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Firm dollar keeps peers on back foot ahead of BOE, Fed decisions

TOKYO: The dollar hovered off a four-month high on Thursday as the market continued to digest Republican Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election, while investors eyed several central bank decisions that will be topped off by the Federal Reserve. The Fed is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points later in the day, and the market focus will be on any clues that the US central bank could skip a cut in December. Last week’s October jobs report came in weaker than expected, raising questions over…

COAS Munir, Crown Prince MBS discuss regional peace, security cooperation

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman discussed strategies for enhancing bilateral relations, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Saudi crown prince extended a warm welcome to the army chief — who is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia — upon his arrival at the Royal Palace. Both dignitaries engaged in a “comprehensive discussion on a range of issues of mutual interest, including regional peace, defence…

US states take precautions over concerns of political violence

Governors from at least three states have requested the deployment of National Guard troops to assist in maintaining public order. An Arizona sheriff has placed his department on heightened alert to mitigate the risk of potential violence, with drones and sharpshooters prepared for any incidents. As the nation gets ready to cast votes for either Republican Donald Trump or Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, heightened concerns regarding potential political violence have prompted officials to implement a range of security measures both during and after Election Day.…

Services chiefs’ term extended to 5 years: Bills passed into law

All six bills that were approved by the lower and the upper houses of parliament earlier today have become law after acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani signed them on Tuesday. According to sources, the acting president signed all six bills including the Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Islamabad High Court (Amendment) bill, 2024. Earlier in the day, both houses passed the bills tabled by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. The first of them sought to increase…

Pakistan’s Amjad Ali shines as thousands partake in Istanbul Marathon

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Pakistani runner Amjad Ali delivered a standout performance at the Istanbul Marathon on Sunday as he became the country’s fastest finisher in the race. Competing among thousands at the 46th Marathon — the world’s only long-distance race that traverses two continents — Ali secured an impressive 47th place overall with a timing of of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 29 seconds. The 42-kilometre marathon started from Istanbul’s Asian side and ended on the European side. Ethiopian athlete Dejene Debela won the men’s…

OpenAI challenges Google’s dominance with new ChatGPT search engine

OpenAI, the tech firm behind the generative artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT, has significantly enhanced its chatbot, integrating search engine capabilities to challenge tech giant Google’s long-standing dominance in web search. The company said that the latest upgrade allows users to receive “fast, timely answers” with direct links to relevant web sources, where they may access information that previously required traditional search engine. The revamped ChatGPT can now deliver real-time information on various topics, including weather forecasts, stock prices, sports scores and breaking news, the company said. These inlcude direct access…

Spain flood death toll crosses 200 as Valencia opens temporary morgue

ALFAFAR: Spanish rescuers opened a temporary morgue in a convention centre and battled to reach areas still cut off on Friday as the death toll from catastrophic floods rose to 205 people in Europe’s worst weather disaster in five decades. In Valencia, the eastern region that bore the brunt of the devastation, at least 202 people have died, regional authorities said. Three have died in Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia. The number of dead is now almost level with the 209 who died during heavy floods in Romania in 1970. …