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
Author: AdminPAGE
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…
New year starts on promising note as PSX index gains 3.6%wow Summary Pakistan Stock Exchange which in the last two weeks of last year December 2019 closed in depressing mode but started with a bang in year 2020 with a rise of 1,475 points on a number of positive news. In the year 2019, 1H2019 a decline of 9% followed by 2H2019 gains of 20%. The KSE-100 Index recorded a bottom of 28,764 on Aug 16, 2019 (YTD decline of 22%). Overall, the KSE-100 Index recorded an increase of 10% in 2019 in PKR terms. The overall market capitalization closed…
Published in Variety on Jan 2nd, 2020, By ADAM B. VARY At the start of the decade, Disney’s film business was enfeebled. The studio ran perpetually last or nearly last for domestic market share, and its international grosses were only modestly better. Cut to the end of 2019, and Disney has hit a stunning, historic milestone, earning 33% of all domestic box office grosses for the year. According to Comscore, it’s the first time since at least 1999 that a single studio has commanded this much box office revenue in the US and Canada. “We are very proud of our Studios team and…
Published in BBC on Jan 2nd, 2020, The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to get its first transgender superhero. “And very soon. In a movie that we’re shooting right now,” Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige said during a Q&A at the New York Film Academy. Asked by a fan whether there were any plans for more LGBT characters in Marvel’s films, “specifically the T, trans characters”, Kevin said: “Yes, absolutely. Yes.” This year, The Eternals will introduce Marvel movies’ first gay character. There have been reports since 2019 that Phase 4 of the MCU – the films following the…
Published in Geo News on Jan 2nd, 2020, Thousands of fans were celebrating what they said Hanbin’s return the former member of K-pop group iKON dropped a new song on Thursday. #HanbinIsBack hashtag became one of the top trends on Twitter as fans welcomed the South Korean singer who is also known as B.I. The song titled “Demo 1” comes months the singer cleat his past songs from his SoundCloud account and put his personal Instagram account on private. [ads1] “The fact that I could never tell you that I lived for you, that I couldn’t tell you…
Published in Dawn on Jan 2nd, 2020, Charlize Theron, Octavia Spencer and Daniel Craig are among the first presenters announced for Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association also announced Thursday that other presenters will include Sofia Vergara, Kerry Washington, Tiffany Haddish, Glenn Close and Will Ferrell. Kate McKinnon and Ted Danson will also present. Ricky Gervais will host the 77th annual Golden Globes Awards that will air on NBC. It will be the fifth time Gervais emcees the ceremony after hosting the show from 2010 to 2012 and 2016. [ads1] Gervais’ hosting stints have been…
Published in The Nation on Dec 30th, 2019, The film has, in fact, become the seventh highest-grossing animated film of all time LOS ANGELES – ‘Frozen 2’ has already surpassed the original’s US box-office earnings. The computer-animated movie was released earlier this year, following on from the money-spinning original, and new figures have confirmed that the new film has surpassed the 2013 movie at the box office. The original ‘Frozen’ made $400.7 million at the box office in the US, whilst ‘Frozen 2’ has already gone past the $400 million mark at the box office. The film has, in…
Aleem Dar watches as he is set to break Steve Bucknor’s record of most Tests as an umpire on day one of the first Test cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the Perth Stadium in Perth on December 12, 2019. Image Credit: AFP Published in Gulf News on Jan 2nd, 2020, K.R. Nayar, Chief Cricket Writer A disciple of Steve Bucknor, the 51-year-old recently overtook the West Indian’s record Dubai: Pakistan cricket may have been struggling for years to get sufficient international matches but the irony is an umpire from their country has broken the world record…
Of the total 34 matches, 14 will take place in Lahore, nine in Karachi, eight in Rawalpindi and three in Multan. — AFP/File Published in Dawn on Jan 1st, 2020, Imran Siddique The schedule for the much anticipated fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League was released by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday, with the series set to take off on February 20. According to the schedule, the series will run from February 20 to March 22, with all the matches being played on the home ground. A total of 34 matches will be played across 4 venues.…
Wright averaged 102.79 in the final against Van Gerwen’s 102.88 Published in BBC on Jan 1st, 2020, Scotsman Peter Wright captured his first PDC World Championship title with a superb 7-3 win over 2019 champion Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace. The 49-year-old lost 7-4 to Van Gerwen in the 2014 final and had previously lost 10 of his 11 major finals. But Wright raced into a 2-0 lead and with the three-time champion missing doubles, built a 6-3 advantage. Seventh seed Wright, who survived a sudden-death shootout in round two, is the second oldest winner of the event. Phil Taylor won the…
The New Year offers plenty of mouth-watering sporting battles in cricket, football and combat sports. Published in Geo on Jan 1st, 2020 2019 had its moments but 2020 promises to take things to the next level in sports. The opening year of the new decade has plenty of cricket, football and combat action. Let’s take a look at what the new year has in store for those who crave competition. The return of Conor McGregor Photo: File Conor McGregor did not throw any punches in all of 2019 — at least not in the octagon. The year was poor without him.…
The move could shave off a significant amount of time from the 2023-2031 calendar Getty Images Published in ESPNCricinfo on Dec 30th, 2019, Daniel Brettig – Assistant editor, ESPNcricinfo Four-day Test matches could become mandatory as part of the World Test Championship from 2023, with the ICC’s cricket committee likely to formally consider the change in 2020 amid widespread discussions among member boards about how to reduce numerous pressure points in the global cricket calendar for the future. However, the world’s cricketers stand as the most likely source of opposition to the change, with many viewing the step up…
