Cricket tensions between India and Pakistan have been heightened by boycott calls in India ahead of their T20 World Cup clash on Sunday.
A series of killings in the disputed Kashmir region has set off the anger, even though the Indian board has insisted the national team cannot withdraw from the game.
Decades of bitter rivalry between the neighbours often clouds their cricket encounters. India has largely refused to play bilateral games against Pakistan since 2008, after deadly attacks in Mumbai which India blamed on Pakistan.
Now they only play each other in international events. The last meeting was at the 50-over World Cup two years ago but even that was at the centre of boycott calls.
The killings of 11 migrant workers and minority Hindus and Sikhs in Indian-administered Kashmir have led to the latest demands made in India, which frequently accuses Pakistan of backing Kashmir militant groups. The hashtag #BlacklistPakistan" was trending on Twitter Wednesday.
Rajeev Shukla, the Board of Control for Cricket in India vice president, said earlier that the country had a contractual obligation to take part.
"We strongly condemns the killings. However, under the International Cricket Council's commitments, you can't refuse to play any one (game)," Shukla told Indian media.
A cabinet minister, Giriraj Singh, had also urged the government to consider intervening to stop the match.
"I think if relations are not good, then this should be reconsidered," Singh said when questioned about the match. Other politicians have also joined the calls.
However India's badminton great Prakash Padukone said, "sports and politics should not be mixed and according to me it (the India-Pakistan match) should go on".
India was also urged to boycott the 2019 World Cup game against Pakistan because of a Kashmir suicide bomber attack in February of that year in which more than 40 troops were killed.
Pakistan denied any role in the assault but the two countries came to the brink of war. India won the game which went ahead in June 2019.
India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2013 during a brief thaw in their rivalry.
The two countries have fought two wars over Kashmir –- divided between the two nations –- since their independence in 1947.
Chef and television personality Anne Burrell, best known for her work on Food Network, has died at the age of 55. Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. No cause of death was given.
Burrell gained widespread recognition for her energetic television presence, signature blonde hair and bold culinary style. Over the years, she became a household name in American food media, with a career spanning restaurants, television, and publishing.
Rise to fame on Food Network
Anne Burrell first appeared on the Food Network as sous-chef to Mario Batali on Iron Chef America. Her charisma and assertive style quickly set her apart, leading to her own show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which debuted in 2008 and ran for nine seasons.
She remained a central figure on the network, co-hosting the long-running Worst Cooks in America and appearing on popular programmes including Chopped and Food Network Star. A Food Network spokesperson described her as “a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.”
Early life and culinary education
Born Anne W. Burrell on 21 September 1969 in Cazenovia, upstate New York, she grew up inspired by Julia Child. She pursued formal culinary training at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, later honing her skills in Italian kitchens.
Upon her return to the United States in 1998, she joined Felidia Ristorante in Manhattan, working under chef Lidia Bastianich. Her early restaurant experience also included time at Savoy in New York.
Business venture in Brooklyn
In 2017, Burrell partnered with Phil Casaceli to open Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge, a Brooklyn-based restaurant described by her as “funky, cool and homey.” Despite initial buzz, the restaurant closed in 2018, less than a year after opening.
Standing out from Mario Batali’s shadow
Burrell’s early fame was closely associated with Mario Batali, but she made concerted efforts to establish herself independently, especially after Batali faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct in 2017. Though several investigations were later closed due to insufficient evidence, the controversy affected many of his associates.
Chef Claudette Zepeda, who competed with Burrell on the 2025 Food Network show House of Knives, said Burrell had several “phoenix moments” in her career. “Coming out as her own human being and autonomous competitor was a huge moment,” Zepeda noted. “People just assumed complacency. She had to carve her own path, and that wasn’t easy.”
Fiercely competitive and admired
Fellow chef and television personality Scott Conant, who worked with Burrell on Worst Cooks in America, recalled her intense competitive streak. “She was the most competitive person ever,” he said. “I beat her once in a special episode, and she didn’t talk to me for three months.”
