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Newsdesk

Fatima Sana signs with Birmingham Phoenix for The Hundred

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Fatima Sana

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has signed with Birmingham Phoenix for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, becoming the first Pakistani woman cricketer to feature in the British franchise competition.

According to cricket website reports, Birmingham Phoenix added Fatima Sana to their squad as a replacement for Australia’s Lucy Hamilton.

The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 21 to Aug. 16. Fatima is set to make history as the first Pakistani female player to participate in the tournament.

Reports said the Pakistan captain will earn a minimum of £15,000 under her contract with Birmingham Phoenix.

However, her availability is expected to be limited because of Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which runs from July 23 to Aug. 4. The scheduling overlap could restrict the number of matches she is able to play in the competition.

Venomous snake spotted at Germany World Cup training camp in US

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Venomous snake

WINSTON-SALEM: A venomous snake was spotted at Germany’s World Cup training camp in the United States, prompting precautionary measures for players and staff, captain Joshua Kimmich has revealed.

Speaking to reporters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Kimmich said the team was informed that the snake was venomous and that immediate medical attention would be required in the event of a bite.

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He added that while such bites are rarely fatal, the situation was still treated seriously due to potential health risks.

According to German media reports, the snake is believed to be a copperhead viper, a species commonly found in the region whose venom can require urgent medical treatment.

The German Football Association said no changes have been made to the team’s training schedule, though players have been advised to remain cautious during outdoor sessions.

Meanwhile, Austria’s national team has reportedly restricted the use of bicycles at its training camp due to similar safety concerns involving snakes in the area.

Austria beat debutants Jordan 3-1 in World Cup comeback win

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Austria beat

SAN FRANCISCO: Austria produced a strong comeback performance to defeat World Cup newcomers Jordan 3-1, securing their first victory in the tournament since 1990.

In an entertaining Group-stage clash, both sides played an attacking brand of football, but Austria proved decisive in the closing stages to seal all three points.

Romano Schmid opened the scoring in the 21st minute to give Austria an early lead. Jordan responded after the break when Ali Olwan struck five minutes into the second half to level the match.

Austria thought they had regained the lead through forward Marko Arnautovic, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed handball.

The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute when Jordan defender Yazan Al-Arab scored an unfortunate own goal, restoring Austria’s advantage.

Arnautovic later converted a penalty in stoppage time to confirm the 3-1 win for Austria.

Following the result, Austria will next face Argentina, while Jordan will look to bounce back against Algeria.

Messi scores hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria

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Messi scores

DOHA: Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to lead his side to a memorable victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup match, giving the defending champions a strong start to their title defense.

The win in the group-stage opener saw Argentina overcome Algeria as Messi delivered a standout performance in his 200th international appearance.

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The 38-year-old forward scored his first goal in the 17th minute to give Argentina the lead. He added his second after capitalizing on an error by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane in the second half before completing his hat-trick with a powerful strike in the 76th minute.

With the treble, Messi’s World Cup goal tally rose to 16, drawing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in the tournament’s history.

The Argentine star also achieved another milestone by becoming the first player to feature in six different World Cup editions, having previously played in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

Zidane Iqbal makes history as first Pakistan-origin player to feature in World Cup

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Zidane Iqbal makes

DOHA: Iraq suffered a 4-1 defeat against Norway in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but the game marked a historic moment for Pakistan as midfielder Zidane Iqbal became the first footballer of Pakistani origin to appear in the tournament.

According to international media reports, Iqbal came on as a substitute in the 59th minute, making his World Cup debut and representing Iraq on football’s biggest stage.

Born in Manchester, England, the 23-year-old has a mixed heritage, with his father hailing from Sahiwal in Pakistan’s Punjab province and his mother from Iraq, making him eligible to represent England, Pakistan or Iraq.

Iqbal’s journey to the Iraqi national team included contact from football-linked social media pages and the Iraqi Football Association, which reached out to him and his family through multiple video calls to convince him to represent Iraq.

In a previous interview, Iqbal said the support and affection from Iraqi fans played a key role in his decision to join the national team.