In this file photo, Taiwanese top military official Shen Yi-ming salutes as he is introduced to journalists during a press conference in Taiwan. — AP Published in Dawn on Jan 2nd, 2020, AFP Taiwan’s top military chief was killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday, the defence ministry said, just days before the island goes to polls to elect a new president. The chief of the general staff, Shen Yi-ming, was among eight senior officers — including three major generals — who died when their Black Hawk helicopter smashed into mountains near Taipei. The 62-year-old general and his entourage…
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed received 9.74 million votes – 68.6 percent of the total 14 million votes cast in an RT poll. Published in Arabian Business on Jan 2nd, 2020, Poll by Russia Today recognises Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has been named the Arab world’s most influential leader for 2019 according to Russia Today (RT) TV. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed received 9.74 million votes – 68.6 percent of the total…
A masked Kashmiri man with his head covered with barbed wire at a protest after Friday prayers in Srinagar [File: Danish Ismail/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 1st, 2020, Watershed year saw abrogation of special status and later bifurcation amid crippling curfew and communications blackout. Kupwara, Indian-administered Kashmir – On a sunny afternoon in July, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat walked to the mosque in his village in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Kupwara district to seek forgiveness from his neighbours and friends. He told them he is likely to be detained by the Indian security forces, who were rounding up all the political leaders,…
US President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would “pay a very big price” after a mob of pro-Iranian demonstrators stormed the American embassy compound in Iraq. Published in Arabian Business on Jan 1st, 2020, By AFP US President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would “pay a very big price” after a mob of pro-Iranian demonstrators stormed the American embassy compound in Iraq, as his government said it is sending hundreds more troops to the Middle East. Angered by US air strikes that killed two dozen paramilitary fighters on Sunday, hundreds of protesters spilled through checkpoints in the high-security Green…
The Arab League said it had ‘serious concerns’ over military escalation in Libya [File: Amr Nabil/AP] Published in AlJazeera on Jan 1st, 2020, Pan-Arab body urges warring sides in Libya against ‘interference’ amid Turkish push to send troops. The Arab League has called for efforts to “prevent foreign interference” in Libya in the wake of military and maritime agreements between Turkey and the UN-recognised government in Tripoli. Permanent representatives of the pan-Arab organisation, in a meeting at its Cairo headquarters requested by Egypt, passed a resolution on Tuesday stressing the “necessity to prevent interference that could contribute to facilitating the arrival of foreign extremists in Libya”.…
GULF STATES – ECONOMICS & FINANCE Dubai Duty Free’s annual sales hit record dh7.406b Dubai Duty Free began the new year on a high note as it announced record annual sales of Dh7.406 billion ($2.029 billion) for 2019. The retailer crossed the $2 billion milestone on December 26. The operation’s 36th anniversary day on December 20, when customers were offered a 25 percent discount on a range of products, resulted in a huge surge in sales with 190,208 transactions recorded on the day amounting to sales of Dh111.65 million in the 24-hour period. Colm McLoughlin, executive vice-chairman and CEO of…
ECONOMIC TIMES OF PAKISTAN Government mulls either 5-year or 3-year economic plan Despite a lapse of almost one and a half year, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government remains unable to launch the country’s 12th five-year macroeconomic plan amid confusion in its ranks whether to give a five-year plan or a three-year economic growth strategy. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Jehanzeb Khan on Friday chaired yet another meeting to review preparations for Pakistan’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2018-23). The meeting discussed the issue of whether the government should come up with a five-year plan as one and a half year had already passed. The…
UBL’s hat-trick! only bank to win PSX’S ‘top companies of the year’ award for three consecutive years UBL has become the only bank to win the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) “Top Companies of the Year” Award for three consecutive years (2016-18). The awards for the three years, were presented at a ceremony held in Karachi recently. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, who was the Chief Guest at the event, gave away the awards. Ms. Sima Kamil, President & CEO, UBL received the awards from the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Bank. The award acknowledges the performance…
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 13.09 13.59 2 – Week 13.11 13.61 1 – Month 13.14 13.64 3 – Month 13.31 13.56 6 – Month 13.24 13.49 9 – Month 13.02 13.52 1 – Year 12.95 13.45 2 – Year 12.03 12.53 3- Year 11.49 11.99
Movement remains sideways as year 2019 comes to an end Summary The market like previous week remained flat and the volume subdued to average 230m due to Christmas holiday and year end season. Skirmishes at the eastern border was the point that the market fixated on this week unlike former president Pervez Musharraf verdict last week. There were some good news on the economic front like positive statement of IMF Resident Representative Teresa Daban Sanchez about overall economic performance remained satisfactory while revenue collection increased substantially and there is improvement in trade deficit and net foreign exchange assets as well.…
Published in The Nation on Dec 28th, 2019, APP China’s Sichuan Publishing Group presented 200 sets of King Gesar, an epic story of the East, to Pakistan as a token of the deep-rooted historical cultural ties between the two countries at a ceremony held at Tsinghua University. Pakistan Ambassador to China, Naghmana A. Hashmi, chief guest of the event said she would present the precious collection to the National Library of Pakistan. Due to geographic proximity, the culture, language, lifestyle and architecture of people living in Baltistan of northern Pakistan are similar to those of the Tibet ethnic minority in…
Published in Geo News on Dec 128th, 2019, Marvels fans after enduring the emotional roller coaster ride that was the Avengers: Endgame may be getting a chance to see their departed heroes once again. However, it looks like there may be a way the superheroes will be able to make their big comeback in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but not as their evil alternatives. A report by We Got This Covered, revealed that Iron Man, Black Widow and Captain America who are confirmed to no more be part of the franchise, may return in the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,…
