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Chris Hemsworth shares his and Elsa Pataky’s love for sports amid Super Bowl LX

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Chris Hemsworth shares his and Elsa Pataky's love for sports amid Super Bowl LX

Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky feature in new Amazon Super Bowl ad

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky, who recently appeared in a new Amazon Super Bowl 2026 commercial, have shared about their love for sports.

The new ad shows the couple introducing the upgraded Amazon Alexa+, giving Ultron vibes. The Marvel actor makes it the commercial comedic as he imagines wors-case scenarios with Amazon’s new assistant.

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the 42-year-old briefed about his and Elsa’s interest in sports.

He added, “It depends on the sport. But anytime there’s excellence displayed at such a pinnacle, it’s hard to turn away.”

Chris opened that they watch UFC and Elsa loves that a lot. Meanwhile, they really like watching Australian football and professional surfing.

As far as the Super Bowl is concerned, The Extraction actor said that they are not hardcore fans as they live in Australia and the event doesn’t carry the same weight as it does in the US.

“We lived in America for a little while, but we’re not avid, obsessed fans. Especially living in Australia, it’s not as big a deal.”

Though, the Thor actor admitted that they love the event. He shared, “when we lived in America, friends of ours would host Super Bowl parties, and it’s pretty damn special.”

Work wise, Hemsworth is all set to feature in crime thriller movie with Mark Ruffalo titled Crime 101.  

‘Talks ongoing between ICC and Bangladesh,’ Mohsin Naqvi says on T20 World Cup issue | The Express Tribune

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shaheen shah afridi right of pakistan speaks to abhishek sharma of india and shubman gill of india during the asia cup match between india and pakistan at dubai international stadium on september 21 2025 in dubai uae photo afp

ICC says no sanctions or penalties on Bangladesh; BCB thanks all parties involved

Shaheen Shah Afridi, right, of Pakistan speaks to Abhishek Sharma of India and Shubman Gill of India during the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Dubai, UAE. Photo: AFP

Pakistan will go ahead with participating in their high-stakes February 15 clash against India in the T20 World Cup, after the government gave the nod on Monday to “protect the spirit of cricket” following much drama and debate over the matter.

In a statement issued today on X by the government, it said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was formally briefed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the board, representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” it said.

The statement said the decision was taken with the aim of “protecting the spirit of cricket and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations”.

It added that the prime minister and the people extended their best wishes to the cricket team for its encounter.

“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory,” the statement said.

It said the government reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the BCB, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations.

The statement said the correspondences had “sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges”.

“The government further noted the statement by BCB President Aminul Islam. The profound gratitude expressed by our brotherly nation is received with great warmth. Pakistan reaffirms that it stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh.

“This evening, the prime minister held a telephone call with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, president of Sri Lanka. During their warm and friendly conversation, they recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had always stood shoulder to shoulder, especially during challenging times. The Sri Lankan president requested the prime minister to accord serious consideration to amicably resolve the current impasse,” the statement said.

Reacting to the development, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said: “The game is on!” while praising the premier’s “great decision” and the PCB chief’s “great diplomacy”.

The Sri Lanka president also welcomed the announcement.

Earlier, state broadcaster Pakistan TV had confirmed the same, saying: “Pakistan has agreed to play the T20 World Cup match against India on February 15, following requests from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with India accepting Pakistan’s preconditions.”

The outlet’s head said that a senior government official had confirmed the development to it.

The World Cup, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Pakistan opened its campaign with a victory over the Netherlands in a Group A fixture on February 7. Originally, Bangladesh had been included in the slate but requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka after its star player, Mustafizur Rehman, was released from the Indian Premier League following objections from ruling party activists. The ICC declined the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

Pakistan took a principled stand in support of Bangladesh and protested the ICC’s decision, a move that further strained relations with the governing body. The federal government also ordered the team not to play the match against India in Colombo.

Earlier, Naqvi addressed a press conference in Lahore after the auction for the Pakistan Super League’s Multan team.

“The issue was one between the ICC and Bangladesh. We could not allow Bangladesh’s point of view to let go of [unheard]; they are our brothers. Matters are underway and the ICC and Bangladesh board are in that phase where it won’t be appropriate if I say more so I myself am waiting for information from them and then we will tell you,” he said.

