Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Australia's Khawaja sees double standards in Pakistan pull-outs

Australia's Khawaja sees double standards in Pakistan pull-outs

Australia batter Usman Khawaja has criticized the decisions by New Zealand and England to scrap their tours to Pakistan and said they would not have made the same call if they had been due to play lucrative series in India.

New Zealand returned home from Pakistan after abruptly abandoning the tour minutes before the opening fixture in Rawalpindi citing a security alert from their government.


England followed suit this week, calling off their men's and women's teams tour of Pakistan next month citing "mental and physical well-being" of the players.

"I feel it's very easy for players and organisations to say no to Pakistan, because it's Pakistan," Khawaja said.

"I think the same thing would apply too if it were Bangladesh.

"But nobody would say no to India, if they're in the same situation. Money talks, we all know that, and that's probably a big part of it," added Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan.

Australia are also scheduled to travel to Pakistan early next year and governing body Cricket Australia has said it would "talk with the relevant authorities once more information becomes known".

Pakistan was shunned by other cricketing nations for almost a decade after the deadly 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore but has been wooing back top international teams in recent years.

Khawaja said he would have no issues touring there.

"There's a lot of security. Heavy, heavy security," he said. "I've heard nothing but reports about people feeling safe.

"Even talking to the guys during the PSL (Pakistan Super League) about what it's like ... they would say the same thing to me 'like 10 years ago, maybe not, but now 100%'."

More For You

Maybe Happy Ending Creates Broadway Milestone with Six Tony Wins

The cast of Maybe Happy Ending celebrates their big night at the Tony Awards

Instagram/maybehappyending

‘Maybe Happy Ending’ wins six Tony Awards as Korean musical makes Broadway history

South Korea just scored a historic milestone at the Tony Awards, with the musical Maybe Happy Ending bagging six trophies, including Best Musical and Best Lead Actor. The show, centred on two ageing helper robots living on the edge of Seoul, left the awards night buzzing. Korean entertainment, long a force in film, television, and music, is now making serious inroads into Western theatre too.


From Seoul to Broadway: A story born in two languages

Maybe Happy Ending wasn’t always destined for the bright lights of Broadway. It first opened in a small Seoul theatre in 2016, a result of a local arts foundation’s programme. Co-created by South Korean lyricist Hue Park and American composer Will Aronson, the story explores loneliness, connection, and memory through the eyes of obsolete robots. Written in both Korean and English, the piece has been reimagined several times since its debut.

Darren Criss, known to many as a Glee star, played Oliver and took home his first Tony for the role. His co-star Helen J Shen portrayed Claire, the other robot. Together, they brought the emotional weight to a futuristic love story that’s more human than it sounds.


While the robots explore feelings in a near-future Seoul, the show managed to preserve distinct Korean elements like Jeju Island and the traditional plant pot hwabun on the Broadway stage, something fans celebrated online.


A cultural shift, decades in the making

With this win, South Korea joins the rare club of nations with major victories across all four major American entertainment awards, including the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and now Tonys. From Parasite to Squid Game, and now Maybe Happy Ending, Korean creators are no longer breaking into the global scene, they’re leading it.

The success also validates years of quiet work in South Korea’s theatre scene. Original musicals like Marie Curie and The Great Gatsby have made appearances in the West End and on Broadway, but Maybe Happy Ending marks the first time a Korean musical has truly swept the Tonys.


As one critic noted, more than awards, it’s about shifting global perspectives. Korean musicals are no longer export hopefuls. They’re now centre stage.

Keep ReadingShow less
Los Angeles

Several cars burn on North Los Angeles street during clashes between protesters and police on June 8, 2025 in Downtown Los Angeles, California, US. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Protests intensify in Los Angeles amid immigration raids, troop deployment

PROTESTERS set fire to vehicles and clashed with police in Los Angeles on Sunday after President Donald Trump sent National Guard troops to the city. Officers kept crowds away from the troops, who had been deployed as unrest entered a third day.

