STOCKHOLM: American poet Louise Gluck won the 2020 Nobel Literature Prize on Thursday, an unexpected choice known for themes of childhood and family life that draw inspiration from myths and classical motifs. Gluck, 77, was honoured “for her unmistakable poetic voice that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal”, the Academy said. Gluck won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for …

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has blacklisted virtually all of Iran’s financial sector, dealing another blow to an economy that is already reeling under US sanctions. The move will deepen tensions with European nations and others over Iran. Thursday’s move hits 18 Iranian banks that had thus far escaped the bulk of reimposed US sanctions and, more importantly, subjects foreign, non-Iranian …

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases on Thursday, with the total rising by 338,779 in 24 hours led by a surge of infections in Europe. Europe reported 96,996 new cases, the highest total for the region ever recorded by the WHO. Global deaths rose by 5,514 to a total of 1.05 million. …

ISLAMABAD: After announcing the vacant post thrice and failing to get a “suitable” candidate, the Higher Education Commission hired services of senior bureaucrat Dr Shaista Sohail (BPS-22) on deputation against the post of Executive Director (ED). The post fell vacant in October 2018 after the resignation of Dr Arshad Ali, who was appointed after a competitive process on the MP-I …

LAHORE: A young girl was allegedly shot dead by her brother in the name of honour in Sattokatla while another was injured by her cousin in Kahna area here on Thursday. In Sattokatla, the deceased girl (M) was 17 years old and she had reportedly eloped with a man of the same area. A police official said the family and …

BAJAUR: The first police station of Bajaur tribal district was opened in Qazafi town, the tehsil headquarters of Utmankhel, on Thursday. Deputy inspector general of police, Malakand division, Mohammad Ijaz Khan inaugurated the police station. Besides tribal elders, senior officials of the police department and district administration and political activists attended the opening ceremony of the police station. Speaking on …

RAWALPINDI: Military Lands and Cantonments (ML&C) has dissolved elected boards in 42 cantonments including Rawalpindi, replacing them with mini-boards that consist of one civilian and one military official under the station commander to run the affairs of civic authorities for a year. A notification was issued in this regard, and cantonment board presidents — station commanders — have been asked …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from arresting a journalist over his allegedly objectionable tweets. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah summoned the inquiry officer of the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing on Oct 12 along with the record against the journalist, Rana Mohammad Arshad. Justice Minallah was hearing a petition filed by the journalist. …

PESHAWAR: The National Accountability Bureau chairman has issued warrants for the arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader retired Captain Mohammad Safdar, who appeared before a NAB team here on Thursday in connection with an ongoing inquiry against him for allegedly holding assets beyond means. A NAB official confirmed the issuance of arrest warrants and said Mr Safdar, who was a …

Bus ride-hailing service Airlift announced on Friday it would keep its operations suspended till December 31 in light of “increasing number of Covid-19 cases” in Pakistan. In an email to customers, Airlift said the decision was anchored in the company’s commitment to keeping the health and safety of their customers first. “Pakistan continues to record an increasing number of Covid-19 …