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PSX records modest gains during weekly trading

PSX records

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed modest gains during the trading week. The KSE-100 Index rose by 167 points, closing at 162,102 points compared to 161,935 points at the start of the week.

During the week, the market recovered a key psychological level, with three days of decline and two days of upward movement. The highest level of the week for the index was 162,936 points, while the lowest stood at 160,583 points.

The market capitalization increased by Rs 7.9 billion, reaching Rs 1,851.2 billion by the end of the week. Around 42.7% of listed shares recorded gains, with 1,021 companies seeing price increases and 1,161 companies recording declines.

Experts noted that limited buying pressure for profit-taking in certain stocks contributed to the modest uptick in the market.

Ex-Bangladesh PM Hasina’s sentence ‘Internal matter’, says Pakistan FO

Ex-Bangladesh

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has described the recent death sentence of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as an internal matter, emphasizing that Bangladeshis are capable of addressing their own issues.

Speaking at a media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said Pakistan does not consider it appropriate to interfere in the matter.

He emphasized that the people of Bangladesh are capable of resolving issues through democratic and constitutional processes, and Pakistan remains committed to maintaining and fostering better bilateral relations between the two countries.

It should be remembered that during the regime of Sheikh Hasina Wajid, last year there was an attempt to crush the nationwide protest of students with force, as a result of which around 1400 people were killed while thousands were injured.

In the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh, the case against Sheikh Hasina Wajid and her fellow former ministers was conducted and the court declared them guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced former Prime Minister Hasina Wajid and her six associates to death.

It should be noted that the 78-year-old former prime minister Hasina Wajid had left her government and homeland and fled to her friend country India in a plane before the growing protest of students and entering the government houses in Dhaka in August last year and has been living a hidden life there for more than a year.

Weekly inflation rises 0.07%, annual rate at 3.53% in Pakistan

Weekly inflation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s weekly inflation increased by 0.07%, bringing the overall annual inflation rate to 3.53%, the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) reported in its latest weekly update.

According to the report, prices of 16 essential items rose during the week, while 13 items became cheaper and 22 items remained stable.

The report highlighted significant price changes: tomatoes surged 57.03%, garlic increased 2.61%, and sugar rose 2.23%. Additionally, bananas went up 0.72%, tea 0.59%, while diesel, beef, cooking oil, LPG, and firewood also saw price hikes.

Conversely, prices of onions dropped 12.38%, chicken 8.07%, and potatoes, flour, eggs, moong lentils, and chickpeas also became cheaper during the week.

ICC T20 World Cup groups and Pakistan-India match details revealed

ICC T20

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played from February 7 to March 8, with the official schedule set to be announced on November 25.

According to media reports, 20 teams will be divided into four groups of five teams each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8 stage. Pakistan and India have been drawn in the same group, with their clash scheduled on February 15 in Colombo.

It is expected that Netherlands, Namibia, and USA will also be in the Pakistan-India group, while the host nation Sri Lanka will have Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman in its group.

Meanwhile, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Italy are likely to form one group, while South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada will be in another.

Match venues in India include Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, while Sri Lanka will host matches in Colombo and Kandy. Pakistan will play its group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.

Ahmedabad has been selected as the final venue, but if Pakistan reaches the final, it will be played in Colombo. Semi-finals are scheduled for Mumbai and Kolkata, with venue selection dependent on the semi-finalist teams; Pakistan’s semi-final, if qualified, will be held in Sri Lanka.

Lahore tops global pollution charts as second most polluted city

Lahore tops

LAHORE: Air pollution levels in Lahore remain dangerously high, ranking the city second in global pollution charts.

According to an international website, Lahore recorded an AQI of 368, placing it second among the world’s most polluted cities, while Karachi stood at 209, ranking sixth.

The Punjab Environmental Department’s website reported that this morning Kasur was the most polluted city in the province, with an AQI of 500. Meanwhile, Khanewal recorded an AQI of 365, and Lahore 353.

Additionally, severe smog has forced the closure of the M1 Motorway from Peshawar to Rashkai, affecting traffic.