The protests were triggered by recent immigration raids carried out by federal officials, which have led to the arrest of dozens of people identified by authorities as undocumented migrants and gang members.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Alcaraz-French-Open-Getty

Alcaraz became the first man to win a Grand Slam after saving match point since Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final.

getty images

Alcaraz beats Sinner in historic French Open final

CARLOS ALCARAZ came from two sets down to defeat Jannik Sinner in a five-set French Open final on Sunday, saving three championship points in a match that lasted five hours and 29 minutes.

Alcaraz, the defending champion, won 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (10/2) to claim his fifth Grand Slam title. The 22-year-old remains unbeaten in Grand Slam finals and ended Sinner's 20-match winning streak in majors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manzu Islam

A Literary Celebration of Culture and Identity: Manzu Islam to Launch ‘Godzilla and the Songbird’ at Saudha International Literature Festival

Manzu Islam Launches 'Godzilla and the Songbird'

  • On Saturday, 14 June, literary lovers, cultural critics and curious minds alike will gather at the historic Kobi Nazrul Centre in London’s East End for a standout event in the UK’s literary calendar—the launch of Godzilla and the Songbird, the latest book by acclaimed British Asian author Manzu Islam. Hosted as part of the prestigious Saudha International Literature Festival, the event promises to be an evening of dialogue, creativity and cultural resonance. Situated at 30 Hanbury Street, the Kobi Nazrul Centre offers the perfect setting for this multicultural celebration, named after the revered Bengali poet and playing a key role in London's intercultural arts scene.
  • Godzilla and the Songbird marks a compelling new addition to Manzu Islam’s growing body of work. Known for weaving deeply personal narratives with broader themes of diaspora, migration and dual identity, Islam is celebrated for his poetic voice and insightful prose. His latest novel is expected to push these boundaries further, exploring contradictions within modern life—between power and vulnerability, tradition and change, survival and artistic expression. Though full plot details are under wraps, the intriguing title itself suggests a rich metaphorical journey, likely combining mythological symbols with emotional depth.
  • This book launch isn’t merely a reading—it’s an occasion that aligns with Saudha Society for Poetry and Indian Music’s mission to break genre boundaries and nurture cross-cultural understanding. The Saudha International Literature Festival has earned a strong reputation for spotlighting global voices while fostering home-grown British talent, particularly those from South Asian backgrounds. By hosting Manzu Islam’s book release, the festival underlines its commitment to literary excellence that resonates across communities and continents.
  • Attendees can expect more than just a book signing. The event will likely feature readings, reflections from the author, and open discussions that invite the audience to engage with themes central to the novel and to the contemporary British Asian experience. Whether you're an academic interested in postcolonial narratives, a student of South Asian literature, or a local reader seeking meaningful cultural experiences, this event offers something profoundly enriching.
  • Manzu Islam has long been a voice of insight and integrity in British literature. His work has appeared in a variety of anthologies, and he has contributed essays, stories, and critiques that have shaped how British South Asian identity is represented in fiction today. This book launch is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the author in an intimate and culturally vibrant setting.
  • Admission to the event is free, though advance booking is highly recommended to secure a place. Tickets and further event information can be found at Eventbrite. As London continues to thrive as a multicultural hub for the arts, events like this remind us of the power of storytelling in shaping collective identity and community connection.
  • Don’t miss this literary highlight of the season—join Manzu Islam, Saudha Society, and a host of literature enthusiasts at the Kobi Nazrul Centre on Saturday, 14 June for an unforgettable evening that celebrates words, wisdom and the woven fabric of modern British life.
tulip-siddiq-getty

Siddiq stepped down from her role in the UK government after being accused of benefiting from the administration led by former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tulip Siddiq

Tulip Siddiq seeks meeting with Bangladesh’s Yunus over corruption allegations

FORMER UK minister Tulip Siddiq has requested a meeting with Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus in London to discuss what she called a “misunderstanding” related to corruption allegations against her.

In a letter dated June 4, Siddiq asked for a chance to meet Yunus during his visit to the UK from June 10 to 13. Yunus is expected to meet King Charles and visit Downing Street to meet Keir Starmer during the trip.

Keep ReadingShow less