Despite her fierce attitude, Burrell was respected for her commitment and passion. “She was unapologetic and defined herself and told her story through food,” Conant added.
Cookbooks and culinary legacy
Burrell authored two best-selling cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire & Empower. Both were co-written with food stylist and author Suzanne Lenzer, who praised Burrell’s distinctive voice and strong opinions.
“She hated pepper,” Lenzer said. “She thought it was a spice like horseradish, why put it on everything?” Still, Burrell made an exception for traditional dishes like pasta carbonara, where pepper is essential.
Personal life and survivors
Anne Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, a marketing executive she married in 2021, her mother Marlene Burrell, younger sister Jane Burrell-Uzcategui, and her stepson Javier Claxton.
Though the cause of her death has not been disclosed, her impact on American food culture is widely recognised. From restaurant kitchens to primetime television, Anne Burrell’s bold personality and culinary skill made her one of the most influential chefs of her generation.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
James Cameron’s The Abyss pulled from Disney Plus UK after decades-old controversy resurfaces
Nearly four decades after its release, James Cameron’s 1989 sci-fi thriller The Abyss has sparked controversy again, this time on streaming. Disney+ quietly pulled the newly uploaded 4K remaster of the film from its UK platform after complaints resurfaced about a banned scene involving live animal testing.
The specific scene, showing a rat being submerged in oxygenated liquid, has long been a point of contention in the UK. Though the rat reportedly survived the experiment during filming, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) had previously ruled it in breach of the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. As a result, the sequence was cut from all UK theatrical, television, DVD, and Blu-ray releases. Yet, when Disney+ added the remastered version in April, the uncut version slipped through, triggering backlash from animal welfare groups.
RSPCA flags “loophole” as Disney+ removes unedited version
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), which had campaigned for the scene’s removal since the 1980s, raised fresh concerns when the unedited version began streaming. David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the charity, stressed this wasn’t about censorship but consistency.
“We're not calling for the film to be banned,” Bowles clarified. “We’d fully support Disney+ reinstating it, just without the disturbing rat scene. This is about closing a loophole that lets animal abuse scenes bypass the same restrictions applied to TV, DVD, and cinema.”
While UK content is regulated under BBFC guidelines, streaming platforms often fall outside traditional classifications. This regulatory gap allowed the uncut version of The Abyss to appear online, unnoticed until viewers flagged it. The scene reportedly used five rats, all of whom survived, but their visible distress on-screen led to public discomfort and long-standing restrictions.
Future availability unclear, but alternative platforms exist
Disney+ has yet to confirm whether an edited version of The Abyss will return to its UK library. For now, viewers can still find the film on digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, albeit without the controversial scene. The cinematic version was also available briefly on ITVX but has since been taken down.
The Abyss pulled from UK streaming after animal welfare complaints reach DisneyIMDB
Starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn, The Abyss remains a cult favourite for its iconic underwater visuals and suspense-driven plot. But its legacy now includes a sharp reminder that even classics must face new scrutiny in the age of streaming.
Learn how Profee supports Asian migrants with smart, secure tools for sending money and managing finances across borders. Trusted. Fast. Built for Migrants.
Asian migrants deserve a fast, secure, and cost-effective cross-border financial solution. Profee is a migrant-friendly money app that stands out among apps for sending money internationally.
About Profee
There are various financial tools for sending money to Asia, but Profee is one of a kind.
Profee is a dynamic fintech company that specializes in fast, secure, and fully compliant international money transfers to over 90 countries. Since launching in 2017, it has become a trusted remittance provider with impressive year-over-year growth—turnover has jumped 137%. Today, Profee serves around 800,000 customers, adding roughly 10,000 new users every week, which makes it one of the most widely used financial tools for sending money to Asia.
Industry experts agree: Profee was named “Best International Money Transfer Solution of 2024” by Acquisition International’s Global Excellence Awards. With top-tier security certifications, Profee delivers reliable and cost-effective transfers for UK-based expats sending money anywhere in the world.
