Entertainment
What about the spirit of the game?
Hold your breath. India and Pakistan are playing cricket in Dubai today. This somewhat rare display of one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world is being staged for the second time in eight days. And a third encounter during the T20 Asia Cup is very possible.
But what the two teams of the belligerent South Asian countries are playing is not cricket. In a sense, it is politics through other means. That is how their match on Sunday last had triggered a bitter feud on the issue of the Indian players, who had won the match, refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani players.
From Sunday night to Wednesday evening, when the match was set between Pakistan and the UAE, a fierce controversy surrounded the handshake. Pakistan protested against the match referee Andy Pycroft, who — as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed — had conveyed to the Pakistani captain at the time of the toss that there would be no handshakes between the players of the two sides before or after the match.
This was something the PCB was not willing to tolerate. Hence, it threatened that it would pull the Pakistani team out of the Asia Cup if the match referee was not removed from the panel of officials. Eventually, after the suspense had risen to a breaking point, an apology by match referee Andy Pycroft led to Pakistan showing up for the match that had to be delayed for an hour. Pakistan’s not very victory has set the match with India.
Now, respect for and courtesy towards the adversary is the essence of the sportsman’s spirit. Whether it is an expression of greeting, farewell or agreement, a handshake is a part of social etiquette in most civilised communities.
There are many instances in political history when old adversaries shook hands while attending an event. A cricket match between India and Pakistan is certainly a major event that involves the emotions of hundreds of millions.
So, what will it be like this evening, when India and Pakistan come together to play the game in Dubai? Obviously, the match will be held against the backdrop of the diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. One cannot ignore the four-day war between the two countries in May, which can also be seen as a military match.
Because of how India fared in that confrontation, a show of frustration and anger on its part would not be unexpected. After all, relations between the two countries are exceptionally tense at this time, and a surge of patriotic, even xenophobic, passions is evident on both sides.
Ideally, it should have been possible for cricket to help lower the temperature. This has happened way back in the past. But bilateral cricket has now been suspended since 2013.
The two countries have only played each other in multi-team tournaments, and these matches have been played on neutral grounds. It so happens that a cricket match between India and Pakistan is the biggest draw in the game, and for this reason, tensions between the two countries would affect how major cricket tournaments are planned and played.
When I suggest that cricket could actually play a positive role in reducing tensions, I have in mind two specific examples. In February 1987, the then-president of Pakistan, Gen Ziaul Haq, decided to visit India without being officially invited. It was called an unannounced visit. His pretext was that he wanted to watch a cricket match between India and Pakistan, being played in Delhi.
This was termed as Gen Zia’s cricket diplomacy. He had a meeting with the then-Indian prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi. That visit, it was noted, led to a troop withdrawal from the borders and helped avert a war.
I remember the great excitement in the country that was instigated by the Pakistan visit of the Indian cricket team in 2004. It was a historic and successful tour and the Indian team’s first visit to Pakistan in nearly 15 years. It was viewed as a means to foster peace and improve diplomatic relations between the two countries.
What cricket means in India and Pakistan, and how it governs the imagination of the people, is a part of South Asia’s political history.
I was the editor of this newspaper when Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992 and we had this big, eight-column headline: ‘We rule the world’. Imran Khan earned his charisma as the captain of this side and it paved his path to becoming prime minister, though not without the help of the referee of Pakistan’s politics, India won the World Cup in 1983, with Kapil Dev as the team’s captain.
In 2021, a Bollywood film titled ’83’ was released, with the focus on Kapil Dev. There have been major biopics on the lives of MS Doni and Sachin Tendulkar. But how has this great game fallen to a point where an Indian captain refuses a handshake with his Pakistani counterpart and then proudly defends his lack of manners on a false pretence of national honour? Where will cricket, as well as relations between the countries, go from here?
Finally, I must confess that I am not really a cricket enthusiast. I do not understand many of the game’s rules and other features. However, I often get involved in an India-Pakistan game and love to watch its live transmission.
Another confession I should make is that I am not pleased with my lack of knowledge of the game. I am aware of so many learned and sophisticated individuals who have a great passion for the game. Cricket has been celebrated in literature and poetry. There are so many examples that I can cite.
