News Archives for Latest - 2023-12-15

Pakistan

ECP issues schedule for general elections

Polling to take place on February 8

Updated 16 Dec, 2023 12:03am

Pakistan

Sarfaraz Bugti resigns as interim interior minister

Interim Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has resigned from his position, Aaj News reported on Friday. Reports said...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 11:54pm

Business & Economy

Govt slashes petrol price by Rs14, HSD by Rs13.5

New petrol and diesel prices will be 267.34 and 276.21 per litre, respectively

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:41pm

World

White House in ‘intensive’ talks with Israel on timing of next phase of Gaza war

JERUSALEM: Washington is pushing Israel to focus the war in Gaza on precise targeting of Hamas leaders rather than...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:28pm

Sports

PCB signs Champions Trophy hosting rights agreement with ICC

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) signed the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights agreement with the...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:46pm

Energy

Govt-KE draft agreements: ECC approves Power Division’s proposal

Directs Power Division to present matter related to KE’s generation enhancement plan to the CCOE

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:42pm

Pakistan

SC suspends LHC order on ROs appointment, orders ECP to issue election schedule tonight

On PTI's petition, Lahore High Court (LHC) had halted appointment of district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) from bureaucracy of Punjab for general polls

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:41pm

Pakistan

IMF denies it plans to ask Pakistan to raise taxes on salaries: representative

Media reports had been circulating stating that IMF asked Pakistan to cut number of tax slabs for salaried and business class from existing seven to four

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:25pm

Pakistan

COAS discusses counter terrorism cooperation, defence collaboration with top US officials

COAS meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defence (retired) General Llyod J. Austin among other key US officials

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:24pm

Middle East

US stresses safety for Gaza civilians as Israel unrelenting in aggression

CAIRO/GAZA: A US security envoy had talks with Israel about shifting its aggression in Gaza toward surgical...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:15pm

Money & Banking

SBP chief urges banks to increase presence in agriculture sector

Governor of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad urged banks to ensure easy, timely and hassle-free access of...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:14pm

Pakistan

SC issues notices to ex-DG ISI Faiz Hamid in removal of IHC judge case

Retired brigadiers Irfan Ramay, former IHC chief justice Anwar Khan Kasi, and a former registrar of the Supreme Court, Arbab Muhammad Arif were also issued notices

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:13pm

Stocks

Bulls return to PSX as KSE-100 ends with 680-point gain

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index closed higher by over 1% on Friday as bulls dominated at...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:05pm

Forex

Inter-bank: rupee records fourth successive gain against US dollar

Currency appreciates 0.09%, settles at 283.26 against greenback

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 09:56pm

Sports

UAE stun Pakistan to qualify for ACC U19 Asia Cup final

Beat hot-favourite Pakistan by 11 runs in low-scoring thriller

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 09:49pm

Middle East

Israel to allow first aid shipments via Kerem Shalom crossing to Gaza: PM office

JERUSALEM: Israel has approved the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing, the Israeli...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:14pm

Forex

Open market: rupee unchanged US dollar

The Pakistani rupee remained unchanged against the US dollar in the open market on Friday, while the local currency...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 08:35pm

Stocks

S&P 500, Dow eye muted open as rate-cut cheer subsides

The S&P 500 and the Dow were poised for a subdued open on Friday after comments from a U.S. Federal Reserve...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 07:53pm

Money & Banking

Russian central bank raises key interest rate to 16% to counter inflation

MOSCOW: Russia’s central bank on Friday raised its key interest rate to 16 percent, announcing a fifth hike since...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 07:00pm

South Asia

Family of Indian man linked to Sikh murder plot asks court for consular help

NEW DELHI: The family of an Indian man in Czech custody, whom the U.S. accuses of involvement in an unsuccessful...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 06:50pm

Energy

Global LNG: Asia prices slip on weak demand, high stocks despite China’s cold snap

SINGAPORE: Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices fell to a four-month low this week on the back of high...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 06:32pm

Sports

Ahmad Shahzad parts ways with PSL over ‘deliberate snub’ by franchises

Pakistan opening batsman Ahmed Shahzad announced on Friday that he was parting ways with the Pakistan Super League...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 06:20pm

Stocks

Sri Lankan shares end lower as industrials weigh; Q3 GDP grows

BENGALURU: Sri Lankan shares closed lower on Friday, led by losses in industrials and communication services. The...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 06:18pm

