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Newsdesk

NFC to hold talks on resource allocation today

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NFC

ISLAMABAD: The 11th meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC), tasked with distributing resources between the federal government and provinces, has commenced.

The session is being chaired by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, with the IMF also on board for discussions regarding the new NFC award.

According to sources from the Ministry of Finance, all four provincial finance ministers, technocrats, and commission members are participating. The provincial representatives include Nasser Mahmood Khosa from Punjab, Asad Saeed from Sindh, Mahfooz Khan from Balochistan, and Musharraf Rasool from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All NFC members have been invited to the meeting, while the Federal Secretary of Finance is serving as the official expert for the commission.

The agenda includes reviewing recommendations for the new award, considering the formation of sub-groups, and setting the roadmap for future meetings. Finance Minister Aurangzeb stated, “We will approach the meeting with a ‘Pakistan First’ mindset, listen to the provinces, and present the federal financial position transparently.”

The current seventh NFC award has been in effect since July 2010. The Constitution mandates a review every five years, but the scheduled 2015 meeting did not take place until now.

A day prior, a key consultative meeting was held under the chairmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, to prepare for the NFC session.

During the briefing, the CM was informed about the province’s financial and constitutional rights in NFC discussions. He emphasized that despite the administrative merger of former FATA, financial integration has not yet occurred.

Under the NFC, the merged districts are entitled to PKR 1,375 billion, which has not been provided. At the time of merger, an annual allocation of PKR 100 billion was promised, which now totals PKR 700 billion. Of this, only PKR 168 billion has been disbursed by the federal government, leaving a balance of PKR 531.9 billion.

CM Sohail Afridi stressed that withholding the merged districts’ share violates the Constitution, and the province’s financial and constitutional rights will be fully protected.

Bangkok Diaries: Dananeer Mobeen shares gorgeous pictures online

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Bangkok Diaries

LAHORE:  Popular social media star and actress Dananeer Mobeen has once again captured the attention of her fans by sharing stunning photos from her recent trip to Bangkok.

On Instagram, Dananeer posted a captivating collection of pictures taken at scenic locations, showcasing her confident demeanor, serene smile, and natural look.

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A post shared by Dananeer | 🇵🇰🌻 (@dananeerr)

Fans were particularly impressed by her simple yet elegant makeup, soft wavy hair, and natural glow. The post quickly garnered a flood of admiration and compliments, with some calling her a “beautiful doll” and others expressing excitement, saying it was the perfect start to her birthday month. Many followers praised her style and personality while sending heartfelt wishes.

In another carousel post, Dananeer shared images sporting stylish glasses, writing “This is glass vibes,” which drew comments from fans admiring how charming the eyewear looked on her.

Dananeer Mobeen has gained immense popularity in a short span through her acting, unique style, and viral videos.

Her growing fan base among the youth has made her one of Pakistan’s prominent social media stars, with millions of followers across Instagram and other platforms.

KL Rahul and India’s 20-match toss curse: What Went Wrong?

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KL Rahul

AHMEDABAD: Indian cricket captain KL Rahul has now lost the toss in 20 consecutive international matches, setting an unfortunate record for the team.

In Wednesday’s ODI against South Africa, Rahul again lost the toss to Temba Bavuma, continuing the streak that has made India the subject of jokes and discussions among fans and experts alike.

When Rahul called the toss against Bavuma, spectators hoped luck might favor him this time. However, as in the previous 19 instances, the coin fell against the Indian captain.

This streak dates back to the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad when Rohit Sharma was leading India in ODIs.

Since then, the team has consistently failed to win the toss. In statistical terms, losing 20 tosses in a row has a probability of only 1 in 1,048,576.

South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma correctly called “heads” and opted to field first. Despite the setback, KL Rahul managed a wry smile after the toss, admitting: “Honestly, this is the most pressure I’ve faced because we haven’t won the toss in a long time.”

Inspector Arm of Rawalpindi Police secures World Powerlifting title

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Inspector Arm

RAWALPINDI: Inspector Arm Khanam of the Rawalpindi Police has made history by defeating Indian weightlifter Sapna and claiming an international title.

The World Powerlifting Championship 2025 was held in Sri Lanka, where Inspector Arm Khanam secured first place and won a gold medal.

She won two gold medals in total at the championship, showcasing Pakistan’s strength in international powerlifting competitions.

Upon her return to Rawalpindi Police Lines, Inspector Arm Khanam received a grand welcome and widespread appreciation for her achievements.

CPO Khalid Hamdani lauded her performance, saying, “Inspector Arm Khanam has brought honor to the Punjab Police and Pakistan. She is a shining star of the Punjab Police and a source of pride for the department and the nation.”

The Rawalpindi Police spokesperson added that Inspector Arm Khanam has also been invited to carry the Olympic torch and secured first place in the deadlift competition.

Pakistan allows UN containers to cross via Torkham and Chaman

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Pakistan allows

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has granted permission to United Nations aid agencies to deliver food supplies to Afghanistan.

According to international media reports, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a letter to the Director General of Afghan Transit Trade and the Member Customs Operations at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), stating that the decision was made based on recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNFPA containers have been instructed to receive phased clearance.

The letter specified that food cargo will be prioritized in the first phase, followed by medicines and medical equipment in the second. In the third phase, containers carrying kits for students and teachers will also be cleared.

