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Shamoon Abbasi opposes reported drama on drug dealer ‘Pinky’ • Wasim Akram and others break silence on criticism over Hajj journey • 17 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operations across Balochistan • Two Pakistanis arrested over killing of four Pakistanis in Italy’s Calabria • Australia set Pakistan 232-run target in second ODI in Lahore • Ranveer Singh faces fresh setback amid ‘Don 3’ controversy • Who is Momina Iqbal’s husband? Details emerge • Federal budget delay linked to political deadlock over key legislation • Iran warns it will halt US talks if Israel continues strikes on Lebanon • Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif criticises development delays in Gilgit-Baltistan • Actress Raveena Tandon’s mother’s home targeted in theft • Supercomputer reveals favourite to win 2026 FIFA World Cup • New Drama Buzz: Saba Qamar may play Anmol “Pinkie” character • Dua Lipa marries actor Callum Turner in private London ceremony • Momina Iqbal’s mehndi celebrations go viral on social media
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World News / International

Wasim Akram and others break silence on criticism over Hajj journey

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Wasim Akram

ISLAMABAD:  Former cricketer Wasim Akram, ex-captain Misbah-ul-Haq, host Fakhr-e-Alam, former cricketer Saeed Anwar and several other prominent Pakistani personalities performed Hajj together this year, but later faced criticism on social media over videos and images shared during the pilgrimage.

A video of Wasim Akram performing Rami al-Jamarat went viral in which he humorously mimicked his signature bowling action while symbolically throwing pebbles. In another clip, he was seen carrying bananas for Misbah-ul-Haq, drawing mixed reactions online.

@timesofkarachi

Why didn’t Wasim Akram, Fakhar-e-Alam, and Misbah-ul-Haq shave their heads as part of the Hajj ritual? #TOKReports #Hajj #WasimAkram #FakhareAlam #MisbahulHaq

♬ original sound – Times of Karachi

Fakhr-e-Alam also shared multiple moments from the pilgrimage, showing other public figures including actor Bilal Abbas Khan and comedian Tabish Hashmi, which some social media users described as “more like a picnic than Hajj.”

Responding to criticism, Wasim Akram, Fakhr-e-Alam and Misbah-ul-Haq said Hajj is a spiritual obligation, but it does not mean a person remains engaged in ritual worship 24 hours a day, adding that moments of travel, interaction and companionship are also part of the experience.

They also addressed questions about not shaving their heads after Hajj, explaining that they had consulted religious scholars beforehand and were given two permissible options: shaving the head completely (halq) or trimming the hair (qasr), and they opted for the latter.

The personalities said their intention in sharing videos was to guide and inspire younger generations about Hajj and to encourage them to understand the pilgrimage process.

Speaking from Madinah, Fakhr-e-Alam said the journey inspired many people to ask what motivated them to perform Hajj, while Wasim Akram said the group did not plan the pilgrimage in advance but decided to join when the opportunity came and others were going.

Two Pakistanis arrested over killing of four Pakistanis in Italy’s Calabria

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Two Pakistanis

ROME: Italian authorities have arrested two Pakistani nationals in connection with the killing of four people of Pakistani origin in southern Italy’s Calabria region, according to local media reports.

The victims, all reportedly from Pakistan, were found dead inside a burnt van on a farm where they were working in the agricultural sector.

French news agency reports said police launched an investigation soon after the incident and used CCTV footage to identify and arrest two suspects, who are also said to be Pakistani nationals.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said in response that the identity of the deceased has not yet been fully confirmed, though initial information suggests the victims may belong to Pakistani-origin families.

The spokesperson added that Italian police are conducting a full investigation, including forensic analysis, while the Pakistani embassy in Italy is in contact with local authorities and closely following the case.

Australia set Pakistan 232-run target in second ODI in Lahore

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Australia set

LAHORE:  Australia posted 231 all out in 50 overs, setting Pakistan a target of 232 runs in the second match of the one-day series on Wednesday.

Batting first after Pakistan won the toss, Australia struggled to build big partnerships but managed to reach a competitive total despite regular wickets falling.

Cameron Green and captain Josh Inglis top-scored with 51 runs each, while Matt Renshaw made 43 and Oliver Peake added 31. Matthew Short scored 15, Marnus Labuschagne 5, Matthew Kuhnemann 5, and Alex Carey was dismissed for a duck.

For Pakistan, captain Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Arafat Minhas, Abrar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.

Pakistan will now chase 232 runs to take control of the series.

Iran warns it will halt US talks if Israel continues strikes on Lebanon

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Iran warns

TEHRAN: Iran has warned that it could suspend negotiations with the United States if Israel continues its military operations in Lebanon, according to Iranian officials.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said talks with Washington would be halted if Israeli strikes on Lebanon persist.

Meanwhile, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani stated that ongoing Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza could force the “Axis of Resistance” to respond.

 He added that the group is capable of affecting maritime traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in a manner similar to developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Ibrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, warned of “serious consequences” if attacks on Lebanon do not stop.

He said Iran is fully prepared for a military response, cautioning Israel and US forces in the region that the threats were not empty and that American military presence could also face repercussions.

Supercomputer reveals favourite to win 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Supercomputer

The FIFA World Cup, the biggest event in world sports, is set to begin on June 12, featuring a historic expanded format for the first time.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first World Cup to include 48 participating teams.

The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with a total of 104 matches scheduled throughout the competition. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, which will also feature a newly introduced Round of 32.

