#SAT Morning Recap ✨
South Asia News
🔹The International Monetary Fund's Executive Board is set to approve #Pakistan's first review on January 11, unlocking $700 million under the standby arrangement: Bloomberg
🔹Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum, a #Chinese firm, sees a 300% increase in crude output in Taliban-led #Afghanistan, aiming for 19,000 barrels per day with the drilling of 10 new oil wells
🔹#Nepal detains 12 individuals for illegally recruiting citizens into the Russian army, urging #Russia not to deploy its Gurkhas in the war in Ukraine
🔹Amid the #India-Maldives tug-of-war over Indian soldiers' presence in #Maldives, the #Colombo Security Conclave's sixth meeting took place in Mauritius, with co-founder Maldives notably absent
Global News
🔹#Denmark's parliament has passed a law that makes the burning of the Quran and other religious scriptures illegal
🔹#UnitedStates believes #Iran's Revolutionary Guards is implicated in the planning, execution, and authorization of attacks on #Israel and shipping in the Red Sea: Reuters
🔹#SaudiArabia and #Russia, the top two oil exporters, urge all OPEC+ members to join an output cut deal for the global economy, post a recent contentious meeting
Entertainment
🔹Dhai Chaal," an action and suspense film centered on Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav and Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, premiered at Islamabad Club on Thursday night
#SAT Night Recap ✨
South Asia News
🔹#Pakistan's economy is set to rebound, with a projected 2.1% GDP growth in fiscal year 2024, following a 0.17% contraction in the previous year. The growth is expected to accelerate further to 4.8% in fiscal year 2025, according to Bloomberg
🔹Welcoming UN Sec-Gen’s decision to invoke Article 99 of UN Charter, Pak FO spox emphasized that UNSC must fulfill its responsibility for an immediate ceasefire in #Gaza
🔹FBI Director Chris Wray to visit #India amid the escalating Pannun case in the #US Senate, following an indictment linking an Indian government official to the plot based on FBI and DEA investigations
🔹Rising pollution levels in #Lahore, #Pakistan, are leading to an influx of ill children in hospital wards
🔹#Bhutan and #India are teaming up to protect endangered species in South Asia
Global News
🔹Chinese warships make their first-ever docking at #Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, currently undergoing a Chinese-funded upgrade, triggering U.S. concerns about the expanding overseas military presence of #China
🔹Chinese military official cautions against 'erroneous ideological trends' in the #PLA, citing increased influence from 'hostile forces,' and calls for loyalty to the Communist Party and Xi Jinping, emphasizing a resilient 'dare to fight' spirit
🔹#Indonesia is exploring visa-free entry for citizens of 20 countries, including the #UnitedStates, #China, #Australia, #India, #SouthKorea, #Germany, #Britain, and #France, to boost tourism and the economy
🔹Concerns are growing among people in China regarding the potential return of #COVID testing and controls, leading to increased anxiety about the situation
#SAT Morning Recap ✨
South Asia News
🔹Former Afghan spy chief warns that the Taliban is exploring tactical nuclear weapons; experts skeptical, but urges attention to intel reports to avoid future regrets
🔹Reports of potential merger of BLF and BLA in Baluchistan, Pakistan signals an escalation, posing a dual threat to Chinese interests and Pakistani stability, reflecting the region's unsettled dynamics
🔹Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah defends Nehru against Amit Shah's criticism, stating taking the Kashmir issue to the UN was the only viable option
🔹The IEA is reportedly planning to rebuild and legitimize al-Qaeda, according to emerging reports
Global News
🔹Hamas leader urges Pakistan's support against Israel, stating resistance could halt Israeli aggression. Address made during virtual National Dialogue on Al-Aqsa Mosque
🔹Italy has withdrawn from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), more than four years after becoming the only Group of Seven (G7) nation to sign up
🔹UN Secretary-General Guterres invokes Article 99, alerting the Security Council to potential threats to international peace and security
🔹The US Senate falls short in advancing a bill providing billions in aid to Ukraine and Israel
🔹Russia's Putin made a rare one-day lightning tour to UAE and Saudi Arabia to bolster ties with Gulf states
#SAT Morning Recap ✨
South Asia News
🔹#AFG's interim government reportedly asked #Pakistan for recognition, pledging action against TTP in exchange; IEA has not confirmed or rejected the news
🔹Pakistani officials state the U.S. has not objected to deporting illegal #Afghan residents. However, a request to slow down the process during winter was made
🔹J&K court grants interim bail to seven students accused of raising pro-Pakistan slogans during #WorldCup final
🔹Asian Development Bank (#ADB) approves $659 million for projects in Pakistan, including school rehabilitation post-2022 floods and enhancing agricultural productivity for improved food security
🔹Apple moves towards #India-made iPhone batteries in push away from #China
🔹#China, #Pakistan, and #Turkey emerged as the primary suppliers of mandarins to #Kazakhstan
Global News
🔹#Israel's foreign minister accuses the #UN of bias and announces the revocation of the visa of top UN official Lynn Hastings, citing her failure to condemn #Hamas
🔹Liz Cheney is reportedly considering a third-party presidential bid in 2024 to prevent Donald Trump from winning, as per Axios
🔹As the White House runs out of money to support #Ukraine, #Poland warns #Russia could attack the West in less than 36 months
Entertainment
🔹Short film project of Pakistan's Habib Paracha, "The Perfect Shot - #Antarctica," is chosen by UNFCCC & #COP28 for an exclusive screening in the Blue Zone on December 11 at 11:00 AM. The film underscores climate change impacts, supporting the UN Secretary-General's call to action
Sports
🔹Pakistan women make history with their first-ever series win against New Zealand, beating the White Ferns by 10 runs in the second #T20 International