Donald Trump makes a brief appearance in the film, in which Macaulay Culkin (centre) starred Published in BBC News on Dec 27th, 2019, Canada’s national broadcaster CBC has defended deleting a scene featuring Donald Trump from the film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said eight minutes of the 120-minute film had been trimmed to make way for adverts. He said the edits were made in 2014, before Mr Trump was elected, and were not politically motivated. The edited film was shown by CBC earlier this month, prompting criticism from Mr Trump’s supporters. His…
Published in Dawn on Dec 28th, 2019, REUTERS A firm run by the daughter of Bruce Lee has sued a Chinese fast food for using the late kungfu star’s image in its logo without permission and is seeking over 210 million yuan ($30 million) in compensation, Chinese media outlet The Paper reported. California-based Bruce Lee Enterprises, whose head is Shannon Lee, filed the case against the Real Kungfu chain in a Shanghai court on Wednesday, requesting that the food firm stop using the image and pay an additional 88,000 yuan to cover legal expenses. It also asked that the…
Published in Geo News on Dec 26th, 2019, Zohaib Ahmed Majeed Sports is a near lock to supply more than its share of memorable events each year. The beat almost always has plenty for those who crave. The outgoing year 2019 was no different, as plenty happened in Pakistani sports that will never be forgotten. Here are the events from the world of Pakistani sports that helped shape 2019: 1- Babar Azam vs Dale Steyn Photo: File Older and slower, but the Dale Steyn of early 2019 still carried the fearsome reputation that made the likes of Mohammad Hafeez…
Published in The Nation on Dec 25th, 2019, Liverpool enjoyed the glory in 2019 with their stunning performance, as being the only English club in history performing a continental treble. Liverpool topped the European and international competitions with the team’s successes in UEFA Champions League, Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. Led by German manager Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool won the 2019 UEFA Champions League title in June, after beating another English club, Tottenham Hotspur, 2-0 in the final. The victory in Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium brought the sixth Champions League trophy to the Reds in their history. In addition…
Bangladesh are expected to play three T20Is in Lahore before a two-Test series against Pakistan. Photo: Scoreline Published in Geo News on Dec 26th, 2019, DHAKA: Bangladesh are ready to play T20 Internationals in Pakistan next month but the Test series must take place in a neutral venue, the chief executive of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nizamuddin Chowdhury, said. Test cricket returned to Pakistan after a decade with a two-Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this month. Rawalpindi and Karachi hosted Pakistan’s first Tests on home soil since a militant attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore…
Published in ARY Sports on Dec 25th, 2019, By Reuters MELBOURNE: The prize pool for the 2020 Australian Open has been boosted by 14% to A$71 million (37.9 million pounds), organizers said on Tuesday, with the biggest gains for players exiting in the early rounds. Players losing in the first round of qualifying at the year’s first Grand Slam will take home A$20,000, up by a third from last year, while singles players who exit in the first round of the main draw will earn A$90,000, a jump of 20%. Before the start of the 2018 Australian Open, Serb champion Novak…
Published in The Nation on Dec 26th, 2019, Mohsin Ali I will always remember the love, hospitality and care, I have received in Pakistan during my six-day stay in this country,” says Sabrina ISLAMABAD – USA top female squash player Sabrina Sobhy has lauded the love, hospitality and care, she received in Pakistan during her six-day stay in this beautiful country, terming it beautiful, lovely and peaceful one. In an interview with The Nation, Sabrina said: “It is a shame that people think so much negative about Pakistan, but the reality is completely different. Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), people and…
Published in The Nation on Dec 26th, 2019, The Turkish leader approved earlier in the day the memorandum on military cooperation with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), recently ratified by the Turkish parliament. Erdogan has said that Turkey may send its troops to Libya if the GNA makes such a request. Russia condemns any interference in Libya’s internal affairs by an outside power but welcomes attempts to help resolve the crisis in the north African country, the Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov told the media on Thursday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that he…
Published in CNN News on Dec 25th, 2019, By Nathan Hodge, CNN Moscow (CNN)Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted Tuesday of his country’s “unique” advances in hypersonic weaponry, saying other countries were “trying to catch up with us.” Putin made the remarks at a Russian Defense Ministry board meeting, adding that “not a single country possesses hypersonic weapons, let alone continental-range hypersonic weapons,” according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. Like Russia, both the US and China are also working on hypersonic projects. Beijing said earlier this year that it tested a hypersonic aircraft, while the US Air Force has awarded a contract…
Bruised and exhausted young protesters have promised to keep on fighting against the Hong Kong government [File: Tyrone Siu/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 25th, 2019, by Violet Law Young protesters who use violent tactics that set them apart from other demonstrators pose new challenge to authorities. Hong Kong, China – A Catholic schoolgirl who left a promising career to lob petrol bombs at police. College students whose raison d’etre is to keep the fight going. A protester who beat arrest to mount his fourth election campaign and win office. As Hong Kong’s anti-government protests have dragged on from summer into…
