Author: AdminPAGE

(PAGE) is the leading weekly financial magazine of the country for nearly 40 years. It is read widely both nationally and internationally for its coverage of various topics and investigative reporting by the business community, members of the Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stock exchanges, members of different chambers of commerce and industry, governments officials, professionals, bankers, students and is also subscribed by major libraries around the world.

In an error defined by technological advancements and constant new trends, the latest are not just innovations, but transformative waves, capable of redefining modern living. From smart homes to augmented reality, the intersection of technology and living is revolutionary. Smart Homes: The Land Of Convenience The concept of smart homes was something only imaginable, but in recent years it has become an integral part of daily life for many. Learn your preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly to automatetecd lighting that learns the behavioral patterns and changes the brightness depending on the situation. Voice automated assistance is commonly found that…

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Written By Eric Enselme Executive Fellow, World Economic Forum Geneva Mansur Abilkasimov VP Cybersecurity Governance & Strategy Deputy CISO, Schneider Electric This article is part of: Centre for Cybersecurity Cyberattacks pose operational, financial, and potentially life-threatening risks. Digitization of manufacturing has opened up new avenues for cyber crime. These five principles can help manufacturers build organizational cyber resilience. The increasing adoption of Industry 4.0, characterized by the pervasiveness of digital technologies in manufacturing processes, has opened up new avenues for cybercriminals to exploit. Recently, there has been a surge in cyberattacks targeting manufacturing, posing not only operational and financial threats but…

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The devastating Morocco earthquake of 2023 serves as a reminder of the destructive power that natural disasters can unleash upon communities. While geographically distant from Pakistan, the lessons drawn from this tragic event are universal. Pakistan is a country that is located in a region that has experienced its share of earthquakes, and it is important that we, as Pakistanis,  should learn from such global happenings to increase our earthquake protection strategies. Learning About the Morocco Earthquake The Morocco earthquake that occurred in 2023, with a strength of 6.8, struck near the town of Oukaïmedene in western Morocco, causing more…

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A monthly car rental is the greatest option for you if you want to use the most pleasant but cheap form of transportation without spending a bunch. It not only gives you the flexibility of driving a car, but it also gives you a wide range of options at a reasonable price. Renting a car in the UAE for a month or so would be a prudent move rather than buying, and it would come with a variety of benefits. If you intend on remaining in Dubai for more than a month, you’ll need a car to move around, and…

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PM’s relief package laudable but allocation insufficient, says Zahid Hussain President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister, Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday lauded the relief package for poor but dubbed allocation of Rs15 billion as insufficient. The funds allocated for the purpose are inadequate as per capita expenditure after deducting administrative and other expenses and losses will be around Rs100, he said. Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader the project needs more funds and added clarity to make…

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Kibor rate is the average interest rate at which term deposits are offered between prime banks in the Pakistani wholesale money market or interbank market. KIBOR as a benchmark, to encourage transparency  and improve management of the market risk undertaken by banks. [ads1] Kibor Rates In Pakistan TENOR BID OFFER 1 – Week 13.05 13.55 2 – Week 13.10 13.60 1 – Month 13.14 13.64 3 – Month 13.26 13.51 6 – Month 13.24 13.49 9 – Month 13.15 13.65 1 – Year 13.17 13.67 2 – Year 3- Year

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Declining market trend continues, index down 3.57%wow Summary It was a short week of four days trading due to Kashmir Day holiday on Wednesday 5th Feb. The stock market kept on declining since starting from January 13 to close on Feb 7, 2020. During the period it shed 1,725 points to close at 40,143.63 on this Friday. During the period under review, the market lost 148.73 points and the average volume declined to 168m shares from 188m previous week. The market capitalization also declined by Rs.276 billion to close at Rs.7,575 trillion. The foreigners were seller by $14.18m while individual…

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More than 20 countries have confirmed cases of the pathogen, which has killed nearly 500 people and infected at least 24,000 in mainland China. — Reuters/File Published in Dawn News on Feb 06th, 2020, TOKYO: The chief executive officer of the Tokyo Olympics admitted on Wednesday that organisers are “extremely worried” about the possible effect of the deadly new coronavirus on this summer’s Games. Toshiro Muto said he hoped the outbreak in China would be quickly contained to restore confidence in the run-up to the Olympics. “We are extremely worried in the sense that the spread of the infectious…

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After the PCB incorporated an amended constitution, with effect from Aug 19, 2019, it binds the Board to hold a general body meeting once in a year. — AFP/File Published in Dawn News on Feb 06th, 2020, LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has already lessened the significance of its general body institution by drastically reducing its size, could not even form it under the new constitution introduced in August last year, thus also failing to hold its compulsory annual meeting. After the PCB incorporated an amended constitution, with effect from Aug 19, 2019, it binds the Board…

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Published in The Nation on Feb 02nd, 2020, Anadolu Liverpool toppled Southampton 4-0 to extend their winning streak to 16 games. At Anfield Stadium, neither team was able to break the deadlock in the first half, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the opener in the 47th minute. The Reds’ other goals came from Jordan Henderson in the 60th minute and Egyptian star Mohamed Salah in the 72nd and 90th minutes. As a result, Liverpool maintained the lead at the top of the English Premier League with 73 points. In another match on Saturday, Leicester City were held to a 2-2 draw…

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Published in ARY Sports on Feb 02nd, 2020, By Reuters Melbourne: Novak Djokovic endured a fierce challenge to his Melbourne Park reign before overhauling Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 on Sunday to clinch an eighth Australian Open crown and reclaim the world number one ranking. While Rafa Nadal rules Roland Garros with 12 titles, Djokovic holds sway in the title match at Rod Laver Arena having never lost a final in Melbourne Park. Yet on Sunday the Serb was under siege for much of the thriller. For the first time in eight Melbourne finals, Djokovic was forced to come back…

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China has shut down cities and severely restricted public transport in order to contain the outbreak of coronavirus [Kevin Frayer/Getty Images] Published in AlJazeera on Feb 06th, 2020, Hubei has been sealed off for nearly a two weeks as China battles virus that has shut down cities and prompted airlifts. The death toll from a new coronavirus in mainland China jumped by 73 to 563 on Thursday, its third-consecutive record daily rise, as experts stepped up efforts to find a vaccine for a disease that has shut down Chinese cities and forced thousands of others into quarantine around the world. Hubei province, the…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 30th, 2020, Sputnik US Senators on Wednesday acquitted Donald Trump of two impeachment charges in a near party-line vote that closed the curtain on the third presidential impeachment trial in US history. Hillary Clinton has weighed in once again in the Trump impeachment saga – accusing the senators who went against her wishes of betraying the US Constitution and democracy. “As the president’s impeachment trial began, Republican senators pledged an oath to defend the Constitution,” Clinton tweeted on Wednesday. “Today, 52 of them voted to betray that oath—and all of us. We’re entering dangerous…

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Islamabad’s feeling of unease with the OIC on its failure to get the CFM’s meeting appears to be growing. — Photo courtesy Arab News/File Published in Dawn News on Feb 06th, 2020, Baqir Sajjad Syed ISLAMABAD: As the Senior Officials Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation starts in Jeddah on Feb 9 (Sunday) to make preparations for the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers, a diplomatic source said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has shown reluctance to accept Pakistan’s request for an immediate meeting of the CFM on Kashmir. Islamabad’s feeling of unease with the OIC on its failure…

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President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he delivers the State of the Union address in the chamber of the US House of Representatives at the US Capitol Building Image Credit: AFP Published in Gulf News on Feb 06th, 2020, AFP President cleared of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress Washington: US President Donald Trump drew on staunch Republican support Wednesday to defeat the gravest threat yet to his three-year-old presidency, winning acquittal in the Senate on impeachment charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Only the third US leader ever placed on trial, Trump readily…

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Published in The Nation on Feb 05th, 2020,  Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said India’s move to revoke the special status of occupied Kashmir was a ‘fatal’ move by Narendra Modi government which will lead to its independence. “I believe due to this action by Modi in August, Kashmir would be made independent,” PM Imran said while addressing a special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly. “Before August 5 the world did not care or listen about the injustice in Kashmir.” “August 5 was a fatal mistake and Modi cannot back down now. He…

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Dubai investments posts dh657.55m profit in 2019 Dubai Investments has said that its annual net profit increased to Dh657.55 million last year compared to Dh651.43 million in the corresponding period. In a statement, the Dubai-based group said that 2018 profit included a one-off gain of Dh33 million on merger and acquisition transaction. “Net operating profit increased from Dh1.07 billion to Dh1.1 billion while revenues fell from Dh3 billion to Dh2.8 billion year-on-year,” according to the preliminary un-audited results of the company. Total assets stood at Dh20.88 billion last year as against Dh19.5 billion in the previous year, the statement said.…

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Trade deficit shrinks over 28pc to $13.8bn Pakistan’s trade deficit shrank over 28 percent to $13.8 billion in first seven months of the current fiscal year due to import compression, as exports showed negative growth for the third consecutive month, which by now should have been a main concern for Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trade figures, released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday, showed that exports again posted negative growth both on a year-on-year and month-on-month basis in January, pulling cumulative export growth in Jul-Jan down to just 2.1 percent. It was the third successive month when…

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WB by Hemani takes quantum leap towards digital Pakistan In line with the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s new initiative of Digital Pakistan, WB by Hemani has brought in a technology from a USA based company, Jolokia, thus becoming being the first retail industry to digitalize its HR and Training process. A contract-signing ceremony at their office took place here earlier today, attended by select members of the media. WB by Hemani, established in 2017 with over 30 outlets all across Pakistan, was the first company to bring a natural and organic experience to Pakistan. This time, through the…

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Kibor rate is the average interest rate at which term deposits are offered between prime banks in the Pakistani wholesale money market or interbank market. KIBOR as a benchmark, to encourage transparency  and improve management of the market risk undertaken by banks. [ads1] Kibor Rates In Pakistan TENOR BID OFFER 1 – Week 13.04 13.57 2 – Week 13.12 13.61 1 – Month 13.15 13.64 3 – Month 13.24 13.48 6 – Month 13.18 13.44 9 – Month 13.08 13.58 1 – Year 12.99 13.49 2 – Year 12.49 12.99 3- Year 11.61 12.11

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Stocks remains bearish as KSE-100 index falls 2.35% WoW Summary Month January started on a positive note gaining 1,588 points in the first three days of the first week of the year 2020. But in the later days of the week the Index went down gradually and finally closed in the negative territory with 272.56 points on Friday. The investors sentiment during the week remained under the influence of coronavirus spreading from China, which triggered panic a prices falling on commodities and oil. The political uncertainty created over the government’s survival and change of Punjab CM, the Monetary Policy expectation…

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Apart from Owne Wilson, Sophia Di Martino has also reportedly been roped in by Marvel for the ‘Loki’ series Published in Geo News on Feb 01st, 2020, One more surprise follows for fans as Marvel has reportedly roped in Hollywood star Owen Wilson for the upcoming Loki series. The series announced for Disney+ is reportedly bringing on-board the Zoolander actor for a pivotal role in the show that will be premiering in Spring of 2021. As per ComicBook, the actor has been finalized for a major part in the show, details of which have still been kept confidential. [ads1] The news, also reported…

