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An Islamabad court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana II case. Special Judge Arjumand Shah announced the verdict inside Adiala Jail, noting the prosecution proved its case. Both were fined more than 16.4 million rupees each, with an additional six months’ imprisonment in case of non‑payment.

The United States military has carried out massive airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria, striking more than 70 positions with fighter jets, helicopters, and artillery. According to international media reports, the operation was launched in retaliation for a deadly ISIS attack near Palmyra that killed American personnel. Jordanian aircraft also joined the strikes, which US officials described as a direct act of revenge rather than the start of a new war.

Pakistan’s most‑followed YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, aka Ducky Bhai, returned to YouTube after his arrest and release on bail with a vlog that crossed 15 million views in days. Social media buzz claimed he had earned millions from the single video, but in his latest vlog Ducky Bhai revealed he currently has no access to his AdSense account and receives no income from recent uploads, sparking debate about transparency and the vulnerabilities of Pakistan’s creator economy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has thanked Pakistan for considering participation in a proposed Gaza Stabilization Force, while clarifying that no country has yet given a final commitment. Speaking in Washington, Rubio said Pakistan’s openness is appreciated but key questions on mandate, command, and funding remain unresolved.

Saudi Arabia has welcomed Washington’s decision to repeal the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, calling it a historic step toward stability and reconstruction. In a statement, Riyadh praised US President Donald Trump’s “positive role” and noted that the process began during his 2025 visit to the Kingdom, culminating in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

Violent protests continue across Bangladesh following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Thousands of demonstrators have blocked major roads in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other cities, chanting slogans such as “We are all Hadi now” and “Azadi, Azadi”. Security forces have deployed tear gas and set up barricades to contain unrest, while the interim government has declared Saturday a national day of mourning.

The United Nations special experts have issued a detailed report on the May 2025 escalation between Pakistan and India, raising serious legal objections to India’s unilateral military actions under Operation Sindoor. The report condemns the Pahalgam attack, stresses that Pakistan denied involvement, and highlights India’s failure to notify the UN Security Council under Article 51. Experts warned that such steps risk triggering a wider regional conflict and violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and international law.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15‑member squad for the upcoming U19 tri‑series in Zimbabwe and the ICC U19 World Cup, with Farhan Yousaf continuing as captain. The tri‑series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan and hosts Zimbabwe, will run from 25 December to 6 January as preparation for the World Cup starting 15 January.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi has rejected media reports suggesting that Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir is set to visit Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. Speaking at the weekly briefing, he said the FO has no information about such a trip and cautioned against assuming the visit is finalized.

Jamiat Ulema‑e‑Islam Pakistan chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has questioned the legitimacy of the current government, calling it a “fake mandate” and asking why PTI founder Imran Khan remains detained. Speaking to media in Chakwal, he criticized restrictions on meeting Khan, terming them undemocratic, and argued that neither arrests nor bans on political interaction should be acceptable in a democratic system.