Published in Arabian Business on Dec 19th, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s loss of minera-rich Jharkhand comes just months after losing the crucial state of Maharashtra India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political troubles deepened with his Bharatiya Janata Party losing control of the mineral-rich eastern state of Jharkhand just months after losing the crucial state of Maharashtra. The results come as the government struggles to contain growing nationwide protests against a new federal religion-based citizenship law that’s seen at least 24 people killed in clashes between police and demonstrators. The poor showing will add pressure on…
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after participating in a video teleconference with members of the U.S. military at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 24, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis Published in Reuters on Dec 24th, 2019, Alexandra Alper PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off North Korea’s warning of a “Christmas gift,” saying the United States would “deal with it very successfully,” amid U.S. concerns that Pyongyang might be preparing a long-range missile test. China, North Korea’s most important backer, meanwhile, urged Washington to take “concrete steps” as…
UAE Dirham will maintain its supremacy As the UAE economy grew over the years, the UAE dirham has also emerged stronger against subcontinent currencies as well as other major countries’ units in the last 10 years due to a host of internal as well as external factors. Analysts say that, going forward, the UAE dirham will gain against most of the subcontinent currencies while the US dollar will remain the world’s dominant currency and maintains its influence in the world economy over the next 10 years. While some other major currencies such as the Chinese yuan, the Indian rupee and…
Government planning to set up petroleum regulatory authority The government is working on a plan to set up an independent Pakistan Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Regulatory Authority (PPEPRA) on the pattern of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) in a bid to define policy and regulatory functions for the upstream sector as well as attract investment and develop a resource base. Work on establishing the authority got under way after several foreign companies pulled out of Pakistan in the past few years in the wake of bureaucratic hurdles and policy issues. Now, the independent authority, when established, will provide a…
ACCA focuses on building connectivity among bri countries with accounting infrastructure The first workshop of the China-Central Asia Accounting Elites Exchange Programme officially kicked off at the Shanghai National Accounting Institute. The programme, proposed jointly by the Shanghai National Accounting Institute (SNAI), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute (CI) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), was announced as one of the important outcomes of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in April this year. The programme consists of four workshops in a two-year cycle, targeting officials from departments in the accounting…
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 13.14 13.64 2 – Week 13.14 13.64 1 – Month 13.16 13.66 3 – Month 13.30 13.55 6 – Month 13.23 13.48 9 – Month 13.03 13.53 1 – Year 12.94 13.44 2 – Year 12.03 12.53 3- Year 11.49 11.99
Stocks gain turned negative on Musharraf case uproar Summary The stock market which was bullish for seven consecutive weeks suddenly nosedived 1113 points in two days on the news of decision by Special Court, which handed down death sentence to former army chief General Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case under Article 6 of the Constitution. The market which started positive on early two days of the week was jittered by the news. There was fear among investors of the clash of institutions but later subsided on clarification through press releases of DG ISPR and Government on the matter…
Brad Pitt’s whopping net worth will leave you in shock Published in Geo News on Dec 19th, 2019, Brad Pitt is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood today, known for his exceptional acting prowess across the globe. Initially recognized for his role as a cowboy hitchhiker in Thelma and Louise, Pitt has risen to the pinnacle of success consequently garnering massive fortune under his possession. As of 2019, it has been revealed that Pitt’s staggering net worth stands at around a whopping $300 million dollars! Starting his career in 1987, Pitt starred in minor roles in the movie Less…
Published in The Nation on Dec 18th, 2019, LOS ANGELES-Ed Sheeran has been named Amazon Music’s most streamed artist of 2019. The ‘Shape of You’ hitmaker was the most popular choice of the year on the streaming service, with his ‘No.6 Collaborations Project’ LP – which features collaborations with the likes of Stormzy, Cardi B and Chance the Rapper – named as one of UK listeners’ favourite albums, along with the likes of Billie Eilish’s ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ and ‘Lover’ by Taylor Swift. The top streamed songs include ‘Giant’ by Calvin Harris and…
Published in ARY News on Dec 19th, 2019, Reuters LOS ANGELES: Walt Disney Co’s highly anticipated Star Wars movie The Rise of Skywalker divided film critics on Wednesday, earning more detractors than any film in the nine-episode saga since 1999 movie The Phantom Menace. Rise of Skywalker, which debuts in theaters around the globe on Thursday, is the final installment in a story begun in 1977, when George Lucas introduced a young hero named Luke Skywalker alongside an enchanting collection of droids and otherworldly characters. On the Rotten Tomatoes website, 57% of 157 reviews for Rise of Skywalker were positive as of Tuesday morning. That ranked as…
Published in Variety on Dec 18th, 2019, By TODD SPANGLER Disney Plus had snagged an estimated 24 million U.S. subscribers as of the end of November — and the strong debut for the Mouse House’s new streaming package boosted cancellations among Netflix customers, according to a new Wall Street analysis. The estimates come from the research team at Cowen & Co., based on a census-weighted survey of 2,500 U.S. consumers conducted last month. Per the survey, 21% of total respondents said they signed up for Disney Plus in November, suggesting the 24 million customer base exiting the month. That would blow away previous Wall Street…
Published in The Nation on Dec 03rd, 2019, As the year draws to a close, many travel agencies, magazines and publications have released annual “top countries” lists for aspiring travelers, looking for adventure in the upcoming year. One such traveler publication, Conde Nast Traveller based in London has placed Pakistan as the best international holiday destinations. A publication that particularly caters to wealthier Europeans, the magazine cites the recent royal visit as vindication that Pakistan is no longer unsafe for travelers. “This remarkable country is finally getting the focus it deserves.Because this is a place of exquisite landscapes, where…