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Published in MSN on Jan 29th, 2020, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is planning to acknowledge the death of late basketball legend Kobe Bryant at the 2020 Oscars ceremony on Feb. 9, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. Although Bryant’s basketball accomplishments overshadowed his film efforts, he was an Oscar winner for his five-minute autobiographical short film Dear Basketball. The Los Angeles Laker great wrote, executive produced and lent his voice to the project, which won the best animated short Oscar at the 2018 ceremony. Bryant’s death along with eight others in a helicopter crash Sunday sent shock waves…

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Adam Sandler’s ‘Murder Mystery’ with Jennifer Aniston, was ranked Netflix’s most popular title in the US Published in Geo News on Feb 1st, 2020, Actor and comedian Adam Sandler has reached a deal with Netflix to make four new movies for the global streaming service, the company said on Friday. Sandler, a former Saturday Night Live cast member who built a career on movies such as Grownups and The Water Boy, has become one of the biggest draws on Netflix, according to the company. Sandler’s Murder Mystery, co-starring Jennifer Aniston, was ranked the streaming service’s most popular title in the United States in 2019. It…

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MCC’s squad includes experienced all-rounder Ravi Bopara. Warwickshire contribute three players to the squad — Michael Burgess, Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Will Rhodes. — AFP/File Published in Dawn News on Jan 30th, 2020, Mohammad Yaqoob LAHORE: Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara will lead the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) squad for their visit to Pakistan next month. Sangakkara, who is the president of MCC, would be captaining the club’s 12-man squad on the Feb 13 to 19 tour during which the visitors will play a one-off one-dayer and a Twenty20 match against Pakistan Shaheen and Northern sides, respectively. All the…

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Published in Geo News on Jan 29th, 2020, Faizan Lakhani KARACHI: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. Geoffery Shaw, has termed Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 a “key component” in efforts to convince the Australian cricket team to tour Pakistan. Speaking to media in Karachi on the sidelines of his visit to the Pakistan Women Cricket team’s training camp to wish the girls good luck for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Australian envoy said that participation of Australian players in PSL can help in building confidence. “It is about building confidence that players will come and feel safe.…

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Published in AlJazeera on Jan 30th, 2020, By Syed Umarullah Hussaini – Web Editor The 2020 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing have been postponed because of fears over the spread of the coronavirus in China. The championships were to be held from 13-15 March but governing body World Athletics pushed them back 12 months. World Athletics sought advice from the World Health Organisation and turned down offers to host from other cities. The coronavirus has killed more than 130 people in China and has spread to 16 countries globally. Around 7000 people in all have been infected by the virus,…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 30th, 2020, Anadolu World number one in tennis, Rafael Nadal was eliminated from the 2020 Australian Open over Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to Austria’s Dominic Thiem. Thiem reserved his place for the semifinals for the first time, winning the four-hour match against Nadal with the sets of 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 at Rod Laver Arena. The 19-time grand slam singles champion, Nadal became the Australian Open champion in 2009, his only title in the tournament. [ads1] The 33-year-old player was unable to end his 11-year quest in Melbourne. Since his only Australian Open triumph, Nadal…

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Published in Ary Sports on Jan 29th, 2020, India team is participating in the Kabbadi World Cup in Pakistan, confirmed by Secretary-General Kabaddi Federation Rana Sarwar. “Ten teams are participating in the mega event including India,” said Rana Sarwar while talking to media along with national head coach of kabaddi team Tahir Waheed. “The preparations are in the final stage of the world cup and the Government of Pakistan has also issued NOCs to the Indian players,” Rana added. Rana emphasized that President Kabaddi Federation Chaudhry Shafa Hussain is making every effort to make the world cup a successful event.…

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Members of the European Parliament greet the vote confirming the United Kingdom’s Brexit deal [Yves Herman/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 30th, 2020, Emotional scenes break out as UK representatives take part in their last session at the European Parliament. European politicians joined hands and tearfully sang Auld Lang Syne – a Scottish song traditionally used to mark farewells – following their final vote to accept the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. Packing boxes had been placed outside the offices of British MEPs as the legislature took the final steps in a withdrawal process that has taken more than…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 30th, 2020, Anadolu Istanbul hosted a roundtable discussion Wednesday on India’s citizenship law which many believe discriminates against Muslims. The discussion was organized by Istanbul-based think tank the South Asia Strategic Research Center (GASAM) and saw Mehmet Ozay from Istanbul’s Ibn Haldun University and Nedim Cavdari, a researcher and Istanbul-based medical doctor, as speakers. “The constitution is being violated [in India], and it is at the basis of the reactions [in the country],” said Ozay, speaking at the event. “There is demographic engineering there,” he added. India has been witnessing extensive protests against the law since…

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Migrants, most of them asylum seekers sent back to Mexico from the US under the ‘Remain in Mexico’ programme, officially named Migrant Protection Protocols, wait in line for a meal outside the Human Repatriation office in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico [File: Loren Elliott/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 30th, 2020, Move comes as immigrant advocates document how many ‘Remain in Mexico’-affected asylum seekers don’t have legal support. Migrants from Brazil who seek US asylum at the southern border will now have to wait in Mexico to learn their fate along with tens of thousands of others turned back under a year-old Trump administration policy. The Department…

