FRONT PAGE
1. Imran's prospects dim as conviction remains in field
Imran Khan faces a challenging political landscape as his conviction stands, which may affect his eligibility to participate in political activities.
2. Alarm over 'snatching' of PTI nomination papers
There are concerns over the alleged snatching of nomination papers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates, which has raised questions about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.
3. No functional hospitals left in northern Gaza: WHO
The World Health Organization reports that there are no operational hospitals remaining in northern Gaza, emphasizing the dire state of healthcare in the region due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure damage.
4. Baloch protesters rounded up in brutal overnight action
A crackdown on Baloch protesters has led to numerous detentions, with claims of excessive force being used. This has intensified the scrutiny on the government's handling of civil dissent.
5. Backed by 'inaction' trial, TTP free to attack Pakistan, UN told
The UN has been informed of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) increased capacity to launch attacks within Pakistan, attributed to what is perceived as a lack of decisive action against the group.
6. UK backtracks on immigration policy change following criticism
The United Kingdom has reversed a recent change to its immigration policy after facing widespread criticism, signaling a responsiveness to public and political pressure.
NATIONAL NEWS
7. House of Dawn correspondent raided for reports on PTI leaders
The residence of a correspondent for Dawn has been searched by authorities, reportedly in connection with the correspondent's coverage of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders.
8. Several ACs and ADCs posted in Punjab after CEC nod
In a significant administrative reshuffle, numerous Assistant Commissioners (ACs) and Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs) have been posted across Punjab following approval from the Chief Election Commissioner.
9. Over 950 high scorers fail to qualify entrance test for medical colleges
Despite high academic achievements, more than 950 students have failed to pass the entrance examination for medical colleges, raising concerns about the testing standards and preparation of candidates.
10. Dilemma for PML-N on award of tickets after seat adjustment with IPP
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz faces a challenging situation regarding the distribution of electoral tickets following seat adjustments with the Independent Political Party (IPP).
11. Plan to discourage pesticides spray
The Agriculture Department is implementing a plan to reduce the use of pesticide sprays, aiming to promote safer and more sustainable farming practices.
12. PTI ticket aspirants from Punjab get transit bail from PHC
Candidates from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf seeking tickets for elections in Punjab have been granted transit bail by the Peshawar High Court.
13. Over 160 wardens deployed to facilitate tourists in Murree
To manage the influx of tourists in Murree, over 160 traffic wardens have been deployed to ensure smooth transportation and safety.
14. Election Commission rejects ANP’s plea seeking time for intra-party polls
The Election Commission has denied a request from the Awami National Party (ANP) for additional time to conduct intra-party elections, which could have implications for the party's organizational activities.
15. Police unleash teargas, water cannon on Baloch protesters
Law enforcement has used tear gas and water cannons against Baloch protesters during a demonstration, escalating tensions between the protesters and the government.
16. Govt urged to withdraw gas tariff hike
Stakeholders and the general public are calling on the government to reconsider and withdraw a recent increase in gas tariffs, citing economic hardship.
17. APNS 'condemns' police raid on house of chief editor Asaf
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has condemned the police raid on the residence of Chief Editor Asaf, viewing it as an attack on press freedom.
18. Backed by 'inaction' trial, TTP free to attack Pakistan, UN told
The United Nations has been informed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is exploiting perceived inaction by Pakistani authorities to carry out attacks within the country.
19. No functional hospitals left in northern Gaza: WHO
The World Health Organization has reported the dire situation in northern Gaza, where no functional hospitals remain due to the devastating impact of ongoing conflicts.
20. Baloch protesters rounded up in brutal overnight action
A significant number of Baloch protesters have been detained in a severe crackdown by authorities, with reports of harsh methods being used during the round-up.
21. UK backtracks on immigration policy change following criticism
The UK government has retracted a controversial immigration policy change after facing significant backlash and criticism from various stakeholders.
22. Govt urged to withdraw gas tariff hike
There is a growing demand from the public and concerned parties for the government to revoke the recent increase in gas tariffs, which is seen as adding to the burden on consumers.
DAWN 1-LINER NEWS DATED 21-DEC-2023
INTL NEWS
23. Gunman mows down 15 at varsity in Prague
A gunman opened fire at a university in Prague, resulting in 15 casualties. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack.
24. Kim warns of 'nuclear attack' if 'provoked'
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a warning that his country is ready to deploy nuclear weapons in response to any provocation.
25. 'Dying every two hours': Afghan women risk life to give birth
Afghan women are facing life-threatening risks in childbirth every two hours due to the lack of healthcare facilities and professional medical care in the country.
26. X back up after global outage
A global service commonly referred to as "X" has been restored after experiencing a significant outage, impacting users worldwide.
27. Meta criticized for silencing pro-Palestinian content
Meta Platforms has faced criticism for allegedly suppressing content supporting Palestinian narratives on its social media platforms.
28. UNSC tweaking draft to avoid veto
The United Nations Security Council is adjusting a draft resolution to prevent it from being vetoed by any of the permanent members.
29. Israelis 'summarily killed' Palestinians, says UN HR office
The United Nations Human Rights Office has reported that Israeli forces have summarily executed Palestinians in recent confrontations.
30. WaPo refutes Israel’s claims about attack on Gaza hospital
The Washington Post has disputed Israel's account of an attack on a hospital in Gaza, providing evidence that contradicts the official narrative.