A protester waving a Catalan pro-independence “Estelada” flag stands next to a burning barricade during a protest called by Catalan separatist movement Democratic Tsunami outside the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 18, 2019. Image Credit: AFP Published in Gulf News on Dec 19th, 2019, Masked protesters set bins on fire, throw rocks and glass bottles at police Barcelona: Masked protesters set bins on fire and threw rocks and glass bottles at police who responded with foam bullets in a street near Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium as Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off Wednesday in the first Clasico…
Published in ARY News on Dec 18th, 2019, The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) will visit Pakistan in February 2020 under the leadership of their president and former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakara, the Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wasim Khan revealed. The squad will be arriving in the country after a gap of almost 46 years to play few matches in Lahore. Last time the star-studded squad toured Pakistan back in 1973. According to Khan, he has been in talks with MCC’s committee for the last few months. The aim behind this tour is to make…
The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) on Tuesday rejected a move by the embattled board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) to find a solution to an issue which is the subject of ongoing legal action. — CSA Facebook/File Published in Dawn News on Dec 18th, 2019, CAPE TOWN: The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) on Tuesday rejected a move by the embattled board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) to find a solution to an issue which is the subject of ongoing legal action. SACA repeated its call for the board to resign as the rift between players and board…
Published in Geo News on Dec 17th, 2019, Faizan Lakhani Pakistan women’s cricket team all-rounder Nida Dar was on Tuesday named by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in its T20I team of the year 2019. The announcement was made by the ICC, which also confirmed Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry as the winner of the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award, colloquially known as the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year title. She was also named the ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year. Nida is the only Pakistani player to be inducted in either ODI or T20I teams named by the ICC…
Published in ARY Sports on Dec 16th, 2019, Cricketer Ben Stokes was named as the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday for his World Cup-winning and Ashes masterclass during English summer. The all-rounder won the esteemed honor, which is decided in favor of every year by the British public, for his unbelievable accomplishments for the England side that also named the Team of the Year award. He joined the elite list of cricketers to have won this prestigious award. Jim Laker (1956), David Steele (1975), Ian Botham (1981), and Andrew Flintoff (2005) are the other four…
A demonstrator holds a poster during a protest against the citizenship law outside the Jamia Millia Islamia university in New Delhi [Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 19th, 2019 Rallies expected across the country despite prohibitory orders at some places as anger against ‘anti-Muslim’ law mounts. Big rallies are expected across India on Thursday as the tumultuous and angry reaction builds against a citizenship law seen as discriminatory against the country’s 200 million Muslims. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to drive the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) through the Parliament of India last week has ignited nationwide protests that have often turned violent, with…
Published in Arabian Business on Dec 19th, 2019, Saad Hariri said that his name was drawing too much opposition for him to be a candidate Lebanon’s Saad Hariri said Wednesday he would not seek to stay on as prime minister, ahead of much-delayed consultations to give the protest-wracked country a new government. Fifty days after unprecedented nationwide demonstrations against Lebanon’s reviled political elite forced him to step down, the caretaker premier had looked like he might attempt to keep his seat. But he said his name was drawing too much opposition for him to be a candidate when official…
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been ratcheting up the pressure on the US with denuclearisation talks stalled [KCNA via Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 19th, 2019, China and Russia are backing a resolution to ease sanctions on the North to kick-start stalled denuclearisation talks. China repeated its call for restraint and compromise on Thursday as renewed provocations from North Korea heighten fears it will break off talks with the United States and conduct a significant weapons test. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui told reporters tensions on the Korean Peninsula have somewhat risen over North Korea, but the overall situation has…
US President Donald Trump has become just the third occupant of the White House in American history to be impeached. — AFP Published in Dawn on Dec 19th, 2019 – AP President Donald Trump was impeached by the US House of Representatives Wednesday night, becoming only the third American chief executive to be formally charged under the constitution’s ultimate remedy for high crimes and misdemeanors. The historic vote split along party lines, much the way it has divided the US, over the charges that the 45th president abused the power of his office by enlisting a foreign government to…
Published in Arabian Business on Dec 24th, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s loss of minera-rich Jharkhand comes just months after losing the crucial state of Maharashtra India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political troubles deepened with his Bharatiya Janata Party losing control of the mineral-rich eastern state of Jharkhand just months after losing the crucial state of Maharashtra. The results come as the government struggles to contain growing nationwide protests against a new federal religion-based citizenship law that’s seen at least 24 people killed in clashes between police and demonstrators. The poor showing will add pressure on…