Reading about cricket and hearing some friends talk about a match or an individual performance or even a particular shot makes me feel that I am missing something. Will cricket between India and Pakistan lessen my regret for not being a big fan of cricket?
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the writer’s own and don’t necessarily reflect Geo.tv’s editorial policy.
The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Originally published in The News
As revelers from around the world get ready to ring in 2026 in New York City’s Times Square, preparations are underway for a New Year’s Eve celebration packed with live performances.
Crowds have gathered to watch the ball drop from atop the skyscraper at One Times Square on New Year’s for more than a century. At this year’s festivities, organizers are planning a star-studded lineup of entertainment featuring Diana Ross, Ciara, Maren Morris, Little Big Town and more.
But it’s not the only New Year’s celebration with A-list performers on tap. Some top country music stars usher in 2026 on CBS’ “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash,” with Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and CeCe Winans just a few of those taking the stage.
Here’s what to know about who is scheduled to perform, and when, this New Year’s Eve.
Full list of Times Square New Year’s Eve performers
New Year’s Eve celebrations officially kick off in Times Square at 6 p.m. ET with the lighting and raising of the ball that will drop at midnight. The evening features performances from some big names in the entertainment world:
- James McCarthy
- B.o.B
- Ciara
- Tones And I
- LE SSERAFIM
- AGNEW, a New York dance group
- Robyn
- Little Big Town
- Xavi
- Maren Morris
- Ana Barbara
- Diana Ross
When is Diana Ross performing on New Year’s Eve?
Legendary singer Diana Ross is scheduled to perform a medley of her hit songs, including “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down,” on the Countdown Stage in Times Square beginning at 11:37 p.m. ET on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC. Ross is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for Lifetime Achievement — one as a solo artist and one with the Motown group The Supremes — as well as a Tony, multiple American Music Awards, a Golden Globe and Kennedy Center Honors.
When is Ciara performing on New Year’s Eve?
Grammy-winning singer Ciara‘s Times Square performance is expected to air sometime between midnight and 12:30 a.m. ET on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” according to an ABC spokesperson. Twenty-one of the R&B artist’s songs have made it onto Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, including her 2004 hit “Goodies,” which claimed the No. 1 spot for seven weeks. Earlier this year, Ciara released “CiCi,” her first album since 2019.
When is Little Big Town performing on New Year’s Eve?
Country music group Little Big Town is scheduled to play a medley of their hits starting at 9:35 p.m. ET on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” The band has been together for over a quarter-century with 32 songs making Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, including their 2014 hit “Girl Crush,” which was No. 1 for 13 weeks. Along the way, Little Big Town was named vocal group of the year six times by the Country Music Association and four times by the Academy of Country Music, and they’ve won three Grammys.
When is Maren Morris performing on New Year’s Eve?
Country music star Maren Morris is scheduled to perform a medley of her songs starting at 10:33 p.m. ET on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” The singer-songwriter, who released her latest album “Dreamsicle” earlier this year, rose to stardom with her 2016 hit “My Church.” The song won her a Grammy and peaked at No. 5 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
When is Robyn performing on New Year’s Eve?
Swedish pop star Robyn is scheduled to sing her 2010 songs “Dancing on My Own” and “Call Your Girlfriend” as well as her new single “Dopamine” starting at 9:18 p.m. ET on CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live.” “Dancing on My Own” was named the top song of the 2010s by the Associated Press’ music editor. More recently, a writer for Britain’s The Guardian likened it to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
When is Tones And I performing on New Year’s Eve?
Australian singer-songwriter Tones And I is scheduled to perform her hits “Dance Monkey,” “Fly Away” and “Gone Gone Gone” starting at 8:03 p.m. ET on the official livestream of the festivities in Times Square. She’s expected to return at 11:55 p.m. for her version of John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine” before the countdown to 2026. “Dance Monkey” climbed to the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 2020, and “Gone Gone Gone,” her new song with David Guetta and Teddy Swims, has been on the chart for the past three weeks.
Schedule for tonight’s Times Square performers
When are your favorite acts performing? Here is a list of the scheduled times for each performance (all times Eastern). Organizers note that the times on the live schedule may not match the exact broadcast time.
