Category: News

  • Jason Gillespie Steps Down as Pakistan Test Coach; Aqib Javed Takes Over

    Jason Gillespie Steps Down as Pakistan Test Coach; Aqib Javed Takes Over

    Content:Islamabad: In an important change for Pakistan cricket, former Australian player Jason Gillespie has stepped down as the head coach of the Test team. He took this role in April but decided to leave on Thursday. Now, Aqib Javed, who is already the coach for the white-ball format, will be in charge of the Test team for their upcoming matches against South Africa.

    During Gillespie’s final time as coach, he led the team to a great comeback against England, winning their three-match Test series after losing the first game. Right now, Pakistan is in seventh place in the ICC World Test Championship points table and doesn’t have a chance to reach the final next year. South Africa is currently at the top of the table after beating Sri Lanka 2-0.

    As they finish the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, Pakistan will play against the West Indies at home in January. Before that, Pakistan is playing a T20I series against South Africa, followed by three One Day Internationals (ODIs). The two-Test series against South Africa starts on December 26 at Centurion.

    South Africa T20I Squad: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Dayyaan Galiem, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, David Miller, Kwena Maphaka, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen.

    Pakistan T20I Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.

  • Bomb Threats at Four Delhi Schools: Safety Measures in Place

    Bomb Threats at Four Delhi Schools: Safety Measures in Place

    Bomb threats were sent via email to four schools in Delhi early Friday morning, prompting a thorough search by multiple agencies. This incident comes after a similar scare on December 9, when at least 44 schools were targeted with threats that were later found to be fake.

    Schools mentioned include Bhatnagar International School in Paschim Vihar, which received its alert at 4:21 AM, Cambridge School in Shri Niwas Puri at 6:23 AM, and DPS Amar Colony in East of Kailash at 6:35 AM, along with one other school.

    As a precaution, the fire department, police, bomb detection teams, and dog squads have been deployed to these schools to ensure safety. School officials have advised parents not to send their children to classes today. A police spokesperson confirmed that the checks are still in progress at the affected schools.

  • Trump Team Eyes Major Changes to Bank Regulation Agencies

    Trump Team Eyes Major Changes to Bank Regulation Agencies

    The Trump transition team is looking at ways to change Washington’s top bank regulators. They are exploring options to cut down, combine, or even get rid of some important agencies. According to The Wall Street Journal, people close to Trump have asked about the chances of ending the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC), which protects people’s bank deposits. They also talked to candidates for leading jobs at the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The advisers want to know if the deposit insurance could be moved to the Treasury Department instead.

  • Gold Prices Steady as Investors Await Fed Rate Decision

    Gold Prices Steady as Investors Await Fed Rate Decision

    Gold prices stayed steady on Friday, with investors cautious about making big moves. All eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week.

    – Current Prices: Spot gold stayed at $2,681.55 per ounce. It’s on track for a weekly gain of nearly 2%. U.S. gold futures dipped slightly to $2,705.40.
    – Recent Movement: Earlier this week, gold prices hit a five-week high, but they dropped over 1% on Thursday as traders took profits.
    – Focus on the Fed: Traders are eagerly awaiting the Fed’s choice on interest rates. There’s a strong (98.4%) chance they will reduce rates by 0.25%.
    – Economic Factors: Recent data showed U.S. producer prices and consumer prices rose more than expected, reinforcing the idea that rates will be cut at the Fed’s meeting on December 17-18. Gold tends to do well when interest rates are low.
    – Global Updates: The European Central Bank reduced rates for the fourth time this year, and the Swiss National Bank also cut rates by 0.50%, its biggest cut in almost a decade.
    – Gold Demand Update: SPDR Gold Trust, the largest gold-backed fund, reported a decrease in gold holdings from 873.38 tons to 868.50 tons.
    – Other Metals: Silver was steady at $30.94 per ounce, while platinum fell to $927.50, and palladium dropped to $965.22.

  • HDFC Bank Warned by SEBI Over Compliance Issues – Key Takeaways

    HDFC Bank Warned by SEBI Over Compliance Issues – Key Takeaways

    Mumbai: HDFC Bank, India’s biggest private bank, has received a warning from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). This warning is about some rules the bank didn’t follow in the capital markets area. HDFC Bank mentioned that SEBI pointed out issues related to merchant banking rules, capital and disclosure requirements, and insider trading regulations. The warning letter, which the bank received on December 11, was dated December 9. After hearing this news, the bank’s stock dropped by 0.3%. The bank, which is very close to its all-time highest stock price, said it did not share too many details about the problems but promised to fix the issues mentioned in the letter.

  • Activist Mazen al-Hamada Buried: A Tragic Tale of Assad’s Oppression

    Activist Mazen al-Hamada Buried: A Tragic Tale of Assad’s Oppression

    On Thursday, many Syrians gathered to bury Mazen al-Hamada, an activist whose body was found along with 35 others in a hospital morgue near Damascus. This discovery came after the longtime president, Bashar al-Assad, was ousted. Mazen had been imprisoned twice under Assad’s rules. The first time was in 2011 during protests in Syria. He escaped to the Netherlands in 2014 and sought safety there.

    Mazen returned to Syria unexpectedly in 2020 but was arrested at the airport and never seen again. Recently, over 30 bodies were found in the morgue of a hospital in Harasta, with many showing signs of torture. Mazen’s family recognized him from photos, and on Thursday, hundreds of people showed up outside Al-Mujtahid hospital in Damascus to pay their respects.

    As they mourned, they held up the three-star flag that many supporters of the opposition in Syria have used throughout the civil war. Mazen’s mother was especially heartbroken, and his sister, Amal, shared that a doctor had told her he was likely executed about 10 days ago.