Questioned about reports of a restriction or fine on Pakistan for its decision, the PCB chief said: “I am not afraid of a threat, nor the government and you know about the field marshal so that is why there is no issue.”

On reports about Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates trying to mediate in the matter, Naqvi confirmed that several countries, including allied nations, were involved in the matter and briefed on Pakistan’s perspective.

“Let’s see what happens. You will have an idea soon.”

Talking with reporters, he said a decision regarding the India match would be made shortly.

“We are always ready for good news. Bangladesh has requested us to play the match. It goes without saying that once their matters are settled, they are saying this. We had taken a stand for Bangladesh, spoken up for them; we had no issue of our own.”

The decision to go ahead with the match came after the BCB earlier formally requested Pakistan to play their match.

In a statement issued today, the BCB president said: “Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on February 15 against India for the benefit of the entire cricket eco system.”

The statement expressed gratitude to the PCB, ICC and all involved parties for their “positive roles in trying to overcome recent challenges”.

In particular, the BCB said it wished to express its “profound and heartfelt gratitude” to Naqvi, the board itself and the cricket fans of Pakistan.

“Throughout this period, the PCB has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity,” it said.

The statement quoted Islam as saying: “We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish.”

Separately, PM Shehbaz also discussed the issue with President Dissanayake.

“‘Pakistani cricket team should play the Pakistan-India match held in Sri Lanka,’ Sri Lankan president’s request to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif,” said a statement from the PM Office.

The president said that Pakistan had fully supported Sri Lankan cricket during the terrorism in the country.

“Pakistan gave priority to its long-standing relations with Sri Lanka above all else and the Pakistani cricket team continued to tour Sri Lanka to play cricket despite the terrorism,” the statement quoted the president as saying.

It added that PM Shehbaz welcomed the sentiments and said, in turn, that Sri Lanka had also provided full support in difficult times in Pakistan and continued to play cricket in the country.

“Recently, the Sri Lankan team took an unforgettable step for the Pakistani nation and cricket fans by not cancelling the tour of Pakistan,” he said.

PM Shehbaz told the Sri Lankan president that he would inform him of the final decision after consultations regarding the Pakistan-India T20 World Cup match.

ICC says no sanctions, penalties on Bangladesh

Naqvi held prolonged discussions with Islam and an ICC delegation, including Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday over the Pakistan–India T20 World Cup row.

The ICC issued a statement today on the deliberations and said no sanctions or penalties would be applied to Bangladesh.

“No penalty or sanction for BCB. It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on BC in relation to the current matter.

“It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee, should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact,” the statement said, adding that the ICC’s approach was guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflected the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment.

It added that as part of the above understanding, an agreement was reached that Bangladesh would host an ICC event prior to the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to the “usual ICC hosting processes, timelines and operational requirements”.

The ICC said the agreement reflected “confidence in Bangladesh’s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC’s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities across its membership to develop cricket in the country”.

It said it, the PCB and the BCB, along with other members, remained committed to continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement in the best interests of the sport.

“All stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity,” the statement said.

“Bangladesh’s absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation. Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders including BCB to ensure the sport grows sustainably in the country and that future opportunities for its players and fans are strengthened. Bangladesh remains a priority cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term investment in its development, competitiveness and global integration, and is not defined by short-term disruptions,” the statement quoted ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta as saying.

It said the ICC, PCB and BCB had concluded an “open, constructive and congenial dialogue” that covered several matters.

“While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB’s position as a valued full member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game. The ICC also reiterated its continued facilitation of growth in one of cricket’s most vibrant markets, with more than 200 million passionate fans to ensure that the national team’s non-participation in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup does not have any long-term effects on cricket in the country.

“The highlights of the dialogue set out below reflect a forward-looking alignment reached in good faith and are intended to provide clarity on the current position of the stakeholders. They do not alter, qualify or detract from the ICC’s constitutional autonomy, governance framework or established decision-making processes, all of which remain fully applicable,” the statement said.

UAE eye upset in T20 World Cup | The Express Tribune

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uae has named a 15 member squad for the upcoming t20i tri series at home against pakistan and afghanistan

UAE has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series at home against Pakistan and Afghanistan.