- 6:03 p.m.-6:05 p.m. — James McCarthy sings the national anthem
- 6:30 p.m.-6:43 p.m. — B.o.B performs two of his hits plus a new song
- 8:03 p.m.-8:14 p.m. — Tones And I performs three of her hit songs
- 8:26 p.m.-8:32 p.m. — LE SSERAFIM performs their hit songs on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC
- 8:41 p.m.-8:46 p.m. — AGNEW, a New York dance group, performs
- 9:18 p.m.- 9:31 p.m. — Robyn performs three of her hit songs on “New Year’s Eve Live” on CNN
- 9:35 p.m.-9:42 p.m. — Little Big Town performs a medley of their hit songs on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
- 10:02 p.m.-10:08 p.m. — Xavi performs a medley of his hit songs on “Feliz 2026” on Univision
- 10:33 p.m.-10:41 p.m. — Maren Morris performs a medley of her hit songs on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
- 11:02 p.m.-11:08 p.m. — Ana Barbara performs a medley of her hit songs on “Feliz 2026”
- 11:37 p.m.-11:46 p.m. — Diana Ross performs a medley of her hit songs on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
- 11:55 p.m.-11:58 p.m. — Tones And I returns for a special performance ahead of the ball drop
- After midnight — Ciara performs a medley of her hit songs on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
Who’s performing on CBS’ “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash”?
Music stars help welcome the new year in Nashville on CBS’ “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.” Five hours of festivities air from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET/PT, on the CBS television network and streaming on Paramount+.
Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman headline the celebration, with special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Comedian and actor Bert Kreischer and country music artist Hardy serve as hosts.
The Nashville event includes a countdown at midnight and the city’s traditional Music Note Drop and fireworks, the organizers said.
Here’s a list of scheduled performers and special appearances:
- Jason Aldean
- Lainey Wilson
- Bailey Zimmerman
- CeCe Winans
- The Fisk Jubilee Singers
- Dierks Bentley
- Brooks & Dunn
- Rascal Flatts
- Zach Top
- Keith Urban
- Gretchen Wilson
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
- Riley Green
- Megan Moroney
- Dwight Yoakam
- Marcus King
- Cody Alan
- Caylee Hammack
- Comedian Dusty Slay
- UFC champion Kayla Harrison
- Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura
- Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is recognised worldwide for her elegant and stylish fashion choices.
From repeating outfits with style to supporting British brands, the future Queen is known for setting the ‘Kate effect’, as the same is followed by her well-wishers, benefitting the local designers and small businesses.
Speaking of her journey as a fashion icon in the royal family, Katie Nicholl told OK! Magazine, “Kate is a style icon, although I don’t think she’s ever seen herself that way.”
“We’ve all heard of the ‘Kate effect,’ and of course, everything she wears and showcases is much imitated. Over the years, she’s learned to love fashion and realise it’s not something frivolous. As a royal, it’s hugely important, and she’s really stepped up to the fashion plate,” the royal commentator noted.
Katie believes that with passing time, the doting mother of George, Charlotte and Louis is getting more “comfortable” in her own skin.
In recent times, it has been observed that Catherine showed keen interest in the British fashion industry, especially textiles, which were visible in her engagements made in 2025.
Katie also shed light on the former stylist of the Princess of Wales, Natasha Archer, who has been an important part of her team for a long time.
Natasha has been “responsible for some of Kate’s most iconic looks, and it’ll be interesting to see who Kate chooses to help her moving forward,” the royal expert wondered.
UK police have arrested a 20-year-old Afghan national who attacked five people at a hospital with a crowbar after being denied an appointment.
According to police, the incident occurred shortly after 12:00 GMT and the victims were treated at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens – none of them received any life-threatening injury.
Police said the man became increasingly agitated when he was told to leave the facility. He damaged the counter before assaulting people inside the hospital.
The suspect, whose name has not yet been released by authorities, was detained on suspicion of five counts of Section 18 wounding, as well as affray and criminal damage.
A Best One shop employee, who called the police after a victim fled the scene bleeding and entered his store, said: “I gave her my phone to call. I could see blood and she said somebody was attacking everybody.”
The victim was given medical assistance and around 10-15 police cars responded to the scene and detained the violent individual.
Residents of the area said they were shocked by the incident. One resident said: “I am so shocked that something like this happened in Newton.”
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust stated that they were closely working with the Police regarding the incident, adding: “Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and visitors, and we are providing full support to those affected.”
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