Exiled former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. Published in Arabian News on Dec 17th, 2019, Musharraf has been in self-imposed exile in Dubai ever since a travel ban was lifted in 2016 Exiled former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was sentenced to death Tuesday after being found guilty of treason, a verdict that drew swift condemnation from the country’s armed forces which have ruled the country for almost half its 72-year history. The court’s decision marks the first time a former leader of the armed forces has been convicted of treason and sentenced to death in Pakistan, where the military maintains…
GULF STATES – ECONOMICS & FINANCE 90,000 People apply for over 200 jobs at ikea in Dubai Dubai – and its brands – continue to maintain strong appeal among job seekers that very few other cities can match. To prove the point, thousands of people recently applied for just over 200 jobs at the opening of the UAE’s largest IKEA store, which opened its door for public on Wednesday. Al Futtaim Group, one of the largest family-owned businesses in Dubai, owns IKEA franchise for the UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Oman. “Al Futtaim Group and IKEA are quite popular. But we…
Climate-smart farming – a solution to increasing temperature In the context of climate change, feeding a growing population will remain a constant challenge for the world in the foreseeable future. The changing climatic patterns will exert an adverse impact on the productive resources, shorten the agriculture growing periods, increase the risk of pests and diseases, in extreme circumstances, result in floods, droughts and heat waves and ultimately reduce agricultural productivity. According to a research conducted by Germanwatch, Pakistan is predicted to be one of the countries to be affected the most by the rapidly rising temperatures. To make matters worse,…
Commissioning of two gas pipelines by SSGC will ease demand-supply gap SSGC is currently working on completing two gas pipelines that will help to mitigate the current gas demand-supply gap in Sindh and particularly in its largest load center Karachi. The Company is presently working on completing 12″ dia x 46 km line that will bring in additional 40 MMCFD gas to add on to the 35 MMCFD gas already in the system. The second pipeline, the 8″ dia. x 28 kms line will inject 23 MMCFD gas into SSGC’s system. It must be mentioned here that the 12″ dia.…
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 13.09 13.59 2 – Week 13.10 13.60 1 – Month 13.14 13.64 3 – Month 13.28 13.53 6 – Month 13.20 13.45 9 – Month 13.02 13.52 1 – Year 12.93 13.43 2 – Year 11.92 12.42 3- Year 11.48 11.98
[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]Richard Ellis, University of Reading[/box] Climate change is already affecting the amount of food that farmers can produce. Several recent extreme weather events, which are only likely to become more frequent as the world continues heating up, provide stark illustrations of what this impact can look like. Climate change is already affecting the amount of food that farmers can produce. For example, crop sowing in the UK was delayed in autumn 2019 and some emerging crops were damaged because of wet weather. Meanwhile in Australia, considerable drought has been immensely damaging. But climate change can also…
[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]Saadia Zahidi Managing Director, World Economic Forum[/box] At the present rate of progress, it could take us nearly 100 years to get to gender parity. Since 2006, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index has been measuring differences between men and women in four key areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. The 2020 index shows that, despite some progress, we are still a dispiriting 99.5 years away from a gender-equal world. Why is this? And more importantly, how can we turn the 2020s into the decade of parity? What would…
Without education and resources at one’s disposal, surviving as a single woman in this society is a challenge. However, there are examples of women who, with little head start, have overcome odds to not only survive but also flourish. The journey of Azra Bibi is one such example. Azra Bibi’s story is of a woman whose humble background didn’t stop her from becoming a successful micro-entrepreneur. Her small business struggle helped her become the breadwinner of her family and that of four other families as well. Coming from a very small town of Havelian, her family of seven had very…
Recovery at the eleventh hour trade pushes index up 0.5%wow Summary Stock market with six weeks consecutive positive gain in KSE-100 Index turned into an overbought market. It went for correction for three days during the week. The news that Pakistan has offered Russia to participate in the divestment of government’s share holding in the country’s largest state-run oil and gas explorers – Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) – and become a strategic partners by acquiring shares, a positive news for the market. The KSE-100 Index which went negative 218 till Thursday turned overall…
Published in Geo News on Dec 14th, 2019, Onusha Ahmad Move over Avengers — Pakistan now has its own set of mighty heroes ready to take on evil. Meet Umair Najeeb Khan, a visual artist from Karachi who is the creator of Paak Legion, a Pakistani superhero comic book that is breaking stereotypes as it highlights modern life in Pakistan, blending the old and the new. “I have always been a superhero fan and have done plenty of fan art over the years,” Khan tells Geo.tv. “I recently started to incorporate more and more of our culture and local material into…
An original Superman cape worn by actor Christopher Reeve in the 1978 “Superman” film (estimate $100,000 -2000,000 $ USD) is displayed at Julien’s Auctions house on December 13, 2019 ahead of Julien’s Icons & Idols: Hollywood Auction which takes place on December 16, 2019. / AFP / Robyn Beck Image Credit: AFP Published in Gulf News on Dec 14th, 2019, Props are from Christopher Reeve’s ‘Superman’ and the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy Superman’s very first cape and Bilbo Baggins’ pipe are each forecast to raise $100,000-$200,000 (Dh367,260-Dh734,521) at a blockbuster auction of rare Hollywood memorabilia next week. The…
Published in The Nation on Dec 14th, 2019, LOS ANGELES – The ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’ team are building a movie ‘’universe’’. Producer Hiram Garcia has opened up about the big screen blockbuster – which stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black – and he explained how both the new film and 2017’s ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ look to expand the world of the original 1995 classic. Speaking to the ‘ReelBlend’ podcast, he said: ‘’That world existed. What happened there, you know, you feel elements of it, even in this movie. ‘’And so for us, the…