Stocks

UAE stock markets up on rising oil price, rate cheer

Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates closed higher on Friday on rising oil prices and after the Federal Reserve...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 06:15pm

Europe

Dutch court clears export of F-35 parts to Israel

THE HAGUE: The Netherlands can continue to deliver parts for F-35 fighter jets being used by Israel in the Gaza...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 05:45pm

Travel

Tourism sector vital pillar of Dubai’s economy: Crown Prince

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum says hospitality integral part of the Emirati cultural fabric

Published 15 Dec, 2023 05:08pm

South Asia

Sri Lanka grows 1.6% in Q3, first economic expansion in six quarters

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s economy grew by 1.6% in the quarter from July to September for the first time in six quarters,...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 05:06pm

Middle East

Israeli forces recover the bodies of a civilian, two soldiers held in Gaza: army

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military has recovered the bodies of three Israelis - a civilian and two soldiers - who had...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 05:02pm

Bullion Rate

Gold price per tola increases Rs300 in Pakistan

Gold rates in Pakistan continued to advance on Friday, in line with increase in the international rate. The yellow...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 04:50pm

Europe

Erdogan says Biden warm to F-16 sales, eyeing Sweden’s NATO accession

ISTANBUL: President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that U.S. President Joe Biden was approaching the issue of selling...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 04:47pm

Stocks

Fed fuels longest weekly winning streak in Indian shares in six years

BENGALURU: India’s benchmark indexes, Nifty and Sensex, posted their longest weekly winning streak in six years on...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 04:42pm

Commodities

Palm falls for fourth consecutive week on weak exports

MUMBAI: Malaysian palm oil futures fell for a fourth consecutive week, hurt by a slowdown in exports, although...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 04:37pm

Movies & Music

A Disney-Reliance India entertainment merger may be beset with antitrust headaches

NEW DELHI: A merger of Walt Disney’s India unit and billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s media business would create an...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 04:33pm

Telecommunication

PTCL chief explains acquisition of Telenor Pakistan

Says market consolidation will create value as Pakistan's sector is just big enough for three major players

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 04:21pm

Energy

Oil prices on track for first weekly rise in two months

LONDON: Oil prices rose on Friday, on track to notch their first weekly rise in two months after benefiting from a...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 03:36pm

Sports

Pakistan trail Australia by 355 after Jamal takes six on debut

PERTH: Seamer Aamer Jamal bowled with pace and confidence on Friday to claim a six-wicket haul on his debut and help...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 03:34pm

Pakistan

2 policemen martyred after terrorists attack Police lines in Tank

At least two policemen were martyred on Friday and three others sustained injuries in a terrorist attack in Police...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 02:35pm

Stocks

UK’s FTSE 100 set for weekly gain on commodity boost, rate-cut bets

The UK’s FTSE 100 advanced on Friday, with resources-linked stocks leading the gains on higher commodity prices,...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 02:04pm

Europe

Ukraine says downed 14 Russian drones overnight

KYIV: Ukraine said Friday that its air defence systems had downed more than a dozen Iranian-designed attack drones...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 01:52pm

Stocks

European stocks climb at open

LONDON: European stock markets rose Friday at the open, mirroring Asia in a busy week for global interest rates...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 01:49pm

Movies & Music

Netflix takes ‘Stranger Things’ to the stage in London

LONDON: The unusual world of Hawkins, Indiana, came alive in London on Thursday as Netflix debuted a stage play...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 01:35pm

Europe

Blizzards sweep across Russia bringing massive snow falls

MOSCOW: Blizzards swept across swathes of Russia on Friday, carpeting Moscow in one of the biggest snow falls in...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:36pm

Forex

Russian rouble firms ahead of expected rate hike

MOSCOW: The Russian rouble firmed slightly ahead of the central bank’s final monetary policy meeting of the year on...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:33pm

Commodities

South Korea’s MFG tenders for up to 140,000 metric tons of corn

HAMBURG: South Korea’s Major Feedmill Group (MFG) has issued an international tender to purchase up to 140,000...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:31pm

Commodities

Global coal use at all-time high in 2023: IEA

PARIS: Global coal use is expected to reach a record high in 2023 as demand in emerging and developing economies...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:18pm

South Asia

India will buy Venezuelan oil, says minister

NEW DELHI: India will buy Venezuelan oil as some refiners in the country have the capability to process heavy crude...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:15pm

Middle East

Yemen rebels fire missile at cargo ship in Red Sea

SANAA: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility Thursday for an attack on a cargo ship travelling in...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:07pm

