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  • India wants to change format of Cricket World Cup 2027

    India wants to change format of Cricket World Cup 2027

    The Indian cricket Board wants to change the format of the Cricket World Cup 2027.

    According to the Daily Mail, India wants the World Cup the have 10 teams in 2027, for which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is putting pressure on the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, ICC has not yet agreed to the Indian demand.

    According to the report, ICC confirmed the 14-team World Cup in 2027 two years ago, while ICC has also sold broadcasting rights based on the tournament format.

    The 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with 54 matches between 14 teams.

    BCCI is adamant that 10 teams will participate in the World Cup, and intends to take up the issue during the upcoming ICC meetings.

    According to media reports, 14 teams means that there will be two groups of seven teams each, while the top 3 teams from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage, followed by the semi-finals and final.

    With the inclusion of 14 teams, there will be more matches, but Indian broadcasters are afraid that in such a format, if India departs the World Cup soon, their viewership may decrease, leading to financial loss.

  • Suicide and heart attacks reported in India after losing World Cup final

    Suicide and heart attacks reported in India after losing World Cup final

    An Indian cricket fan has reportedly died of a heart attack after the team lost the ICC Men’s World Cup final to Australia on Sunday.

    The Indian team won 10 consecutive matches in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, walking into the final as hot favourites. However, they lost to Australia by six wickets in the final, dashing the hopes of the country. While some Indian fans lashed out at the team for their poor performance in the final, one fan of the Indian team took the defeat to heart.

    Heart Attack case:

    According to Indian media reports, Jyoti Kumar Yadav, a 32-year-old software engineer from Tirupati in the state of Andhra Pradesh, was saddened to see tears in the eyes of captain Rohit Sharma after India’s defeat, leading to a seizure and a fall to the ground.

    According to the report, Kumar Yadav’s friends rushed him to the hospital but doctors declared him dead of a heart attack.

    Suicide cases:

    According to India.com, 23-year-old Rahul Lohar committed suicide after Australia’s win. He worked at a saree shop and quit his job to watch India-Australia final match.

    According to his brother-in-law, “He was a die hard fan of the Indian cricket team. He quit duty and also managed to get a projector along with his friends to watch the match. After losing, he could not bear this heartbreak. He committed suicide when there was no one at home. I was informed about this at 11 pm of the final match’s night.”

    A case of unnatural death has been reported at the nearby police station. According to the police, there is no criminal angle in the case but investigations are being carried out.

    Another suicide case was filed in Odish’s Jaipur, Binjharpur area where 23-year-old Dev Ranjan Das was found hanging on the terrace of his house shortly after the India-Australia final.

    According to his family members, he left his room in despair after India lost.

  • Pakistan’s climate problems partially due to world’s richest one per cent: Report

    Pakistan’s climate problems partially due to world’s richest one per cent: Report

    Oxfam has released a new report, “Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%”, revealing that “The richest one per cent of the world’s population produced as much carbon pollution in 2019 as the five billion people who made up the poorest two-thirds of humanity.”

    While fighting the climate crisis is a shared challenge, not everyone is equally responsible and government policies must be tailored accordingly, Max Lawson, who co-authored the report, told AFP.

    “The richer you are, the easier it is to cut both your personal and your investment emissions,” he said. “You don’t need that third car, or that fourth holiday, or you don’t need to be invested in the cement industry.”

    Among the key findings of this study are that the richest one percent globally—77 million people—were responsible for 16 percent of global emissions related to their consumption.

    That is the same share as the bottom 66 percent of the global population by income, or 5.11 billion people.

    Pakistan

    The difference in recent floodings in Germany and Pakistan unveils how a country’s wealth can “enable or hinder its ability to respond to a climate emergency”.

    German floods affected a population of 40,000 people, resulting in damage and economic costs of 40 billion dollars. They were able to mobilise funding through federal and state government flood relief funds for reconstruction of 35 billion dollars within weeks.

    On the contrary, Pakistan floods affected a population of 33 million people, leading to damage and economic costs of 30 billion dollars. International donors pledged a funding of 8.57 billion dollars as of January 2023 for the next three years.

    While Germany could easily manage the financial and technical resources required, debt-troddened Pakistan was unable to allocate the necessary resources resulting in suffering from “the lasting impacts of the floods”.

    The report explains that this comparison between the two countries shows “a common double standard practised by many Global North countries: they rapidly find the funds needed when disasters hit within their borders, but fail to do so when they occur in the Global South”.

  • Senators propose discontinuation of Rs5,000 currency note to fight corruption

    Senators propose discontinuation of Rs5,000 currency note to fight corruption

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators are advocating for the discontinuation of the Rs5,000 currency note as a strategic move to combat corruption and inflation.

