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Baseball: Dodgers two-way superstar Ohtani wins 3rd straight MVP

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NNPS Desk
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LOS ANGELES, Nov 14 (Keydo/APP): Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was a unanimous winner Thursday for his third straight MVP Award and fourth of his Major League Baseball career following another stellar season culminating in back-to-back World Series championships.

Ohtani, who hit a career-high and Dodgers franchise-record 55 home runs this year, claimed his second consecutive National League MVP Award to go with the two American League MVP titles he won as a member of the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023.

The 31-year-old returned to two-way duties this year after playing solely as a designated hitter in the 2024 season, his first for the Dodgers, while rehabilitating from surgery on his pitching elbow.

He batted .282 with 102 RBIs this year and led the league in slugging (.622), on-base plus slugging (1.014), on-base plus slugging plus (179) and total bases (380), logging an MLB-best 146 runs scored. In 14 games on the mound, he went 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA.

Ohtani, who hails from the small city of Oshu in northeastern Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, earned his third unanimous MVP Award last year after becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 or more home runs and stolen bases in the same season.

With his fourth MVP Award, he is second all-time behind only seven-time winner Barry Bonds, having moved ahead of three-time MVPs, including Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and former Angels teammate Mike Trout.

“The biggest thing is obviously being able to win the World Series,” Ohtani said. “Winning the MVP was my final hurdle and it’s a great honor.”

Ohtani recorded 20 steals this year, down from his career-high 59 in 2024, as he apparently sought to conserve energy for his return to the mound. He was also coming back from a procedure on his non-throwing left shoulder after last season

“This year was a year of rehabilitation for my pitching side after surgery, so that’s what I focused on the most,” Ohtani said.

“At the beginning of this season, I was worried about my left shoulder’s rotation. As the season progressed, I was able to reduce the time I spent on pregame massages and other things.”

This year’s two other NL MVP finalists were Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto.

The winners were selected by a vote of 30 members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, conducted before the playoffs.

“Soto and Schwarber also had great seasons,” Ohtani said. “I’m glad I was able to compete with such great players.”

Ohtani’s two-way contributions in the postseason proved crucial to the Dodgers winning their first back-to-back championships in franchise history, hitting eight home runs and going 2-1 on the mound.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won AL MVP for the second year in a row, making history with Ohtani as the first MVPs from the respective leagues to repeat at the same time.

Foreign exchange rates

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Ali Ali
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Foreign exchange rates
KARACHI, Nov 14 (APP):The Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following Exchange rates bulletin, here on Friday.
CONVERSION RATES FOR NOVEMBER 14, 2025 FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE-25 DEPOSITS)
SBP SETTLEMENT VALUE DATE NOVEMBER 18, 2025
     USD      280.7277
     GBP      368.9323
     EUR      326.0933
     JPY        1.8138

Pakistan urges world community to protect UNRWA against Israeli push to dismantle it

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Ali Ali
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Iftikhar Ali
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 14 (APP):Amid Israel’s campaign to disable the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, Pakistan has fervently called on the international community to ensure that this “vital” institution was protected and enabled to discharge its mandate without hindrance.
 “By undermining the Agency, Israel seeks to remove the last remaining structure that sustains Palestinian refugees,” Ambassador Usman Jadoon, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, which deals with special political and decolonization issues.
Speaking in a debate on the work of UNRWA, he highlighted the “gravest assault” the humanitarian agency now faces, with its mandate questioned, staff vilified, facilities attacked, threatening its very existence.
For more than seven decades, UNRWA has been the lifeline of millions of Palestinian refugees scattered across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, providing education to generations of children, health care to the sick, emergency relief to the displaced, and a sense of dignity and belonging to those deprived of their homeland.
Indeed, Ambassador Jadoon called UNRWA a “beacon of hope” and the platform for many to achieve their dreams, as he reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support
to the agency.
Opening the debate, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, argued that the agency is indispensable for the stability and rebuilding of the shattered Gaza Strip – and the wider region, saying lack of sufficient funds was jeopardizing its ability to operate.
He said that the agency was also indispensable for the stability and rebuilding of the shattered Gaza Strip – and the wider region.
Lazzarini underlined that a “virulent” disinformation campaign has tarnished its reputation and strangled its funds.
In his remarks, the Pakistani envoy said that the Israeli measures against the agency were part of a broader strategy to erase the identity of the Palestinian people, deny the much-needed humanitarian aid and extinguish their aspirations for statehood and self-determination.
He described the legislation passed by Israel seeking to ban UNRWA’s operations, revoke its immunities, and even designate it a “terrorist organization”  a “travesty of international law, a violation of the UN Charter”, and an affront to this Assembly which created UNRWA through a resolution.
“We reject these actions in the strongest terms,” he said, adding they have no legal validity. “No member state has the authority to dissolve or dismantle a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly.
Pakistan, he said,  stands in resolute solidarity with the Palestinian people and with UNRWA: “our commitment is clear and unwavering”.
“We reaffirm the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood, and we reaffirm our full support to UNRWA’s humanitarian mandate until a just and lasting political settlement of the question of Palestine is achieved.”
“Attempts to delegitimize, defund, or dismantle the Agency must cease,” Ambassador Jadoon said, while underscoring the need for addressing its chronic underfunding.  “The humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees cannot be mortgaged to political expedience or partisan considerations. The world must not fail these refugees once again”.
“The Agency’s work has not only served the refugees; it has also helped preserve regional stability by averting humanitarian collapse.”
Pakistan, he said, welcomed the peace efforts led by President Donald Trump and commends the crucial role played by the mediators – Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United States, in facilitating the negotiations that led to a ceasefire under the U.S.leader’s 20-point plan.
 “We sincerely hope these efforts will yield sustainable results, including a permanent cessation of hostilities and a just, comprehensive and lasting peace,” the Pakistani envoy said.
“We also sincerely expect that the peace efforts would lead to a credible, time-bound political process consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions to establish an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”
Ambassador Feda Abdelhady, Deputy Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN, also described the agency as “indispensable and irreplaceable.”
“We urge all States to remain steadfast and principled in their support of UNRWA, with due recognition of its vital role.”