Here is why Profee is believed to be one of the best money tools for seamless international transfers:
Beneficial offer
When sending money to Asia, new clients are welcomed with a 0% fee, special promo rate or both, depending on the transfer destination. After that, expats enjoy the market-beating exchange rates from EUR and GBP, while the service keeps the fees low. Profee supports Asian migrants by respecting their hard-earned money and maintaining a fair, transparent fee policy. Not many financial tools do that nowadays.
Plus, there are no hidden fees—so you can track your expenses with confidence and clarity in your financial management tools without any unexpected surprises.
Convenient money transfers to Asia
Even if you're constantly on the move, Profee transfers will fit your schedule. Registration is quick, and the money arrives in minutes. You can send funds from home, office, coffee shop, or anywhere else as long as you have a phone or laptop and internet access.
While some apps to send money internationally are quite complicated, Profee’s interface is built for everyone. The process is straightforward, with clear instructions and no unnecessary steps. Profee takes care of both—Asian diaspora savings and their peace of mind.
As for the recipients, money is delivered directly to their bank accounts, cards, and wallets. So, when you send money to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, or any other destination, your recipients can stay home without worrying about bank visits or in-app registration. That's why many expats choose to send their salary to family via Profee over other money tools.
Secure remittance platform
For expats, security is the top concern when choosing financial tools. Since living abroad puts migrants in a vulnerable position, having secure apps to send money internationally is a must. Profee is a licensed service that follows PCI DSS standards, uses end-to-end data encryption, and is trusted by over 800,000 expats who feel exactly like you do—they need something proven.
Profee’s features are designed with migrants in mind — and worth trying firsthand.. To make it more clear for you, we prepared a guide on how to send money home easily with Profee.
“Too often, migrants face financial systems that weren’t built with them in mind. At Profee, we believe that fast, transparent, and secure financial tools should be accessible to everyone — no matter where they come from or where they’re sending money,” says Dmitrii Gorokh, Head of Brand & Marketing Communications at Profee.
Guide on using Profee
It’s as simple as logging an income entry in your financial management tools’ planners—a matter of several taps.
For example, pick the UK and Pakistan as your “From” and “To” countries. Next, insert the amount you’d like to transfer. The calculator (one of Profee's money tools) will convert the currency and show you the total. There is no need to switch between browser windows and calculate everything yourself.
3. Select your payment method.
For fast transfers, you can use your bank cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The payment method is not set; you can change it at any time.
4. Enter the recipient details.
Depending on the receiving method, it’ll vary. The app will highlight what you need to insert, so no room for the confusion here.
5. Double-check and confirm
For the efficient money transfers to Asia, review everything you wrote down. Extra minute of your time may save you from unwanted mistakes. When everything is correct, approve the transfer.
Whether you're supporting loved ones or managing cross-border finances, having the right financial tools make all the difference. That’s why we recommend Profee—a smart remittance app that helps you send money efficiently, safely, and with zero hassle.
With Profee, you get a better exchange rate, lower fees, and peace of mind. Plus, features like instant delivery, transfer tracker, and customer support ensure you're always in control. Join thousands of satisfied clients and discover how easy money transfers can be.
Keep ReadingShow less
Mo Chara is being represented by a prominent legal team
Irish rapper Mo Chara, a member of Belfast-based hip hop group Kneecap, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, after being charged under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000. The charge stems from an incident in November 2023, when Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, allegedly displayed a flag associated with Hezbollah during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.
Hezbollah is a proscribed organisation under UK law. Under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, it is an offence to wear, carry or display any article in such a way or in circumstances that may arouse reasonable suspicion of support for a banned group. The offence is punishable by up to six months in prison, a fine, or both.
The case is being heard by a district judge without a jury. As a strict liability offence, prosecutors do not need to prove intent — only that a “reasonable person” could interpret the action as supportive of a proscribed group.
Kneecap launches billboard campaign in London
Ahead of the court date, Kneecap launched a high-visibility protest campaign in London. The band erected large billboards denouncing the charge as a “witch-hunt” and accused the UK authorities of targeting them for their political views.