Published in The Nation on Dec 04th, 2019, LAHORE-SOC Films has released the ninth animated short film from the series “AAGAHI” focusing on the topic of sexual harassment. AAGAHI is a public service campaign, which aims to educate women about their legal rights in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the National Commission on the Status of Women found that almost 50 per cent of women interviewed from the public sector had faced sexual harassment at one time or another. This ninth animated short film describes what behaviours constitute sexual harassment, the multiple environments it often takes place in, and the laws…
Published in Geo on Dec 04th, 2019, Newcomer Billie Eilish dominated Apple Music streams in 2019, scoring the top streamed album of the year with When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Apple Music said on Tuesday. Eilish, 17, who burst onto the alternative pop scene this year and is nominated for four Grammy Awards in January, came 5th on the list of most streamed songs, with Bad Guy, Apple Music said in a year-end list. Eilish’s Bad Guy single also came top of the most Shazamed songs of 2019, the music recognition app owned by Apple said. Apple has 60 million subscribers…
Published in Geo News on Dec 12th, 2019, Pakistan’s Aleem Dar on Thursday broke the world record of officiating in most Test matches, surpassing West Indies great Steve Bucknor’s previous record of 128. Dar achieved the feat by standing in the 1st Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth — the 129th Test match of his career. The 51-year-old was a first-class cricketer before taking up a career in umpiring. He started his international career in in 2000 during Pakistan’s home series against Sri Lanka. [ads1] Since then he has officiated in 207 ODIs and is only…
The Khalifa International Stadium in Doha will stage five matches including the final [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 10th, 2019, Tournament featuring the winners of each continent’s club competitions will serve as a trial event for 2022 World Cup. The FIFA Club World Cup is set to kick off on Wednesday with hosts Qatar facing a major test of the country’s ability to deal with an influx of foreign fans. European champions Liverpool and South America’s top side Flamengo are the favourites to feature in the final at Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium on December 21. But for Qatar, which hosts…
Published in Dawn News on Dec 11th, 2019, Russian boxers will only take part in the Tokyo Olympics if doping sanctions forcing them to compete as neutral athletes are overturned, the general secretary of the Russian Boxing Federation told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Umar Kremlev said he has spoken with the Olympic boxing team and they unanimously rejected the conditions laid out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as punishment for manipulating doping data. The WADA sanctions, announced on Monday, ban the use of the Russian team name, flag or anthem at a range of major sports competitions over the…
Published in Gulf News on Dec 11th, 2019, Bloomberg Smith agreed to take the role on an interim basis after weeks of negotiations Johannesburg: South African cricket’s governing body appointed former captain Graeme Smith as director of the sport in an effort to end an ongoing crisis on and off the pitch. The 38-year-old agreed to take the role on an interim basis after weeks of negotiations and initially withdrawing his interest on Twitter last month. The move follows the suspension of Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Officer Thabang Moroe last week for unspecified wrongdoing, and Standard Bank Group…
Bahrain’s Sayed Mohammed Jaafar celebrates winning the Gulf Cup with teammates [Ibraheem Al Omari/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 8th, 2019, Mohamed al-Romaihi scored for the Pearl Divers in the second half of the match held at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 to win the Gulf Cup football tournament held in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Sunday. Mohamed al-Romaihi scored for the Pearl Divers in the second half of the match held at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. [ads1] Salman al-Faraj missed a penalty for the Green Falcons after Salem al-Dawsari was brought down inside the Bahraini penalty box by…
US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo: File Published in Geo News on Dec 12th, 2019, UNITED NATIONS: The United States on Wednesday warned North Korea of consequences if it makes good on threats of a spectacular weapons test in the New Year, while offering flexibility if it stays in talks. Frustrated by the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with President Donald Trump, North Korea has vowed an ominous “Christmas gift” if the US does not come up with concessions by the end of the year. At a UN Security Council session…
Algeria has been roiled by mass anti-government rallies for nine months [Ramzi Boudina/Reuters] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 12th, 2019, by Djamila Ould Khettab Turnout expected to be low with protesters saying election is designed to preserve the status quo. Algiers, Algeria – Polls opened on Thursday in a controversial presidential election with critics saying all candidates should be purged because of their ties to the unpopular former government. It was the first vote since former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced out after a two-decade-long rule in April in the wake of nationwide peaceful protests. The vote was twice deferred since the…
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S., December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo Published in Reuters on Dec 12th, 2019, Jason Lange WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is countering impeachment efforts against him with a new surge in Facebook ads, while his Democratic rivals are saying little on the subject on the social media site or the campaign trail. Trump ran more than 2,500 ads mentioning “impeach” or “impeachment” in the week through Dec. 5, more than his campaign did in the…
