Lahore: Former Pakistan Test cricketer and ex-chief selector Mohammad Ilyas passed away in Lahore on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 79. Family sources said Ilyas had been admitted to a local hospital a few days earlier, where he underwent surgery. He had been battling cancer. Details regarding his funeral prayers will be announced later. Ilyas represented Pakistan in 10 Test matches, earning recognition as a disciplined cricketer during his playing days. Following his retirement from international cricket, he continued to serve the game in an administrative capacity, most notably as chief selector of the national team. Over the years, he also worked on various selection committees of the Pakistan Cricket Board, including heading the Women’s Cricket selection panel. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from former players, officials and fans across the country, who remembered him for his quiet dedication to Pakistan cricket both on and off the field. In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board expressed deep sorrow over Ilyas’ demise, acknowledging his contributions as a Test cricketer and selector. The board extended heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also offered his condolences, expressing solidarity with the bereaved family. He paid tribute to Mohammad Ilyas’ services to Pakistan cricket and prayed for the departed soul’s eternal peace, asking for strength and patience for the family in their loss. Mohammad Ilyas is remembered as a committed servant of the game whose influence extended beyond his playing career, helping shape Pakistan cricket through his work in selection and administration.
$1.7bn Bond Shock: Zoho Founder Faces Court Oversight as Divorce Dispute Deepens
A court in the United States has directed Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of software firm Zoho, to post a $1.7 billion bond as part of an ongoing divorce case, raising rare judicial scrutiny over corporate ownership and marital asset protection. The order, issued in January 2025 by the Superior Court of California, followed concerns that large financial and structural decisions involving Zoho-linked entities could impact the fair division of community property. The development was first reported by The News Minute. Court Cites Risk to Community Property In its ruling, the court said it was compelled to act after identifying potential risks related to asset movements made after divorce proceedings were initiated. It noted that these actions could undermine the financial interests of Vembu’s estranged wife, Pramila Srinivasan. To safeguard assets while the case proceeds, the court appointed a receiver to oversee certain Zoho-related companies and temporarily blocked a proposed corporate restructuring. According to the order, the court found reason to believe that decisions taken by Vembu — and by entities allegedly acting under his direction — could disadvantage Srinivasan’s stake in shared marital assets. Dispute Over Zoho Shareholding Srinivasan, an academic and entrepreneur based in the United States, alleged in filings submitted in November 2024 that Vembu transferred a significant portion of shares in Zoho’s US subsidiary to an entity controlled by one of his long-time associates. She claimed the transfer was structured in multiple phases and executed without disclosure. In a statement quoted by The News Minute, Srinivasan said she financially supported Vembu during Zoho’s early years, enabling him to leave paid employment and focus on building the company. She said she was taken by surprise to later learn that he claimed ownership of only a small percentage of the firm. Vembu has rejected these allegations, consistently stating that his personal stake in Zoho has always been limited to 5%, despite his role as co-founder and former chief executive. Wealth and Family Control According to the Forbes 2025 wealth rankings, Vembu and his siblings collectively hold a net worth of around $6 billion and control more than 80% of Zoho’s shares. Vembu and Srinivasan were married for nearly 30 years and raised a son in the United States. Vembu relocated to India in 2019, while divorce proceedings formally began in 2021. Who is Pramila Srinivasan Srinivasan holds a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and has spent much of her career working in healthcare technology, particularly in electronic medical records and specialised care systems. She is also the founder of The Brain Foundation, a US-based non-profit focused on autism research, treatment, and community support.
Philippine Airlines Turns Flight Safety Into a Telenovela — and the Internet Is Loving It
Philippine Airlines has found an unexpected way to make passengers actually watch an in-flight safety video: by turning it into a full-blown drama. Titled “Care That Comes From the Heart,” the airline’s new safety video made its debut aboard its first Airbus A350-1000, delivered on December 22, 2025, before being released online on December 31. Within just four days, the video crossed 200,000 views on YouTube, proving that safety instructions can go viral when storytelling takes center stage. Produced in a mix of Filipino and English, with English subtitles throughout, the video immediately signals that this is not a routine pre-flight briefing. Its thumbnail alone hints at something unusual, teasing drama rather than demonstrations. A love story at 35,000 feet The video opens with a standard cabin crew greeting, but quickly shifts to a visually rich hacienda-style setting, inspired by traditional Philippine estates with Spanish colonial influence. What follows is a melodramatic tale straight out of a classic “novela.” Viewers are introduced to Anton, a poor estate worker, and Luisa, a young woman from a wealthy family. Their forbidden romance forms the emotional core of the story. The plot thickens when Luisa is pressured into an arranged marriage with Diego, a wealthy suitor backed by her family. As the drama unfolds, flight safety instructions appear at unexpected moments. When Diego offers to vape instead of smoke, a flight attendant abruptly intervenes to remind him that smoking and vaping are prohibited. Later, when Anton storms into the church to stop the wedding, the calm voice of the cabin crew announces, “Should there be a rapid change in cabin pressure…” as oxygen masks descend and the stunned wedding guests dutifully put them on. Humor through surreal contrast These deliberate anachronisms — mixing 19th-century-style drama with modern aviation rules — are what viewers say make the video memorable. Life vests appear during emotionally charged scenes, and safety demonstrations interrupt heartbreak and confrontation, creating moments that are both absurd and hilarious. The reaction online has been overwhelmingly positive. In Esquire Magazine, award-winning writer Christa I. De La Cruz famously wrote, “I Finally Watched an In-Flight Safety Video All the Way to the End.” YouTube comments echo that sentiment, with viewers pointing out scenes where characters argue passionately while wearing life jackets. A carefully crafted production The 6-minute-25-second video is co-presented by Mastercard, created in collaboration with BBDO Guerrero, produced by Arcade Film Factory, and directed by Marius Talumpas. Together, the team transformed mandatory safety instructions into entertainment that holds attention without compromising clarity. For Philippine Airlines, the success of the video shows that safety messages do not have to be ignored. Sometimes, all it takes is a compelling story — and a little drama — to keep passengers watching until the very end.
Here’s Why Friday Prayer Time in the UAE Has Changed to 12:45pm
Friday sermons and congregational prayers across the United Arab Emirates will now begin at 12:45pm, starting tomorrow, following the implementation of a nationwide prayer timetable announced by religious authorities last month. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat confirmed that the revised timing will take effect from the first Friday of the new year, introducing a single, unified schedule for all mosques across the country. Worshippers have been advised to arrive ahead of time to avoid missing the sermon. According to officials, the decision is aimed at standardising Friday worship throughout the UAE, ensuring that congregations attend the full khutbah and receive consistent religious guidance regardless of location. The authority said a fixed national sermon time helps promote discipline during prayers and enables the coordinated delivery of key religious messages. Beyond religious objectives, the move is also expected to bring practical benefits for daily life. With thousands of mosques spread across multiple emirates, a single Friday prayer schedule is likely to make planning easier for families, employees and students, reducing confusion and improving coordination nationwide. Authorities noted that the adjustment supports broader government efforts to streamline routines through unified national policies, helping residents better organise their Fridays around worship, work and family commitments. The timing change also aligns with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of the Family.” Officials said the revised prayer schedule is intended to encourage shared family time, balanced lifestyles and greater flexibility at the end of the working week, reinforcing the country’s focus on social cohesion and well-being.
