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  • Tim Paine resigns ahead of Ashes after sending explicit messages to female co-worker

    Tim Paine resigns ahead of Ashes after sending explicit messages to female co-worker

    Australian cricketer Tim Paine has quit as Test captain less than three weeks before the men’s Ashes after the emergence of an investigation four years ago by Cricket Australia for sending explicit messages to a female co-worker.

    Paine, who had been facing a race against time to be fit for the first Ashes Test on December 8, was named in a News Corp report as being at the centre of the case.

    He faced the media in Hobart on Friday to announce he was resigning but will remain available for selection for the Ashes. The messages date back to 2017, months before Paine was recalled to the Test team after a seven-year absence, and a joint Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania investigation cleared him at the time.

    “Today, I’m announcing my decision to stand down as the captain of the Australian men’s test team. It’s an incredibly difficult decision, but the right one for me, my family, and cricket,” Paine said as he read out a statement.

    “As a background on my decision, nearly four years ago, I was involved in a text exchange with a then-colleague. At the time, the exchange was the subject of a thorough CA Integrity Unit investigation, throughout which I fully participated in and openly participated in.

    “That investigation and a Cricket Tasmania HR investigation at the same time found that there had been no breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct. Although exonerated, I deeply regretted this incident at the time, and still do today. I spoke to my wife and family at the time and am enormously grateful for their forgiveness and support. We thought this incident was behind us and that I could focus entirely on the team, as I have done for the last three or four years.

    “However, I recently became aware that this private text exchange was going to become public. On reflection, my actions in 2017 do not meet the standard of an Australian cricket captain, or the wider community. I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that I have caused to my wife, my family, and to the other party. I’m sorry for any damage that this does to the reputation of our sport.”

    Read More – Australia announces squad for the Ashes

    He added that he felt resignation was his only option and apologised to team-mates and supporters.

    “I believe that it is the right decision for me to stand down as captain, effective immediately,” he said. “I do not want this to become an unwelcome disruption to the team ahead of what is a huge Ashes series.”

    “It’s been the greatest privilege of my sporting life to lead the Australian men’s test team. I’m grateful for the support of my team-mates and proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.

    “To them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. To Australian cricket fans I’m deeply sorry that my past behaviour has impacted our game on the eve of the Ashes. For the disappointment I have caused to fans and the entire cricket community, I apologise.

    “I will remain a committed member of the Australian cricket team and look forward with anticipation to what is a huge Ashes tour.”

    A subsequent statement by Cricket Tasmania said the allegations had only been brought to their attention when theft charges were laid against the employee in mid-2018 and that no complaint had been made at the time of the messages in November 2017.

    Paine was elevated to the captaincy in March 2018 following the explosive fallout from the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Fast bowler Pat Cummins is Australia’s current vice-captain and had been tipped to assume the role once Paine retired. If Paine was not to play the series, Alex Carey would be the frontrunner to take the gloves.

    The board accepted Paine’s resignation and has said that process of identifying and appointing a new Test captain will be accelerated.

  • Mentally challenged girl allegedly raped in Jhelum

    Mentally challenged girl allegedly raped in Jhelum

    A mentally challenged girl has allegedly been raped in Jhelum, reports Geo Urdu.

    Inspector-General (IG) Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan has taken notice of the incident and demanded a report.

    Rao Sardar has also reportedly directed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Jhelum to arrest the accused and to assure the girl’s family of all possible cooperation.

    This is not the first time that a horrible incident like this has taken place in Jhelum. Earlier, a gang-rape of a girl came to light and the police arrested the four accused men in the incident.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Smoking: ‘impermissible, undesirable, unlawful’, Islamic scholars issue fatwa
    
			
    Smoking: ‘impermissible, undesirable, unlawful’, Islamic scholars issue fatwa
    
			
    The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) assembled a group of Islamic experts on Thursday who issued a fatwa (ruling) declaring smoking impermissible, undesirable and unlawful due to its negative consequences of health, reports Dawn.
    

    The Islamic experts were gathered at a conference that was organised by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (Sparc) in collaboration with (CII).
    

    It was noted that increasing lethal effects of smoking are increasing in the society.
    

    Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan said that in a youthful country like Pakistan, the impact of smoking will be magnified as the population ages and develops a variety of health problems linked to tobacco use, such as chronic lung and heart disease, as well as practically all cancers.
    

    He further said that in the absence of changes in tobacco taxation for years, policy planning to check tobacco consumption and meet international targets needs urgent revision.
    

    Chairman of CII Qibla Ayaz while addressing the audience talked about a saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and added that smoking is not only a danger to oneself but to others as well, as cigarettes have proved to be a source of several diseases, both for smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke.
    

    He stated that, in light of the dangers of cigarettes, the CII and other major Islamic scholars present at the meeting agree that smoking falls into the category of behaviours that must be avoided under Islamic law.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Victory against injustice’: Rahul Gandhi’s response to Modi’s U-turn on controversial farm laws
    
			
    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has taken a U-turn by announcing that his government will repeal three controversial agricultural reform laws, which set off huge protests across India by the farmers.
    