Over 200 students kidnapped from Nigerian school

Nigerian school

Over 200 students were kidnapped from a Catholic school in northwest Nigeria, according to foreign media reports, marking one of the largest school abductions in the country.

According to international news agencies, the mass kidnapping occurred at a Catholic school in the country’s northwest, where armed men took away 227 students at gunpoint.

The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed the abduction of a large number of students from the Catholic institution.

Reports noted that Friday’s kidnapping is the biggest such incident since 2024, when nearly 200 students were abducted in Kaduna state.

The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria said he visited the school following the incident. He added that while some students managed to escape, a significant number were taken away by the armed attackers.

According to him, their records show that 215 students and 12 teachers have been abducted.

Local authorities and police have also verified the mass abduction from St. Mary’s School.

Federal Government sets December 4 for key NFC meeting

Federal Government

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has scheduled the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting for December 4, bringing together federal and provincial representatives to review the country’s financial framework.

The session will be chaired by Federal Finance Minister Senator Aurangzeb and attended by the finance ministers of all four provinces along with private members.

According to the agenda, the federal secretary will brief participants on the financial position of the federal government, while provincial representatives will give 10-minute briefings on their respective fiscal situations.

The Finance Ministry stated that the December 4 meeting will finalize the schedule and timelines for subsequent sessions aimed at determining the National Finance Commission Award.

Trump faces criticism over viral video of misconduct toward journalist

Trump faces

US President Donald Trump has come under renewed criticism following the viral circulation of a video showing inappropriate behavior toward Bloomberg journalist Katherine Lucy.

According to international news agencies, the incident occurred on Air Force One, when Lucy asked Trump a question regarding recently released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The video shows Trump raising his finger to silence the journalist before she could finish her question, using derogatory language in the process. Lucy did not respond publicly to Trump’s conduct.

The clip quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation from journalism figures and online users.

Bloomberg expressed support for Lucy, stating, “Our reporters perform an important public service and will continue to ask questions without fear.”

When White House officials were asked about Trump’s behavior, they claimed that the reporter “behaved inappropriately and unprofessionally with colleagues on the plane,” though no evidence was provided to substantiate the claim.

UAE recognized as biggest humanitarian donor worldwide

UAE recognized

The United Nations (UN) has recognized the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the world’s largest aid donor, highlighting the country’s active role in providing humanitarian assistance globally.

According to international reports, the UAE’s annual aid reached $1.5 billion, with Palestine receiving the highest support in 2025. Nearly 44% of global aid to Palestinians in Gaza came from the UAE.

The country also provided $600 million in aid and 90,000 tons of humanitarian supplies during the Sudan crisis and offered immediate relief to earthquake victims in Afghanistan, demonstrating a rapid response to global emergencies.

In parallel, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced the launch of the “National System for Volunteering and Social Participation”, aimed at enhancing the impact of volunteer work, supporting non-profit organizations, and strengthening their role in sustainable development.

Sheikh Mohammed stated that the initiative, launched from Qasr Al Watan, will increase the number of volunteers to 600,000, introduce a unified digital platform, and expand the reach of non-profit organizations.

The plan also includes a 30% increase in the number of supported organizations and the creation of a 100 million-dirham fund to aid various social projects and institutions.

Brazilian Star Vinícius Júnior becomes most popular athlete online

Brazilian Star Vinícius

Brazilian football sensation Vinícius Júnior has emerged as the most popular athlete online, surpassing Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to international media reports.

Vinícius gained 1.5 million Instagram followers in a single month, with over 314,000 media reports published about him during the same period. His hashtags on Instagram reached a total of 1.4 million mentions.

Cristiano Ronaldo ranked second in online popularity, while he remains the richest athlete in the world according to Forbes.

In global football rankings, Vinícius Júnior is currently 46th, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo holds the top spot.

The report also highlighted that footballers dominate the list of the world’s most popular athletes, with five footballers featured in the top 10, including Kylian Mbappé of France, who ranks third.