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Wearing a maroon National Cadet Corps baseball cap at the event in the capital, PM Narendra Modi said India’s new prowess was thanks to what he called “youthful thinking”. — Photo courtesy screengrab from Modi’s Twitter account Published in Dawn News on Jan 29th, 2020, AFP | Dawn.com | Naveed Siddiqui The Foreign Office on Wednesday rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “belligerent rhetoric” against Pakistan, stating that his recent remarks were a “reflection of India’s incurable obsession with Pakistan”. In a statement released today, the FO in response to Modi’s remarks from yesterday urged the international community to “take cognisance of Indian…

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President Donald Trump pauses as he speaks during an event with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday in Washington. — AP Published in Dawn News on Jan 28th, 2020, AFP | Reuters President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled long-awaited details of a US plan for solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, warning it may represent the last chance at statehood for the Palestinians. “Today, Israel takes a big step towards peace,” Trump told a White House news conference, standing alongside visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he revealed key points of the plan already…

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Brexit: win-win game for UAE-GCC and UK Trade between the UK and GCC will increase in post-Brexit era as the European nation will be able to negotiate deals with the Gulf countries that are more liberal. In addition, pound will strengthen in post-Brexit period which will greatly benefit Dubai’s tourism and real estate sectors due to increased inflow of tourists from the UK as well as more British citizens investing in Dubai’s property market, say analysts. Data showed that trade between the UAE and the UK jumped 7.4 percent to Dh24.45 billion during the first half of 2019, up from…

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Government to limit its role in lng industry: Babar Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been a source of lucrative business ever since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government initiated deals in the sector. However, now the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration has backed out from the plan of extending its footprint in the LNG industry while further opening the field for the private sector. At present, all LNG supplies are in control of government entities, with Pakistan State Oil (PSO) importing 500 million cubic feet of LNG per day (mmcfd) from Qatar and 100 mmcfd through Gunvor. Apart from that, Pakistan…

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Valvoline — world’s first and finest — holds gas engines celebration at PAF museum Valvoline 300 Gas Engines Celebration was held here at PAF Museum, last week chaired by OES shareholders Mr Azhar Iqbal, Mr. Nasim Ahmed, Mr Muhammad Saeed and Mr Jawaid Iqbal. Valvoline Business Manager Middle East, Africa & Pakistan – Mr Christos Metsios and Marketing Manager MENAP – Mr Abid Ali Mawjee also presented and graced the occasion. Around 400 customers from various cities participated in the event and appreciated Valvoline premium products as well as their value-added services of Orient Energy Systems (Pvt) Ltd for over…

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Kibor rate is the average interest rate at which term deposits are offered between prime banks in the Pakistani wholesale money market or interbank market. KIBOR as a benchmark, to encourage transparency  and improve management of the market risk undertaken by banks. [ads1] Kibor Rates In Pakistan TENOR BID OFFER 1 – Week 13.05 13.55 2 – Week 13.10 13.60 1 – Month 13.12 13.62 3 – Month 13.24 13.49 6 – Month 13.19 13.44 9 – Month 13.08 13.58 1 – Year 12.99 13.49 2 – Year 12.49 12.99 3- Year 11.61 12.11

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Under range-bound market, KSE-100 index loses 1.2%wow Summary The week in the stock market remained dull with no positive triggers to boost the market. The market was bearish four days in the week but on last day there was positivity in the market on FATF issue as the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Alice Wells appreciated Pakistan’s significant progress in compliance with FATF Action plan in quite a short period of time.; and stock gained 126 points. Over all it was a dull week with average volume declining to 187 million shares/day from 246…

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Supporters of Iraqi Shia Muslim leader Muqtada al-Sadr protest against what they say is US presence and violations in Iraq [Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 24th, 2020, Thousands march in Baghdad, heeding to call by Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr for an anti-US ‘million-man march’. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, after Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr called for a “million-strong” march to demand the withdrawal of US troops from the country, putting the protest-hit city on edge. The demonstration on Friday added an extra layer to the months-old protest movement that has gripped the capital and the Shia-majority…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 24th, 2020, Anadolu Sensing a peace deal with the US, a former member of the Taliban in Afghanistan, urged the warning sides in the country to refrain from exchange of barbs or seeking revenge at this key juncture. Addressing a moot over the launch of a Peace Survey in Kabul, the Taliban-era Finance Minister Agha Jan Motasim, said the US seems determined to reduce troops in Afghanistan and pave a way for a deal that would see the conflict end. “We, the Afghans, should refrain from repeating mistakes of the past when rival…

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Published in BBC on Jan 22nd, 2020, Boris Johnson has said the UK has “crossed the Brexit finish line” after Parliament passed legislation implementing the withdrawal deal. The EU Bill, which paves the way for the country to leave the bloc on 31 January, is now awaiting royal assent. The PM said the UK could now “move forwards as one” and put “years of rancour and division behind it”. The EU’s top officials are expected to sign the agreement in the coming days, while MEPs will vote on it next week. The European Parliament will meet on 29 January…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 23rd, 2020, Sputnik Iran’s Foreign Ministry has taken aim at the rhetoric of US special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, as the latter unambiguously stated that Commander Soleimani’s successor General Ghaani could meet the same fate. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has blasted US threats to neutralise the newly appointed head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ elite Quds Force, Esmail Ghaani, as “an official publicising and blatant unveiling of targeted and state terrorism”. “Now, after the Zionist regime [of Israel], the US is the second regime to officially announce that it…

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Gulf States – Economics & Finance Steel producers-UAE seek hike in anti-dumping duty Steel manufacturers in the UAE have called for increasing anti-dumping duty in order to safeguard local industry, according to a senior official of a leading steel manufacturer. “It is an industry perspective to hike anti-dumping duty as more rebar and pipe producers are requesting for support from the ministry. It is a very clear mandate that there should be enough capacity to ask for this type of demand. And we have enough pipe-making and rebar-making capacity. That will allow us to survive for few years,” said Bharat…

