Category: News

Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik asserted that he is fulfilling his responsibilities as a father despite his divorce from Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

Former cricketer Shoaib Malik has stated that he is fulfilling his fatherly duties well despite his divorce from Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza. The former Pakistan cricket captain, who officially ended his 14-year marriage with Sania in January 2024, continues to co-parent their son, Izhaan Mirza Malik. While Sania has primary custody, Shoaib often faces public scrutiny for not being around his son frequently. Addressing these concerns, Shoaib recently opened up about his close bond with Izhaan.

During a recent appearance on a Pakistani Ramzan television programme, Shoaib spoke candidly about his approach to parenting. He emphasised that his connection with Izhaan is built more on friendship than a traditional father-son dynamic. “The relationship I share with him is one of friendship. He calls me bro, and sometimes I also call him bro. I make sure to visit him twice a month in Dubai, and while I’m there, I personally drop him to school and pick him up,” Shoaib shared.

The cricketer further elaborated on the role of sports in their relationship, highlighting how it strengthens their bond. “I have a very strong bond with him. Every day we connect on a video call and discuss everything,” he added.

Shoaib’s statements reflect his efforts to remain present in his son’s life despite the geographical distance and the demands of his career. He has frequently expressed his love for Izhaan on social media, sharing moments from their time together, whether it be playing sports, celebrating special occasions, or simply enjoying everyday father-son interactions.

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik’s relationship was one of the most talked-about cross-border unions, garnering significant media attention when they married in 2010. Sania, a six-time Grand Slam champion, retired from professional tennis in 2023, leaving behind a legacy as one of India’s greatest athletes. Shoaib, a seasoned cricketer, has had a long and illustrious career representing Pakistan in international cricket. Despite their separation, both continue to focus on their respective careers and personal lives while ensuring their son is raised with love and care.

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Ms Draper, who declined a call from her son while on BBC Radio Surrey, added: “It wasn’t straight forward, but in terms of other matches where I’ve been watching for four hours and literally [been] on a rollercoaster all night wondering what’s going to happen, it was fairly straight-forward.”

After beating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in Saturday’s semi-final and his straight-set victory over Rune, Draper climbed to his highest world ranking of seventh.

In an interview with BBC Sport, he said: “I’m incredibly happy, obviously, and incredibly proud of my achievements this week.”

Draper, who went to Reed’s School and Parkside School in Cobham, started his training at Sutton Tennis Club before joining the Weybridge Tennis Academy when he was five.

A millennial mom has offered up a theory on why parents today are “exhausted” and it seems to be resonating with a lot of her peers.

Mother-of-four Cassey Ahlas, from Maryland, went viral on TikTok with a clip explaining that parents today are more tired than previous generations because they would have “sent us to our grandparents every weekend.”

“I can distinctly remember getting off the bus almost every single Friday, packing a bag and going to granny’s,” she said on the clip posted under the handle casseysjourney.
“In the summer you better believe we spent whole weeks, if not months at our grandparents’.”

In 2023, a Pew Research Center survey found 41 percent of parents said they found being a parent tiring, while 29 percent said it was stressful all or most of the time.

Ahlas doesn’t feel like parents today get the same kind of support and that she has to ask her parents “three months in advance for a three-hour dinner date night.”

“My kids do not have the same experience I did,” Ahlas told Newsweek. “I don’t think anything can be done either, because unfortunately people have to work full time to an older age now because of the economy and don’t really have time to be grandparents like our grandparents were.”

Ahlas’ video has been watched over 930,000 times, with many fellow parents taking to the comments section to echo her complaints. One commented: “My mom barely sees my kids and she lives 3 miles down the road….” Another said: “My mother hasn’t seen my children since January. She lives 2 miles away. Before that… Christmas, before that, Thanksgiving, before that… September.”

A third, meanwhile, wrote: “My mom lives 10 minutes away and makes an effort to come over maybe 3 times a year. When I was postpartum, she didn’t even offer to help. So lonely and exhausting.”

