- Turkish interior minister arrives in Islamabad, invites PM Khan to visit Turkey. Premier expresses satisfaction on the “upward trajectory” of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey.
- OIC strongly condemns ‘terrorist act’ by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. Indian forces enforce a security lockdown for a second straight day to stop anti-India protests.
- Indian spy Hamid Nehal Ansari being released, repatriated to India upon completion of sentence: FO. The PHC on Dec 13 had directed the interior ministry to make arrangements for the deportation of the Indian national.
- Nawaz Sharif chairs meeting to review PML-N’s reorganisation drive. “The process of party’s organisation across the country is speedily moving forward,” says Ahsan Iqbal.
- Tax filers number has increased to 1.4m, says minister. Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar says government has launched operation against some 3,500 non-filers.
- Indian politician gets life over 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Sajjan Kumar has been found guilty of instigating mobs during mass killing of Sikhs triggered by Indira Gandhi’s murder.
- Pakistan welcomes fresh talks with Afghan Taliban: Foreign Office. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says “another meeting” to be held today, this time in the UAE.
- Saudi Arabia slams US Senate vote as ‘interference’. The largely symbolic vote dealt a fresh warning to President Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of the Saudi regime.
- US praises Pakistan for promoting Afghan talks. Acknowledgement comes a day after PM Khan announced Pakistan has arranged talks between US and Taliban officials.
- UN calls for ‘credible’ probe into Khashoggi murder. The UN chief says he had no information on the case except what had been reported in the media.
- Trump working on extraditing Gulen, claims Turkey. Turkey has long sought the extradition of Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed US exile for nearly two decades.
- Macron’s ratings fall further after month of protests. Around 66,000 protesters turned out again on Saturday in the fifth round of anti-government demonstrations.
- Georgia’s first female president sworn in. Opposition parties have refused to recognise Zurabishvili’s election.
- Iraq lays cornerstone to rebuild iconic Mosul mosque. Mosul’s Al-Nuri mosque and leaning minaret were taken down in 2014.
- Qatar to invest $20bn in US energy sector. Qatar Petroleum owns 70pc of the project, with ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips splitting the rest.
- Belgium edge out Netherlands 3-2 to lift maiden hockey World Cup title. In sudden death Belgium’s Florent van Aubel — shooting first — scored what turned out to be the winning shot.