Trending

Virat Kohli (L) and Anushka Sharma© X (Twitter)

Days after Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif admitted on Sky News that Pakistan harbours and funds terror organisations, saying that it has been “doing the West’s dirty work for decades”, an old video of Asif has surfaced online that purportedly shows him strongly criticising the Pakistan army
In the video, Asif — then in the opposition — is heard saying in the National Assembly: “We have spent hundreds, even thousands of billions of rupees and dollars on defence over the past 58 years. Yet what is the story of those years? 1948, 1965, 1971, 1984, and 1999 — if you gather the representatives of this country and investigate these five wars, anyone with even a shred of self-respect would bow their head in shame. Yet even today, they continue to demand a bloated defence budget with full impunity, beating their chests proudly.”

“They have sucked the marrow from the bones of this nation. Today, the nation lives in abject poverty. The people are ignorant, destitute, and poor. They do not even have access to clean drinking water — and when they do drink, they suffer from gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, B, and C,” he adds.
“As my brother Chaudhry Manzoor pointed out, there are separate books for the poor and different ones for the rich. The rich have different hospitals; the poor have different hospitals. If this is a welfare state, if Pakistan is truly a welfare state, then it is a welfare state only for Pakistan’s armed forces — not for the common people. If there is any guarantee, it is only for the education, health, luxuries, properties, plots, flats, and mansions of a select class. This select class has ruled this country for 43 years without any accountability. No one has ever questioned them: what did you build for this nation? What have you destroyed? The results are before us.”

The video comes just days after, Asif admitted on Sky News that Pakistan-based terror groups are “not multiple organisations” but “one single organisation religiously organised with different faces”.
When asked by Sky’s Yalda Hakim on Thursday night whether he admitted Pakistan has a long history of backing, funding and training terror organisations, Asif replied: “We have been doing this dirty work for the USA for about three decades and for the West, including Britain. That was a mistake and we suffered for that. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.”
Asif said that his country would respond “in kind” to any attack by nuclear rival New Delhi in retaliation for Pahalgam and called on US President Donald Trump to “bring sanity to the situation”.
“We have already prepared for it — any eventuality that takes place. We will measure our response to whatever is initiated by India. If there is an all-out attack obviously there will be all-out war.”
He said terror groups in Pakistan were “used as proxies by the USA”, and earlier the same terror groups had been treated like VIPs in Washington. “When we were fighting the war on their side in the ’80s against the Soviet Union, all these terrorists of today, they were wining and dining in Washington. Then came 9/11. Again the same situation was created. I think our govt then made a mistake.”

NEW DELHI: Veteran Mumbai Indians batter Rohit Sharma once again showcased his mentor-like presence in the IPL, as he was seen sharing crucial batting tips with Lucknow Super Giants youngster Abdul Samad.
In a video posted by LSG on social media, Rohit emphasised the importance of technique and individual style over blindly copying others.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
“Whatever ability you have, whatever talent, whatever technique — some things don’t work without technique, let’s accept that,” Rohit explained during the interaction. Stressing that every player must find their own way, he added, “Tu mere jaisa nahin khel sakta, main tere jaisa nahin khel sakta. Tera apna ek talent hai (You can’t play like me, I can’t play like you, you have your own talent).”
Who’s that IPL player?
Rohit highlighted that conditions also play a big role in batting approach. “Every wicket has a pace. It’s different every day. Today the humidity is more, so there will be moisture. If it’s less humid and more windy, the pitch is better to bat on. You won’t get that knowledge until the match starts,” he explained.

The Mumbai stalwart further advised that the most critical aspect is the mindset. “The result will depend on how you use it,” he said.
WATCH:
Rohit’s insights come at a crucial time as Mumbai Indians gear up for a key mid-table IPL clash against Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. With both teams locked at 10 points, this battle could have major playoff implications.

Mumbai Indians, riding on the brilliant form of Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent Boult, and Hardik Pandya, have won four matches on the trot and seem to be peaking at the right time. Meanwhile, LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, will hope to improve their negative net run rate and strengthen their playoff hopes in the intense Mumbai heat.

Several containers exploded, causing a massive blast and fire, at a key Iranian port on Saturday. This left 500 people injured. Footage showed thick smoke billowing from the port area. 