    While in the Netherlands, Mazen talked about the awful treatment he faced in Syrian prisons. He said, “They destroyed my good memories. They took away my childhood and youth.” Diab Serriya, who works with families of detained people, mentioned that Harasta was a place where bodies from prisons were collected before being buried in mass graves.

    Since the start of the civil war in 2011, around 60,000 people have died in prison from torture or terrible conditions, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Recently, rebels captured key cities, including the capital, during a fast offensive.

  • Baba Vanga’s Shocking Predictions for 2025: Europe, Syria, and Aliens!

    Baba Vanga’s Shocking Predictions for 2025: Europe, Syria, and Aliens!

    Baba Vanga was a famous mystic healer and astrologer from Bulgaria who died in 1996. Even though she is no longer here, many believe that her predictions still come true. She is known for predicting significant events, like the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. People even call her the “Nostradamus of the Balkans” because of her insights.

    Looking ahead to 2025, Baba Vanga made some bold predictions. She warns of the possible “destruction of Europe” and suggests that a serious conflict might occur after a potential collapse in Syria. Recent events in Syria, where insurgent groups are taking control of important areas, seem to support her predictions.

    Another intriguing prediction is that humans might finally meet aliens. This means we could discover life beyond Earth for the first time. However, it’s essential to interpret her predictions carefully and consider them as possibilities, not certainties.

  • Europe Explores Troop Deployment to Ukraine as Trump Takes Office

    Europe Explores Troop Deployment to Ukraine as Trump Takes Office

    On Thursday, leaders from France and Poland will meet to discuss Ukraine. They are considering sending European troops to Ukraine as a safety measure if there’s a peace deal with Russia. This move comes as European leaders want to show future President Donald Trump that they are ready to help with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly three years.

    Trump has said he wants an immediate ceasefire and peace talks. He has also criticized European countries for not spending enough on defense. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a strong supporter of Ukraine, will talk with French President Emmanuel Macron in Warsaw. They will focus on how Ukraine can defend itself and prepare for negotiations.

    One idea on the table is the deployment of European troops if there is a ceasefire. This would act as a safety agreement since Ukraine might not join NATO soon. France and Britain have already talked about sending European soldiers to Ukraine, and other countries are also considering similar plans.

    However, not all European countries agree on this idea. There is a plan to form a group of 5 to 8 countries that would work together with Ukraine without waiting for NATO. There are no clear proposals yet, and Poland may not send troops. Although Macron suggested troop deployment in February, some countries, especially Germany, did not support it.

    There have been plans to send non-combat troops for training and other support, but these have not happened. An official said that Europe must get involved in ensuring security in Ukraine, especially after the war ends, as they will still face threats from Russia.

    Finance and foreign ministers from France, Germany, and Poland will also meet on Thursday to discuss how to provide better financial and military support for Ukraine and explore ways for Europe to fund defense efforts together. A Polish source mentioned that since Trump’s election, other countries have started to agree that they need to work together on defense financing.

  • William and Kate Embrace Royal Duties Amid Health Concerns

    William and Kate Embrace Royal Duties Amid Health Concerns

    Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting ready to be the King and Queen, as royal expert Sally Bedell Smith explains. Their preparation has become more important because King Charles is facing health problems.

    On December 6, Kate hosted her fourth annual Together at Christmas event at Westminster Abbey. This was a big moment for her as it was her first public appearance after finishing chemotherapy in September. Prince William and their three kids—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—joined her for this special occasion.

    During Kate’s treatment, Prince William cut back on official events to support his family. King Charles also reduced his activities because he had cancer. This situation led William to take on more duties, like representing the royal family at the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening in Paris. Fortunately, King Charles has announced that he is now cancer-free.

    Both William and Kate are slowly returning to their royal roles. According to Smith, they are focusing on preparing for William to become King. Although King Charles continues to work hard, he has had to accept that he can’t do everything while recovering from his illness. As a result, William has been stepping up more than before, and he and Kate are preparing for their future sooner than they expected.

    After King Charles’ coronation in May 2023, royal staff began making plans for future leadership. These plans were quickly sped up this year because of worry about the King’s health. A palace source mentioned this is to ensure the royal family is ready for changes in the future. They also stressed the importance of family time during this period. Smith highlighted that there’s a feeling of calm before the big changes, saying, “They are next in line for the biggest job of their lives. Kate’s health is important, but it has given everyone a chance to think about what matters most right now.”

  • Taliban Minister Khalil Haqqani Killed in Suicide Bombing in Kabul

    Taliban Minister Khalil Haqqani Killed in Suicide Bombing in Kabul

    Kabul, Afghanistan – Tight security surrounded the funeral of Khalil Haqqani, a Taliban minister killed in a suicide bombing on Wednesday. The blast, linked to an Islamic State (IS) group attack, was a significant event since the Taliban took control of the country three years ago.

    Haqqani lost his life at the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, and many others were affected as well. Officials haven’t provided the latest number of dead or injured.

    Khalil Haqqani is the uncle of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting interior minister, both of whom have bounties on their heads placed by the U.S.

    According to a statement from the IS group, the bomber waited for Haqqani to exit his office before detonating the explosive. His funeral was held at 2 PM on Thursday in Garda Serai, a district in Paktia province known to be the Haqqani family’s home.

    Hamdullah Fitrat, a government spokesman, said that many top officials would attend and that strict security measures were in place. A video from the funeral site showed a large but mostly empty area secured by guards and armed vehicles, with a fire truck on standby.

    The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan condemned the bombing, stating, “There can be no place for terrorism in the quest for stability.” The IS group, a major rival to the ruling Taliban, has a history of targeting Afghanistan with bombings, though suicide attacks have been less frequent since the Taliban regained control in August 2021.