    On Monday, Senator Mohsin Aziz presented a resolution in the Upper House of Parliament urging the prohibition of the highest-denomination currency.

    According to Senator Aziz, the Rs5,000 note is frequently associated with corruption, terrorism, and smuggling.

    Providing details, Senator Aziz revealed that Rs5,000 currency notes totaling Rs3.5 trillion have been issued to date.

    Notably, he emphasised that Rs2 trillion worth of Rs5,000 notes are not currently in circulation but are securely stored in “safe deposit,” which he alleges is linked to money laundering, tax evasion, and smuggling.

    Senator Aziz called for a specific timeframe during which individuals should surrender the highest denomination notes.

    Supporting this initiative, another PTI Senator, Waleed Iqbal, echoed Senator Aziz’s call to discontinue the Rs5,000 currency note.
    He suggested that promoting digital payments would be instrumental in reducing reliance on physical currency.

    Responding to these claims, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi stated that Rs5,000 currency notes totaling 905 million have been issued thus far, with Rs4.5 trillion currently in circulation.

    Solangi attributed the autonomy granted to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by the previous government as a contributing factor to the situation. He asserted that the SBP operates within the confines of its laws.

    This isn’t the first time that officials have targeted the highest denomination note for its alleged role in fostering corruption.

    In September of this year, former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chief Shabbar Zaidi emphasised the importance of discontinuing Rs5,000 notes and imposing restrictions on the physical movement of dollars as crucial steps in curbing the cash economy in the country.

  • General elections 2024: Candidates allowed to spend up to Rs10 million on campaigns

    General elections 2024: Candidates allowed to spend up to Rs10 million on campaigns

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently finalised the Code of Conduct for political parties in preparation for the upcoming general elections in 2024.

    In a collaborative effort with political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan has meticulously drafted the code of conduct, incorporating valuable suggestions from various political entities.

    According to reliable sources, the code includes provisions preventing political parties from undermining the sovereignty of Pakistan during the election campaign.
    Additionally, parties are expected to refrain from disparaging the ECP in the course of their campaigns.

    The code of conduct emphasises ethical practices, urging political parties and candidates to abstain from offering gifts, inducements, or bribes to encourage the withdrawal of other candidates.

    Ensuring the safety of election staff and polling agents is paramount, as outlined in the draft.
    A noteworthy feature of the code is the commitment to implementing a 5 per cent women’s quota in the upcoming general elections in 2024. This underscores the importance of gender inclusivity in the political landscape.

    The code unequivocally discourages violence on polling day, strictly prohibiting the display of weapons during election campaigns.
    Aerial shootings and the use of firecrackers in public gatherings are also prohibited, promoting a peaceful electoral environment.

    Addressing the eligibility of election agents, the code stipulates that the appointed agent must be a registered voter in the relevant constituency.

    Furthermore, financial regulations have been established, allowing National Assembly candidates a spending limit of up to Rs10 million for their election campaigns, while Provincial Assembly candidates are capped at a maximum of Rs4 million.

    In adherence to transparency, successful candidates are required to submit detailed reports of their election expenses to returning Officers, fostering accountability in the electoral process.

    The comprehensive nature of the Code of Conduct reflects the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting fair, transparent, and violence-free elections in 2024.

  • ‘Imran Khan ruined my 28-year-long marriage with Bushra’; Khawar Maneka

    ‘Imran Khan ruined my 28-year-long marriage with Bushra’; Khawar Maneka

    Khawar Maneka, the former husband of Bushra Bibi, the current wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has disclosed private details of the circumstances that led to his divorce.

    During an interview with Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath,’ Khawar Maneka claimed that Imran Khan used to visit his house without his consent, adding that he was not happy with the frequent meetings between Khan and his ex-wife.

    He narrated an incident where he asked his servant to escort Imran Khan out of his house when the former Prime Minister visited his home.

    He also revealed that Bushra and Imran used to talk over the phone for hours. Farah Gogi, Bibi’s close friend and the central character in an alleged corruption probe, provided them with “private cell phones” on Imran’s behest.

    Maneka further revealed that during PTI’s sit-ins in Islamabad, Bushra’s sister, Maryam Watto, arranged a meeting between his wife and Imran.

    He stated that his marriage with Bushra lasted for 28 years, and they had a happy life until Imran Khan, driven by spiritual pursuits, allegedly ruined their household.

    Maneka claimed that his mother warned him not to let Imran Khan into their house, as she considered him to be a bad person.

    However, secret phone conversations between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi began, and they continued to communicate extensively.

    Maneka disclosed that he had his own house in Bani Gala, but Bushra Bibi used to visit Imran Khan’s house without informing him.

    According to him, six months before their divorce, Bushra Bibi left him and went to live at her own home.

    He visited her in Pakpattan and asked her to come with him but she responded in the negative.