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Pakistan-Belgium trade boosts to €900mn Euros Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Belgium has increased to 900 million euros as Pakistan is a key beneficiary of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status that provides its businessmen trade opportunities in Belgium, said Belgian Ambassador Philippe Bronchain. Meeting a business delegation, led by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Saboor Malik, the envoy said Pakistan should take full advantage of Belgium’s unique geographical position in the European Union. He appreciated RCCI’s role in promoting trade ties and close cooperation through exhibitions and business conferences. Bronchain emphasised that there should…

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Karakoram highway and Lowari tunnel opened for all kinds of traffic National Highway Authority has successfully completed its snow clearance an operation from Karakoram Highway (N-35) and resultantly all kinds of traffic is plying on it. Likewise NHA has also removed snow from the North and South portal roads of Lowari Tunnel located on N-45. According to details, at average 01:00 metre to 01:50 metre snow was recorded there. The officers and staff of National Highway Authority and personnel of contractor of routine maintenance arranged snow removing machinery including Bulldozers, Graders and tractors at affected sites and completed snow clearance…

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Kibor rate is the average interest rate at which term deposits are offered between prime banks in the Pakistani wholesale money market or interbank market. KIBOR as a benchmark, to encourage transparency  and improve management of the market risk undertaken by banks. [ads1] Kibor Rates In Pakistan TENOR BID OFFER 1 – Week 13.05 13.55 2 – Week 13.09 13.59 1 – Month 13.13 13.63 3 – Month 13.24 13.49 6 – Month 13.22 13.47 9 – Month 13.09 13.59 1 – Year 12.99 13.49 2 – Year 12.49 12.99 3- Year 11.62 12.12

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Stocks in search of direction as KSE-100 index closes flat Summary It was a week when the KSE-100 Index remained highest 43,468 and lowest 42,806 points looking for a direction to break above average 300 points range. There was no notable trigger in the market as domestic politics remained quite. The market on Friday closed with decline of Index by 39.29 to 43,167.76 on Friday. It is expected that coming SBP Monetary policy and corporate results next week could prove to be exciting for the stock market. The market capitalization declined by Rs.18 billion to close at Rs.8,085 trillion. The…

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Entertainment experts speculate Meghan Makle’s return to Hollywood post #Megxit. Photo: Goalcast Published in Geo News on Jan 17th, 2020, Hollywood insiders and experts have taken to observing the terms governing the Duke and Duchess’s decision to split from royal life. It seems as though there have been a number of reasons as to the decision, mainly stemming from rumors of closed deals. However, even if the royal does not turn towards acting, as her immediate option, there might be a number of potential plans in the pipe lines. The Queen’s blessing gave rise to a large amount of…

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Disney drops ‘Fox’ name from 20th Century film studio: reports Published in Geo News on Jan 18th, 2020, NEW YORK: Disney will rename 20th Century Fox to distance its legendary film studio from the assets of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, US media reported Friday. The entertainment conglomerate last year acquired most of the assets of 21st Century Fox group, including the film house, while former owner Murdoch and his shareholders kept several TV channels, including Fox News. Variety magazine reported that the entertainment giant decided to rename its subsidiary to remove all links with Fox due to the ultra-conservative image…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 15th, 2020, LOS ANGELES-Fresh off its Golden Globes best dramatic picture win, “1917” dominated the box office during its opening weekend with a $36.5 million haul. The World War I feature had a limited opening beginning on Christmas Day, but opened to more than 3,000 theaters over the weekend. Globally through Sunday, the film has garnered $60.3 million. “1917” had been tracking for a $20 million to $25 million opening weekend, although some analysts speculated it could make as much as $35 million. The Universal and Amblin film won two Golden Globes last…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 18th, 2020, LAHORE-SOC Films released the third short-film from HOME1947 titled Zameen. Indeed, HOME1947 Series is a deeply personal exploration of the lives and stories of the millions that were displaced in 1947 during the creation of two new independent states, India and Pakistan. With one foot in the world of his father and another in the world of his mother, the third film Zameen is a story of a refugee who found his home when he left a part of himself behind. HOME1947 is a series of 7 short films conceptualized and…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 15th, 2020, LOS ANGELES-‘Joker’ leads the nominations for this year’s Academy Awards with 11 nods, making it the highest nominated comic book movie of all-time. The DC Comics origin story has overtaken ‘The Dark Knight’ – which starred Christian Bale as The Caped Crusader and the late Heath Ledger as the Joker – as the most acknowledged superhero film at the Oscars, following the Batman film’s eight nominations in 2009. ‘Joker’ – which stars Joaquin Phoenix as struggling comedian Arthur Fleck, who becomes the titular villain – will compete for the coveted Best…

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Pakistan last hosted a major ICC tournament (the World Cup) in 1996. — Photo: File Published in Geo News on Jan 16th, 2020, Buoyed by successfully hosting Sri Lanka and convincing Bangladesh to tour as well, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now set its sights on bringing a major cricket tournament to the country. Manu Sawhney, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is expected in Pakistan on a two-day visit from Jan 22 to 23. Daily Jang, citing its sources, has reported that PCB officials will explore the possibility of bringing a major ICC tournament to Pakistan…

