stopped play 60 minutes into the game.

With the match not resuming due to torrential downpour, Australia fell 10 balls short of completing 15 overs, which is the minimum requirement for the board to not be liable for ticket refunds.

Cricket Australia will now have to refund all tickets worth a whopping $1 million, reports said.

First Test Summary (Perth, November 22-26, 2024)

India started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a strong win in Perth. Batting first, India put up a massive total of 566 runs, thanks to brilliant centuries by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Australia’s bowlers, including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, struggled to take regular wickets.

When Australia batted, their lineup collapsed under the pressure of India’s bowlers. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja were exceptional, picking up most of the wickets. Australia was bowled out for just 207 runs in their first innings, giving India a huge lead.

In the second innings, India decided to bat again and added another 185 runs before declaring. Australia was left with an impossible target of 545 runs. Despite some resistance from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, Australia crumbled for 249. Mohammed Shami took crucial wickets in the second innings, leading India to a commanding victory by 295 runs.

Second Test Summary (Adelaide, December 6-8, 2024)

Australia bounced back strongly in the second Test, a day-night match in Adelaide. India batted first, but their innings fell apart quickly. Australia’s pacers, especially Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, were on fire, and India was bowled out for just 156 runs. Only Shubman Gill put up a fight with a half-century.

Australia responded with a solid batting performance, scoring 325 runs in their first innings. Travis Head played a crucial knock, and Alex Carey provided support with a quick fifty. India’s bowlers tried hard, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Siraj picking up wickets, but they couldn’t stop Australia from taking a big lead.

India’s second innings was worse than the first. The Australian bowlers, led by Starc, tore through the lineup. India managed only 113 runs, leaving Australia with a tiny target of 10 runs. Australia chased it down easily, winning the match by 10 wickets and leveling the series 1-1.

December 14, 2024
Pushpa 2’s Allu Arjun granted bail in deadly stampede case

South Indian actor Allu Arjun of Pushpa fame has been released from prison after the Telangana High Court granted him four-week interim bail in the stampede case against him.

Allu had been arrested after a woman died in a stampede during the premiere of ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ earlier this month.

The actor had on December 4 arrived at Sandhya Theatre around 9:30 PM. As he and his security team entered the theatre, a large crowd tried to follow him inside, leading to chaos. Things got worse when his security team started pushing the crowd back.

Amid the chaos, 35-year-old Revathi lost her life while her son Sritej, 9, sustained injuries.

With Allu being arrested Friday, a local court in Hyderabad sent him on a 14-day judicial remand. However, with the victim’s husband pulling out of the case, the Telangana High Court on Saturday granted the actor temporary relief.

The court will revisit the case on January 21, 2025, reports said.

Earlier, South Indian actor Allu Arjun was arrested after his appearance at a movie screening allegedly caused a stampede that resulted in the death of a woman on Friday, police and local media reported.

A huge crowd had gathered at a theatre in Hyderabad to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun as he arrived for the screening of his film “Pushpa 2: The Rule.”

Arjun, 42, was arrested on suspicion of three offences, including causing hurt by dangerous means, a police officer told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The victim of the December 4 stampede was a woman in her 30s attending the screening with her son, who was also seriously injured. The woman’s family later filed a complaint against Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management, media outlet India Today reported.

Arjun said he was “deeply heartbroken” two days after the accident. “While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey,” he wrote on X.

Arjun is hugely popular in southern India, and the Pushpa film franchise has made millions at the box office.

On Thursday12 December, A violent altercation during the screening of Pushpa 2 at Kajal Talkies in Phalka Bazar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, resulted in a man’s ear being bitten off by a canteen staff member.

The incident occurred on December 10 and has drawn attention because of its similarity to a scene from the film where the protagonist, Pushpa, fights back by biting his enemies.

Indian media reported that the altercation began during the intermission when the victim, Shabbir Khan, got into an argument with canteen staff members Raju, Chandan, and MA Khan over a food bill. The disagreement escalated into a physical fight, with one of the staff members reportedly biting Shabbir Khan’s ear, causing significant bleeding.

December 14, 2024
Turkiye to reopen embassy in Syria amidst raging crisis and diplomatic talks

Turkiye is set to reopen its embassy in Damascus on Saturday, nearly a week after President Bashar Assad was toppled by forces backed by Ankara and 12 years after the diplomatic outpost was shuttered early in Syria’s civil war.

The move came as Middle Eastern and Western diplomats gathered in Jordan for high-level talks on Syria, and a day after nationwide celebrations at Assad’s ouster.

Ankara has been a major player in Syria’s conflict, holding considerable sway in the northwest and financing armed groups there, and maintaining a working relationship with the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the offensive that brought down Assad.

Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the new charge d’affaires, Burhan Koroglu, left for Syria on Friday, with the embassy expected to be “operational” the following day.
Fidan also said Ankara had urged Assad backers Russia and Iran not to intervene as the Islamist-led militants mounted their lightning advance last week.

“The most important thing was to talk to the Russians and Iranians to ensure that they didn’t enter the equation militarily… They understood,” Fidan told private television network NTV.

Turkish diplomats joined counterparts from the European Union, the United States and the Arab world on Saturday for talks in the Jordanian city of Aqaba.

A day before the meetings in Jordan, Syrians had celebrated what they called the “Friday of victory,” with fireworks heralding the fall of the Assad dynasty.

Celebrations continued into the night on the first Friday — the Muslim day of rest and prayer — since Assad was ousted.

Umayyad Square in Damascus was jammed with vehicles, people and waving flags as fireworks shot into the air, AFPTV footage showed.

Crowds also gathered in the squares and streets of other Syrian cities, including Homs, Hama and Idlib.

UN envoy warns against Syria collapse at crisis talks

Meanwhile, a UN envoy urged foreign powers to work to avoid a collapse of vital Syrian institutions following the downfall of leader Bashar al-Assad, as diplomats gathered in Jordan for a conference on the crisis.

Geir Pedersen, the UN’s special envoy for Syria, also backed a “credible and inclusive” political process to form the next government as he met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“We need to make sure that state institutions do not collapse, and that we get in humanitarian assistance as quickly as possible,” Pedersen said. “If we can achieve that, perhaps there is a new opportunity for the Syrian people.”

Top Arab, Turkish, EU, and US diplomats are holding talks in the Jordanian Red Sea resort city of Aqaba less than a week after Syrian opposition forces toppled al-Assad.

Blinken, on a trip in which he has met the leaders of Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq, has repeatedly called for an “inclusive” process that reflects all the diverse ethnic and religious communities in Syria.

Meeting Pedersen, Blinken said that the United Nations “plays a critical role” in humanitarian assistance and protecting minorities in Syria.

December 14, 2024
Here’s why President Zardari has issues with madrassas registration bill

President Asif Ali Zardari has raised eight objections over the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, under which religious seminaries are to be registered as societies.

The Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed by both houses of the parliament in October, but was returned to the National Assembly by the president at the time of assent.

According to reports, President Zardari pointed out several flaws and procedural errors in the bill, which, he said, contradicted existing laws. The president also believed said laws could lead to seminaries being used for other purposes than education, reports added.

As per the details of the objections, the law could result in the “spread of sectarianism”, and the formation of several madrassas in the same society could lead to the “deterioration of the law-and-order situation”.

President Zardari expressed fear that if the bill was enacted into law, it could have negative consequences for Pakistan’s international standing.

He said that bypassing the current registration process could lead to adverse reviews by international bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and might also affect the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) programme.

It merits mention that the GSP scheme allows developing countries, including Pakistan, to benefit from preferential access to the EU market by exempting certain goods from import duties. The EU cuts its import duties to zero on more than two-thirds of the tariff lines of their export to those country’s products, which implements 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, good governance, press freedom and the environment. Pakistan was awarded the GSP Plus status in 2014.

Furthermore, President Zardari highlighted that the Societies Registration Act, 1860, was applicable within the limits of Islamabad, but the clause regarding the applicability of the new amendments only in the federal capital was not included in the bill.

Referring to the Madrassa Education Board Ordinance 2001 and the Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Act, 2020, the president said that the new legislation could not be enacted in the presence of both acts.

Additionally, he objected to the contradiction in the definition of madrassa in various provisions of the new bill.

It may be noted that the bill seems to be becoming the latest bone of contention between major power players, including the president, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led federal government and members of the opposition, especially Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

While Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has written to President Zardari, urging him to approve the amendment bill, Maulana has criticised the president over delays in the same.

December 14, 2024
PSL 10: Platinum category Pakistani players revealed

The names of Pakistani platinum players for the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) have been announced.

An important meeting between the Pakistan Super League management and franchises to finalise player categories concluded on Saturday, with the platinum category selections finalised.

A report by Samaa News reveals that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf from Lahore Qalandars have been selected for the platinum category, while Babar Azam and Saim Ayub from Peshawar Zalmi have also been included.

From Quetta Gladiators, only Muhammad Amir has been chosen for the platinum category. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, and Imad Wasim from Islamabad United are also through. From Karachi Kings, however, no player has been selected in this category.

For Multan Sultans, Muhammad Rizwan and Usama Mir have been finalised in the platinum category. A decision between Iftikhar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi remains pending and has been referred to the review committee.

The selection panel will review the names and groups of players apart from those in the platinum category, as voting on these names has yet to be completed. The final list is expected to be shared with all franchises by tomorrow.

A rule change has been made for the Emerging category, allowing new players representing Pakistan to be included even if they are 23 years old.

December 14, 2024