MUMBAI:

The United Arab Emirates are dreaming big as they prepare for the start of their third Twenty20 World Cup campaign on Tuesday, hoping for a famous win in what looks a very strong group.

The Gulf nation, who have won only one match in their previous two World Cups, failed to qualify for the last edition but experienced fast bowler Junaid Siddique believes that has only fuelled their hunger for success.

“Two to three years back, we could just imagine about pulling up an upset. Now, we have the belief that we can do, we can upset or beat any team,” the 33-year-old told Reuters on a video call.

“One good innings, one good spell and we can beat any team. That’s how a T20 game is.”

Siddique thinks the UAE’s domestic International League T20, which was launched in 2023 allowing local players to rub shoulders with cricket’s biggest names, has been crucial.

“Most of the players are now playing ILT20 and getting good opportunities and learning from the big players. So, we have a lot of confidence and belief that we can have a good impact in this World Cup,” said Siddique, who represented Sharjah Warriors this season.

The odds are stacked against them in a group featuring South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan but Siddique, who was born in Pakistan, has faced New Zealand and Afghanistan before.

The country, which attained associate member status of the International Cricket Council in 1990, craves more games against full member nations, having played only nine of their 23 T20 matches last year against the world’s top sides.

“If we play against the big teams, we can get more experience and exposure. We can compete (well) and beat them,” he said.

The UAE open their campaign against New Zealand on Tuesday at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Don’t ignore chest tightness or pressure in winter – SUCH TV

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Don't ignore chest tightness or pressure in winter - SUCH TV

Heaviness or pressure in the chest in winter is usually thought to be caused by cold, but health experts warn that this symptom can also indicate problems related to the lungs, heart or mental stress.

As the winter cold increases in intensity, complaints of chest tightness or pressure increase. People feel it as a weight, tension or tightness in the chest and often have difficulty taking a deep breath.

Most people think of it as just the effect of the cold, but experts say that this symptom is not just due to the weather and should not be ignored. Dry and cold air in winter, increased pollution and an increase in respiratory diseases can all contribute to chest discomfort.

Chest tightness is not always due to the lungs. It can also be caused by heart disease, mental stress or anxiety, chest muscle spasms or digestive problems such as acid reflux.

Heart and lung diseases make people sick all over the world, and chest tightness can sometimes be an early sign of danger. According to the World Health Organization, infections and air pollution increase in winter, which affects vulnerable people more.

It is important to know why chest tightness occurs, who is more likely to be affected, and when to see a doctor. Experts say that early recognition and treatment can prevent serious problems and improve health.

Chest tightness is not always caused by lung disease. According to experts, these symptoms can also be caused by stress or anxiety, lung conditions such as asthma or pneumonia, or heart problems such as angina and heart attack. In addition, chest muscle spasms or muscle pain, and digestive problems such as acid reflux or indigestion can also cause this feeling.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anxiety and panic attacks can also cause chest tightness and difficulty breathing, which often resemble symptoms of heart or lung disease.

Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that ischemic heart disease is often characterized by pressure in the chest rather than sharp pain, especially in older people.

Some groups are more prone to chest tightness in the winter. According to health experts, patients with asthma, heart disease or high blood pressure are at higher risk at this time.

The lung function of older people naturally decreases, while smokers are also susceptible, because cigarettes reduce the lungs’ ability to cope with cold air and pollution.

The World Health Organization also considers the elderly, people with chronic diseases and those living in areas with high pollution to be at higher risk for respiratory diseases in the winter.

If you experience chest tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, pain in the arms, neck or jaw, excessive sweating, or nausea, seek immediate medical attention.

These symptoms can sometimes indicate a heart attack or a serious respiratory illness, for which immediate diagnosis and treatment are important.

Ways to reduce chest tightness in winter

Some simple measures can reduce chest pressure.

According to nutritionists, drinking more water thins mucus, and creating moisture in dry air through a humidifier is helpful.

The World Health Organization also recommends maintaining an adequate amount of water and a clean air environment to maintain lung health.

For further relief, steaming, using warm compresses, taking slow and deep breaths, and keeping the head elevated while sleeping can be helpful. People with chronic diseases should continue to use their prescribed medications and inhalers and avoid sudden cold air or excessive exertion.