Some did speak up about the supportive grandparents in their lives. One said: “My parents are 68 and they watch our son every Saturday overnight and for week-long vacations while we go to Aruba, Greece, etc.”

Vanessa Scaringi, a licensed psychologist at CALM Counseling, told Newsweek this is a “common gripe” among millennial parents, but it’s important to acknowledge the context.

“First off, the baby boomer generation is working longer, leaving them less time to actually physically be with their grandchildren,” she said. “Many boomers have to work in order to sustain themselves in the face of the high cost of living, while many are choosing to extend their working years.”

She said it is often the case that “millennial parents establish roots far away from their own parents, making physical proximity an issue.” Outside of this, Scaringi suggested many grandparents “might not realize what it takes to parent in 2025.”

“It is more expensive and intensive than in generations prior,” she said. Scaringi feels millennial parents should try to “share their needs with their own parents in an effort to establish clear expectations and work towards getting needs met.”

Until things change, however, all Ahlas can do is just “imagine the thrill of sleeping in past 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday.”

While things don’t look like changing for her anytime soon, she would like her video to inspire others to take action. “I hope that maybe it shows the older generation that they need to somehow be more involved with their grandchildren because family and a village is important,” she said.

Rosie Kelly and the family clan headed to the luxury five-star hotel at St Andrews where they spent the weekend, marking baby Billie Kelly Smith-White’s second time in Scotland.

Lorraine Kelly is getting into her new role as a grandmother as her daughter Rosie shared some snaps of their family trip to St Andrews over the weekend.

Rosie, who welcomed newborn daughter Billie Kelly Smith-White in August with fiance Steve, took to Instagram to share a series of first moments for their little one.

Scots ITV presenter Lorraine was drafted in to handle the tot’s bedtime routine for the first time, so the couple could take a breather whilst on the trip at the plush five-star old course hotel.

“Ones for the baby book. Got very lucky with the weather for Billie’s first trip to @oldcoursehotel after a very eventful flight up (I may have cried more than her),” Rosie captioned the post which she shared with her Instagram followers in a string of snaps from their family trip.

“We pottered about, left granny and grandad to do her bed time routine for the first time so we could go out on an actual date, got @stevewhite94 his first obligatory @fisheranddonaldson fudge doughnut, and took Billie to her first beach.”

In the comments section, Rosie confirmed it was baby Billie’s second time in Scotland. She currently lives in London with Steve and their baby girl.

Rosie first announced her pregnancy back in April on Instagram. She posted a photo of her growing bump, writing: “We could not be more excited – you’re already so loved little one.”

Lorraine and her husband Steve Smith live in a quaint part of Buckinghamshire in the countryside, although she has previously expressed her desire to return to her homeland.

Lorraine grew up in the Gorbals area of Glasgow until she was around two, when she and her family moved to East Kilbride and she attended the town’s Claremont High School.

Her dad John worked as a television repairman, and she has Irish ancestry running through her blood, although she is very much a proud Scot.

An open letter from Dan Burn’s father to the defender has gone viral after the latter’s heroics in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool.

Burn scored the opening goal at Wembley as Newcastle won 2-1 to end a 70-year drought for a major domestic English trophy. It was an incredible moment for the Blyth-born centre-back, whose dream week began with a maiden call-up to the England squad.

Burn’s story is one of the feel-good tales of Newcastle’s cup success. The 32-year-old began his career at fourth-tier Darlington before joining a Newcastle side battling against relegation in January 2022. A childhood supporter of the Magpies, he has now fulfilled a dream by forming part of a trophy-winning team on Tyneside.

Big Dan Burn

Our first goal at Wembley for 25 years couldn’t have been scored by anyone more fitting 🫶🫶 pic.twitter.com/s4PKoYFl92

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) March 16, 2025

Following the club’s success, an emotional open letter wrote by Burn’s father ahead of the 2023 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United has gone viral.

