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  • ICC shifts men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa

    ICC shifts men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to shift the Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2024 from Sri Lanka to South Africa, after the governing body’s Board took a unanimous decision following the recent temporary suspension of Sri Lankan cricket.

    The ICC Board agreed that the suspension would not affect all levels of cricket, including any bilateral and domestic series and tournaments, but annual funding would remain in place until the suspension ends.

    ICC has decided that Sri Lanka can participate in bilateral cricket and ICC events at the international level, while Sri Lanka as an ICC member, was suspended for the violation. The Board is required to conduct its affairs independently and without government interference.

    The mega event will start January 13, 2024 while the final will be played on February 4.

    South Africa hosted the Women’s Under-19 World Cup in 2023 as well as the inaugural edition of the Men’s Under-19 World Cup in 2020.

  • ‘Glaring double standards’: Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera pay the price for speaking up for Palestine

    ‘Glaring double standards’: Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera pay the price for speaking up for Palestine

    Two pro-Palestinian voices in Hollywood had to pay the price for speaking up for the cause. Hollywood legend Susan Sarandon, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian people, was dropped by her talent agency UTA.

    X (formerly Twitter) users were horrified, given Susan’s impressive career as a Hollywood leading lady.

    ‘Scream’ franchise lead actor Mellisa Barerra was fired from the series after she took to Instagram to voice criticism against the genocide of Gaza. The actress had written:

    “I too come from a colonized country. Palestine will be free.”

    witter users pointed out how genocide supporters like Sarah Silverman and Amy Schumer continue to have careers in Hollywood but it takes one pro-Palestine post that gets actors fired from their jobs.

  • Qatar confirms Israel, Hamas reach deal on four-day truce, hostage release

    Qatar confirms Israel, Hamas reach deal on four-day truce, hostage release

    AFP – Doha, Qatar: Qatar confirmed on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a four-day humanitarian pause, to begin in the next 24 hours, in exchange for the release of 50 hostages in Gaza.

    “The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

    “The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement,” it added.

    Qatar has been engaged in weeks of intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at freeing some of the 240 hostages held in Gaza in return for temporary ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid.

    The number agreed for release by the militants is by far the largest since Hamas gunmen stormed over Gaza’s militarised border on October 7, seizing the hostages and killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities.

    In response, Israel has launched a relentless bombing campaign and subsequent ground invasion in Hamas-ruled Gaza, killing more than 14,100 people — two thirds of them women or children — according to the territory’s health ministry.

    Qatar said the deal had been undertaken with Egypt and the United States as well as Hamas and Israel and would include “the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs”.

  • EU report highlights rights issues and corruption in Pakistan

    On Tuesday, the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) jointly revealed a monitoring report on Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preference, or GSP Plus.

    The report expressed concerns about forced disappearances, torture, and limitations on media freedom in Pakistan, which are seen as violations of international treaties.

    It urged Pakistan to enforce laws protecting economic, social, and political rights and raised reservations about the misuse of anti-corruption rhetoric for political purposes.

    Despite civilian rule since 2008, the report highlighted the military’s disproportionate role in politics and the economy.

    Covering 2020–2022, it focused on the May 9 riots and subsequent trials in military courts, recognising legislative progress but emphasising the need for improved practical implementation.

    Furthermore, the report read that although initial measures have been undertaken to limit the application of the death penalty, additional steps are required to bring them in line with international standards.

    This entails introducing a comprehensive revision of the mercy petition procedure.

    “It has undeniably increased awareness of human rights at the grassroots level, of labour rights within businesses and export supply chains and of the significance of environmental considerations and good governance.

    However, the full potential of the GSP+ benefit can only be realised by diversifying Pakistan’s exports to include more value-added products”, remarked EU Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Dr Riina Kionka about the report.

    Pakistan attained GSP Plus status in January 2014, following the ratification of 27 international conventions and a commitment to their implementation.

    The GSP Plus incentive provides Pakistan with zero-rated or preferential tariffs on nearly 66 per cent of tariff lines, thereby bolstering the country’s capacity to export to the EU market.

  • How did Imran Khan meet Bushra Bibi?

    How did Imran Khan meet Bushra Bibi?

    Khawar Maneka, the ex-husband of Bushra Bibi, gave an interview on Geo News’ show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, where he revealed details of the beginning of Imran Khan’s relationship with his ex-wife.

    He said that Bushra Bibi’s sister Maryam Watto arranged a meeting between the two for the first time in 2014. A few months later, Khan married his second wife Reham Khan.

    In 2016, former model Qandeel Baloch revealed that Bushra Bibi used to meet Imran Khan.

    Khawar Maneka then stated that he has a residence in Islamabad’s Bani Gala area, while Bushra Bibi met Imran Khan at his residence in the same area.

    Revealing that he and Bushra got separated in 2017, six months before Khan and Bushra’s wedding, Maneka said that Bushra Bibi went to her house in Pakpattan city and didn’t come back even though he tried to get her back.

    One day he received a text message from Bushra Bibi’s friend Farah Gogi asking him to divorce ‘Pinky’ (alias of Bushra Bibi), he said.

    After that, Khawar Maneka said that he sent divorce papers to Bushra through Farah Gogi on November 14, 2017.

    According to a report filed by journalist Umar Cheema, Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan’s nikah took place on January 1, 2018. This puts the period of iddat in doubt.

    On the other hand, Bushra Bibi’s son and Khawar Maneka deny reports claiming Imran Khan’s nikah took place on January 1, 2018.