While Iraq could not secure a win in its opening match, the appearance of a player of Pakistani origin on the World Cup stage was widely seen as a landmark moment for Pakistani football supporters, as the country has yet to qualify for the tournament itself.

Playback singer Sonu Nigam reveals health issue

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Playback singer

MUMBAI: Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam has shared concerning details about his health, revealing that he is currently suffering from a painful medical condition but will continue fulfilling his professional commitments.

In a video message posted on social media, Nigam said he has been diagnosed with “pinched nerves” and has undergone multiple medical tests over the past week, including MRI and CT scans. He said he is also on medication as part of his treatment.

The singer said physiotherapy sessions have been particularly painful and that painkillers prescribed to manage discomfort have also affected his voice. He added that the medication has made his throat feel heavy, which is a concern for any vocalist.

Nigam said muscle-relaxing drugs have impacted both his physical condition and confidence, but despite the challenges, he does not want to disappoint his fans and plans to perform at upcoming live shows.

“Even though my confidence is affected due to the pain, I will still perform because I have promised my fans,” he said.

Following his statement, fans took to social media to express concern and send well-wishes, praising his dedication and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Veteran actress Bushra Ansari hits back at lip filler claims

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Veteran actress

KARACHI: Senior Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari has responded strongly to speculation suggesting she had lip fillers, addressing the rumors in a recent video shared on social media.

In the video, Ansari clarified that she has not undergone any cosmetic procedures on her lips, saying people have frequently commented on changes in her appearance.

“I’ve been in front of you all for 50 years. If I had done lip fillers, you would notice,” she said.

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The veteran actress explained that what appears to be fuller lips is actually the result of makeup techniques, adding that she uses lip liner to outline her upper lip to create a balanced look.

In the video, she also demonstrated how she applies lip pencil to define her lips, emphasizing that no cosmetic enhancement has been done.

Ansari’s remarks have sparked discussion on social media, where fans praised her openness and clarification regarding beauty-related assumptions.

‘Zombied’ continues strong box office run, earns over Rs350m

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‘Zombied’

KARACHI: The joint production of Geo Films and Filmwala Pictures, Zombied, continues its successful run at the box office, drawing large crowds to cinemas across the country.

Released on Eid-ul-Azha, the film remains a major attraction for audiences, with a significant number of families still visiting theaters, contributing to steady footfall and strong ticket sales.

According to box office reports, Zombied has earned more than Rs350 million within just a few days of its release, establishing a strong position in the domestic market.

The film is also reportedly receiving positive attention internationally, adding to its commercial momentum.

Critics and viewers have praised the film for its unique storyline, suspense-driven sequences, modern visual effects and strong performances by the cast, which have contributed to its widespread appeal.

Turkish Actress Ece Ertem dies at 35

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Turkish Actress

ISTANBUL: Turkish actress Ece Ertem has died at the age of 35, her lawyer confirmed, leaving fans and the entertainment industry in shock.

According to a foreign news agency, Ertem was found unconscious at her home, where she lived with her mother. She was immediately given medical assistance and rushed for treatment, but doctors were unable to save her.

Her lawyer said initial medical reports indicated a heart attack as the possible cause of death, though the final determination will be made after a post-mortem examination.

The lawyer also strongly rejected social media speculation suggesting suicide, calling the claims “completely unfounded.”

Ertem’s death reportedly came a day after her birthday, adding to the shock surrounding the incident.

Born on June 14, 1991, Ertem studied opera and vocal performance in 2014 and later received formal acting training. She rose to fame for her role as Asil in the popular Turkish drama One Love.

Trump jokes about being ‘Boss’ after arriving late at G7 summit

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Trump jokes

PARIS: US President Donald Trump joked about being the “boss” after arriving late to a meeting with world leaders during the G7 summit in France, adopting a lighthearted tone as he greeted journalists at the venue.

As he arrived at the summit site, Trump quipped to reporters, “Would you like to be in the meeting? I don’t mind,” drawing attention for his informal remarks.

The meeting came at a time when G7 leaders expressed support for a potential peace agreement with Iran, describing it as a significant diplomatic development.

In a joint statement, the leaders praised Trump’s role in advancing negotiations, calling the agreement a major step forward.

The G7 leaders said the proposed deal represents a historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement.