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Chris Evans’ attempt to resurrect the 1990s chatshow juggernaut TFI Friday began quietly on Virgin Radio’s YouTube channel earlier this year. The lo‑fi series, titled TFI: Unplugged, featured a handful of high‑profile guests – Danny Dyer, Chris Hemsworth, Bono and Noah Wyle – and quickly attracted enough viewers for Channel 4 to commission six late‑night episodes. While the media spotlight has been on Claudia Winkleman’s foray into celebrity interviewing, Evans’ revival arrives with far less fanfare and pressure. The new format is deliberately stripped back: a cramped studio, casually dressed staff, and a budget that Evans himself jokes is “only 1% of the original”. Channel 4 commissioning editor Cimran Shah pitched the show as “personality‑led, stripped‑back chat”, positioning it as a precursor to today’s visual podcasts. In practice, the production feels more like a video‑recorded audio interview than a full‑blown TV spectacle. The episode lineup mixes legacy and fresh talent. Vintage performances from Sleeper, The Cure and Garbage provide a nostalgic soundtrack, while contemporary guests such as Jack Savoretti – who Evans repeatedly hails for a recent chart‑topping album – and Indian star Shreya Ghoshal, who covers Coldplay’s “Fix You”, aim to broaden appeal. A promised appearance by Gemma Arterton and Peter Capaldi never materialised; instead, singer‑songwriter Sam Ryder appeared despite having lost his voice. One of the few moments that truly harkens back to the original is a splice of Evans’ 1999 interview with David Bowie, in which the legendary musician bizarrely claims to have contracted gastroenteritis from eating monkey meat. The clip underscores Evans’ desire to remind viewers of the show’s storied past, even if the anecdote feels more odd than iconic. Critics note that the new Unplugged version lacks the “laddish, often cruel humour” that defined the 1990s TFI Friday, including infamous segments like the “Fat Lookalikes”. The original’s chaotic energy and Britpop‑fuelled vibe have been replaced by a more restrained, if still frenetic, studio atmosphere. In terms of relevance, the series appears out of step with current trends. Unlike interview podcasts that create an intimate, off‑camera feel, Evans’ format retains the sweaty, over‑the‑top live‑TV aesthetic without delivering the depth or novelty that modern audiences expect. Overall, TFI Friday Unplugged may not reshape the UK chatshow landscape or outshine Winkleman’s high‑profile debut, but it does carve out a modest niche for nostalgia‑driven viewers. Its inexpensive production model proves sustainable, even if the show remains a modest footnote in the broader revival of British talk‑show culture.

Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman has been handed a two-match ban for ball tampering during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the suspension after finding Zaman guilty of a Level 3 offence.The incident took place during Lahore Qalandars' match against Karachi Kings in Lahore on Sunday night. Video footage showed Zaman altering the condition of the ball, leading to a disciplinary hearing with match referee Roshan Mahanama of Sri Lanka.Zaman denied ball tampering, but Mahanama viewed television footage that implicated Zaman, along with teammates Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, and umpire Faisal Afridi. The umpire awarded five penalty runs against Qalandars, who lost the match by four wickets.In addition to Zaman's ban, Shaheen Shah Afridi was fined $3,500 for breaching the tournament's security protocols. The PSL is taking place behind closed doors due to fuel supply concerns caused by the Iran war.This is not the first disciplinary action in the PSL; fast bowler Naseem Shah recently faced a hefty fine for criticising a politician on social media.

Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been charged with ball-tampering in a recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Karachi Kings, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced.The incident took place in the final over, with Karachi needing 14 runs to win. Fakhar, Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi, and fast bowler Haris Rauf were involved in a brief discussion, during which Fakhar and Rauf passed the ball between them.The umpire then approached Rauf and asked to see the ball. Following consultations with the square-leg umpire, the officials awarded five penalty runs to Karachi and ordered the ball to be changed.The penalty proved costly, as Karachi went on to chase down a target of 129 with three balls to spare, and Abbas Afridi hitting a four and a six to seal a four-wicket victory.“Fakhar denied the charge levelled against him during a disciplinary hearing led by the match referee Roshan Mahanama,” the PCB said.“Another hearing is set to take place within the next 48 hours after which the match referee will share his verdict.”Fakhar, 35, could face a ban of one or two matches if found guilty of ball tampering for a first offence in the PSL.

The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has strongly condemned a violent assault by Israeli soldiers on a CNN crew in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred while the crew was reporting on the aftermath of an assault by Israeli settlers and the establishment of an illegal outpost near the Palestinian village of Tayasir.The CNN team, which included photojournalist Cyril Theophilos, was detained by Israeli soldiers who aggressively targeted the crew and Palestinian civilians, pointing their rifles at them despite the journalists identifying themselves. The soldiers attempted to infringe the crew's right to film, ordering them to stop and threatening to confiscate their camera.In a disturbing escalation, an IDF soldier approached Theophilos from behind, placed him in a chokehold, slammed him to the ground, and damaged his camera. The FPA described the incident as a direct attack on press freedom, emphasizing that the use of force was excessive and dangerous.The association has called for an investigation into the incident, asserting that such behavior reflects a deeply alarming pattern of hostility toward the media and cannot be tolerated. The military has announced that the incident will be looked into, with Lt Col Nadav Shoshani stating that the soldiers' conduct does not represent the IDF and that an apology has been made.This incident is the second such event involving CNN this month, following an unprovoked assault on a CNN producer by Israeli police officers during Ramadan, which resulted in a fractured wrist. The ongoing violence in the West Bank and the surge in deadly attacks by Israeli settlers have raised concerns about the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom in the region.

Legendary footballer John Toshack, known for his illustrious career with Liverpool FC and the Wales national team, has been diagnosed with dementia, according to his son Cameron. Toshack, 77, enjoyed a celebrated playing career with Liverpool from 1970 to 1978, scoring over 100 goals and securing nine major trophies, including three league titles, two UEFA Cups, an FA Cup, and a European Cup. He also earned 40 caps for Wales. After retiring as a player, Toshack transitioned into management, leading Swansea City from the fourth division to the top tier and later managing prestigious clubs such as Real Sociedad, Real Madrid, and his national team, Wales. Notably, he won La Liga with Real Madrid in 1990, scoring a record 107 goals that season. Cameron Toshack shared that his father's condition varies, with short-term memory loss being a significant challenge. However, he added that John Toshack's long-term memory remains sharp, particularly when recalling his football career. For instance, he can vividly recall details about specific matches and tactical decisions from his time at Real Madrid. Toshack's legacy in football extends beyond his playing and managerial career. As Wales manager during his second tenure from 2004 to 2010, he gave debuts to future stars like Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, who played crucial roles in Wales' success, including their semi-final appearance in Euro 2016.