The terrorists were killed in retaliatory action. PHOTO: EXPRESSThe Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and security forces have eliminated four terrorists belonging to banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera district. According to a statement issued by the CTD late Friday, the terrorists were killed in retaliatory action after they opened indiscriminate firing on the raiding teams. The official statement said CTD Mardan Region’s raiding team received information that a group of terrorists was planning a major operation in Jaruba area of ​​Nowshera district. Acting on a tip-off, the CTD teams started operation in the area and killed four terrorists in an exchange of fire with the militants.

PTI Chief's real face exposed before nation: interior MinisterInterior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan says Imran Khan falsely blamed Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Friday, he asked the nation to realise Imran Khan's real face, as Daily Mail has tendered an apology to Sharif family. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said we are fully prepared for by-elections in Punjab, if provincial assembly is dissolved. He said Imran Khan as Prime Minister derailed the national economy and inflation witnessed an unprecedented rise due to his wrong policies. The Minister termed Imran Khan as a fraud that is exposed fully in front of people of the country.

Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad has provided assurances that Pakistan will pay all its debts “on time” and that foreign exchange reserves are expected to increase during the second half of the financial year. In the latest episode of the SBP podcast series, governor SBP clarified that during the next seven months only a debt of $4.7 billion is payable allaying concerns of the country defaulting on international financial obligations. However, on December 2, the foreign currency reserves held by the SBP were recorded at $6,714.9 million, down by $784 million compared with $7,498.7 million on November 25. He also revealed that Pakistan had returned loans worth $1.2 billion to commercial banks and therefore “these banks are expected to re-lend the same amount”. Also Read Default talk dismissed as ‘PTI propaganda’During the interview, the central bank governor made note of the global challenges that the economy is faced with but expressed confidence in the government’s measures to overcome them.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos had put off the decision for years, but eventually rolled the dice – and benched Cristiano Ronaldo. Newly liberated Portugal have installed themselves among the World Cup favourites and in an exhilarating 90 minutes blew away criticism of their "uninspiring" football. Santos later insisted the decision to bench Ronaldo against the Swiss was for strategic rather than disciplinary reasons. Portuguese newspaper Record reported that Ronaldo threatened to leave the World Cup squad, before changing his mind. By reaching the quarter-finals, Santos has enriched his legacy, guaranteeing at least Portugal's third best ever finish at a World Cup.

Share:ISLAMABAD - The National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) on Thursday told the Senate Standing Committee on Interior that the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) gained considerable ground during the peace talks process. ”TTP, during peace talks process, gained considerable ground; increased its footprint and magnitude of activities”, the premier counterterrorism institute said in a document submitted before the Senate panel. It said that US withdrawal from Afghanistan gave impetus to TTP activities with its base intact in the neighbouring country. It added that an overall rise in terrorism activities was being witnessed. “Peace talks emboldened the militants and their presence in Swat can be attributed to their efforts to gain pulse of locals and response by the state”, the document underlined.

From The Tribune staff reportsIRONDALE — Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. will host a Holiday “Spirit of Giving” Blood Drive in partnership with the Irondale Police Department and LifeSouth on Tuesday, Dec. 13. There will be two donation buses on-site at Irondale City Hall, and donors may register for a time slot in advance at https://tinyurl.com/IrondaleBloodDrive, or simply show up at their convenience between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.“We had a wonderful time celebrating at Irondale’s Christmas Night of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting, and now it’s time to give back,” Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. stated. “I am asking members of the community to join me in giving the gift of life this holiday season and help us reach our goal of 100 blood donations.”

Share:The ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar has become the center of attention in the world. Being the most expensive World Cup in history, millions of fans are there to support their teams. The opening ceremony won the hearts of millions by beginning with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Many videos went viral on social media in which fans were seen cleaning the stadiums after the matches which is a rare but great task. Even teams cleaned their dressing rooms after matches and these are signs of civilized nations.

The Bulldogs had three defensive players selected — Starks, Mykel Williams and Jalen Walker — along with punter Brett Thorson among the 29 freshman players recognized in a vote of the league’s 14 coaches. ATHENS — Safety Malaki Starks led the way of the four Georgia football players who made the SEC’s All-freshman team released on Wednesday. RELATED: Todd Monken didn’t win Broyles Award, but deservedly cashing in among highest paid assistants in countryAlabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas A&M each placed three freshmen on the team, and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins was selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year. Starks, a semifinalist for national Freshman of the Year honors, led Georgia defenders with 732 snaps players and was third in tackles (63), just one behind co-leaders Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon. RELATED: Social media reacts to Kirby Smart not winning AP SEC coach of year

SportsSammi Mikonowicz made a layup with 13.6 seconds left and then added two free throws at 3.1 seconds as Toledo beat No. 14 Michigan 71-68 on Thursday night for its first win over a ranked team in 12 years and first on the road since March of 1996.

Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), gestures while addressing his supporters during a campaign meeting ahead of general elections in Karachi, Pakistan, July 4, 2018. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File PhotoFormer prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday instructed the party’s lawmakers and ticketholders to speed up their preparations for the next general elections. Last week PTI chief gave the federal government an ultimatum to either “sit and talk and give a date for the general elections” or “we will dissolve the assemblies”. “Imran Khan intends to dissolve K-P and Punjab assemblies in the next few days so that the entire process can move forward. The PTI leadership has given Imran Khan the right to dissolve assemblies,” he said while addressing the media following a meeting between the senior leadership of PTI with the former prime minister.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar made the request during a meeting with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador, according to his ministry’s officials. The $13 billion package is equal to 38% of the estimated gross external financing requirements of the country for the fiscal year 2022-23. During the meeting, both sides discussed the possibility to augment the current $1.2 billion Saudi oil facility on deferred payments. There were also discussions on the $1 billion Saudi investment in Pakistan, according to the officials. The estimates included budgetary loans of $23 billion and grants of $1.5 billion, according to government sources.

Share:SWAT - A review meeting on the ongoing development projects in PK-6 was presided over by Provincial Minister of Housing Dr Amjad Ali at Tehsil Municipal Office Brikot Swat and participated by Tehsil Chairman Kashif Ali Khan. The heads and representatives of the district departments briefed the provincial minister about the four-year performance and ongoing projects. While presiding over the meeting, Provincial Minister for Housing Dr Amjad Ali issued orders to the concerned departments to ensure progress in the development works on time while continuously monitoring the ongoing schemes and projects. While reviewing the improvement in the educational structure in Tehsil Brikot, the provincial minister also issued instructions to the authorities for starting classes in the upgraded and newly constructed educational institutions. While reviewing the ongoing projects in the health sector, he expressed satisfaction with the progress and also emphasized completing the arrangements to inaugurate the completed projects and make them available to the public.

Marner extends point streak to 20 games, Murray stymies Stars: Muzzy’s MuzingsPhoto credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsNo offence to Mitch Marner and Jason Robertson, but Matt Murray stole the spotlight on Tuesday night. With the victory, the Leafs improved to 16-5-6 on the season and extended their point streak to a whopping 12 games (9-0-3). Advertisement Ad Advertisement AdWith his first period assist on John Tavares’ 13th of the season, Mitch Marner extended his point streak to 20 games. Advertisement Ad Advertisement AdMITCH MARNER EXTENDS POINT STREAK TO 20 GAMESThat’s what you love to see, get it out of the way early. Just 4:51 into the game, Marner picked up an assist on John Tavares’ 13th of the season to extend his incredible point streak to 20 games.

PHOTO: AFP/FILEAn Afghan man convicted of murder was executed in public Wednesday, the Taliban said, the first confirmation of such a sentence since the hardline Islamists returned to power. Last month Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered judges to fully enforce aspects of Islamic law that include public executions, stonings and floggings, and the amputation of limbs from thieves. They have carried out several public floggings since then, but Wednesday's execution in Farah -- capital of the western province of the same name -- is the first the Taliban have acknowledged. Also read: Taliban treatment of women could be crime against humanity: UNWomen in particular have been incrementally squeezed out of public life since the Taliban's return. The statement included the names of dozens of court officials as well as other Taliban representatives as being present for the execution.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja on Wednesday said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not oppose the use of Electric Voting Machines (EVMs) nor did it oppose voting by overseas Pakistanis but urged transparency. While addressing at an event today, the electoral chief said that the commission did not oppose EVMs or overseas votes but emphasised that transparency in the electoral process was mandatory. CEC Raja also said that it will take six months for the delimitation of constituencies. He maintained that the ECP did not want doubts raised regarding election results if polls were held in a haste. Raja furthered that constituencies were delimited twice for the local body elections in Punjab, while the provincial government changed election rules twice.