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Fernando Alonso races through the dunes after losing his windscreen while rolling his Toyota. – Image Credit: Courtesy Dakar Rally Published in Gulf News on Jan 15th, 2020, Reuters Stage halted by strong winds as Fernando Alonso rolls his car Jeddah: Spaniard Carlos Sainz took a big lead in the Dakar Rally on Wednesday after winning a 10th stage halted before the halfway point by strong winds and deteriorating conditions in the Saudi Arabian desert. The Mini buggy driver, a two-times winner of the endurance event, had started only 24 seconds clear of Toyota’s defending champion Nasser Al Attiyah…

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England’s Ben Stokes celebrates hitting the winning runs on the fourth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Headingley. — AFP Published in Dawn on Jan 15th, 2020, AFP Ben Stokes has been named the International Cricket Council player of the year, capping an unforgettable 2019 for the swashbuckling England all-rounder that included a match-winning knock at the World Cup. Stokes was the unanimous choice for the coveted Sir Garfield Sobers trophy — thanks to his unbeaten 84 in a dramatic final against New Zealand in July followed by a brilliant 135 not out to win the…

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Published in Bol News on Jan 14th, 2020, By Aizbah Khan – Web Editor The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after held the closed discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Pakistan tour in three phases. According to the details, Bangladesh will play three T20Is in Lahore from January 24-27, 1st Test in Rawalpindi from 7-11 February, 2nd Test from 5-9 April in Karachi and One-off ODI on 3 April in Karachi After the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Bangladesh will play an ODI in Karachi on April 3 as well as the second WTC fixture from April 5-9. Check Psl…

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Serena Williams celebrates her win against Jessica Pegula with her daughter [Michael Bradley/AFP] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 12th, 2020, The 23-time grand slam champion defeats Jessica Pegula at the Auckland Classic to secure 73rd career title. US tennis superstar Serena Williams has won the 73rd title of her career as she defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 at the Auckland Classic in New Zealand. Sunday’s win meant that the 23-time grand slam champion has ended her three-year wait for another trophy. Her last title was at the 2017 Australian Open, during which she was pregnant with her daughter. “It feels good,…

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U.S. House of Representatives Clerk Cheryl Johnson and House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving carry two articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump during a procession with the seven U.S. House impeachment managers through Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. January 15, 2020. Image Credit: Reuters Published in Gulf News on Jan 16th, 2020, AFP Two-week trial set to begin Tuesday as Democrats in House complete formalities Washington: Two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump were delivered from the US House to the Senate on Wednesday, setting in motion the trial of the 45th US…

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The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman – have worked to reduce tensions since the targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani and several key henchmen. Image: AFP Published in Arabian Business on Jan 15th, 2020, By Hussein Ibish The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have worked to reduce tensions since the targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani and several key henchmen, writes Hussein Ibish As they breathe a collective sigh of relief that the US and Iran have not stumbled into a war in their backyard,…

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Published in The Diplomat on Jan 15th, 2020, By Sheikh Saaliq The government of Kerala argues the Citizenship Amendment Act violates India’s secular constitution. The southern Indian state of Kerala on Tuesday became the first to legally challenge a new citizenship law that has triggered nationwide demonstrations. In a petition to the Supreme Court, the state government said the law violates the secular nature of India’s Constitution, and accused the government of dividing the nation along communal lines. The citizenship law backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist party provides a path to naturalization for people from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and…

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Riot police arrest an anti-government protester outside police headquarters in Beirut [Hussein Malla/AP] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 16th, 2020, Four months into the mostly peaceful protest movement, anti-gov’t demonstrators have turned their anger at the banks. Protesters in crisis-hit Lebanon have clashed with security forces in Beirut, a day after demonstrators outraged by restrictions on dollar withdrawals attacked bank branches with metal rods, fire extinguishers and rocks. Hundreds gathered again outside the central bank on Wednesday evening, moving to a police station where more than 50 people were still detained following clashes between demonstrators and security forces the previous night.…

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FILE PHOTO: The border wall between the U.S. and Mexico is shown from the U.S. side near Tecate, California, U.S., March 28, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Blake Published in Reuters on Jan 15th, 2020, WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senior Democratic senators said on Wednesday that they would try to force another vote to stop U.S. President Donald Trump from taking billions of dollars from the Department of Defense budget to pay for a wall on the border with Mexico. According to multiple media reports this week, Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion from military construction and other projects to build his wall,…

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Oman’s new Sultan faces ‘balancing Act’ as credit crunch looms Holders of more than $20 billion of Oman’s dollar bonds want the new sultan to push through urgent reforms to ward off a credit crunch in the Gulf’s worst performing economy. The swift appointment of Haitham bin Tariq al-Said after the death on Friday of Sultan Qaboos bin Said reassured investors, as some had feared a protracted succession that could have exposed Oman to external interference. While world leaders welcomed Haitham’s promise to uphold a balanced foreign policy, analysts said he needed to tackle unemployment and strained public finances in…

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Lobbies become active to holdup Tapi gas pipeline Certain lobbies appear to be working to delay the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline project, sparking worries about the country’s energy security and upsetting the government of Turkmenistan, officials allege. Officials in the Petroleum Division are trying to delay the Tapi project in a bid to create a level-playing field for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, they allege. Sensing such moves, officials of the Turkmenistan government recently visited Pakistan and held meetings with high-ups of the Petroleum Division, Foreign Office and top brass of the military to convey their concern. Pakistan’s top civil…

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ACCA’s latest report: golden opportunities ahead in accountancy profession In recent years the accountancy profession has suffered some reputational damage, however, ACCA’s latest report, Future ready: accountancy careers in the 2020s indicates golden opportunities ahead. The report by Jamie Lyon, Head of Business Management, ACCA, Professional Insights, reveals a significant number of trends signalling that the future can and should be bright for those whose careers are already in progress and for aspiring young professionals. These trends range from the rise of data possibilities which will be become central to their role and linked to the adoption of automation technologies,…

