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The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) brand value has fallen sharply by 20% to $9.6 billion in 2025, according to Brand Finance, marking only the second major decline in the tournament’s history. Analysts link the drop to this year’s unprecedented mid-season suspension and wider commercial challenges that weighed down broadcaster confidence and franchise valuations. The biggest shock came in May when IPL 2025 was suspended for nearly a week due to Pakistan–India border tensions. This was the first mid-tournament stoppage since the COVID-19-interrupted 2020 season. Brand experts say the uncertainty directly hit advertising exposure, disrupted match-day visibility, and slowed commercial momentum…

India has cut red tape to speed business visas for Chinese professionals, two officials said, a major step to boost ties between the Asian giants and end chronic delays that cost output worth billions of dollars because of scarce technicians. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautiously rekindles ties with Beijing in the face of punishing US tariffs, the officials said New Delhi dropped a layer of bureaucratic scrutiny and shortened visa approval times to less than a month. Reuters is the first to report the development. India had blocked virtually all Chinese visits after the nuclear-armed neighbours clashed on their…

Thailand was set for an earlier than expected election after its king endorsed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s bid to dissolve parliament on Friday, as a border conflict with Cambodia raged and the government moved to head off a no-confidence vote. Anutin late on Thursday announced he was “returning power to the people”, and King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved his petition to dissolve the house, according to a royal gazette posting overnight, paving the way for an election as early as February. Anutin’s play comes as an armed border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia entered into a fifth day, with at least…

Pakistan and the United Kingdom have launched a new round of development talks after an eight-year gap, marking a major step toward strengthening economic cooperation, trade, investment, and education ties between the two countries. The fresh round of Pakistan–UK development talks comes after eight years and is being viewed as a significant reset in bilateral engagement. Both sides expressed optimism that cooperation in trade, investment, and education will expand further in the coming period. The talks aim to build on recent progress and unlock new opportunities for sustainable economic growth. Focus on economic cooperation An important meeting was held between…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Turkmenistan continued on Friday as he joined international leaders at the Neutrality Monument, a key symbol of the country’s long-standing policy of permanent neutrality. The prime minister arrived at the Neutrality Monument in Ashgabat alongside world leaders participating in the Permanent Neutrality Anniversary Forum. The monument represents Turkmenistan’s internationally recognized policy of permanent neutrality. During the ceremony, the prime minister and other global leaders laid flowers at the monument to pay tribute to this principle, which has shaped Turkmenistan’s foreign policy for three decades. 30 years of Turkmenistan’s neutrality The PM attended the…

Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan expressed excitement over the growing influence of Pakistani cricketers in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), calling it an opportunity for players and fans alike. Representing Sydney Thunder, Shadab said the presence of multiple Pakistani stars is giving the league added prestige. Speaking during a virtual media session from Sydney, Shadab highlighted that while Pakistani cricketers have previously played in Australia, this is the first time such a large number are participating together. “The league is also getting fame because of big names from Pakistan,” he said. Shadab noted that playing abroad against teammates brings a different…

The United States has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, the first of its kind under ongoing sanctions, and is preparing to intercept additional vessels. The move intensifies pressure on President Nicolás Maduro and disrupts shipments of Venezuela’s crude to international markets. The tanker, named Skipper, was intercepted off Venezuela’s coast this week. U.S. authorities plan to take the vessel to an American port to legally seize its cargo of crude oil. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the action targets “sanctioned vessels sailing with black market oil” fueling illicit activities. The seizure has temporarily suspended shipments totaling nearly 6 million barrels…

Kyiv is navigating intense diplomatic pressure as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reveals the United States is seeking a “free economic zone” in parts of Donetsk currently controlled by Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that any territorial or governance decisions would require approval by the Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy confirmed on Thursday that Ukraine presented the US with a 20-point counter-proposal in ongoing peace discussions. The proposals focus on security guarantees and ensure that any territorial concessions would be decided through a referendum or elections. “They see it as Ukrainian troops withdrawing from the Donetsk region, and the compromise is supposedly that Russian troops will…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed additional conditions on Pakistan to keep its ongoing loan program on track, emphasizing stricter anti-corruption measures and greater transparency in governance. Among the key requirements is the online disclosure of assets held by senior government officials by December next year. The IMF has directed the Pakistani government to take strict steps to curb corruption and prepare an action plan to reduce corruption risks. Provincial anti-corruption agencies are to be empowered further to enhance their effectiveness. Officials are also required to publish their assets online, marking a significant step toward transparency. Sector reforms and policy…

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has approached the Delhi High Court to safeguard his publicity and personality rights. The actor’s plea comes amid growing concerns over the unauthorized use of celebrity identities online. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court heard Salman Khan’s petition requesting protection from the unauthorized use of his persona. The court directed social media companies to respond to the complaint within three days. The petition seeks to restrain several named and unnamed individuals from exploiting Salman’s name, image, voice, likeness, dialogues, mannerisms, and other personal attributes without consent. Alleged misuse impacting brand Salman stated that multiple platforms and…