The move comes after a 50-day suspension of trade routes with Afghanistan, which has led to severe shortages of food supplies and medicines in the neighboring country.

It is noteworthy that all trade crossings with Afghanistan have remained closed since October 12, 2025, due to heightened border tensions.

Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been partially opened on humanitarian grounds for UN aid. The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan has no issues with the Afghan people, but trade and other border crossings remain closed.

Dubai real estate maintains rapid momentum in 2025

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Dubai real estate

DUBAI: The emirate’s real estate market continued its record-breaking momentum in 2025, as property transactions surged further in November, according to monthly data released by the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

During the first 11 months of the year, Dubai’s total real estate transaction value reached AED 624.1 billion (approximately PKR 47.68 trillion), reflecting a strong year-on-year growth of 49.6 percent. Experts attribute the increase to high off-plan demand in key communities and strong investor confidence in the city’s booming construction sector.

In November alone, 769 transactions were recorded, with a combined value of AED 3.51 billion (about PKR 268 billion). The most expensive apartment sold during the month fetched an impressive PKR 15.51 billion.

Putin wants to end Ukraine war, says President Trump

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Putin

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that the meeting between his special representative Steve Otchkov, Jared Kushner, and Russian President Vladimir Putin went well.

Speaking to the media, Trump stated that it was too early to comment on the outcome, as progress now depends on both sides.

He claimed that President Putin is willing to end the war in Ukraine, adding that his administration has helped halt eight conflicts worldwide—five of them through tariff strategies. “I want to save lives, which is why we are working to stop wars across the globe,” Trump said.

Trump further disclosed that his aides are scheduled to meet Ukrainian negotiators today. Commenting on Venezuela, the US.

 President said that the military build-up around the country is not merely a pressure tactic, confirming ongoing operations against drug-carrying vessels and hinting at potential ground action soon.

He added that the US has full information about Venezuela’s infrastructure, including its roads, homes and plants.

‘Stranger Things’ season 5 sets new Netflix record with 59.6m views

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‘Stranger Things’

New York: Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things has shattered global viewership records, with Season 5 drawing an impressive 59.6 million views within just five days of release, marking the biggest opening of the year.

According to international media, Season 5 has now registered the largest opening for any English-language series on the platform, also becoming the third-biggest launch in Netflix history. The top two spots continue to be held by the Korean phenomenon Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3.

In a remarkable achievement, the Season 5 debut outperformed the previous season by 171%, reflecting the franchise’s surging fan excitement. Even before release, the hype was so high that Stranger Things made history by placing all five seasons simultaneously in Netflix’s Top 10 rankings.

Reports indicate that the first four episodes of Season 5 are already streaming, with three more set to drop on Christmas Day, while the grand finale episode is scheduled for New Year’s Eve.

In Netflix’s weekly charts, Kevin Hart’s comedy special Acting My Age claimed the second spot with 9.2 million views, while Jingle Bell Heist topped the film category with 19.3 million views.

CCTV footage shows child falling into open manhole in Karachi

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CCTV footage

KARACHI: Disturbing CCTV footage has emerged showing a child falling into an open manhole near NIPA Chowrangi in Karachi.

The video captures the child leaving a shopping center with his mother and running toward his father when he suddenly falls into the uncovered manhole. Witnesses report that the child’s parents screamed for help, prompting bystanders to rush to the scene and attempt a rescue.

Tragically, the three-year-old’s body was recovered 14 hours later, about one kilometer away in a nearby drain.

This incident highlights a growing public safety concern in Karachi, where 24 citizens, including five children, have died this year after falling into open drains and manholes.

The case has once again sparked calls for stricter oversight of city infrastructure and accountability for municipal authorities to prevent such avoidable tragedies.

Floods and natural disasters kill over 1,250 across Asia

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Floods

Jakarta: Severe floods and other natural disasters across several Asian countries, including Indonesia, have claimed the lives of more than 1,250 people.

Over the past week, floods, storms, and landslides have devastated the region, with Indonesia reporting 753 deaths due to heavy rains and widespread flooding. Approximately 650 people are still missing in the country.

Sri Lanka has also been severely affected, with over 390 fatalities reported from landslides and heavy rains, while many remain missing. Thailand has experienced massive flood surges submerging dozens of villages and claiming 176 lives. In Malaysia, three deaths have been reported, though thousands have been displaced and hundreds are still in emergency shelters.

Millions of people across Asia have been affected, with homes, crops, infrastructure, and essential services suffering extensive damage. Landslides have cut off access to several villages, roads have collapsed, and bridges have been washed away, hampering relief efforts.

Emergency Response and Relief Efforts

Authorities in affected countries have declared emergencies. Military personnel, naval and medical aircraft have been deployed to deliver food, water, medicines, and other assistance to those in need. International organizations, including the United Nations, are coordinating with local authorities and offering aid.

Environmental Concerns and Future Risks

Experts warn that human factors, such as illegal logging and deforestation, have weakened natural barriers, exacerbating the impact of disasters. Climate change and warming oceans have intensified monsoons and storms, increasing the likelihood of future flooding. Specialists urge affected nations to prioritize better disaster management, forest protection, and climate adaptation strategies to mitigate future losses of life and property.