    “Today I have come to tell you, the whole country, that we have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws,” announced Modi.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    “In the parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws.”
    

    “I appeal to all the farmers who are part of the protest … to now return to your home, to your loved ones, to your farms, and family. Let’s make a fresh start and move forward,” said the Indian prime minister.
    

    “Friends, I apologise to the countrymen and want to say with a clean heart and conscience that we must have fallen short in our efforts to explain (the benefits of the farm laws) to a section of the farmers.”
    

    Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, took to Twitter and wrote, “Congratulations on this victory against injustice!”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    In a high-profile protest against controversial agricultural reforms, tens of thousands of farmers drove a convoy of tractors festooned with brightly-coloured flags through the outskirts of India’s capital of New Delhi on the country’s Republic Day, January 26.
    

    Three laws pertaining to agriculture and farming were passed in India, which the farmers said would affect their livelihood. Modi billed these laws as necessary to modernise Indian farming.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Brotherhood, humanity’: Sikhs open gurdwaras for Friday prayers after Muslims attacked by Hindu extremists
    
			
    ‘Brotherhood, humanity’: Sikhs open gurdwaras for Friday prayers after Muslims attacked by Hindu extremists
    
			
    After an official ban on Muslim prayers at open places in India’s Gurugram city near New Delhi, a local organisation taking care of gurdwaras, holy places of the Sikh religion, has announced opening the doors of a gurdwara for Muslims.
    

    Hindu extremists have been protesting against the Muslims’ act of offering Friday prayers at open places outside mosques for the last several weeks. As Muslims in larger numbers swarm to mosques to say their weekly Friday prayers, mosques mostly cannot accommodate these big numbers of worshipers and they have to use the open places outside the mosques to say their prayers.
    

    Keeping in view the protests by Hindu extremists, the local authorities in Gurugram city have stopped Muslims from using the open places outside the mosques to offer their Friday prayers and cancelled the permission letters issued earlier in this regard.
    

    Hindu extremists have also been disrupting the Muslim Friday prayers at open places by raising their religious slogans.
    

    Last week, Hindu extremists filled an open place with cow dung where Muslims were going to say their Friday prayers the next day. They said they wanted to turn that place into a volleyball court.
    

    Against this backdrop, an organisation associated with gurdwaras of the Sikh religion has come forward and announced opening a gurdwara in Gurugram so that Muslims can offer their Friday prayers there.
    

    Harteerath Singh, Community Development Director at Hemkunt Foundation, wrote on Twitter, “Gurgaon’s Sadar Bazaar Gurudwara is now open for our Muslim brothers to offer their daily namaz keeping in mind the recent events that took place in the city.”
    

    Despite of death threats, he said that he will “always stand up for truth and sewa (help).”
    

    

    
https://twitter.com/HarteerathSingh/status/1461355592027496467?s=20

    

    

    In another tweet, he added: “The best part is tomorrow is Guru Nanak Dev jis Gurpurab and Friday namaaz too. What a spectacular sight it will be tomorrow- prime example of brotherhood and humanity!”
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Thousands of Sikh pilgrims will attend the 552nd birth anniversary commemorations in Kartarpur today. An 18-member delegation led by Indian Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh entered Pakistan from the Kartarpur corridor on Thursday.
    

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has also extended felicitations to Sikhs.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘That flame no longer burns’: AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of cricket
    
			
    ‘That flame no longer burns’: AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of cricket
    
			
    Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers took to social media to announce his retirement from all forms of cricket.
    

    AB de Villiers made the announcement on Friday, November 19, marking an end to an incredible career that spanned over a period of more than 18 years.
    

    “It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket,” ABD wrote on Twitter. “Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly.
    

    “That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me,” he wrote in another Tweet.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    Having made his international debut in 2004, AB de Villiers represented South Africa in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is. Across formats, he amassed 20,014 runs, averaging more than 50 in both Tests and ODIs. He retired from international cricket in May 2018.
    

    England’s batter Jos Buttler also extended his wishes for the veteran cricketer, saying that he used to “turn on the tv just to watch” him bat.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ECP not sure about use of EVMs, PTI’s Faisal Javed says system can be activated within a month
    
			
    ECP not sure about use of EVMs, PTI’s Faisal Javed says system can be activated within a month
    
			
    The Elec­tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday seemed unsure about using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next polls.
    

    The observation from the ECP came during a meeting of the members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
    

    During the meeting, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha said the bill introduced electronic voting without omitting the condition of manual voting, which meant that at present the Elections Act allowed both electronic and manual voting in elections, reports Dawn.
    

    He said the proposed EVM lacked a biometric verification facility and it would rely on manual verification. As a result, “someone can cast vote on the computerised national identity card of a dead man”, he added.
    

    On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan on Thursday said that the EVM “system can be activated within a month”.
    

    The senator’s statement came during Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk” while advocating the use of EVMs in the next general elections. He said that the EVMs are “just a one-time expense”.
    

    “There will be no more expenditure in the future,” said Faisal Javed.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Teachers hired in school, colleges to ‘basically teach extremism,’ Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at the education system
    
			
    Teachers hired in school, colleges to ‘basically teach extremism,’ Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at the education system
    
			
    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing a consultative conference on terrorism in Islamabad on Thursday, said that extremism in Pakistan is rooted in schools and colleges, not in madrassas, reports Dawn.
    