    Nikahkhwan Mufti Saeed said in his statement that the first nikah of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was illegal, which took place in January1, 2018 as Bushra Bibi had not completed her iddat.

    Mufti said Imran Khan contacted him again a month later, requesting him to solemnise the nikah for the second time with Bushra Bibi, saying her iddat was not completed at the time of the nikah.

  • UK’s Rishi Sunak said Britain should ‘let people die’ during Covid

    UK’s Rishi Sunak said Britain should ‘let people die’ during Covid

    A recent inquiry into Britain’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed that Rishi Sunak believed that the government should “just let people die” rather than impose a second national lockdown.

    The concerning statement by Rishi Sunak was quoted in a hearing on Monday about UK’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic that shut down large sections of the economy and killed more than 220,000. The explosive claim was made by Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser to the government. He claimed that the then-finance minister Sunak said during a meeting with then-prime minister Boris Johnson, that the government should “just let people die” rather than impose a second national lockdown.

    Vallance noted this down in a meeting in his diary on October 25, 2020, which was presented to the inquiry on Monday. The incident was relayed to him by Dominic Cummings, Johnson’s most senior adviser during the pandemic, relayed to Vallance what he had heard at the meeting.
    Vallance quoted Cummings in his diary as saying: “Rishi thinks just let people die and that’s okay. This all feels like a complete lack of leadership.”
    According to a spokesperson for Sunak, the prime minister would set out his position when he gives evidence to the inquiry “rather than respond to each one in piecemeal”

  • FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Tajikistan beat Pakistan by 6-1

    FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Tajikistan beat Pakistan by 6-1

    Tajikistan defeated Pakistan by 6-1 in the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Football Qualifier Round 2.

    Tajikistan outclassed hosts Pakistan in the Qualifier Round 2 Group G match in Islamabad. The match started at lightning speed and the visiting team scored two goals in a row.

    Less than a few minutes had passed, and Raees Nabi scored for Pakistan to make the score 1-2, but the Tajik team continued to dominate, launching successive attacks and scoring four goals to one at the end of the first half.

    Tajikistan scored two more goals in the second half as well. Pakistan could not score any goals in the second half and Tajikistan won the match by six goals.

    Pakistan lost 0-4 to Saudi Arabia in the first match of Group G.

  • PTV News ne Faiz Ahmad Faiz ko Ahmad Faraz bana dia

    PTV News ne Faiz Ahmad Faiz ko Ahmad Faraz bana dia

    On the 39th death anniversary of renowned poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, another poet Ahmad Faraz’s picture was aired on PTV (Pakistan Television Corporation) News.

    Multimedia Journalist Farhan Khan took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “This was
    @PTVNewsOfficial ‘ bulletin at 9 o’clock last night. On 39th death anniversary of renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, another poet Ahmed Faraz’s picture is being shown. How could this mistake have happened?”

    X user Muhammad Ali wrote, “Looks like someone at @PTVNewsOfficial got ‘autocorrected’ re Faiz/Faraz . Whatever the case may be, the producer doesn’t deserve the job, must be fired.”

  • ‘Deadliest month’ for journalists: CPJ on Israeli attacks in Gaza

    ‘Deadliest month’ for journalists: CPJ on Israeli attacks in Gaza

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported the month following October 7 attacks has been the deadliest for journalists and media workers since CPJ began gathering data in 1992.

    CPJ’s “preliminary investigations” reveals that as of November 21, at least 50 journalists and media workers are among the 14,000 plus people killed since October 7.

    The deadliest day for journalists was October 7 itself as six journalists were killed; followed by November 18, the second-deadliest day when five were killed.

    CPJ highlights that up until November 21:

    • 50 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 45 Palestinian, four Israeli, and one Lebanese.
    • 11 journalists were reported injured.
    • Three journalists were reported missing.
    • 18 journalists were reported arrested.
    • Multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members has also been recorded.

    CPJ is also probing a number of unconfirmed reports of other journalists being killed, being missing, detained, hurt, or threatened, and of damage to media offices and journalists’ homes.

    “CPJ emphasizes that journalists are civilians doing important work during times of crisis and must not be targeted by warring parties,” states Sherif Mansour, CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.

    “Journalists across the region are making great sacrifices to cover this heart-breaking conflict. Those in Gaza, in particular, have paid, and continue to pay, an unprecedented toll and face exponential threats. Many have lost colleagues, families, and media facilities, and have fled seeking safety when there is no safe haven or exit.”

  • Harbhajan Singh lashed out at fellow Indians for harassing Australian cricketers

    Harbhajan Singh lashed out at fellow Indians for harassing Australian cricketers

    Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has slammed Indian fans for harassing the families of Australian cricketers on Instagram.

    Australia defeated hot favourites India by six wickets in the ICC World Cup final, lifting the trophy for a record sixth time. Indian fans then went berserk, threatening Australian players and their families on social media.

    The wife and daughter of Travis Head, who scored a match-winning century in the final, were threatened with rape and death. The Indian wife of Glenn Maxwell was not spared either.

    Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has lashed out at his fellow Indians.

    He released a statement on social media site X and wrote “The news of trolling of the families of Australian cricketers is very sad,” adding that the Indian team played well but lost in the final due to the better cricket played by Australia. “That’s it. Why are the players and their families being harassed,” he asked.

    “I request all cricket fans to stop such behavior, honor, and dignity are more important,” Harbhajan said.