Europe

COP28 fails to regulate the Wild West of carbon credits

PARIS: Two weeks of relentless negotiating at COP28 failed to produce an agreement on carbon credit sales, relieving...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 12:01pm

Asia

Beijing metro collision injures 102 people

BEIJING: An evening rush-hour accident on the Beijing metro left 102 people with fractures after a rear-end...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:56am

Sports

New Zealand turn to fresh talent for Bangladesh series

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will blood fresh talent in their home one-day series against Bangladesh starting on Sunday,...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:53am

Europe

Turkiye strongly condemns Israeli raid on Jenin, calls for accountability

ANKARA: Turkiye strongly condemns “provocations” by Israeli forces during raids on a refugee camp in the occupied...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:45am

South Asia

India’s Adani Ports to sell Ennore terminal stake to MSC unit for $30mn

BENGALURU: India’s Adani Ports on Friday said it will sell a 49% stake in its Ennore Container Terminal located in...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:41am

Forex

Australia, NZ dollars hold near 4-1/2 month highs, bonds keep gains

SYDNEY: The Australian and New Zealand dollars stood near their 4-1/2 month highs on Friday, drawing partial support...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:38am

Mutual Funds

India bond yields steady; weekly debt sale to give further cues

MUMBAI: Indian government bond yields were largely steady on Friday, after ending near a one-month low in the...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:34am

Mutual Funds

Japan’s 10-year yield rise on caution ahead of BOJ decision

TOKYO: Japan’s 10-year government bond yield rose on Friday, as investors remained cautious about the outcome of the...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:32am

Stocks

China stocks rebound on support measures, industrial growth

SHANGHAI: China stocks rebounded on Friday after data showed factory and retail sectors sped up in November, and as...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:29am

Forex

Indian rupee barely changed even as dollar extends decline; forward premiums drop

MUMBAI: The Indian rupee was little changed on Friday as local dollar demand kept up the pressure despite the dollar...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:13am

Travel

From shopping to music: 10 events happening in Dubai this winter

From concerts by Ed Sheeran and Rahat Fateh Ali to Christmas markets and Marvel Universe Live, here's a curated list of the top upcoming events in Dubai

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:10am

Sports

Sri Lanka appoint Jayasuriya as full-time consultant

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed former captain and batting great Sanath Jayasuriya as ‘cricket consultant’ on...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:09am

Business & Finance

Barclays sees ECB delivering first rate cut in April

The European Central Bank (ECB) will deliver its initial 25 basis points interest rate cut in April next year,...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:05am

Commodities

Palm extends gains on output concerns, falling stocks

MUMBAI: Malaysian palm oil futures extended gains on Friday, with market participants worried about a likely decline...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 11:03am

Business & Finance

Philippine central bank sees narrower 2024 current account deficit

MANILA: The Philippines’ current account deficit is expected to narrow to $9.5 billion, or 2.0% of gross domestic...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:53am

Asia

Japan expands sanctions over Russia’s Ukraine invasion

TOKYO: Japan announced expanded sanctions on Friday over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, revealing dozens of newly...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:48am

Petrol, HSD prices may decline significantly

ISLAMABAD: In case the interim government disallows exchange rate adjustment to Pakistan State Oil (PSO), there are...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:41am

Commodities

China’s Nov crude steel output falls for fifth month as demand slows

BEIJING: China’s crude steel output in November fell 3.8% from the prior month, extending a decline for the fifth...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:40am

Commodities

Soybeans set for first weekly gain in 1-1/2 months on strong demand

SINGAPORE: Chicago soybeans rose on Friday, with the market poised for its first weekly gain in 1-1/2 months,...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:31am

Commodities

China November coal output hit record daily level

BEIJING: China’s November coal output jumped 6.5% from the previous month to the highest level since March, official...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:28am

Technology

Meta, TikTok report jump in Malaysia govt requests to remove content in 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: Facebook-owner Meta and China’s TikTok restricted a record number of social media posts and accounts...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:26am

Sports

Djokovic, Sabalenka named ITF’s 2023 ‘world champions’

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) named Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka as its ‘world champions’ of 2023...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:23am

Energy

China’s November oil refinery runs fall on prior month

BEIJING: China’s oil refinery throughput in November fell versus the previous month as independent refiners cut run...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:19am

Commodities

China Nov aluminium output climbs with new capacity

BEIJING: China’s primary aluminium output in November climbed 4.8% from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, with...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:17am