Two years on, we’re sure Burn senior is even prouder. Take a read of the letter below.

“Dear Dan,

“When I walked up Wembley Way with you, a mere seven-year-old, on my shoulders en route to the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea in 2000, who could have predicted that the next time Newcastle would be fighting for a cup there, I’d be in the stands, watching my son in those gorgeous black-and-white stripes?

“It was only ever going to be this club for you.

“After all, you and Jack, your brother, drew teams out of a hat to decide which matches the pair of you would go to with our East Stand season ticket. Tyne-Wear derbies, top-of-the-table clashes and Champions League nights — you saw it all under Sir Bobby Robson.

“For your own football journey, first there was Blyth Town — I’m still puzzled you decided to be a keeper — and then Spartans. A left-back to begin with — I suppose you’ve come full circle! — then a centre-half, you won everything going.

“Those two years as a junior at Newcastle’s Centre of Excellence coincided with a growth spurt, when you struggled to adapt to your changing body. That letter on Christmas Eve, releasing you as a 14-year-old, was gut-wrenching.

“But it never held you back. You made sure you made it.

“You pushed trollies at Asda and grafted in non-League with Darlington before Everton and Fulham came calling. For your medical, I told you to “look the part”. In hindsight, perhaps wearing suits might not have been the best idea, seeing as you had to undress about 15 times. Then there was Yeovil — remember son, you’ve already won, and scored, at Wembley — Birmingham and Wigan.

“Away from football, you married your childhood sweetheart, Roz, and started a beautiful family, only to move about as far away as possible to Brighton!

“When the takeover happened, you told me: “That’s that, Dad. They’re never going to sign Brighton’s Dan Burn.” Then the speculation started and it was unbearable because I so wanted it to be true.

“That night you came back, when I was stood alongside you in the boardroom, it moved me to tears. Your debut against Aston Villa topped it. Captaining (briefly) against Brentford was another level still.

“That’s before we think about the quarter-final… I was so proud I can barely put it into words.

“I still can’t believe I wasn’t there, instead, I was watching from a bar in Spain, but it doesn’t diminish it one bit. Seeing you slalom in from the left and caress the ball in with your right foot, at the Gallowgate End, with a finish Alan Shearer would be proud of — I’ve watched it hundreds of times since and I still can’t quite believe it. That was just so special.

“Since then, I find myself driving places and suddenly I have a massive smile on my face because I remember that goal.

“Newcastle brought you home and you bloody deserved that chance. You are still the very same lad; the best father, husband, brother and son we could all wish for. Nothing has changed you. You’re still Dan from Blyth, with the same mates who have followed you all the way and everyone can see that.

“Your resilience, your perseverance, should be an inspiration to every young kid in the north east. You are no Peter Beardsley, but you proved that sheer determination and hard work can take you far. As our fellow fans sing, “You’ll never, ever beat Dan Burn.”

“You are living the dream of so many and you understand that responsibility.

“Sat on my shoulders 23 years ago, you were excited and euphoric walking up Wembley Way. This time it’s my turn. In the stands, I’ll be donning your match-worn shirt from the quarter-final, the one you saved especially for me. I’m welling up just thinking about the moment you run out…

“That will be my lad, my Dan, on the world stage, showing who he is: a great footballer and an even better bloke.

“I wish I could bottle up this feeling I have because it would make me millions if I sold it. I’m so immensely proud of you son.

“Love Dad.”

Read – How 11 Premier League teams could play in Europe next season

See more – Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend

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Fashion

While our hardworking mums can deserve to be appreciated all year long, there’s one special day, where a Mother’s Day gift guide can come handy for you.

Every year, Mother’s Day is celebrated on March 21, hence finding the perfect gift is all about celebrating the woman who has given so much love and care.

