MPA Paras Dero urges for action against responsible of Rohri Canal breach
CM Punjab to meet position holder students
RAWALPINDI, Aug 19 (APP): Chief Minister (CM) Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif will meet position holder students on Tuesday in Lahore.
According to a Rawalpindi board spokesperson, the students who secured prominent positions in annual matriculation examinations of Rawalpindi Board here on Monday left for Lahore.
Before leaving for Lahore, male and female students were presented guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of Rawalpindi Police.
Along with the students, the Chairman, Rawalpindi Board Muhammad Adnan Khan, Secretary Board Muhammad Asif Hussain, the parents and teachers were also present.
The students were invited to Lahore on the special invitation of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The spokesman said that there would be a special ceremony at the Chief Minister Office, 90 Lahore Road, on Tuesday in which Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif would address the students. There would also be various programs to encourage the students, he added.
According to Rawalpindi Board spokesperson, the special guests of all the programs would be the position holders, male and female students.
Senate body takes notice of alleged malpractices in housing scheme
Filmmaker Shaukat Rizvi remembered
Medical facilities inspected at DHQ hospital Timergara
World Humanitarian Day being observed today
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Indian Muslims keep out of India Day Parade featuring controversial Ram Mandir float
NEW YORK, Aug 19 (APP): Indian-American Muslims stayed away from India’s Independence Day parade in New York City on Sunday to protest the inclusion of a float featuring Ram Mandir that they say glorifies anti-Muslim violence, the destruction of historic mosques, and Hindu supremacy.
Several U.S.-based civil rights organizations had written a letter to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, seeking their intervention to remove the controversial float, saying it was anti-Muslim.
Among the groups who signed the letter were the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Hindus for Human Rights.
But the parade organizers rejected calls to remove the float — which is 18 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 8 feet tall — saying it celebrates the inauguration of a sacred landmark that is significant to hundreds of millions of Hindus.
The Ram Temple stands on the ruins of the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya that was demolished in 1992 by a mob of over 150,000 right-wing Hindu militants. The demolition sparked widespread riots across northern India, resulting in the deaths of thousands, predominantly Muslims.
In January this year, during and after the Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony, Hindu nationalist mobs unleashed waves of anti-Muslim violence throughout India, including the desecration of mosques.
It was not just Indian Muslims who spoke out against the inclusion of the float. Ajit Sahi, advocacy director for the Indian American Muslim Council, said parade organizers are allowing Hindu extremist ideology to taint what is supposed to be a celebration of independence and secularism.
“I am a Hindu and from the bottom of my heart, I reject Hindu fundamentalism and Hindu extremism,” Sahi said.
“There are Hindus in the United States and in India who oppose this temple and the politics that it brings this temple is politics. This temple is not culture, this temple is not faith,” Sahi added.
At Sunday’s parade, the float was decorated with garlands while the members of the Indian diaspora, dressed in traditional attire and holding the India’s tricolour, danced around it.
Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha served as the grand marshal of the parade which took place on New York City’s Madison Avenue.
In a press release, the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) said it has withdrawn its float depicting the contribution of Muslims to the humanity following the parade organizer’s refusal to pull out the Ram Mandir float.
Imtiaz Siamwalla, the president of Indian Muslims of North America sent a letter to parade organizers Saturday, notifying them of the decision.
“It is with a heavy heart that we find ourselves compelled to withdraw our float since the integrity of the parade has been called into the question,” he wrote.
Siamwalla said the Ram Mandir float is political symbolism meant to intimidate Muslims in attendance at Sunday’s parade.
“They want to show the minorities – look what we did in our country we can do it here too, this is all for intimidation,” Siamwalla said.
Other groups had also called on parade organizers to not allow the float in Sunday’s parade, saying it’s an overt politicization of an event meant to celebrate Indian people, not their politics.
A number of New York lawmakers had already spoken out against the use of hate symbols during the event, at the urging of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jewish, and Black activists who labeled the Ram Temple float “divisive.”
“No one should be using any anti-conversations in marching these parades,” said Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference last week. “I want to send a symbolic gesture that the city is open to everyone and there’s no room for hate.”
ICC announces schedule for U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the match schedule for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia.
Sixteen teams from around the world will take part in the 41-match event where the future stars of women’s cricket will announce themselves over 15 days of competition from 18 January to 2 February 2025, the ICC said in a statement.
Over and above these exciting matches will be 16 warm-up fixtures played from 13 to 16 January, in preparation for the main event.
The second edition of this exciting tournament comes on the back of a successful inauguration in South Africa in 2023 where India beat England by seven wickets in a thrilling final to be crowned the first-ever winners. It will also be the hosts, Malaysia’s first appearance in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup as well as Samoa’s first appearance in an ICC World Cup event.
The teams will be split into four Groups of four teams each.
• Group A – India (A1), West Indies (A2), Sri Lanka (A3) and Malaysia (A4), playing at Bayuemas Oval in Selangor.
• Group B – England (B1), Pakistan (B2), Ireland (B3) and USA (B4) playing at Dato’ Dr. Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy (JCA Oval), Johor.
• Group C – New Zealand (C1), South Africa (C2), Africa’s Qualifier (C3) and Samoa (C4) and playing at Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak.
• Group D – Australia (D1), Bangladesh (D2), Asia’s Qualifier (D3) and Scotland (D4) and playing at UKM YSD Oval in Selangor.