Stocks

Asian shares hit four-month peak as Fed pivot rally rolls on

SYDNEY: Asian shares hit a four-month peak on Friday as sharp declines in the dollar and US yields extended the...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:15am

Sports

Kane, Guirassy face off as Bayern host surprise package Stuttgart

BERLIN: Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich face a tough task to bounce back from last weekend’s humbling at...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:11am

Sports

Top Australian swimmers to skip Doha world championships

PERTH: Australia’s top swimmers have opted out of the world championships in Doha, with the squad announced Friday...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:06am

Govt-KE draft agreements need revision: Nepra

ECC directs Power Division to revise them after due consultation with all stakeholders

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:04am

Pakistan

Bureaucrats’ appointment as DROs, ROs: LHC suspends ECP notification

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday suspended a notification of the Election Commission of Pakistan...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:03am

Europe

EU will return to Ukraine aid talks ‘early next year’: Michel

BRUSSELS: EU chief Charles Michel confirmed Friday that European leaders had failed to agree to a budget plan...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:03am

Branded mobile phones: Customs’ values on import of 1,160 models revised

ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi has rationalized customs values on the import of...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:01am

APTMA seeks 1-1.4 cents/kWh wheeling charges, B2B deals

ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has approached caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 10:00am

Asia

Xi says Chinese modernisation will benefit US firms: state media

BEIJING: China’s leader Xi Jinping said Chinese modernisation will benefit US firms, state media reported Friday, in...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 10:00am

Sports

‘Crazy for cricket’: Young Afghans inspired by national team’s success

KABUL: In a central Kabul street, the sound of kids playing was once mostly the scuff of a football against...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:58am

Technology

Tencent launches party game ‘DreamStar’, analysts say poses a threat to NetEase

HONG KONG: Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings on Friday launched “DreamStar”, a new party game that has been widely...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:46am

Bullion Rate

Gold poised for weekly gain on Fed rate-cut bets

Gold prices were set on Friday for a weekly gain, as prospects of the US Federal Reserve lowering borrowing costs...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:44am

Stocks

India’s Nifty set to hit new high as Fed-driven global rally extends

BENGALURU: India’s benchmark Nifty 50 is set to open at a new all-time high on Friday, tracking the global stocks...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:42am

Stocks

Australia shares hit over 4-mth high on boost from commodities, banks stocks

Australian shares climbed a more than four-month high on Friday, buoyed by better-than-expected jobs data and...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:40am

Stocks

Hong Kong stocks soar more than 3% in morning trade

HONG KONG: Hong Kong stocks soared more than three percent in the morning session Friday, extending a rally fuelled...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:37am

Stocks

Japan’s Nikkei gains on pause in yen strength; chip stocks surge

TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average rallied on Friday, buoyed by a pause in the yen’s climb that had weighed on...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:34am

Forex

Dollar feels the heat as Fed’s dovish pivot weighs

SINGAPORE: The dollar languished near four-month lows on Friday, weighed by growing prospects of US interest rate...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:31am

BR Research

COP28 and fossil fuels

UN Climate Summit, COP28 is over with some significant decisions along with some loopholes. The conference started...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:27am

BR Research

Burshane LPG (Pakistan) Limited

Burshane LPG (Pakistan) Limited (PSX: BPL) was incorporated in Pakistan as a limited liability company. The company...

Published 15 Dec, 2023 09:25am

Adjustment, refund of tax on rental value of property: SHC asks petitioners not to move pleas in next 4 weeks

ISLAMABAD: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the petitioners not to move applications in the next four weeks...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 09:24am

OPEC+ cartel’s grip on oil market loosening: IEA

PARIS: Slowing demand growth and rising US crude production will make it more difficult for OPEC+ to continue to...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 09:22am

Jhal Magsi South Field: ECC approves special incentives

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved special incentives for Jhal Magsi...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 08:50am

PM demands India revoke Aug 5 2019 actions

MUZAFFARABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s moral, political and...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 08:49am

Federal expenditure: Shamshad’s meeting with CMs likely today

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar meeting with the provincial chief ministers on implementation of...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 08:49am

Crucial PC (amendment) Ordinance promulgated

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi promulgated, “The Privatization Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023” which...

Updated 15 Dec, 2023 08:48am

BR’s refresher: your morning briefing for the day

Important updates from December 14, 2023

Published 15 Dec, 2023 08:38am