It’s a time to celebrate her with special bouquets, fragrances, designer bags and much more for her. Whether your mum is sartorially-savvy, has a penchant for fine jewellery or is happiest with a beautiful bouquet of blooms, we’ve rounded up our edit of the most thoughtful and stylish gifts to show your mum how much she is loved.

For the sentimental mom, personalised gifts like custom birthstone jewellery or an engraved keepsake box make for meaningful presents she’ll cherish forever. If she enjoys relaxation, a luxury spa set with bath salts and essential oils or a cozy weighted blanket can help her unwind. For the mom who loves cooking, high-end olive oils, a cutting board, or a Smeg toaster can inspire new culinary creations.

Ultimately, Mother’s Day isn’t just about the present itself but the love and effort behind it—so whether it’s a heartfelt note or an extravagant surprise, what matters most is making her feel special.

So, swipe through our Mother’s day gift guide of thoughtfully curated presents that she’ll remember for now and always.

– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram

Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @kaiagerber

• Max Fu was a gastrointestinal surgeon, a career that pleased his parents.
• He felt called to more creative work and left medicine when he was 28.
• Ten years later, he’s glad he made the switch.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Max Fu, CEO and Creative Director for Nyan Heroes. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was raised in Australia by Chinese parents. Growing up, there was one career path I knew would make them proud: medicine. Both my parents had their doctoral degrees and were scientists who worked at a heart research lab. They wanted me to have an even more prestigious role: medical doctor.

I wasn’t 100% sure that medicine was the path for me, but after high school, I didn’t feel strongly about any career path. I applied for a six-year program that combined medical school and undergrad in Australia. The day I was accepted was the happiest I’ve ever seen my parents.

I completed my education and two years of residency, but I was starting to question my choices. I had no work-life balance — I was constantly at work or on call. I couldn’t see myself living like this for the rest of my life.

I was hesitant to leave after more than a decade

I fulfilled all the stereotypes of a first-generation Asian immigrant growing up. I did well academically and had a full roster of extracurriculars, including playing piano and violin.

I’d always had an interest in the creative arts, but with my full schedule, I never pursued it. After four years as a surgeon, it became like an itch that I suddenly needed to scratch. My desire to leave medicine was like a seed: it had taken hold, and it was growing.

The biggest obstacle to leaving medicine was the sunk-cost fallacy. I had already spent nearly 12 years studying and practicing. My perspective changed when I considered that I still had 40 to 50 years of my career ahead of me. In the grand scheme of things, the years I’d already spent weren’t that much.

I left medicine for filmmaking when I was 28

My friends and colleagues understood why I wanted more work-life balance, but they couldn’t understand why I was giving up such a promising career. Still, my mind was set. I also felt that I could always go back to medicine if I wanted to.

My parents were not so understanding. They were really unhappy, to be blunt.

I was either brave or stupid enough not to care. I had enough savings to live for one year, so when I was 28, I quit medicine and started learning everything I could about creating creative content.

I found financial success and creative freedom

It was a complete 180 to go from being a highly educated doctor to starting in a field I knew nothing about. Still, it came naturally to me. At first, I worked for free to build a portfolio, but I had paying clients within three months. I founded a media agency, and soon, I was working with global brands.

I loved the freedom I had. Surgery is understandably very structured. You read research and follow best practices. But in marketing, I could come up with any crazy idea, and as long as I convinced the client I could pull it off, I could go ahead with it.

Over the next few years, I grew my company to have about 50 employees. It was very financially successful, but my parents still never asked about my work, especially at the beginning. I could read between the lines.

My parents have accepted my career

After a few years into my marketing company I pivoted again. I founded 9 Lives Interactive, a video game company, and started producing a game, Nyan Heroes, which integrates blockchain technology. This time, I turned to venture capital instead of bootstrapping the business. We’ve raised more than $17 million over three rounds of funding.

I’m a huge cat guy — I have four of them. I’ve lived three lives already in my career, but since cats have nine lives, I have plenty more to go. I don’t regret the time I spent in medicine, but staying in that career would have been a shame for me. Even my parents have accepted the change, and we’re on good terms now. They’re happy with me as long as I remember to visit regularly.