The excitement begins with a triple header on 18 January. In Johor, England take on Ireland and Pakistan go up against USA in Group B. Samoa face Africa’s Qualifier, while New Zealand go up against South Africa in the Group C clashes at Sarawak, while Australia go head-to-head against Scotland and Bangladesh take on Asia’s Qualifier in Group D’s fixtures at UKM YSD Oval in Selangor.
Reigning champions, India, will play West Indies on 19 January, with hosts Malaysia facing Sri Lanka earlier in the day at Bayuemas Oval.
The format will see teams progressing from the Group stages to enter the Super Six stage starting on 25 January, where two groups of six teams will compete to determine the semifinalists and the subsequent finalists. If India qualify for the semifinals, they will play seminal 2, which will take place on 31 January at 14h30 local time.
ICC CEO, Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted to announce the schedule for the second edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and bringing an ICC event of this stature to Malaysia for the first time since the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008.
“This is a special event to the ICC and forms an important part of our Global Growth Strategy of raising the profile of women’s cricket and further growing the game around the world. It is also a unique opportunity to introduce our vast global audiences to the future stars of the sport.
“We look forward to building on the success from the foundation laid at the inaugural event in South Africa in 2023. We wish all the teams the very best of luck in their preparation and to the Malaysian Cricket Association in organising the event.”
Host Tournament Director for the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup 2025, Dinesh Muthuraman said: “Malaysia is proud to host the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025, continuing our tradition of supporting the growth of cricket on the global stage. In 2008, we had the honour of hosting the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where current stars like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Trent Boult among many others, showcased their talents. Now, it is the turn of women’s cricket, and we are confident that this U19 Women’s T20 World Cup will be a launching pad for the next generation of cricketing legends.
“Women’s cricket is experiencing unprecedented growth both in Malaysia and around the world. We are fully confident that this World Cup will further accelerate that momentum, leading to significant developments in the sport, especially for women’s cricket. The matches will take place at premier venues including Bayuemas Oval and UKM YSD Oval in Selangor, Dato’ Dr. Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy (JCA) Oval in Johor, and the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak. Malaysia is looking forward to hosting these future stars and contributing to their journey in the world of cricket.
“On behalf of the Malaysian Cricket Association, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the International Cricket Council for entrusting us with this prestigious event. We are committed to delivering a successful and memorable tournament, showcasing Malaysia’s ability to host world-class sporting events.”
Malaysia will now be sole host of the World Cup, following Thailand’s withdrawal as co-host.
Fixtures:
January 18: Australia v Scotland, 10:30 am, UKM YSD Oval
January 18: England v Ireland, 10:30 am, JCA Oval, Johor
January 18: Samoa v Africa Qualifier, 10:30 am, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 18: Bangladesh v Asia Qualifier, 2:30 pm, UKM YSD Oval
January 18: Pakistan v USA, 2:30 pm, JCA Oval, Johor
January 18: New Zealand v South Africa, 2:30 pm, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 19: Sri Lanka v Malaysia, 10:30 am, Bayuemas Oval
January, 19: India v West Indies, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
January 20: Australia v Bangladesh, 10:30 am, UKM YSD Oval
January 20: Ireland v USA, 10:30 am, JCA Oval, Johor
January 20: New Zealand v Africa Qualifier, 10:30 am, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
Januray 20: Scotland v Asia Qualifier, 2:30 pm, UKM YSD Oval
January 20: England v Pakistan, 2:30 pm, JCA Oval, Johor
January 20: South Africa v Samoa, 2:30 pm, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, 10:30 am, Bayuemas Oval
January 21: India v Malaysia, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
January 22: Bangladesh v Scotland, 10:30 am, UKM YSD Oval
January 22: England v USA, 10:30 am, JCA Oval, Johor
January 22: New Zealand v Samoa, 10:30 am, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 22: Australia v Asia Qualifier, 2:30 pm, UKM YSD Oval
January 22: Pakistan v Ireland, 2:30 pm, JCA Oval, Johor
January 22: South Africa v Africa Qualifier, 2:30 pm, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 23: Malaysia v West Indies, 10:30 am, Bayuemas Oval
January 23: India v Sri Lanka, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
January 24: B4 v C4, 10:30 am, JCA Oval, Johor
January 24: A4 v D4, 2:30 pm, JCA Oval, Johor
January 25: Super Six – B2 v C3, 10:30 am, UKM YSD Oval
January 25: Super Six – B1 v C2, 10:30 am, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 25: Super Six – A3 v D1, 2:30 pm, UKM YSD Oval
January 25: Super Six – C1 v B3, 2:30 pm, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 26: Super Six – A2 v D3, 10:30 am, Bayuemas Oval
January 26: Super Six – A1 v D2, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
January 27: Super Six – B1 v C3, 10:30 am, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 28: Super Six – A3 v D2, 10:30 am, Bayuemas Oval
January 28: Super Six – C1 v B2, 10:30 am, Sarawak Cricket Ground (SCG)
January 28: Super Six – A1 v D3, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
January 29: Super Six – C2 v B3, 10:30 am, UKM YSD Oval
January 29: Super Six – A2 v D1, 2:30 pm, UKM YSD Oval
January 31: Semifinal 1, 10:30 am, Bayuemas Oval
January 31: Semifinal 2, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
February 2: Final, 2:30 pm, Bayuemas Oval
* All games are as per local time
** February 1 is a reserve day for the semifinals, and February 3 is a reserve day for the final.