Doctors emphasize that chest tightness in winter is not just due to the cold; it can also be a problem related to the lungs, heart, mind, or digestion.

If symptoms are persistent or severe, it is important to consult a doctor immediately so that the underlying cause can be identified and safe and effective treatment can be provided.

Transfer rumors, news: Man United want Tonali to replace Casemiro

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Manchester United are showing an interest in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, while Mohamed Salah stands to triple his wages should he replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr this summer.

Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are hoping to replace midfielder Casemiro with Newcastle United‘s Sandro Tonali, according to the Telegraph. The 25-year-old’s future at St. James’s Park remains unclear after he was linked with a move to Arsenal in January, and now United are hoping to beat their London rivals to the signing of a player they would like to see partner with the resurgent Kobbie Mainoo next season. Tonali is keen to play Champions League football next season, so could be open to a move Manchester City and Juventus are expected to express interest.

– Juventus look the most likely club to sign forward Randal Kolo Muani on a permanent basis in the summer, with Tottenham Hotspur seemingly reluctant to make his loan deal a permanent one, according to Teamtalk. The London club were open to letting him leave in January but no bid was made to his parent club, Paris Saint-Germain. Muani is aware that he faces little prospect of breaking into Thomas Frank’s squad on a regular basis, and though he has reserved his best form for the Champions League, he looks set to return to Paris in June. He has two years left on his contract.

– Real Madrid are making plans for next season, and see PSG’s Vitinha as their top target, with AZ Alkmaar‘s Kees Smit as a backup plan, according to AS. Madrid are looking to finetune their squad as they look to mount a double assault on La Liga and the Champions League, and Vitinha is seen as a player with vital leadership qualities. The 27-year-old is contracted until 2029 and appears happy in the French capital, which could make Madrid’s interest complicated. Smit, 19, would be easier to facilitate, but he is not yet the finished article. Madrid are already planning to build on the return of Endrick and Nico Paz from their respective loan spells.

– Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah could triple his salary to £1.2 million-per-week if he moves to Al Nassr as Cristiano Ronaldo‘s replacement in the summer, according to the Mirror. The 33-year-old will be the new face of the Saudi Pro League if they can convince him to leave Liverpool after nine years at the club. The SPL are keen to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who is threatening to walk away from his deal at Al Nassr in the face of what he sees as favouritism in the transfer market towards Al Hilal. The Portugal legend is on the cusp of scoring 1000 goals, but could return to Europe to achieve the feat. He has been linked with an emotional return to Sporting Lisbon.

– Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis is a target for both Inter Milan and Juventus in the summer, according to Calciomercato. The 22-year-old joined the Bundesliga club from Greek side PAOK and has become a mainstay of the side, also becoming a key part of Greece’s national team. The left-footed centre-back can play in a back three or four, and is particularly adept in aerial duels. Contracted until 2029, Koulierakis — who has also been watched by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur — would require an outlay of around €35 million to €45 million.

DONE DEALS

OTHER RUMORS

– Arsenal have been boosted by the news that Bayern Munich are out of the running for Atlético Madrid striker Julian Alvarez. (Christian Falk)

– Valencia teen Hugo Fernandez is being monitored by PSG and multiple English clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal. The center back has impressed since signing his first professional deal in 2024, though has yet to play for the first team. (Footmercato)

– Fluminense have reached an agreement with Denis Bouanga over a move from Los Angeles FC, the deal is now being held up by the U.S. club’s release conditions. (Ekrem Konur)

– Juventus are hoping to follow the contract renewal of Kenan Yildiz with similar deals with Weston McKennie, whose deal runs out in June 2026, and Filip Kostic. (Tuttosport)

– Liverpool’s board are prepared to let winger Federico Chiesa leave for around £35 million, with Italian Serie A clubs keen to bring him back to Serie A. (Caught Offside)

– Bournemouth have signed left-back Alex Jimenez on a permanent deal from AC Milan in a deal worth €19.5 million. The fee will be shared between Milan and Real Madrid. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Experienced full-back Yann Valery is expected to sign for Young Boys on a six-month loan deal from Sheffield Wednesday. (L’Equipe)