    He claimed that one day, Farah sent him a message on the phone, asking him to divorce Bushra Bibi. Maneka said that he went to his wife, asking her if she wanted to end the marriage. When she remained silent, he sent divorce papers on November 14, 2017.

    Bushra married Imran within 1.5 months of divorce and a controversy arose regarding her Iddat period.

    Later, Farah Gogi and Zulfi Bukhari called him and requested to change the date of the divorce.

    He also claimed that Gogi and Bukhari told him to stay silent citing Imran Khan’s upcoming premiership. He perceived this as a moderate threat but later realised that they might cause harm to his children.

    Maneka emphasised that he had no knowledge of Bushra Bibi’s marriage to Imran Khan and was unaware of the development until Geo News and Dunya News broke the story, casting doubt on the authenticity of their marriage.

    He further claimed that he never used any influence, alleging that Farah Gogi and her husband Ahsan Jameel Gujjar became self-procaimed parents of his children and used all their powers to favour them.

    Interestingly, whenever Maneka was questioned with counter facts by Shahzeb, he would fumble, while appearing distressed.

    Gondal Case

    Shahzeb Khanzada then moved on to allegations of misuse of the first lady’s position by Maneka, citing the Gondal case.

    In 2018, Pakpattan’s former district police officer (DPO) Rizwan Umar Gondal’s men stopped Maneka’s car as he was travelling towards Pir Ghani on the night of August 23.

    Controversy sparked when Punjab’s former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar allegedly transferred Gondal on the complaint of Khawar Maneka.

    Police officials claimed that Maneka refused to stop at the policemen’s request and misbehaved with them.

    Subsequently, Maneka demanded that the DPO of the area should visit his dera to personally apologise to him.

    When Gondal’s transfer orders started making the rounds, it was widely speculated in news and social media that the police officer was transferred because of the August 23 episode.

    DPO Gondal revealed details of his meeting with the Punjab CM on August 24. He said Ahsan Jameel was sitting along with the CM when he was summoned to Lahore. Gondal said he then thought Jameel to be a senior official.

    Gondal said he told the Punjab CM that after police officials’ altercation with the Manekas at Pakpattan, Manika’s son Ibrahim was invited to the DPO house to redress his grievances but he refused to come.

    However, Gondal claimed, it was Jameel who addressed him in ‘an overbearing manner’ but he did not go to Maneka’s residence to offer apologies despite repeated instructions.

    “Don’t take this issue lightly. This time we may exercise restraint but the next time things shall go out of control and you all will suffer,” Gondal quoted Jameel as saying.

    When asked about this case by Shahzeb, Maneka categorically refused any use of influence or any sort of connection with Jameel.

    When asked about allegations of corruption, making money, increased assets beyond means, and a significant shift in lifestyle, Maneka claimed that everything is out in the open and he is willing to cooperate with any sort of investigation. He also credited his parents for his lifestyle.

    ‘Imran Khan denies’

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat stated that Imran Khan has refuted claims made by Khawar Maneka about Khan’s marriage to Bushra Bibi.

    Marwat asserted that there is no legal validity of a person who gives contradictory statements and Maneka’s claims are baseless. “Khawar Maneka was also an abducted person. He was arrested under corruption charges but is being used in the iddat case for mala fide statements,” he said.

    He emphasised that Maneka’s and Khan’s opponents’ acts are inhumane, generating controversies around Khan’s kids, his marriages, his wives, and his family, and Khan’s opponents use any opportunity to malign him.

    “We could’ve said a lot of things around Junaid Safdar’s issue for political point-scoring but we believe that doing this when someone’s home is being broken is disgusting,” he said.

    He also said that anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada, who conducted Khawar Maneka’s interview, should’ve thought about his reputation before doing such an interview.

    Nawaz Sharif Reacts

    Former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, has reacted to Khawar Maneka’s recent interview where he detailed the circumstances that led to his divorce.

    Maneka’s recent interview where he detailed the circumstances that led to his divorce.

    Nawaz Sharif briefly addressed media at Islamabad High Court, where he was asked about Khawar Maneka’s revelations. When questioned if he had watched the interview, Sharif responded in the affirmative.

    The reporter then inquired about Rana Sanaullah’s remarks ‘Dur Fittay Mu’ following the interview, asking if they were accurate. In response, the former Prime Minister stated that after the statements (by Maneka), Riasat e Madina shouldn’t have been mentioned (by Imran).

    Upon further questioning about whether the real face has now been revealed and Imran’s secrets have been disclosed, Nawaz Sharif replied that he had already spoken on the matter, and subsequent to those statements, the emphasis should have been on not mentioning Riasat e Madina.

