Shan

Actor Aashish Bhardhwaj has bagged the lead role in the upcoming fantasy micro drama The Tyrant, produced by Makshika Films. The show will see him play shan, a layered character with superpowers, emotional depth and a compelling backstory. Describing the series as a blend of fantasy, action, romance and adventure, Aashish says it takes viewers into a magical world while remaining rooted in human emotions. The actor, known for shows such as Mithai, Fauji 2 and Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, calls the project a dream come true, as playing a superhero-like character had long been on his bucket list.

An explosion in the shan state of Myanmar, close to the border with China, has now resulted in 43 fatalities, including the lives of seven children, with many others suffering injuries. This catastrophic event was triggered by mismanaged mining explosives, which almost entirely devastated the local village of 200 houses.

Taiwan's defence institute unveiled three robotic dogs, modified from the base model developed by a US company, designed for patrol and reconnaissance of sensitive islands in the South China Sea. These adaptable machines can navigate tough terrain, monitor facilities, and even carry weapons, offering a safer alternative to human patrols against China's growing military presence.

Pakistan's Test defeat to Bangladesh has ignited dressing-room friction, with captain shan Masood reportedly clashing with pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi over bowling speed and batting collapses. The loss, compounded by an ICC slow over-rate penalty, is expected to lead to significant team changes for the next Test.

shan Masood acknowledged his Test captaincy is now out of his hands following Bangladesh's historic 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan. The defeat, Pakistan's 12th in 16 Tests under Masood, has intensified scrutiny, with the skipper deferring captaincy decisions to the PCB and apologising to fans for the disappointing results against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh secured a dominant 2-0 Test series whitewash against Pakistan, winning the second Test by 78 runs. Litton Das's century and strong bowling performances from Taijul Islam, who took nine wickets in the match, were pivotal to the hosts' historic victory.

Bangladesh achieved a historic 2-0 Test series whitewash against Pakistan, culminating in an emotional dressing room celebration. Players united to sing "Amra Korbo Joy" after their dominant 78-run victory in the second Test. This triumph signifies Bangladesh's growing confidence and consistency in Test cricket.

Former England Test captain Mike Smith has passed away at the age of 92. Known as MJK, he played 50 Tests for England, captaining on 25 occasions, and also represented England in rugby union. Smith amassed nearly 40,000 first-class runs and served as Warwickshire chairman.

Pakistan face a double blow after their shocking Test defeat to Bangladesh. The ICC has fined the team 40% of their match fee and deducted eight crucial points from their World Test Championship standings due to a slow over-rate. This significant penalty pushes Pakistan down to eighth place, impacting their championship aspirations.

Pakistan faced severe online backlash after a crushing 104-run defeat to Bangladesh, marking their third consecutive Test loss to the hosts. Despite a late fightback led by debutant Abdullah Fazal, Bangladesh's Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling secured a historic home victory. The loss also saw Pakistan drop two places in the World Test Championship standings.

Google DeepMind researcher Lun Wang resigned, highlighting a critical gap in AI evaluation. He argues current methods fail to anticipate new capabilities in evolving models, leading to silent failures. Wang stresses the need for "self-evolving evaluations" to predict and adapt to future AI advancements.

Masood has led Pakistan in Tests since December 2023. Under him, Pakistan have lost 11 of their 15 matches.

Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Dhaka. A late collapse saw Pakistan lose seven wickets in the final session. Nahid Rana's exceptional bowling performance was key to Bangladesh's win. This marks Pakistan's first-ever Test defeat in Bangladesh. The series continues with the second Test in Sylhet.

Pakistan introduces new talent for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais receive their maiden Test caps. This move comes as Babar Azam is sidelined with a knee injury. The team aims to rebuild with a younger batting core. Pakistan captain shan Masood won the toss and elected to field first.

Babar Azam captained Peshawar Zalmi to their maiden Pakistan Super League title, defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen by five wickets. Despite a golden duck in the final, Azam concluded the tournament as the leading run-scorer with an impressive 588 runs. Former cricketers congratulated him on this significant captaincy achievement.

An India-linked supertanker, Sarv Shakti, has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor under intense pressure due to Middle East tensions. This passage marks a significant breakthrough for India, the world's second-largest LPG consumer, as it secures essential cooking fuel amid disrupted supply chains and a US blockade on Iran-linked shipping.

Priya Kumari, securing rank 232 in the UPSC exam, highlights the crucial role of resilience and unwavering family support. Despite facing setbacks and juggling a job, her parents' belief in her potential, prioritizing education over marriage concerns, empowered her journey. This story underscores the strength found in self-belief and a supportive environment.

Steve Smith's frustration boiled over in the PSL after a heated send-off, with a viral video capturing him slamming his bat in the dressing room. His early dismissal for 13 runs came after a dropped catch, and his team, Multan Sultans, ultimately lost to Hyderabad Kingsmen by eight wickets in a crucial Eliminator match.

A recent underwater expedition in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul lake has unearthed a vast, 700-year-old lost city. Researchers discovered a remarkably preserved medieval cemetery with intricate architecture and visible inscriptions, hinting at a thriving Silk Road civilization. The city's demise is attributed to rising sea levels and tremors, offering a stark reminder of nature's power.

Asia's longest free-flowing river, the Salween, is showing alarming levels of arsenic contamination, more than double WHO safety standards. Unregulated mining in Myanmar's shan state, particularly for rare earth minerals and gold, is identified as the primary cause. This pollution threatens the vital lifeline for ethnic communities and biodiversity.

Pakistan have named a 16-man squad for the Bangladesh Tests, led by shan Masood, with Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach. Sitting fifth in the WTC, they aim to improve against eighth-placed Bangladesh. Four uncapped players are included, alongside senior stars. A Karachi camp precedes the May 8 start, with matches in Dhaka and Sylhet.