31. Water from Egypt tastes 'like sugar' to parched Gazans
Gazans have expressed relief as water from Egypt, described as tasting "like sugar," arrives to alleviate their severe water crisis.
32. Gaza crisis 'most dangerous ever' for journalists, says CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists has declared the current situation in Gaza as one of the most perilous ever for media workers.
33. Meta criticized for silencing pro-Palestinian content
Meta has been reprimanded for allegedly censoring content that supports Palestinian viewpoints, raising concerns about bias in content moderation.
34. UNSC tweaking draft to avoid veto
The United Nations Security Council is working on modifying a draft resolution in an effort to circumvent the likelihood of a veto by key member states.
35. Israelis 'summarily killed' Palestinians, says UN HR office
The UN Human Rights Office has made allegations that Israeli forces have carried out summary killings of Palestinians, amidst the ongoing conflict.
36. No functional hospitals left in northern Gaza: WHO
According to the World Health Organization, northern Gaza is now without any operational hospitals, significantly hindering healthcare services in the region.
SPORTS NEWS
37. Schick hits hat-trick as Leverkusen beat Bochum, Kane scores in Bayern win
Patrik Schick scored a hat-trick leading Bayer Leverkusen to a victory over Bochum, while Harry Kane contributed to Bayern Munich's win with a goal.
38. Liverpool thrash West Ham to reach League Cup semi-final
Liverpool secured a spot in the League Cup semi-finals after a dominant win against West Ham.
39. Mbappe double helps PSG end year on top of Ligue 1
Kylian Mbappe's two goals ensured Paris Saint-Germain finished the year in first place in France's Ligue 1.
40. Barcelona salvage win against bottom side Almeria
Barcelona managed to claim a win against Almeria, who are struggling at the bottom of the league standings.
41. Inter knocked out of Coppa Italia by Bologna
Inter Milan faced an unexpected exit from the Coppa Italia after being defeated by Bologna.
42. Ali clinches snooker title
A snooker player named Ali has won a prestigious snooker title, marking a significant achievement in his career.
43. Paris 2024 has contingency plans for opening ceremony
Organizers for the Paris 2024 Olympics have developed contingency plans to ensure the smooth execution of the opening ceremony.
44. FIFA looking to set up meeting with Pakistan government early next year
FIFA plans to meet with the Pakistani government to discuss the future of football in the country.
45. Injured pacer Khurram out of Australia series
Pakistani fast bowler Khurram has been ruled out of the upcoming series against Australia due to injury.
46. Zimbabwe cricket suspends two national players over drug use
Zimbabwe's cricket board has suspended two players from the national team following allegations of drug use.
47. West Indies name seven uncapped players for Australia Tests
The West Indies cricket team has included seven uncapped players in their squad for the Test series against Australia.
48. European Super League back in spotlight after landmark ruling
The European Super League has returned to public discussion following a significant court ruling regarding its establishment.
49. Khawaja reprimanded by ICC for wearing black armband
Cricketer Usman Khawaja has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for wearing a black armband, which is against the regulations.
50. Stokes, Archer still in the mix for T20 World Cup: Moe
England's cricket team management has indicated that players Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are still considered for selection for the T20 World Cup.
BUSINESS NEWS
51. Exim Bank begins journey to foster exports, says Shamshad Akhtar
The newly established Exim Bank of Pakistan, under the leadership of Shamshad Akhtar, has initiated operations with the goal of boosting the country's exports by providing financial products and services.
52. SBP reserves fall below $7bn in FY24
Pakistan's State Bank has reported a decline in foreign exchange reserves, falling below $7 billion in the fiscal year 2024, indicating a challenging economic situation.
53. Expensive gas hits textile exports
The textile industry in Pakistan is facing difficulties as rising gas prices increase production costs, potentially affecting the country's export competitiveness.
54. Health startup raises $2.7m
A health-focused startup in Pakistan has successfully raised $2.7 million in funding to expand its operations and services.
55. Oil fails after Angola quits
Global oil prices experienced a downturn following Angola's decision to withdraw from its commitments, affecting the market dynamics.
56. Record Rs5.5bn collected from Sost dry port
A record-breaking revenue of Rs5.5 billion has been collected from operations at the Sost dry port, indicating a high volume of trade activities.
57. Stocks bounce back on late buying at dips
The Pakistan Stock Exchange saw a rebound as investors engaged in late buying, capitalizing on lower prices to strengthen their portfolios.
58. U-turn on electric car tariffs
The government has made a reversal in policy regarding tariffs on electric cars, which may influence the adoption and importation of electric vehicles in the country.
BACK PAGE
59. PML-N confronts internal rifts over election tickets
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party is experiencing internal disagreements over the allocation of party tickets for the upcoming elections, with notable disputes arising in Punjab.
60. Foreign Office downplays Taliban's invitation to Fazl, denies talks with TTP
Pakistan's Foreign Office has minimized the significance of the Taliban's invitation to Maulana Fazlur Rehman for talks and has denied any ongoing negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
61. Fresh bench sought to hear appeals on military trials
A new panel of judges is being requested to hear appeals concerning military court trials in Pakistan, following concerns about the current bench's composition and the need for a fresh perspective on these cases.