    The federal minister said that during the 80s and 90s, teachers were hired in schools and colleges as part of a plot to “basically teach extremism”.
    

    He continued by saying that the students of “ordinary schools and colleges” had been involved in notable incidents of extremism in Pakistan and not of madrassas. The minister further said, “You closed their (school and college students’) minds. If you cultivate a society where an opposing view is immediately declared kufr (heresy) … how can you present an opposing view?”
    

    “Religious extremism was seen more in regions that are in India now. Areas over here (Pakistan) never had religious extremism to the extent [seen today],” he said, regretting that “Pakistan faces a grave danger today.”
    

    “We don’t have any potential threat from India. We have the sixth largest army in the world, we are an atomic power, and India cannot compete with us,” he continued. “We face no danger from America. We face no danger from Europe. The biggest danger we face [today] is from within [Pakistan].”
    

    “Whoever has even little understanding of Islam and is aware of the way Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spent his life, how could he adopt extremism?” said Chaudhry, adding, “The problem is with those who interpret religious injunctions.”
    

    

    
https://twitter.com/fawadptiupdates/status/1461329523904028674?s=21

    

    

    Talking about state’s role in curbing extremism, Fawad said, “[The] state should have only one business, and that business is the enforcement of the law. If a state is unable to enforce the law, its existence is questioned, as, in this scenario, it gradually moves towards civil war.”
    

    He said that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that no group uses violence to impose its own point of view. “If the state weakens and violent groups gain strength, there lies a problem.”
    

    

    
https://twitter.com/fawadptiupdates/status/1461331362024235012?s=21

    

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Judge Rana Shamim’s son requests Kashif Abbasi to let him sing a song on live show for his wife
    
			
    Judge Rana Shamim’s son requests Kashif Abbasi to let him sing a song on live show for his wife
    
			
    Former Chief Judge (CJ) of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim’s son appeared on Kashif Abbasi’s show ‘Off the Record’ yesterday (Thursday) while sitting in a car.
    

    During the interview, the anchor asked him if he is in a position to talk about his father’s case, who is also his client. To which Supreme Court advocate Ahmed Hassan Rana said his father texted him today after he appeared on a news channel saying, “enough shows done”.
    

    Kashif further asked if his father met Nawaz Sharif in London. Rana asked if it made any difference, adding that his father has not told him about any meeting.
    

    

    
https://twitter.com/chmwaqasakramk4/status/1461396551163691012?s=21

    

    

    Rana seemed more interested in talking about his own problems, saying he has no authority in his home and his wife is angry at him, and that he is on the road thinking about how to make it up to her.
    

    He asked Kashif, “Can you help me make up with my wife?” The anchor said he could not.
    

    He then requested Kashif to let him sing a song on his show for his wife; the request was denied by the host who said it was national television.
    

    Earlier, Rana Shamim’s son made an appearance in Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ in which while describing his relationship with his father, Rana said if he has to go play snooker at 10pm, his wife will ask for the permission on his behalf at 09:45pm from his father. He also questioned the host, asking if Shahzeb has to take permission from his father if he has to go out late at night. To which the anchor said no, he does not ask for permission from his father.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Jamaat-e-Islami proposes law to ban gender reassignment surgeries, condemns current law
    
			
    Jamaat-e-Islami proposes law to ban gender reassignment surgeries, condemns current law
    
			
    Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) presented a bill in the upper house of Parliament Senate seeking an amendment in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, for the creation of a medical board that would recommend “whether a person’s gender should change, instead of them seeking a reassignment on the basis of their personal identity”, reports Dawn.
    

    The bill was presented by JI’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmad who recommended the formation of such boards at the district level comprising of a professor doctor, a psychologist, a male general surgeon, a female general surgeon, and a chief medical officer after the approval by the Prime Minister (PM) and provincial Chief Ministers (CM).
    

    The proposed law also seeks a ban of gender reassignment surgeries or any other treatment to change genital features on the basis of “any psychological disorder or gender dysphoria”. It also states that the law in its present form could lead to the “legalisation of homosexual marriages”. 
    

    However, the present law states: “A person recognised as transgender shall have the right to get himself or herself registered as per self-perceived gender identity with all government departments including, but not limited to NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority).”
    

    According to the JI, under the current law, a person could get themselves registered as a man or a woman not on the basis of their biology but their “personal thoughts”.
    

    Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari strongly opposed the proposed bill which was presented by JI and said the proposed amendment was aimed at “victimising” transgenders. She defended the current law and argued that it gave Transgenders Persons the right to identity.
    

    “Till date, not a single complaint has been received regarding the misuse of this existing law,” she said.
    

    JI and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) senators protested Mazari’s remarks, following which Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, sent the bill to the relevant standing committee for discussion.
    

    According to data shared with the house, 16,530 cases of gender change from male to female were processed, 12,154 cases of female to male, 21 cases of transgender to male, nine cases of male to transgender and as many cases of transgender to female.