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Kibor rate is the average interest rate at which term deposits are offered between prime banks in the Pakistani wholesale money market or interbank market. KIBOR as a benchmark, to encourage transparency  and improve management of the market risk undertaken by banks. [ads1] Kibor Rates In Pakistan TENOR BID OFFER 1 – Week 13.04 13.54 2 – Week 13.08 13.58 1 – Month 13.14 13.64 3 – Month 13.29 13.54 6 – Month 13.24 13.49 9 – Month 13.09 13.59 1 – Year 13.02 13.52 2 – Year 12.40 12.90 3- Year 11.59 12.09

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Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore recently installed the latest Linear Accelerator Machine and the inception is the facts result that the hospital has always been at the forefront of introducing the latest cancer treatment technology in the country. Cancer is a complex disease, and the presence of the latest technology, machines and medicines is crucial in the treatment. A cancer patient may undergo radiation, chemotherapy or surgery depending on the nature of the disease during treatment. All three methods of cancer treatment are being innovated with each passing through research, which has reduced the side effects of cancer drugs, shortening the…

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Turbulence at stocks on US-Iran tension as index momentum up 2.1% wow Summary The sentiments of the investors kept on changing as the news of the US-Iran conflict heightened to a war like situation which led Index dip deep to 1027 level on Monday. While KSE-100 Index regained 1,165 points on Thursday as President Trump in his speech signals desire for peace with Iran. In the domestic politics the passage of the three Pakistan Services (Amendment) Bills concerning the tenure of services of Chief of Army, Air Force and Navy without any resistance from two major political parties in the…

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Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, holding their son Archie, meet with Anglican Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday Sept. 25, 2019. Image Credit: AP Published in Gulf News on Jan 8th, 2020, AFP Pair release statement through palace saying they intend to become financially independent London: Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will step back as senior members of the royal family and spend more time in North America, the couple said in a shock announcement on Wednesday. The surprise news follows a turbulent year for the monarchy, with signs that the…

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Published in Variety on Jan 8th, 2020, By JOE OTTERSON The Oscars are once again going to go without a host. Karey Burke, the head of ABC Entertainment, confirmed that the upcoming film awards show will have “no traditional host” during her executive session at the Television Critics Association winter press tour on Wednesday. Voting for the Academy Awards concluded Tuesday night with the nominations set to be announced on Jan. 13. “We expect that we’re going to have a very commercial set of nominations and a lot of incredible elements have come together that make us think we are going to have a very entertaining…

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Published in ARY News on Jan 7th, 2020, Pakistan has made it to Forbes The Not Hot List: 10 Best Under-the-Radar Trips for 2020 as travellers and tourists are looking for something new, something different this year.  The American magazine wrote “Closed countries are opening up. Savvy luxury agencies are making remote destinations accessible to travelers who don’t want to rough it or risk much. And it’s also just feeling like the right thing to do.” Other countries featured on the list includes Armenia, Chad, Eritrea, Guatemala, Mongolia and Saudi Arabia among others. It points out that many tourists want to…

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Published in Bol News on Jan 6th, 2020, By Arhama Altaf – Web Editor American versatile actor, Joaquin Phoenix has won the Golden Globe Award 2020 for the best actor in Todd Phillips comic book movie ‘Joker’. Joaquin Phoenix took home one of the top prizes at the 2020 Golden Globes. Joker nominated for four Golden Globes awards, including Best Actor, Best Director, Best Score, and Best Picture. The Golden Globe victory is Phoenix’s first major Best Actor win of the 2019-20 awards season. Phoenix’s victory for ‘Joker’ gives the actor his second Golden Globe award. Before, he took home the…

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Published in Dawn on Jan 9th, 2020, Mohammad Yaqoob LAHORE: Former Pakis­tan captains Javed Miandad and Intikhab Alam gave a mixed reaction over the proposal of reducing Test matches to four days instead of the existing five-day format which is being currently considered by the Inter­national Cricket Council (ICC). Talking to Dawn both Miandad and Intikhab — who have also served as head coaches of the national teams — said that the ICC should put explain reasons that have forced the governing body to consider such a decision. However, while Intikhab totally rejected the proposal, saying it does not make any…

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Published in The Nation on Jan 9th, 2020, To get three wickets and a hat-trick, I’m enjoying this moment,” says Haris MELBOURNE – Haris Rauf plucked a hat-trick and Glenn Maxwell smashed it with the bat for Melbourne Stars to regain their place at the top of the Big Bash League table. Sydney Thunder were beaten by six wickets at the MCG, on a day they learned of Chris Green’s tournament ban for an illegal bowling action. The Thunder were never able to build enough momentum for a big total when batting first, despite preserving plenty of wickets in…

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Published in The Express Tribune on Jan 8th, 2020, By AFP SHANGHAI: Shanghai will host the opening ceremony and final of the expanded 2021 Club World Cup in China, state media said on Wednesday (Jan 8). Eight Chinese cities will stage matches for the Fifa-organised tournament, which will for the first time involve 24 teams rather than the current seven. Chinese sports authorities officially launched preparations on Tuesday for the Club World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Xinhua news agency said. “We need to set up the organising committee soon and facilitate the construction of venues,” Gou Zhongwen, head…

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Senegal’s Sadio Mane receives the men’s player of the year award [Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 8th, 2020, Mane is only the second Senegalese footballer to win the African Player of the Year award after El Hadji Diouf. Sadio Mane has been named the 2019 African Player of the Year after winning the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League with his club Liverpool and leading Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations final. Mane won the award for the first time on Tuesday, after finishing runner-up to his Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah of Egypt in 2017…