– Club America are negotiating with Flueminense for Colombian defender Gabriel Fuentes. The deal now depends on the player himself, with the left-back mulling over his options. (Ekrem Konur)

– Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic is a target for Juventus, Inter Milan and Bournemouth. The 22-year-old has been a long-term target for Inter but Juventus could re-sign him for half of any prospective fee because he used to play for them. Bournemouth are considered outsiders. (Calciomercato)

– Liverpool looks set to activate a clause in defender Jarrell Quansah‘s contract that could see the 23-year-old return from Bayer Leverkusen for an already agreed fee. (Football Insider)

ADHD In Adults: 10 Signs You Should Not Ignore

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ADHD In Adults: 10 Signs You Should Not Ignore

‘Flood’ of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

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'Flood' of disinformation ahead of Bangladesh election

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman addresses an election rally ahead of the country’s general election in Dhaka on February 8, 2026. — AFP 

Voters in Bangladesh elect a new government on February 12, but analysts warn their choice is threatened by a coordinated surge of disinformation, much of which originates from neighbouring India.

The Muslim-majority nation of around 170 million people is preparing for its first election since a 2024 student-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina — who fled to neighbouring India, where she has been hosted since by the Hindu-nationalist government.

Authorities say the scale of online manipulation — including sophisticated AI-generated images — has become so severe that a special unit has been created to curb false content.

Interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus said in January that there had been a “flood of misinformation surrounding the elections” when he called UN rights chief Volker Turk seeking help.

“It is coming from both foreign media and local sources,” he said.

Much of that centres around claims of attacks against Bangladesh’s minorities — around 10% of Bangladesh’s population is non-Muslim, most of them Hindu.

That has seen a mass posting of claims online that Hindus are under attack, using the hashtag “Hindu genocide”.

According to police figures released in January, out of 645 incidents involving members of minority groups in 2025 — only 12% were classified as having a sectarian motive.

‘Coordinated Indian disinformation’

The US-based Centre for the Study of Organised Hate said it had tracked more than 700,000 posts — generated by more than 170,000 accounts on X, that made claims of a “Hindu genocide” between August 2024 and January 2026.

“We have tracked coordinated Indian disinformation online, falsely alleging large-scale violence against Hindus in Bangladesh,” said Raqib Naik, head of the think tank.

“More than 90% of this content originated from India, with the remainder linked to associated Hindu nationalist networks in the UK, US, and Canada,” he told AFP.

Examples debunked by AFP Fact Check, some of them shared tens of thousands of times, include an AI-created video of a woman who had lost her arm, appealing not to vote for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seen by many as a frontrunner.

In another computer-generated video, a Hindu woman alleges that people who follow the same religion have been told to vote for Jamaat-e-Islami, or they will be exiled to India.

Of the hundreds of AI-generated videos documented by AFP Fact Check teams on social media platforms — YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram — few are marked with an AI disclaimer.

The surge has also come after years of repression under Hasina, when opposition was crushed and outspoken voices silenced.

“We are noticing a huge amount of fake information compared to other times,” said Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, head of the Dhaka-based research organisation Digitally Right, saying free AI tools made creating sophisticated fakes easier.

In another AI-generated video, Bangladeshis appear to praise Hasina — now a fugitive who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.

In India, social media outrage by Hindu fundamentalists about the lone Bangladeshi cricket player in India’s domestic IPL league resulted in his club cancelling his contract — a furore that escalated to Bangladesh’s national team pulling out of this month’s T20 World Cup in India.

But while analysts say much of the disinformation originates from India, there is no evidence that the large-scale media posts were organised by the government.

New Delhi’s foreign ministry says they have recorded a “disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities” by “extremists in Bangladesh”, but also emphasise they have “consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections”.

‘Big threat’

Bangladesh Election Commission spokesman Md Ruhul Amin Mallik said they were working with Facebook’s parent company, Meta, and set up a unit to monitor social media posts — but coping with the sheer volume online is a never-ending task.

“If our team detects any content as harmful and misleading, we instantly announce it as fake information,” Mallik said.

Election expert Jasmine Tuli, a former election commission official, said that AI-generated images carried an extra risk for Bangladesh.