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill is the latest of Modi’s attempts to promulgate his supremacist agenda. — AFP/File Published in Dawn News on Dec 12th, 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been moving systematically with a Hindu supremacist agenda. The prime minister was referencing the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill passed by India’s upper house amid protests on Wednesday. The bill will let the Indian government grant citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants who entered India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 — but not if…
Washington has suspended Ankara from the US F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, in which it was a producer and buyer, to penalise it for buying S-400 batteries this year [File: Mandel Ngan/AFP] Published in AlJazeera on Dec 12th, 2019, ‘A new manifestation of disrespect,” says Ankara after US Senate committee votes for sanctions over S-400s, Syria war. Turkey denounced US senators on Thursday after they backed legislation to impose sanctions over its military offensive in northern Syria and the purchase of a Russian S-400 missile system. The Republican-led Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 18-4 to send the “Promoting American…
GULF STATES – ECONOMICS & FINANCE Abu Dhabi airports awards spaces at midfield terminal to Lulu group Abu Dhabi Airports has awarded two retail unit spaces in the upcoming new Midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport to the Lulu Group. Bryan Thompson, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, signed the agreement with Saifee Rupawala, CEO of Lulu Group for a specialist gifting retail space and a dedicated non-food department store encompassing a total of 1,833 square meters in the presence of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports; Yusuff Ali MA, chairman of Lulu…
ECONOMIC TIMES OF PAKISTAN NTC seeks exemption from 8pc turnover tax National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) has approached the government, seeking exemption from 8percent minimum tax on turnover. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, in its request, informed the government that NTC was established under Section 41 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Re-Organisation Act 1996 in order to provide telecommunication services to the armed forces, defence projects, federal government, provincial governments or any other government agency or institution as the federal government may determine. Initially, in accordance with Section 41 (18) of the Act, NTC had been granted tax exemption for…
JazzCash monthly active subscribers cross 7 million mark Emerging as the market leader for the third consecutive year, JazzCash proudly announces an active base that now stands at over 7 Million users. JazzCash is fast becoming the most popular and trusted digital financial services brand in Pakistan. Transaction values have also increased by 42% compared to the previous year and have crossed the PKR 1 trillion mark; customers carried out 0.5 billion transactions through the service. On this occasion Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim said, “JazzCash offers its users diversified financial services aimed at meeting their evolving financial needs. The traction…
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 13.08 13.58 1 – Month 13.13 13.63 3 – Month 13.30 13.55 6 – Month 13.25 13.50 9 – Month 13.04 13.54 1 – Year 12.93 13.43 2 – Year 12.13 12.63 3- Year 11.55 12.05
[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]Abhinav Chugh Content and Partnerships Specialist, Strategic Intelligence, World Economic Forum[/box] On Mousuni Island – a part of the Indian Sunderbans with a rich ecosystem and UNESCO World Heritage site status – the climate crisis has already threatened to push its approximately 13 million people and the endangered Bengal tiger to their limit. Within the 4,000-square-mile archipelago, 70% of the land is just a few feet above sea level. In some parts of the region, the sea is already advancing about 200 yards a year, causing residents of Mousuni Island to leave entirely and putting them on the frontline of…
[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]Mauro F. Guillén Zandman Professor of International Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA Srikar Reddy Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sonata Software Limited and Sonata Information Technology Limited[/box] The experiences of successful digital businesses such as Amazon, Airbnb, WeChat, Didi, Uber, Spotify or Expedia have implications for both consumer markets and the digital transformation of businesses across a wide spectrum of industries. These platform-based business models have four characteristics in common: they are open, scalable, connected and intelligent. Their success is largely due to their focus on a two-sided platform and the creation…
[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]Winston Ma Wenyan Adjunct Professor, New York University[/box] In September 2019, China had its own version of the FaceApp privacy storm. Using artificial intelligence and machine-learning techniques, the Zao app allowed users to swap faces with celebrities in movies or TV shows. It went viral as a tool for creating deepfakes, but concerns soon arose as people noticed that Zao’s user agreement gave the app the global rights to use any image or video created on the platform for free. After a public outcry regarding these controversial user privacy terms and questions over data safety, the company clarified…
[box type=”info” align=”” class=”” width=””]Heather Plumpton, University of Reading[/box] Reforestation has enormous potential as a cheap and natural way of sucking heat-absorbing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and restoring the degraded natural world, while supporting local livelihoods at the same time. But there is more than one way to plant a tree – and some of the most widely used techniques aren’t up to scratch. Here’s how to do it the right way. The most popular approach to reforesting – adopted for example by 59 countries signed up to the Bonn Challenge, a global effort to reforest 350 million…
Published in The Express Tribune on Dec 04th, 2019, By AFP Baby Yoda may stand only a few inches tall, communicating with high-pitched squeaks and mischievous gestures. But the adorable green creature has loomed large online, causing a global social media meltdown. The cute, wide-eyed tyke, unveiled three weeks ago in the premiere of Disney’s live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian, has stolen both the show and millions of hearts. One parody account, @BabyYodaBaby, has amassed more than 120,000 followers with paraphrased Yoda quotes such as, “Fear leads to hate. Hate leads to anger. Cuteness leads to snuggling.” Countless screengrabs, short video clips and…