Lucy Letby has called for the public inquiry into her crimes to be halted, arguing there was now “overwhelming and compelling” evidence undermining her baby murder convictions.

Lawyers for the former nurse took the extraordinary step of writing to Lady Justice Thirlwall on Monday to say that the inquiry – which is due to end on Wednesday – should be suspended immediately.

In a letter seen by the Guardian, they said the judge’s final report would “not only be redundant but likely unreliable” unless it was paused until the conclusion of a review of her convictions.

They add: “It is estimated that over £10m has been spent so far on the inquiry. It is now clear there is overwhelming and compelling evidence that Lucy Letby’s convictions are unsafe.

“For the inquiry to be effective and that taxpayer’s money not to be wasted, we urge that the inquiry be suspended and to wait for the outcome of the review to take place.”

Letby, 35, is serving 15 whole-life prison terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill another seven at the Countess of Chester hospital in north-west England.

The former nurse, who has always protested her innocence, has lost two attempts to overturn her convictions at the court of appeal.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, is examining fresh material submitted by a range of experts on behalf of Letby last month.

The Thirlwall inquiry has been examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and near-deaths since September last year, with a final report due later this year.

Opening the inquiry on the first of three days of closing speeches, Thirlwall said: “A few moments ago I received a letter from a new firm of solicitors on behalf of Lucy Letby.

“I’ve not had the time to read it, but I can see from the second paragraph, it’s a request that I should suspend the inquiry. I’ve asked that the letter be sent to all core participants.”

The letter is also understood to have been sent to the health secretary, Wes Streeting, and is due to be circulated to others, including lawyers representing the families of the babies.

Thirlwall said on Monday that she had also received a request on behalf of former executives at the Countess of Chester – including the former chief executive Tony Chambers and ex-medical director Ian Harvey – to pause the inquiry.

The inquiry, sitting at Liverpool town hall, is due to hear from the barrister representing the executives later this week.

A young Portadown father-of-four will be laid to rest this week following his sudden passing on Friday.

The funeral of Rory Garvey will be held at the Church of St. John the Baptist Drumcree at 11am on Tuesday.

A death notice described Rory as the beloved husband of Sorcha and loving daddy of Piaras, Ruaidhrí Óg, Donnacha, and Eoghan.

He was also the dearly loved son of Eileen and Joe, and dear brother of Tara and Clíodhna.

St Mary’s YCFC led the tributes to the father of two of their players.

“We pray for Rory’s sons and our academy players Ruaidhri Óg, Donnacha, their siblings Piaras and Eoghan, and Rory’s beloved wife Sorcha, as well as the wider family circle.

“Rory was a keen sponsor and supporter of our Grassroots programme and will be sorely missed at training sessions and on match days. Though we, as a club, will miss Rory, the greatest loss is to his family and close friends. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you all at this very sad time.”

The Tír na nÓg GAA club in Portadown also paid tribute.

“The committee and members of Tír na nÓg extend our deepest sympathies to our G4MO player, Sorcha, on the passing of her husband, Rory,” they wrote.

“We also offer our heartfelt condolences to their sons, Ruaidhrí Óg and Donnacha, our underage players, and to Piaras and Eoghan on the loss of their father.

“Our thoughts are also with former senior player and manager Joe, Rory’s father, mother Eileen, sisters Tara and Clíodhna, and the wider Garvey and Dunbar families during this difficult time. Mary, Queen of the Gael, pray for him.”

Rory’s love of sport was well known, in particular his joy in watching his children play, which brought him a great sense of pride and happiness.

His sudden passing has been met with understandable shock and sadness within the local community.

One person spoke of Rory’s “wicked sense of humour.”

“Taken far too young and in the most tragic of circumstances. May his young soul rest in peace, and may his entire family circle be given the strength to come to terms with this.”