More than 80% of urban households have at least one smartphone, and nearly 70% of rural areas, according to government statistics — but many people are still relatively new to the technology.

“It is a big threat for a country like Bangladesh, since people don’t have much awareness to check the information,” Tuli said.

“Due to AI-generated fake visuals, voters get misguided in their decision.”

Epstein files: Ghislaine Maxwell won’t answer questions during congressional deposition, says lawmaker

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Epstein files: Ghislaine Maxwell won't answer questions during congressional deposition, says lawmaker

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, US on December 19, 2025. — Reuters

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell intends to refuse to answer questions at a Monday deposition before the House’s Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to a Sunday letter from US Representative Ro Khanna.

Maxwell, who was found guilty in 2021 for her role in helping Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, plans to invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and decline to answer all substantive questions, according to Khanna’s letter to Representative James Comer, the committee chair.

Maxwell’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

Instead of answering individual questions, Maxwell plans to read a prepared statement at the beginning of her deposition, Khanna, who serves on the committee, said without detailing the source of his information.

“This position appears inconsistent with Maxwell’s prior conduct, as she did not invoke the Fifth Amendment when she previously met with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss substantially similar subject matter,” Khana, a California Democrat, wrote in his letter seeking clarification on her testimony.

Maxwell’s deposition comes as the US Department of Justice has released of millions of internal documents related to Epstein.

KSE-100 drops 1,789 points amid lingering uncertainties and weak sentiment | The Express Tribune

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KARACHI:

The spell of heavy selling continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, as the market extended last week’s sharp losses of 3,702.50 points, with investor sentiment remaining subdued amid mounting domestic uncertainties and ongoing external geopolitical concerns.

The benchmark KSE-100 index recorded an intra-day high of 185,650.60 and a low of 180,992.80. By the close, it had lost 1,789.20 points, or 0.97%, to settle at 182,340.38.

Overall, the market remained under pressure throughout the session, reflecting continued investor caution and the absence of positive triggers to arrest the prevailing bearish trend.

The benchmark index opened on a positive note; however, selling pressure quickly resurfaced, erasing early gains. Broad-based selling was witnessed across key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, and oil marketing companies. 

In key news, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shared that Pakistan had remained on track to contain and better manage public debt, extending maturities, reducing servicing costs, and undertaking early debt repayments. On the other side, Moody’s downgraded its outlook on Pakistan’s banking sector from positive to stable.

Index-heavy stocks such as Oil & Gas Development Company, Mari Energies, Pakistan Petroleum, Pakistan State Oil, Sui Southern Gas, Habib Bank, Meezan Bank, and National Bank traded in the red, exerting significant pressure on the benchmark.

Arif Habib Limited reported that continuation of selling occurred in the first session of the new week following Friday’s market activities.
KSE-100 index saw a decline, with specific stocks like Oil & Gas Development Company and Pakistan Petroleum acting as major drags on the index.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has announced plans to boost its intelligence network and deploy a special force to protect the mineral-rich Balochistan province.

Technical analysis indicated that the KSE-100 index needed to move above the 187,000 level to mitigate the threat of a downside breach of the 180-190,000 range, AHL noted.

Overall trading volume decreased to 931.3 million from previous close of 1.27 billion. The value of traded shares stood at Rs58.8b.

Shares of 481 companies were traded. Of these, 161 closed with gains, 278 dropped and 42 remained unchanged. K-Electric was the volume leader with trading in 302.5m shares, gaining Rs0.48 to close at Rs9.42.

Mia Drennan: ‘I was passed up for promotion – now my business is worth £1bn’

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Mia Drennan: ‘I was passed up for promotion – now my business is worth £1bn’

When the financial crash hit in 2008, Mia Drennan wasn’t scared – she saw an opportunity to build something new. Up until the market collapse, big companies had been handed loans and had the terms negotiated and upheld by banks. As trust in these institutions faltered, Drennan dreamed up GLAS (Global Loan Agency Services), an impartial, reliable, white-glove debt administration service that could handle the middleman tasks and paperwork for large debts.