Belarusian companies sign contracts during food industry expo in Almaty

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NNPS Desk
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MINSK, Nov 14 (BelTA/APP): Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Kazakhstan Aleksei Bogdanov visited the Belarusian national exposition that had been organized as part of the 27th Central Asia international food industry expo FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2025, representatives of the Belarusian embassy in Kazakhstan told BelTA.

As many as 16 Belarusian companies that make meat and dairy products as well as equipment are represented at the FoodExpo Qazaqstan 2025. The national exposition has been organized by the BelInterExpo enterprise of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI).

As he met with heads and representatives of the Belarusian companies, the Belarusian ambassador discussed a broad range of matters concerning the penetration of the Kazakh market by new producers and an increase in export volumes and the expansion of the product range for the companies that already operate on the market.

As a result of the meetings the Belarusian companies expressed interest in expanding presence on the Kazakh market and in selling more products. A number of commercial contracts and agreements on cooperation with Kazakh distribution companies were signed within the framework of the expo.

Heavy traffic barred in Islamabad during daytime hours, says ITP

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Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP):Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has announced strict restrictions on the entry of heavy traffic into the federal capital, allowing such vehicles only during late-night hours to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety.
An ITP official told APP on Friday that heavy traffic will be permitted to enter Islamabad only from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., while entry will remain completely banned during daytime.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Capt. (R) Hamzah Humayun said that a crackdown has been launched against all traffic violations, adding that vehicles with black-tinted glasses will face strict legal action.
He said that action will also be taken against motorcyclists riding with three persons, terming it a serious safety risk.
The CTO further said that emergency coordination meetings will be held with all bus terminal owners and managers.
“No public transport vehicle will be allowed to pick or drop passengers anywhere other than designated terminals,” he added.
He directed bus owners to ensure no passenger boards without a ticket.
Meetings will also be held with owners and managers of goods transport vehicles (trucks). The CTO said that all loaded vehicles must unload only at designated locations, warning that violations will not be tolerated.
He stressed that strict enforcement of traffic laws is essential to ensure citizens’ safety, maintain smooth traffic flow and strengthen overall law and order in the capital.

Tajikistan’s Defence minister calls on COAS Syed Asim Munir

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NNPS Desk
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RAWALPINDI, Nov 14 (APP): Minister of Defence of Tajikistan Colonel General Sobirzoda Emomali Abdulrahim called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, here on Friday at General Headquarters (GHQ).
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation were discussed, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Both sides expressed their resolve to enhance the existing military-to-military collaboration, particularly in the areas of training, counter-terrorism, and regional security.
The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged its role in promoting regional stability and peace.
The COAS, while emphasizing the importance of collective efforts for regional stability and prosperity, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening defence and security ties with Tajikistan.