Kneecap has become internationally known for its outspoken positions on issues such as Irish identity, the Irish language, and most recently, the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The band has framed the prosecution as part of a wider effort to suppress political expression.
Protests outside court draw support from advocacy groups
Supporters of Kneecap and Mo Chara gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the morning of 17 June, in a protest promoted by the band and organised by several UK- and Ireland-based advocacy groups.
The Stop the War Coalition, one of the organisers, stated: “The ‘carnival of distraction’ around Kneecap keeps on travelling while Israel pursues its starvation policy in Gaza and the UK government continues to sell it arms.”
This is not Kneecap’s first legal encounter in the UKAlamy
Another group, Irish in London for Palestine, said: “The UK government is calling Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh from Kneecap a terrorist for daring to speak truth to power, for standing with Palestine and refusing to be silenced. This isn’t just about one artist or one group — it’s about our right to protest, our right to speak, and our duty to stand against injustice.”
High-profile legal team mounts defence
Mo Chara is being represented by a prominent legal team with a track record in major human rights and protest-related cases. The defence includes Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Gareth Peirce (noted for representing Julian Assange and the Guildford Four), Rosalind Comyn (who has defended climate activists), and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC, who represented South Africa in its genocide case against Israel.
Speaking before the hearing, Mackin said: “It is difficult to comprehend a case of greater international importance in recent years. It is a great privilege to be instructed alongside my colleagues to defend the important principle of freedom of expression, in the pending battle before the London court.”
Previous court win for Kneecap
This is not Kneecap’s first legal encounter in the UK. In November 2023, the band successfully challenged a decision by then-business secretary Kemi Badenoch to deny them a £14,250 funding grant. The UK government later conceded the refusal was unlawful and discriminatory on the basis of nationality and political opinion.
Keep ReadingShow less
Relatives carry the coffin of a victim, who was killed in the Air India Flight 171 crash, during a funeral ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
AT LEAST 190 victims of last week's Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad have been identified through DNA tests, and 159 bodies, including 32 foreign nationals, have been handed over to their families, officials said on Wednesday.
The London-bound Air India flight AI-171, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12. All but one on board died, along with nearly 29 people on the ground, when the aircraft struck a medical complex.
Authorities are using DNA tests to identify the victims, as many bodies were charred or damaged.
“Till Wednesday morning, 190 DNA samples have been matched, and 159 bodies have already been handed over to the respective families. The process of matching (DNA samples of) other bodies is still on,” said Ahmedabad Civil Hospital's medical superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi.
Victims include foreign nationals
Of the 159 victims whose bodies were returned to their families, 127 were Indians, four Portuguese, 27 British and one Canadian, Joshi said.
Among the 127 Indian victims, four were killed on the ground and 123 were on board the flight, he added.
Following the crash, 71 injured people were admitted to various hospitals. “Of them, only seven are currently undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital, while 12 other patients are admitted to private hospitals in Ahmedabad and Dahod. Three patients lost their lives during treatment here (civil hospital),” Joshi said.
The state government had earlier said DNA samples from 250 victims — including those on board and those on the ground — were collected for identification.
No major safety issues found in Boeing 787 fleet, says DGCA
India’s aviation regulator said on Tuesday that surveillance of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet had not revealed any major safety concerns.
“The aircraft and associated maintenance systems were found to be compliant with existing safety standards,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was headed to London with 242 people on board when it crashed seconds after take-off in Ahmedabad, hitting nearby buildings. All but one person on the flight died, along with about 30 people on the ground.
The DGCA said 24 of Air India’s 33 Boeing 787 aircraft had undergone an “enhanced safety inspection” ordered by the regulator.
In a meeting with senior officials from Air India, the DGCA raised concerns over recent maintenance-related issues. It advised the airline to “strictly adhere to regulations”, improve coordination across its operations, and ensure the availability of spare parts to reduce passenger delays.
The regulator had also met senior officials from Air India and Air India Express to review operations amid growing flight volumes.