Pakistan’s humiliating run and early elimination from the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 has not only invited widespread criticism from fans and the cricket fraternity but also raised eyebrows in Islamabad. “The prime minister will personally take notice and we will also ask him to raise these [cricket-related] issues in the cabinet as well as in parliament,” PM Shehbaz Sharif’s aide on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah said while speaking on Geo News’ program “Geo Pakistan” on Thursday. The politician’s remarks come against the backdrop of the dismal performance showcased by the Mohammad Rizwan-led side — also the defending champions…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Pakistan ended their campaign in the home Champions Trophy without a win after rain washed out their dead rubber against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The Group A match between the two eliminated sides was of little consequence and steady drizzle poured cold water on defending champions Pakistan’s hopes of a consolation victory. Tuesday’s Group B fixture between Australia and South Africa at the same venue was also abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain. It has been a forgettable campaign for Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan in the first global tournament to be staged in the…
A Sri Lankan passenger train derailed Thursday after smashing into a family of elephants, with no passengers injured but six animals killed in the island’s worst such wildlife accident, police said. The express train was travelling near a wildlife reserve at Habarana, some 180 kilometres east of the capital Colombo, when it hit the herd crossing the line before dawn. “The train derailed, but there were no casualties among the passengers,” police said, adding that wildlife authorities were treating two elephants who survived the crash. Videos shot after the accident showed one elephant standing guard over an injured youngster lying…
China aims to effectively eliminate severe air pollution by the end of 2025, a senior environment official said, as authorities ramp up efforts in pollution control and emissions reduction in the “battle for blue skies.” China will improve its air quality forecasting and early warning systems and enhance coordinated management of harmful airborne particles known as PM2.5, as well as ozone pollution, said Li Tianwei, Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment. “The battle for blue skies remains unchanged,” said Li, according to a transcript on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s website on Monday. Though some progress has been…
Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims in the kingdom to sight the Ramadan moon on Friday evening (February 28), according to Saudi Gazette. “The Supreme Court requests that anyone who sees it [moon] with the naked eye or through binoculars informs the nearest court and registers their testimony, or contacts the nearest centre to assist them in reaching the nearest court,” the Saudi authorities said in its statement. It further added that it “hopes that anyone who has the ability to sight it will pay attention to this matter and join the committees formed in the regions for this…
A new report has estimated that around a billion Indians don’t have money to spend on any discretionary goods or services though India is home to 1.4 billion people, BBC reported. According to the report from Blume Ventures, a venture capital firm, the country’s consuming class, effectively the potential market for start-ups or business owners, is only about as big as Mexico, 130-140 million people. Moreover, as click-of-a-button digital payments make it easy to transact, another 300 million are “emerging” or “aspirant” consumers, however, they are reluctant spenders who have only just begun to open their purse strings. As per…
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday accused North Korea of being behind the theft of $1.5 billion worth of digital assets last week, the largest crypto heist in history. Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange Bybit reported last week that it had been robbed of 400,000 in cryptocurrency Ethereum. According to the company, attackers exploited security protocols during a transaction, enabling them to transfer the assets to an unidentified address. On Wednesday, the US government pointed the finger at Pyongyang. The FBI said in a public service announcement, “(North Korea) was responsible for the theft of approximately $1.5 billion USD…
A Southwest Airlines plane had a close call with a private jet that entered a runway without authorization Tuesday morning at Chicago Midway International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. Southwest Flight 2504 landed safely after performing a go-around to prevent a potential collision. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, which occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said they don’t believe it was an air traffic control issue; it appears the Flexjet flight crew failed to listen and abide by air traffic control instructions. The private Bombardier Challenger…
Attorneys for the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students have referenced autism spectrum disorder in asking the court to ensure the 30-year-old wouldn’t get the death penalty if convicted, court records show. Bryan Kohberger is accused of killing Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus home in November 2022. Kohberger’s trial is expected to begin in August; not guilty pleas have been entered on his behalf. His defense recently filed a motion “to Strike Death Penalty RE: Autism Spectrum Disorder.” A “Motion to Redact or Seal Newly Filed Records” was also entered…
More than two years after a quadruple homicide in Moscow, Idaho, a judge unsealed the transcript of a recent hearing in the case against Bryan Kohberger, accused of stabbing four students to death in an off-campus home. The hearing, closed to the public, followed defense attorney Anne Taylor’s claim that investigators acted improperly using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). IGG combines DNA analysis with genealogical research. Authorities can upload an unknown suspect’s DNA profile to a public database to identify family members. Investigators use this to build a family tree and identify suspects. The defense’s attempt to suppress IGG evidence failed.…