With more teams and greater competition, predicting a winner has become increasingly difficult. However, the Opta supercomputer has made data-driven projections using advanced AI-based simulations.

According to the model, Spain are the strongest favourites to lift the trophy, with a 16.1% chance of winning the tournament after running more than 10,000 simulations.

France are ranked second, followed by England in third and Argentina in fourth, with all four teams having more than a 10% chance of winning the World Cup.

Despite being favourites, Spain also face uncertainty, with a 52.1% probability of not reaching the quarter-finals. However, if they progress, their chances improve significantly, with a 39% likelihood of reaching the semi-finals and a 25.6% chance of making the final.

The data also suggests that the expanded format increases unpredictability, although Spain remain the clear front-runners in the statistical model.

ICC approves pink ball trial in Test cricket to combat bad light

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ICC approves

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council has approved a trial allowing the use of pink balls in Test matches to help reduce interruptions caused by poor light, the sport’s governing body announced on Monday.

Under the new initiative, teams will be permitted to use a pink ball in Test matches, subject to prior agreement between both sides, when bad light is anticipated. The move aims to maximize playing time, as the traditional red ball used in Tests can become difficult to see in fading daylight.

Pink balls are already used in day-night Test matches played under floodlights, while white balls commonly used in limited-overs cricket have not proven durable enough for the longer format.

The decision was approved during an ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad, India. ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the discussions reflected the organization’s commitment to improving governance, administration and the global growth of cricket.

The ICC also approved further research into lighting technology for match officials and venues in an effort to reduce the amount of playing time lost due to poor visibility.

In another significant change, the board allowed head coaches or designated team staff members to enter the field during drinks breaks in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Previously, only substitute players were permitted to deliver messages to players during those intervals.

The governing body also amended playing conditions for Twenty20 Internationals, reducing the innings break from 20 minutes to 15 minutes in an effort to streamline match schedules.

Additionally, on-field umpires will now have access to Hawk-Eye technology data to help identify and assess potentially illegal bowling actions during matches, strengthening the ICC’s efforts to tackle suspect bowling actions and maintain the integrity of the game.

Iran suspends indirect contacts with US amid escalating Israel-Hezbollah tensions

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Iran suspends

TEHRAN: Iran has reportedly suspended indirect diplomatic communications with the United States as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East, according to a report carried by a news agency affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The report said Iran’s negotiating team has halted the exchange of messages with Washington through mediators, signaling a further deterioration in diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

According to the report, the decision was taken in response to intensified Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, which Tehran has strongly condemned.

Sources cited in the report said Iran has made it clear that no talks or indirect communications with the United States will resume unless Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza are halted.

Iranian officials also argued that attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon are exacerbating already heightened regional tensions and pose a threat to stability in the Middle East.

The report further claimed that Tehran views the recent military actions as a violation of an alleged ceasefire understanding reached with the United States on April 8.

There was no immediate official response from either the United States or Israel regarding the reported suspension of indirect contacts or Iran’s claims.

The development comes amid growing uncertainty over regional security and ongoing efforts by international mediators to prevent a wider escalation of conflict across the Middle East.

Oil prices surge as Iran warns Beirut strikes violate ceasefire understanding

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Oil prices surge

TEHRAN: Global oil markets faced renewed uncertainty after crude prices climbed sharply amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and warnings from Iran that Israeli military actions in Lebanon could undermine a broader ceasefire arrangement.

During trading, Brent crude rose above $97 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) surpassed $94 per barrel, reflecting growing concerns over regional stability and potential disruptions to energy supplies.

The increase came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered airstrikes on alleged Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.

Iran condemned the strikes, describing them as a violation of the ceasefire framework that Tehran says applies across multiple regional fronts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a breach on any front would be considered a violation of the entire ceasefire arrangement.

“Any violation on one front will be regarded as a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts,” Araghchi said, adding that the United States and Israel would bear responsibility for the consequences of any such breach.

He further asserted that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire understanding involving Iran and the United States, and that military strikes on Beirut should therefore be viewed as a violation of the agreement.

The remarks underscore growing disagreements over the scope and interpretation of the reported ceasefire arrangement, as concerns mount over the possibility of a wider regional conflict.

US signals readiness for Iran strikes if nuclear talks fail

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US signals

SINGAPORE:US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described Pakistan as a “sincere friend” of the United States, while expressing cautious optimism over ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran and reiterating Washington’s concerns about China’s expanding military capabilities.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said discussions with Iran had been constructive and that “good talks” had taken place. He maintained that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, adding that the United States remained prepared for all scenarios if diplomacy fails.

“Pakistan is a sincere friend of the United States,” he said, while noting that any potential agreement with Iran would be positive if it contributed to regional stability.

Hegseth said the U.S. continues to pursue regular defense-level engagements and expects monthly meetings between military teams. He added that President Donald Trump would pursue agreements based on American national interests.

The U.S. defense chief also confirmed recent talks with China’s defense leadership, saying military communication channels remained open and that relations between the two countries were currently at their most stable level in years.

However, he warned that China’s rapid military modernization remains a concern for Washington and its allies, urging Indo-Pacific partners to increase defense spending to 3.5% of their GDP.

He stressed the need for a stronger alliance network to maintain balance in the region, saying no country should be allowed to impose dominance in the Indo-Pacific.

Hegseth also reiterated that the United States is prepared to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail, while emphasizing that negotiations are ongoing to resolve disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program.

On broader security commitments, he said the U.S. would continue arms sales and defense cooperation with allies including Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, while maintaining strategic focus on both the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region.