Entertainment
Two Pakistani players reach quarterfinals at Johns Creek Clemens Open
KARACHI: Pakistan’s top squash players Asim Khan and Ashab Irfan progressed to the quarterfinals of the Johns Creek Open 2025, a $12,000 PSA Challenger event, after recording victories in the second round on Thursday.
Top seed Asim overcame Egypt’s Kareem Badawi 11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 in 45 minutes. Asim dominated the opening two games with precise length and controlled rallies before Badawi fought back to take the third. The Pakistani regrouped in the fourth to secure his place in the last eight.
Second seed Ashab needed just 20 minutes to dismiss the United States’ Christopher Gordon in straight games, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4. Ashab’s aggressive shot-making and quick pace kept the American on the defensive throughout.
However, it was the end of the road for seventh seed Ahsan Ayaz, who was edged out in a five-game thriller against Egypt’s Omar ElKattan. After taking the first game 11-4, Ahsan lost the second on a tiebreak 12-10 and the third 11-9.
He levelled the match by winning the fourth 11-8, but ElKattan held firm in the decider to win 11-8 after 58 minutes of high-intensity play.
Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim also exited in the round of 16, losing to third seed Diego Gobbi of Brazil 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 in 47 minutes.
Huzaifa started strongly by taking the opening game but could not match Gobbi’s pace and consistency in the remaining games.
Entertainment
Luke Grimes shares what disappoints ‘Yellowstone’ fans the most
Luke Grimes has been playing cowboy Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone since 2018, but some fans are still coming to terms with a fundamental truth: he is an actor, not an actual cowboy.
The 42-year-old, who now continues the character’s story in the CBS spinoff Marshals, told Toronto radio station CHUM 104.5 that the strangest fan encounters often involve a version of the same realisation.
Some viewers, he said, “loved that show so much that they were, on a certain level, upset that it wasn’t real.”
The most common version of this comes in the form of a complaint. “A lot of times you’ll get the, ‘You’re not a real cowboy.'”
His response is straightforward.
“Well, of course I’m not, I’m an actor. That’s why I’m able to do this. If I was a real cowboy, I’d be, like, herding cattle right now. I wouldn’t be on this show.”
Even his one-year-old son, whom he shares with wife Bianca Rodrigues Grimes, has his own take on the cowboy persona.
“My son thinks my cowboy hat is really funny,” Grimes told PEOPLE at the Marshals LA premiere.
“He doesn’t understand why I have that big thing on my head.” That said, the baby loves visiting the set and got excited when he was brought along.
New episodes of Marshals air Sundays at 8pm ET on CBS.
Entertainment
Italy rejects proposal to replace Iran at 2026 World Cup: ‘You qualify on pitch’
The Italian government has slammed a proposal by a U.S. government official to replace the Iranian team with Italy in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Italian football team was not able to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, despite being a four-time champion.
Iran’s participation in the mega event is in serious doubt amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran. All the group matches of the Persian team are scheduled to take place in the United States.
Iranian officials have requested FIFA to reschedule Iranian matches in Canada or Mexico, the co-hosts for 2026 sporting showpiece.
The Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth has clarified that all the necessary arrangements have already been made for the team’s effective participation in the tournament.
Despite the assurance, Paolo Zampolli, a U.S. envoy for global relations, presented the idea to replace Iran with Italy, saying, “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi rejected the proposal, saying, “You qualify on the pitch.” Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti also rebuked the suggestion, describing it as “shameful.”
Italian Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio was the third high-ranking official to say no to the idea, adding, “It’s not possible. In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it.”
FIFA responded by reiterating the Infantino’s statement, “The Iranian team is coming here, for sure.”
Entertainment
2 critical out of 10 injured in Baton Rouge, shooter at large
At least 10 people have been hurt in a horrific shooting incident at the Mall of Louisiana. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, two of the injured are in critical condition.
Police Chief TJ Morse has ruled out any threat to public at this time; however, the shooter remains at large. He added that the incident was not a random act of violence.
Morse said: “Unfortunately there was some innocent people in the area that might have also caught some rounds.”
The initial investigation reveals that an argument between two groups of people sitting inside the food court escalated to the point that opened fire at each other.
Arounf six victims were taken to the hospital by emergency services while the others went for medical aid by personal vehicle. Some of the injured were undergoing surgery.
Officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were also present at the scene.
East Baton Rogue Mayor-President Sid Edwards was also present on the scene. He updated that all the civilians were excorted out of the building. He requested public to “keep the victims and their families in your prayers.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also released a statement, saying, “I am aware of the active shooter schene at the Mall of Louisiana.” He urged public to avoid the area, adding, “Sharon and I are praying for those affected.”
He also praised the law officials for their quick response to the incident.
The incident comes just hours after the police arrested a man on his way to Louisiana allegedly with the intent to carry out a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans.
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