She and her business partner took a leap in 2011 and invested £6,000 into the idea – 15 years later, GLAS has 14 offices across the UK, US, EU, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai and is valued at a minimum of £1bn, with Drennan’s share worth roughly £230m. Drennan is EY’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year and will compete for the global title this year.

I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but in the Eighties, women weren’t allowed to fly. So, I studied art and design at school, didn’t get a degree, and quickly realised I wouldn’t get a job. I handed out my CV in the City and started office temping. Eventually, I landed a job at KPMG, which was a real turning point for me. Soon, I was running a team of auditors in the capital markets team. After that, I got a job at the law firm Simmons& Simmons, where I learnt about debt repackaging. I was recruited by Citibank in the late 1990s and, at the beginning of 2000, the Bank of New York [Mellon] asked me to set up their structured finance business in Europe, which I turned into a multi-million dollar revenue line in five years.

My first business venture launched because I had the hump. In 2005, I was passed over for a promotion I was promised at the Bank of New York. I thought, ‘If you don’t want me, somebody else will, and I started looking for another job. A very niche US law firm was looking to open an office in London and asked me to help them. I said yes and set up a little office for them called Square Mile Connections. That business is still going today. After several months, the team that hired me left, but I’d been asked by the trustee market to help them find people for various positions. So, I pivoted and became a headhunter. But after the financial crash, I wanted to get back into transactional work.

We started GLAS with £6k and I put my half on a credit card. I didn’t have any savings because we’d just been through the crash – everyone was mortgaged up to their eyeballs. But I knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else ever again and there were lots of broken loans from companies that had borrowed loads of money during the crash and needed to be restructured. My partner, Brian Carne, was a magic circle law firm partner looking for a new job. He’d come to me because of the headhunting business, but I convinced him to help me with the GLAS instead. Thank you to the Bank of New York for giving me that opportunity.

It took 400 meetings in four months for us to land our first deal. I had a little bit of income, because I was still the owner of Square Mile. So, I was able to support my building of the new business. We started to get some green shoots, but nobody wanted to be the first to give us a deal. It finally came around June 2012, when two prominent law firms needed someone to sort a particular German transaction; they could only think of GLAS. That was the first one and they’re still a client today. Once we had one deal, we were mandated on deal after deal.

One particularly risky moment from the early days was when somebody from a very large American bank said they were going to send a man round from their agency team to check out our systems, processes and procedures. We didn’t have all of them in place yet because we were busy doing the marketing. Me and my business partner looked at each other and sprinted back to the office and started getting to work. Really, it was a good thing because we spent the time getting properly set up. The man from the agency never did turn up – but they did us a favour by threatening to.

I was on holiday in Portugal when GLAS made its first £1m in 2014. I couldn’t believe it. It was great validation. We celebrated every deal by ringing a bell in the office – but it was ringing so often it started annoying the people doing the work! We’re going to get a gong for big milestones instead.

It’s important to decide early whether your business is for lifestyle or legacy. A lifestyle business is absolutely fine if you can pay yourself a good income and have a nice living and a balanced life. But if you want to turn your business into a legacy company and eventually exit and turn it into a listed company, then you’ve got to have a very different mindset. So, answer that question before you start.

The entrepreneur started out office temping in the City before she landed a job at KPMG

The entrepreneur started out office temping in the City before she landed a job at KPMG (Mia Drennan)

Only 144 women have built businesses over £50m. Fewer have ever built businesses over £100m and even fewer than that over a billion. Women are often not given the finance they need to start a business. Even just trying to get a £20,000 overdraft was really hard when starting my first venture. But women starting out now should know that there are a lot more organisations out there to help. There’s the Invest in Women taskforce, there’s The SuperScalers – and there’s more education available, too. If female founders want to scale a business, they can and they should.

It’s important to give your idea a chance. Just try and make it happen and see where it takes you. The worst-case scenario is that you fail – lots of people do. But remember, in America, if you’ve had five or six startups, that’s actually a good thing, because it’s experience. If you’ve got vision, it doesn’t have to be an original idea, It just needs to be better than whatever else exists out there.

Lucy Goff is a champion of FFinc Forward Faster Accelerator 100 – a UK-based business accelerator programme designed to help female-founded companies scale their growth faster, which was launched in September 2025. For more information, go to https://ffinc.co/

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