Many spoke of Rory as a gentleman, a man who enjoyed the craic on the sidelines – a man who will be missed by many.

Rory will repose at his Selshion Hall home today from 12 noon until 10 pm.

His interment will follow Requiem Mass tomorrow.

Family flowers only, donations if desired to I.C.U. Craigavon Area Hospital, c/o the family. Donation Box in the family home.

May he Rest in Peace.

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A mother-of-two who had her eyes gouged out by her former partner has said she fears for her life after learning he has been transferred to an open prison.

Tina Nash, 44, from Cornwall, was blinded by Shane Jenkin in April 2011 during a violent attack in which he held her hostage for 12 hours, strangled her, broke her nose and jaw and gouged out her eyes – while her two sons slept in the room next door.

Jenkin, 45, of Sea Lane, Hayle, in Cornwall, admitted grievous bodily harm (GBH) and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of six years in 2012.

Despite having six bids for parole rejected, according to the Parole Board for England and Wales, he was moved to an open prison at the beginning of March this year.

In an open prison Jenkin is eligible to leave for short periods of time under licence to take part in paid or unpaid work or to see a family member who is seriously ill.

Ms Nash told the PA news agency she fears for her safety and the safety of other women after learning of his relocation.

“I’m really scared, because I don’t think he’ll leave it, especially because I’ve spoken out about what he’s done,” Ms Nash said.

“I think that he has been sitting there this whole entire time kicking himself that he did not finish me off.”

Laura Richards, a criminal behavioural analyst and former head of the Homicide Prevention Unit of the Metropolitan Police, said she is “appalled” by the decision to move Jenkin to an open prison.

“I’m extremely concerned about the decision to move Jenkin to an open prison, readying him for release after such a short time and given his appalling and sadistic violent acts to Tina,” Ms Richards told PA.

“There is too much weight and focus on Jenkin’s ‘right to freedom’ rather than where it should be, on Tina’s right to life and safety and the safety of the public.”

Ms Nash, who met Jenkin at a club in Penzance in August 2009, said the first eight months of their relationship was loving until he “turned on her”.

“The first time that he actually properly turned on me and actually beat me up was in April 2010,” she said.

“Then in that last year it was just nothing but beatings, strangulations, it was just constant the police raiding my house.

“I’ve never felt like on edge before in all my life.

“I didn’t even know I was a victim.”

Describing the night of Jenkin’s attack, Ms Nash explained he had rolled her up in a blanket, while he continued to strangle and beat her.

“I didn’t know what was going on – I didn’t know I was blind,” she said.

“I was touching the left side of my cheek, and I felt my eyeball down on my cheek, I couldn’t believe it.

“I don’t remember him jumping on me. I don’t remember him beating me. I don’t remember him gouging my eyes out. I don’t remember him rolling me up. He thought I was dead.”

Ms Nash had several operations following the attack but surgeons were unable to save her eyes.

She has since had reconstructive surgery to implant prosthetic eyes.

Jenkin, who is 6ft 4in, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court in May 2012 and detained in a secure mental health unit.

Ms Nash said the attack by Jenkin has “completely ruined” her life.

“I try every single day to stay positive, but no matter what, it’s still always there, and it’s not going away,” she said.

“I dream every single night and it feels like I’ve just lost my sight yesterday.”

Ms Nash said before meeting Jenkin she was a “free spirit” who “loved life”, but 13 years later she still suffers panic attacks and is on medication for anxiety.

“I was a free spirit, I loved life, I was a DJ – I loved being out with my friends,” she said.

“All the panic attacks and the anxiety attacks just ruined me as a person.

“The amount of days and years that I sat downstairs on my own on the edge of the sofa, tortured, shaking, freaking out – he’ll never know what he’s done to me.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with Ms Nash.

“All prisoners, including those serving life sentences, must pass a robust risk assessment before any move to open conditions and we do not hesitate to move them back to closed prisons if they break the rules.”