“The explosion occurred in a part of the Shahid Rajaee port dock, and we are extinguishing the fire,” state TV quoted Esmaeil Malekizadeh, a regional port official, as saying.

Shahid Rajaee, located 1000 kilometres south of the capital Tehran, is the most advanced container port in Iran, and 23 kilomtres west of Bandar Abbas, the Hormozgan provincial capital, and north of the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of world oil output passes.

“Four rapid response teams were dispatched to the scene after the explosion,” Head of the Hormozgan Red Crescent Society, Mokhtar Salahshour, told state TV.

Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, head of the province’s crisis management authority has confirmed to state tv that the cause of the incident was the explosion of several containers. 

“We are currently evacuating and transporting the injured to nearby medical centres,” he added.

Ranbir Kapoor fans are eagerly waiting for Ramayana. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features Sai Pallavi as the female lead. Last year, the makers unveiled a poster and announced that the film will be released in two parts. The first part will be released in Diwali 2026, while the second instalment will be out in Diwali 2027. 

While cinephiles are excited to catch the first glimpse of Ramayana, the makers are planning to reveal it at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, according to Bollywood Hungama.

A source told the publication, “The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (aka WAVES Summit) will be held from May 1-4, 2025 and the organizers are clear that they want it to be one of the biggest talking points of the year. Accordingly, they have invited some of the biggest names from different film industries in India. To add to the excitement, the team of Ramayana is looking to share an update during this star-studded event. It will be a win-win situation for both. The team of the film will get a grand platform to showcase their product and grab a lot of eyeballs. WAVES, too, would benefit with the extensive coverage.”

“The makers are looking at a poster or video of Ramayana. However, things are still being planned and a decision will be taken in a few days, provided things fall in place. Last year, the makers were planning to announce the film on Ram Navami 2024 but the plan was later deferred. Hence, things are still not confirmed yet. However, the WAVES Summit can prove to be a great opportunity,” the insider added.

Ramayana will feature Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita. Yash will be seen in the role of the villainous Ravana. The film will also feature Lara Dutta, Sunny Deol, and Indira Krishna in important roles.

Umpiring is a thankless job in cricket. With the players, the on-ground umpires and the third umpire are also involved in the game. However, they don’t get the amount of recognition they should get. While a poor decision from an umpire is widely criticised, rarely do they get the appropriate praise for a good or impressive verdict. The Indian Premier League is no exception. With the interest in the role of umpires really low among the cricket fans, have you ever wondered what salary they would be getting in the T20 extravaganza?

The on-field umpires in IPL 2025 get a sum of Rs 3 lakh per match, while the fourth umpires earn Rs 2 lakh, said an India Today report. For the unversed, each playing member, including the impact player, get a match fee of Rs 7.5 lakh per game in IPL 2025. This salary is in addition to what the player gets from the franchise as part of his contracted salary.

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan’s bizarre caught-behind when his bat did not come in contact with the ball during an embarrassing SRH batting collapse on Wednesday caught the eye in the IPL clash against Mumbai Indians in Hyderabad.

Left-hander Kishan, who had just opened his account in the previous over, tried to work pacer Deepak Chahar’s first delivery, which was drifting down the leg side.

The ball was collected by MI wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton and neither him nor the bowler showed any inclination to appeal for a caught behind.

On-field umpire Vinod Seshan was also close to declaring it a wide, But, to everyone’s surprise, Kishan walked away, indicating he had edged it to the keeper.

Surprised by the batter’s move, Seshan too raised his finger.

Kishan’s gesture had MI skipper Hardik Pandya – who had appealed half-heartedly – pat the left-hander on his helmet and shoulders.

Replays showed the ball was drifting away Kishan’s bat when it passed the left-hander, and there was no spike on the UltraEdge either.

It is believed that, on most occasions, a batter comes to know whether he has edged the ball or not.

“You think you have seen it all after all these years and yet I must admit the Ishan Kishan’s dismissal leaves me perplexed,” wrote commentator Harsha Bhogle on X, expressing his surprise at the turn of events.

You think you have seen it all after all these years and yet I must admit the Ishan Kishan dismissal leaves me perplexed.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 23, 2025

SRH ended up losing the match to MI by 7 wickets.

NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma’s playful banter has once again stolen the spotlight ahead of Mumbai Indians’ big clash against Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
During a net session, a video posted by Mumbai Indians on X captured Rohit roasting LSG pacer Shardul Thakur, saying, “Kya re hero, abhi aa raha hai, ghar ka team hai kya?” (“Hey hero, you’re coming now? Is this your home team?”). The cheeky comment, delivered in Rohit’s trademark style, quickly went viral, giving fans a moment of pure entertainment.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Rohit, who was sitting next to LSG mentor Zaheer Khan when Shardul arrived late for practice, didn’t miss the chance to pull his leg, much to the amusement of those around.
Watch:

While the banter kept spirits high, the upcoming match at Wankhede Stadium promises serious competition.
Both Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are locked at 10 points after nine games, with MI holding a slight edge thanks to a better net run rate. With playoff spots on the line, every game counts from here.
Mumbai are peaking at the right time, riding a wave of four consecutive wins.
Rohit Sharma himself has found form, blasting two solid half-centuries recently after a slow start to the season. Support has also come from Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Trent Boult, making MI a serious threat.

For LSG, the batting core of Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and Aiden Markram has been vital, but consistency will be key if they hope to topple a confident MI unit.
With local boy Shardul Thakur leading their bowling attack and young Digvesh Rathi impressing, LSG will hope to stage an upset despite the tough conditions.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday issued an advisory directing all media outlets to refrain from broadcasting live coverage of military operations or movements of security forces.

The advisory extends to news agencies, digital platforms, and social media users, emphasising the need for utmost caution and responsibility in reporting matters related to national security.

“In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies, and social media users are advised to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security-related operations,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The government specifically prohibited the real-time dissemination of visuals, live reporting from sensitive locations, and the use of “source-based” information relating to ongoing military actions.

It warned that premature disclosure of sensitive operational details could inadvertently assist hostile elements, jeopardising both the effectiveness of missions and the safety of personnel involved.

Citing past experiences such as the Kargil conflict, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking, the advisory underlined how unrestricted media coverage in times of crisis had in the past led to unintended consequences detrimental to national interests.

The Ministry stressed that the media, digital platforms, and individual users play a crucial role in upholding national security.

“Beyond the legal obligations, it is a shared moral duty to ensure that collective actions do not compromise the integrity of ongoing operations or endanger the lives of security forces,” the statement said.

This advisory reiterates earlier communications from the Ministry, reminding broadcasters of Rule 6(1)(p) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The rule clearly states: “No programme should be carried in the cable service which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate Government, till such operation concludes.”

The Ministry warned that violations of these provisions could attract strict action under the applicable laws.

“All TV channels are therefore advised not to telecast live coverage of anti-terrorist operations or the movement of security forces in the interest of national security,” the advisory reiterated.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Rohit Sharma (L) and Abdul Samad© X (Twitter)

Christopher Duckworth, a 30-year-old from Newton-le-Willows, operated a drug supply line named “Ducky”, selling heroin and crack cocaine, according to The Metro. After customers complained about the substandard quality of the drugs, Duckworth apologised and distributed free samples as compensation.

On July 29, 2023, police observed Duckworth engaging in suspected drug dealings at a residence on Junction Lane in St Helens. Upon searching him, officers found 260 Pounds in cash and two mobile phones, one of which was continuously receiving messages requesting drugs.

Following his arrest, Duckworth was released but continued his drug activities. He was apprehended again, despite attempting to destroy evidence by smashing mobile phones. At Liverpool Crown Court, Duckworth expressed remorse, stating he “needs to change his ways”. 

According to The Metro, Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday that Duckworth had been seen dealing drugs from a home on Junction Lane, St Helens, last summer.

When he was searched, he had 260 Pounds in cash and two mobile phones, one of which was ‘ringing constantly’ as messages requesting drugs popped up.

Prosecutor Iain Criddle said messages advertising heroin, crack cocaine and class C substance pregabalin for sale were found on the phone, but added: ‘On occasions, some users were complaining about the quality and or quantity of that which had been supplied to them.

“The defendant dealt with these complaints and was in a position, on occasion, to apologise for the poor quality or low quantity of the drugs and say, as a form of compensation, that next time they could have two extra wraps for free.”

“Clearly, the defendant has some responsibility over the supply chain rather than being somebody who is simply told to go out and supply wraps of heroin and crack cocaine to users.”