ZEESHAN AFZAL

  Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80 ,   Begum Khaleda Zia (15 August 1945 – 30 December 2025) was a Bangladeshi politician who served as the prime minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and the second female prime minister in the Muslim world after Benazir Bhutto. Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80 after suffering from prolonged illness. Zia became Bangladesh's first female head of government in 1991 after leading her party to victory in the country's first democratic election in 20 years. Physicians had said on Monday her condition was "extremely critical". She was put on life support, but it was not possible to provide multiple treatments at the same time given her age and overall poor health, they said. Despite her poor health, her party had earlier said that Zia would contest general elections expe...

  Pakistan begins planning for permanent exit from IMF after current bailout ,    HEADLINES  18/12/2025 Planning Commission says avoiding another IMF programme hinges on export growth to $63 billion by 2029, stronger reserves, and deep structural reforms . (   پاکستان نے موجودہ بیل آؤٹ کے بعد آئی ایم ایف سے مستقل نکلنے کی منصوبہ بندی شروع کردی  )   Pakistan has initiated discussions on developing a long-term strategy to exit the International Monetary Fund (IMF) permanently after the conclusion of the $7 billion bailout programme in September 2027,  The Express Tribune  reported, citing official sources. A recent high-level meeting reviewed whether Pakistan can sustain macroeconomic stability without IMF support once the current programme expires. The deliberations focused on strengthening foreign exchange buffers, expanding exports, and reducing recurring external financing pressures that have pushed the country into repeated IMF arrang...

Govt to reinvest most of bidding proceeds in PIA , Major obstacles that undermined previous privatisation attempt have been removed, says PM's adviser . Govt to invest 92.5% of bidding proceeds back into PIA: PM's aide. PIA to need additional Rs80bn after privatisation for stabilisation. M Ali says Rs33bn in liabilities, other major hurdles removed. ISLAMABAD: The government is set to auction 75% stake in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) with a commitment to reinvest most of the proceeds back into the national airline marred by financial woes,  The News  reported on Friday, citing officials' briefing to a Senate panel. Prime Minister's Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali said 92.5% of the bidding proceeds would be reinvested in PIA to support its turnaround, adding that the airline would still require an additional Rs80 billion in financing after privatisation to stabilise operations and fund growth. He said the government plans to place some electricity dist...

Russian war costs rise to unprecedented new heights ,  Story by  thedailydigest.com This is how much Moscow has spent in 2025 ©Provided by The Daily Digest Moscow is spending an unprecedented amount of money on defense amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, new analysis from one researcher recently revealed exactly how much Russia is spending. Citing analysis from Janis Kluge ©The Daily Digest According to data compiled and analyzed by Janis Kluge, a researcher at the German Institute for International Security Affairs, the Kremlin spent $142.25 billion on defense between January 2025 and September 2025.  Studying Russian spending ©The Daily Digest Kluge has reportedly been analyzing key data from the Russian Finance Ministry to better understand defense spending in Russia. The German researcher’s analysis has made headlines throughout the war in Ukraine.  A shocking spending increase ©The Daily Digest Details about Kluge’s more recent analysis of Rus...

  Pakistan shifting away from aid to trade with GCC countries: FinMinister. Strategic shift reflects Pakistan’s renewed economic confidence and reform momentum, says Aurangzeb. Inflation drops to single-digit from 38% peak. Primary surpluses and reserves strengthen external buffers. Ratings agencies upgrade Pakistan’s outlook this year. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has that said Pakistan is shifting away from aid-based support towards trade and investment-led engagement, with a focus on deeper economic partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In an interview with CNN Business Arabia, Aurangzeb said the strategic shift, which he said has been clearly articulated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reflects Pakistan’s renewed economic confidence and reform momentum, aimed at long-term economic sustainability. He said Pakistan has remained on a comprehensive macroeconomic stabilisation programme over the past 18 months, delivering what he described as “tangible...

  "One day, men will understand what women have been living with for generations: most women are not designed to start love from nothing and drag it into existence. They are designed to respond to what is offered. A woman’s heart is not a machine you switch on with compliments, and her devotion is not a prize you receive for simply wanting it. She becomes more open, more giving, more tender when she is met with steady care. She becomes guarded when she is met with inconsistency. That is not manipulation. That is self-preservation. A woman can love deeply and still require proof. Not proof in grand speeches, not proof in last-minute gifts, but proof in the ordinary, unglamorous moments where character is revealed. She watches whether you keep your word when there is nothing to gain. She watches whether your kindness stays present when you are stressed, tired, or annoyed. She watches whether you make space for her feelings, or punish her for having them. She watches whether you ask ...