With Pakistan supporting, UNSC extends mandate of peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic for one year

By
Ali Ali
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Iftikhar Ali
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 14 (APP):The  UN Security Council on Thursday extended for one year the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which includes over a thousand Pakistani troops.
By a recorded vote of 14 in favour and none against, with one abstention (United States), the 15-member Council adopted resolution 2800 (2025).
Through that text, the  Council decided that MINUSCA shall comprise up to 14,046 military personnel and expressed its firm intention to review the number of personnel following the successful completion of the electoral process scheduled in 2025 and 2026.
“With 1,400 troops, Pakistan is among the top troop contributors to MINUSCA,” Ambassador Usman Jadoon, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, said in explanation of his vote in favour of the resolution, while highlighting MINUSCA as one of the success stories of UN peacekeeping.
Through its multidimensional approach, the Pakistani envoy added, MINUSCA has embodied the very essence of peace operations, with cooperation between the Mission and the host authorities remaining exemplary.
The focus, he emphasized,  should remain on a careful and conditions-based transition, not risking reversal of the gains, which were achieved over the past decade,  through undue haste or external pressures.
Ambassador Jadoon said UN peacekeeping  was a vital instrument which must be employed effectively – to advance political solutions, protect civilians, and preserve stability.
Under its further terms, the resolution recalled that MINUSCA’s mandate should be implemented based on a prioritization of tasks established in the text, and, when relevant, in a sequenced manner.  It also requested the Secretary-General to reflect this prioritization in the deployment of the Mission, as well as in MINUSCA’s political strategy, and to align the allocation of budgetary resources according to the prioritization of mandate tasks, while ensuring appropriate resources for implementation of the mandate.
The priority tasks as outlined by the resolution are:  protection of civilians; support for the extension of State authority, the deployment of security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity; good offices and support to the peace process, including implementation of the ceasefire and the Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation; and facilitate the immediate, full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection of the United Nations.
The Council also requested the Secretary-General to report to the Council on 15 February 2026, 15 June 2026 and 13 October 2026 on the progress in implementing MINUSCA’s mandate.
Introducing that text, France’s Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont said it “marks an inflection point” in the Council’s approach towards stabilizing the Central African Republic and noted the progress made in recent months in that country.  With this resolution, MINUSCA will be able to continue its work in priority areas, such as organizing elections, protecting civilians, extending State authority across the entire territory and implementing the peace process.

Senate session commences

By
Ali Ali
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0
Senate
ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP):The Senate session commenced here at 10:36 a.m. on Friday under the chairmanship of Presiding Officer Manzoor Ahmed Kakar.
The House was set to take up its agenda, including Question Hour, motions, legislative business, the bill as reported by the Standing Committee, reports to be laid, and calling attention notices.

Cooperation between Belarusian light industry, Chinese textile cluster discussed in Guangzhou

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NNPS Desk
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MINSK, Nov 14 (BelTA/APP): Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in the Chinese city of Guangzhou Konstantin Golovko held a meeting with the leadership of the largest textile cluster Guangda Business and Trade City, representatives of the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Guangzhou told BelTA.

Prospects of cooperation in trade and economy were discussed during the negotiations in addition to possibilities of manufacturing cooperation with major Belarusian light industry enterprises. As a result of the meeting the cluster’s leadership expressed readiness to receive a delegation of the Belarusian enterprises for the sake of studying the possibility of commercial cooperation in detail.

The total area of the cluster makes up 500,000m2. The main business areas are apparel, goods made of leather, bags, footwear, and household chemical products.

The consular district of the Consulate General includes four provinces of the People’s Republic of China (Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, and Hunan) and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The area of the consular districts totals 1.23 million km2, with a population of about 332 million people (approximately 23% of China’s population). Guangzhou, the central city of the district, is home to around 14 million residents. The main tasks of the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in Guangzhou are to develop trade, economic, and investment relations with the Chinese regions, to protect legitimate rights and interests of Belarusian citizens, to provide consular services to PRC citizens.

Red Wave-8 naval exercise concludes

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NNPS Desk
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Jeddah, Nov 14 (SPA/APP): The naval maneuvers for the mixed maritime exercise “Red Wave-8” concluded at King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet.
The closing ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi, Director General of the Border Guard Major General Shaya bin Salem Al-Wadaani, and several commanders of the participating nations’ forces.
Hosted by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, the exercise featured participants from multiple sectors: the armed forces, represented by the land and air forces; the Ministry of Interior, represented by border guard units; and naval forces from several Red Sea countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti, Sudan, and Yemen.
The participating ships executed a series of naval maneuvers encompassing training in anti-submarine warfare, electronic warfare, anti-surface, and anti-air warfare.
The exercise also included live-fire drills against surface and air targets, maritime security operations, and countering unmanned surface vessels (USVs), with support from naval boats and the use of the latest defense systems.

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