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Brescia’s Balotelli was abused by Lazio fans. Published in Gulf News on Jan 8th, 2020, AP Sunday’s game was halted for a few minutes shortly after half-hour mark Milan: Lazio were fined $22,000 but temporarily avoided a stadium closure on Wednesday after their fans targeted Brescia striker Mario Balotelli with racist chants. Serie A judge Gerardo Mastrandrea requested that further details on the case be handled by the Italian football federation prosecutor to determine exactly where in the stadium the chants came from, and to what extent Lazio collaborate in terms of identifying those responsible, before possible further punishment.…

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Published in AlJazeera on Jan 9th, 2020, Trump says no US troops hurt in Iran air raids, Tehran ‘appears to be standing down’. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq did not harm any US troops stationed there and damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff. Iran “appears to be standing down”, Trump said at the White House amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq last week. Trump announced the US would immediately impose new “powerful” sanctions…

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Published in Geo News on Jan 8th, 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Wednesday a ‘resounding blow’ will be dealt to Iran in response if it dared attack Israel, as tensions between Tehran and Washington soared following an attack on an Iraqi military base that housed American troops. “Anyone who attacks us will receive a resounding blow,” said Netanyahu to resounding applause at the Jerusalem conference, according to the AFP. On Tuesday, Iran fired multiple missiles at military bases in Iraq housing American soldiers. While Iran claimed 80 people had been killed in the strikes, US President Trump said no casualties…

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Published in BBC on Jan 8th, 2020, The Commons has rejected an attempt by Labour to reinstate child refugee protection rights in the Brexit bill. MPs voted 348 to 252 against the amendment, which would have guaranteed the right of unaccompanied child refugees to be reunited with family living in the UK after Brexit. The pledge was included in a previous version of the Brexit bill, but was removed after the Tories’ election win. The government said it had “a proud record of helping vulnerable children.” MPs voted on the Labour amendment during a second day of scrutiny of…

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addresses the nation hours after Iran launched missile attacks on US bases in Iraq. — Photo courtesy screengrab from PressTV Published in Dawn on Jan 8th, 2020, Reuters | AFP | AP Iran launched missile attacks on United States-led forces in Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday in retaliation for the US drone strike on Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani whose killing has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East. Tehran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles from Iranian territory against at least two Iraqi military bases hosting US-led coalition personnel at about 1:30am local…

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Published in The Diplomat on Jan 8th, 2020, By Bansari Kamdar The violence at JNU has sustained nationwide protests in India On January 5, 2020, over 30 students and staff of Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were admitted to the hospital after a masked mob of men and women entered the university wielding sticks and iron rods. Protests against the brutal violence at JNU have erupted across India in cities like Chandigarh, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to comment on the violence in New Delhi. Two days later, Nikhil Savani, the general-secretary of…

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UAE, GCC stocks plunge; investors to take wait-watch approach Most of the Gulf stock markets fell on Wednesday in line with a decline in global markets, after Iran launched a missile attack on US military bases in Iraq. Analysts expect the volatility to linger in the equity market in the coming session, but said that it could subside as there were no causalities in the attack. However, investors still remain cautious and are most likely to take a wait-and-watch approach. After the launch of the missile attack, Tehran said that it doesn’t want war and that its strikes “concluded” its…

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Economic times of Pakistan World Bank terms Punjab’s $200mn-worth project moderately unsatisfactory The World Bank has downgraded the $200-million Punjab Green Development Programme to moderately unsatisfactory after the provincial government failed to meet environment protection-related key targets despite rapid environmental degradation. The Washington-based lender’s decision to downgrade the project form “moderately satisfactory” to “moderately unsatisfactory” suggests that the government of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was not taking Prime Minister Imran Khan’s clean and green initiative seriously. The World Bank compiled the fourth Implementation Status and Results Report of the Punjab Green Development Programme in November – the month PM…

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The voice of the valley (Kashmir) “The children are dying through hunger strikes. The voice of the valley is crying because there is no food or drinking water the bullets rain kissing the hearts of the children. Ibn Adam daughters are violating on the street. The valley’s dream has shattered by Indian political leaders.” Kashmir is one of the heaviest militarized regions of the world. For over 100 days, the Indian government has imposed a curfew, shut down telecommunications and internet, and arrested political leaders. Children are not allowed to go to their schools. People do not have access to…

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Kibor rate is the average interest rate at which term deposits are offered between prime banks in the Pakistani wholesale money market or interbank market. KIBOR as a benchmark, to encourage transparency  and improve management of the market risk undertaken by banks. [ads1] Kibor Rates In Pakistan TENOR BID OFFER 1 – Week 13.10 13.60 2 – Week 13.11 13.61 1 – Month 13.15 13.65 3 – Month 13.31 13.56 6 – Month 13.25 13.50 9 – Month 13.09 13.59 1 – Year 13.01 13.51 2 – Year 12.30 12.80 3- Year 11.59 12.09

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A five-member jury panel reviewed GDIB award submissions and declared 19 organizations as winners. These organisations include Engro Fertilizers Limited, METRO Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited, Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC), Abacus Consulting Technology Pvt. Ltd, NESPAK, PepsiCo Pakistan, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Bank Alfalah, Engro Energy Limited, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Khaadi Corporation (SMC – Private) Limited, Telenor Pakistan, British Council Pakistan, Gray Mackenzie Restaurants International Limited (KFC Pakistan), The First Microfinance Bank, HBL and AGP Limited. Background The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets. It…

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