  • World Children’s Day celebrated as ‘graveyard of children’, Gaza, remains under siege

    World Children’s Day celebrated as ‘graveyard of children’, Gaza, remains under siege

    World Children’s Day is annually celebrated on November 20. The theme for this year is ‘For every child, every right’. The blatant irony is that the day is being celebrated as the children of Gaza do not even have the fundamental right to life. They are being orphaned, injured, losing limbs, burned by white phosphorus, or worse, killed. With the war entering the seventh week, almost 5000 children are dead. 1800 children are missing under the rubble, presumably dead, while 9000 are severely injured with life-changing consequences.

    One out of every 200 children in Gaza has been killed by Israeli strikes since October 7. This is like one child is killed every 10 minutes in the besieged Gaza strip.

    A report published by Save the Children published when the toll was around 4630, said that the number of deaths “surpasses the annual number of children killed across all the world’s conflict zones since 2019.” The report clearly mentioned that “no child in Gaza is safe at the moment”.

    The children who have survived will bear trauma for the rest of their lives but their imminent problems are hunger, fear, lack of shelter, hygiene.

    The New York Times, called out multiple times by critics of the war, today published its headline, ‘Graveyard of Children’. In the course of the last six weeks, the world saw a girl pushing her way out of the rubble, another bawling her eyes out searching for her mother insisting she had recognized her among the dead from her hair, a boy who lost his parents in the first bombing and his legs to the second in the hospital, children’s corpses burned and decimated, and as many as 30 crying infants who are out of incubators, walking the thin line of life and death.
    Dr Abu-Sittah told The NY Times “More and more, it seems like a war against children.”

  • In the face of indescribable cruelty, Palestinians continue displaying love for animals

    In the face of indescribable cruelty, Palestinians continue displaying love for animals

    Despite hardship and violence, Palestinians keep proving their hearts are as big as the sea. As videos go viral of displaced civilians forced to leave behind their homes and belongings during the Israeli airstrikes, one thing remains consistent: the Palestinians will never leave behind their pets.

    Several videos show Palestinians living in refugee camps and surviving with meagre rations, but still doing everything to provide for the cats and dogs being left behind. An animal rescuer by the name of Salula Animal Rescue has been going viral on Twitter, with the platform applauding him for providing shelter and food to the cats whose owners did not survive or who got lost.

    In several videos, he can be seen housing injured animals found under the rubble of bombed homes.

    In many other videos, Gazan children can be seen cuddling their cats as they take them along to escape the bombing by Israeli airstrikes.

    A man from Gaza went viral when he was seen taking his cat along with him to escape Northern Gaza.

    At a time when many experts have compared what is happening in Gaza to hell, Palestinians keep on proving they have bravery and resilience in spades.

  • PML-N rejects reports that it will change 18th Amendment

    PML-N rejects reports that it will change 18th Amendment

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rejected a report that the party will bring changes to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, if it came back to power.

    PML-N’s manifesto committee chief, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a close aide of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, and the party’s Information Secretary, Marriyum Aurangzeb, both have rejected the report.

    Senator Siddiqui also said that “We have not received any such recommendations.” He further stated that party leadership didn’t ever discuss the matter in internal meetings.

    “We reject the false report related to changes in the 18th Amendment,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    According to a report published in DAWN today, the PML-N’s manifesto committee received several proposals, including the swing in the 18th Amendment to change the distribution structure of budget among provinces.

    “There’s a very strong feeling, rather conviction, among the party’s top leadership that the current arrangements of financial resources distribution among the provinces [under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution] has created unsustainable financial problems,” PML-N source had told the publication on the condition of anonymity.

    “So far, it’s believed that the party would not go for an outright reversal of the 18th Amendment, but it would address its key features and reshape the distribution mechanism of financial resources among the provinces. You would hopefully see it as part of the PML-N manifesto,” the source had explained.

    Two party leaders, who had spoken to the publication anonymously, had also confirmed the development.

    Earlier in the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in April 2020 that the “18th Amendment should be revisited to run the country’s affairs effectively.”

  • Viral video about Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is actually from four kilometres away

    Viral video about Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is actually from four kilometres away

     A video going viral on the other side of the border shows a group dancing at what seems to be an event. The video was spread in India with claims that liquor and meat were served at the event in the Gurdwara Sahib. It is to be noted that meat and alcohol are strictly prohibited in Sikhism and their use is considered against the Sikh protocol. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is the second most holiest place for Sikhs around the world for it is believed that Guru Nanak breathed his last here.

    General Secretary, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Jagdip Singh Kahlon called it “unacceptable”. A number of publications also posted the video quoting statements from BJP leaders like Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemning the incident.

    Reputable Journalist Shiraz Hassan debunked the news as “totally false news”. He goes on to elaborate, “The event venue was at least 4KM away from Srri Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara – the whole area is known as Kartapur and the event was organized in Doda village!”