Author: admin

  • PTI sit-ins prompt heightened security outside Adiala jail – Dawn

    1. PTI sit-ins prompt heightened security outside Adiala jail  Dawn
    2. State conduct  Dawn
    3. Desperate tactics  The Express Tribune
    4. Imran Khan’s sisters among 400 booked under terror charges over Adiala Jail sit-in  Pakistan Today
    5. FIR filed against Aleema…

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  • 22 lives lost to rabies in Sindh this year – Dawn

    1. 22 lives lost to rabies in Sindh this year  Dawn
    2. 29,000 dog bite cases, 19 deaths from rabies reported in Karachi during 2025  The Express Tribune
    3. 17-year-old girl dies of rabies in Karachi; death toll hits eight this year  Dialogue Pakistan
    4. Stray…

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  • Karachi World Book Fair begins – Dawn

    1. Karachi World Book Fair begins  Dawn
    2. A world of books under one roof in Kararchi  The Express Tribune
    3. Unjustified taxes on paper hitting culture of reading: Minister  Business Recorder
    4. KWBF to kickoff from Jan 18 at Karachi Expo Cent  Daily National…

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  • Embattled IHC judge fired over ‘invalid degree’ – Dawn

    1. Embattled IHC judge fired over ‘invalid degree’  Dawn
    2. President Zardari approves de-notification of Justice Jahangiri as IHC judge  Dawn
    3. Judge Jahangiri accuses IHC CJ Dogar of misconduct  The Express Tribune
    4. IHC orders removal of Justice Tariq…

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  • Magic, mystery abound as filmmaker James Cameron takes us back to Pandora for ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

    Magic, mystery abound as filmmaker James Cameron takes us back to Pandora for ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

    HOLLYWOOD — “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is about to light up the box office with the latest sequel from filmmaker James Cameron.

    “And so it’s much more of a story where the characters draw you along with their troubles and their triumphs and…

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  • Phages use small RNA to hijack bacterial cells and boost replication

    Phages use small RNA to hijack bacterial cells and boost replication

    As antibiotic-resistant infections rise and are projected to cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050, scientists are looking to bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, as an alternative. A new study shows how these…

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  • Aston Martin brings the ultimate supercar to Fortnite and Rocket League players

    Aston Martin brings the ultimate supercar to Fortnite and Rocket League players

    • Aston Martin fans will be able to experience the thrill of Valhalla, the brand’s first plug-in-hybrid supercar, for the first time in Fortnite and Rocket League
    • Valhalla will mark Aston Martin’s official debut in Fortnite…

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  • NZTA confirms preferred suppliers for Integrated Delivery Contracts

    Following a thorough procurement process, NZTA has confirmed its preferred suppliers for Integrated Delivery Contracts (IDCs), covering state highway road maintenance and renewals, which will commence in May 2026.

    The contracts, which are expected to be signed early next year, will see contractors accountable for the majority of maintenance and renewal activity on regional state highway network, with up to 20% of work available to other pre-qualified suppliers through a contestable process.

    The IDC contracts represent a significant change from the previous Network Outcomes Contracts (NOC), with NZTA taking greater ownership of asset management, from the gathering and analysing asset condition data through to the development of short, medium and long-term programmes.

    Other key changes include a refreshed quality management framework and better use of design standardisation to speed up the path from programming to delivery.

    NZTA National Manager Maintenance and Operations Andrew Clark says the contracts will build on NZTA’s focus on ensuring value for money through quality delivery.

    “New Zealanders depend on a safe, accessible and high-quality state highway network, and NZTA is committed to providing this. Through the current Government Policy Statement for land transport 2024 (GPS) we have embarked on a significant programme of road rebuilding, which will deliver long term benefits for everyone using the state highway network. 

    “The preferred suppliers have been chosen based on a range of factors, including proven ability to deliver, mobilisation approach and price. Our thorough tender review process has ensured the selection of suppliers with the ability to deliver the best results over the tenure of the contract.

    “The new contracts reward delivery – contractors that deliver on time and to a high standard will be rewarded with greater volumes of work. At the same time, we want to enable market growth and diversity by using a wider range of suppliers through the contestable work programme that will complement these contracts.

    “We look forward to working with the preferred suppliers to finalise contracts ahead of signing early in the New Year. This is a once in a generation moment to drive improved road maintenance outcomes for New Zealand.”

    The table below lists the nominated preferred suppliers for the new Integrated Delivery Contract networks. Tenures are for 10 years from 1 May 2026 unless otherwise stated.

    Area

    IDC Contractor

    Northland

    Fulton Hogan

    West Waikato

    Fulton Hogan (to June 2029)

    East Waikato

    Higgins

    Central Waikato

    Downer

    Bay of Plenty

    Higgins

    Taranaki

    Downer (to June 2029)

    Manawatū-Whanganui

    Fulton Hogan

    Hawke’s Bay

    Higgins

    Tairāwhiti

    Downer (to June 2029)

    Nelson-Tasman

    Fulton Hogan

    Marlborough

    HEB/Fulton Hogan (to March 2029)

    West Coast

    Fulton Hogan

    North Canterbury

    HEB

    South Canterbury

    Isaac

    Coastal Otago

    Downer

    Central Otago

    Fulton Hogan

    Southland

    SouthRoads

    For further information on the IDC model, see:  

    Technical disciplines – Integrated delivery model(external link)

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  • Chinese shares open higher Friday – Xinhua

    1. Chinese shares open higher Friday  Xinhua
    2. China stocks higher, set to end week flat as investors await fresh cues  Business Recorder
    3. The Shangai Composite Index Closes 0.43% Higher  TradingView — Track All Markets
    4. Asian stocks advance, China benchmark close 0.36% higher  Business Standard
    5. Shanghai Composite Rises 0.16% as Xian Bright Laser Soars 13.67% Amid Market Gains  Markets Mojo

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  • Market exchange rates in China — Dec. 19-Xinhua

    BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) — The following are the central parity rates of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, against 25 major currencies announced on Friday by the China Foreign Exchange Trade System:

    Currency Unit Central parity rate in yuan

    U.S. dollar 100 705.50

    Euro 100 826.16

    Japanese yen 100 4.5274

    Hong Kong dollar 100 90.675

    British pound 100 942.67

    Australian dollar 100 465.78

    New Zealand dollar 100 406.55

    Singapore dollar 100 546.39

    Swiss franc 100 887.00

    Canadian dollar 100 511.31

    Pataca 113.65 100

    Malaysian ringgit 57.946 100

    Ruble 1,135.08 100

    Rand 237.39 100

    Korean won 20,946 100

    UAE dirham 52.147 100

    Saudi riyal 53.25 100

    Hungarian forint 4,691.84 100

    Polish zloty 50.874 100

    Danish krone 90.47 100

    Swedish krona 131.74 100

    Norwegian krone 144.19 100

    Turkish lira 607.374 100

    Mexican peso 255.29 100

    Thai baht 446.24 100

    The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.

    The central parity rate of the yuan against the Hong Kong dollar is based on the central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar and the exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar against the U.S. dollar at 9 a.m. in international foreign exchange markets on the same business day.

    The central parity rate of the yuan against the Pataca is based on the central parity rate of the yuan against the Hong Kong dollar and the exchange rate of the Pataca against the Hong Kong dollar at 9 a.m. in international foreign exchange markets on the same business day.

    The central parity rates of the yuan against the other 22 currencies are based on the average prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank foreign exchange market.

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