From The Tribune staff reportsIRONDALE — Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. will host a Holiday “Spirit of Giving” Blood Drive in partnership with the Irondale Police Department and LifeSouth on Tuesday, Dec. 13. There will be two donation buses on-site at Irondale City Hall, and donors may register for a time slot in advance at https://tinyurl.com/IrondaleBloodDrive, or simply show up at their convenience between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.“We had a wonderful time celebrating at Irondale’s Christmas Night of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting, and now it’s time to give back,” Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. stated. “I am asking members of the community to join me in giving the gift of life this holiday season and help us reach our goal of 100 blood donations.”

Share:The ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar has become the center of attention in the world. Being the most expensive World Cup in history, millions of fans are there to support their teams. The opening ceremony won the hearts of millions by beginning with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Many videos went viral on social media in which fans were seen cleaning the stadiums after the matches which is a rare but great task. Even teams cleaned their dressing rooms after matches and these are signs of civilized nations.

The Bulldogs had three defensive players selected — Starks, Mykel Williams and Jalen Walker — along with punter Brett Thorson among the 29 freshman players recognized in a vote of the league’s 14 coaches. ATHENS — Safety Malaki Starks led the way of the four Georgia football players who made the SEC’s All-freshman team released on Wednesday. RELATED: Todd Monken didn’t win Broyles Award, but deservedly cashing in among highest paid assistants in countryAlabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Texas A&M each placed three freshmen on the team, and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins was selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year. Starks, a semifinalist for national Freshman of the Year honors, led Georgia defenders with 732 snaps players and was third in tackles (63), just one behind co-leaders Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon. RELATED: Social media reacts to Kirby Smart not winning AP SEC coach of year

SportsSammi Mikonowicz made a layup with 13.6 seconds left and then added two free throws at 3.1 seconds as Toledo beat No. 14 Michigan 71-68 on Thursday night for its first win over a ranked team in 12 years and first on the road since March of 1996.

Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), gestures while addressing his supporters during a campaign meeting ahead of general elections in Karachi, Pakistan, July 4, 2018. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File PhotoFormer prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday instructed the party’s lawmakers and ticketholders to speed up their preparations for the next general elections. Last week PTI chief gave the federal government an ultimatum to either “sit and talk and give a date for the general elections” or “we will dissolve the assemblies”. “Imran Khan intends to dissolve K-P and Punjab assemblies in the next few days so that the entire process can move forward. The PTI leadership has given Imran Khan the right to dissolve assemblies,” he said while addressing the media following a meeting between the senior leadership of PTI with the former prime minister.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar made the request during a meeting with Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Saudi ambassador, according to his ministry’s officials. The $13 billion package is equal to 38% of the estimated gross external financing requirements of the country for the fiscal year 2022-23. During the meeting, both sides discussed the possibility to augment the current $1.2 billion Saudi oil facility on deferred payments. There were also discussions on the $1 billion Saudi investment in Pakistan, according to the officials. The estimates included budgetary loans of $23 billion and grants of $1.5 billion, according to government sources.

Share:SWAT - A review meeting on the ongoing development projects in PK-6 was presided over by Provincial Minister of Housing Dr Amjad Ali at Tehsil Municipal Office Brikot Swat and participated by Tehsil Chairman Kashif Ali Khan. The heads and representatives of the district departments briefed the provincial minister about the four-year performance and ongoing projects. While presiding over the meeting, Provincial Minister for Housing Dr Amjad Ali issued orders to the concerned departments to ensure progress in the development works on time while continuously monitoring the ongoing schemes and projects. While reviewing the improvement in the educational structure in Tehsil Brikot, the provincial minister also issued instructions to the authorities for starting classes in the upgraded and newly constructed educational institutions. While reviewing the ongoing projects in the health sector, he expressed satisfaction with the progress and also emphasized completing the arrangements to inaugurate the completed projects and make them available to the public.

Marner extends point streak to 20 games, Murray stymies Stars: Muzzy’s MuzingsPhoto credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsNo offence to Mitch Marner and Jason Robertson, but Matt Murray stole the spotlight on Tuesday night. With the victory, the Leafs improved to 16-5-6 on the season and extended their point streak to a whopping 12 games (9-0-3). Advertisement Ad Advertisement AdWith his first period assist on John Tavares’ 13th of the season, Mitch Marner extended his point streak to 20 games. Advertisement Ad Advertisement AdMITCH MARNER EXTENDS POINT STREAK TO 20 GAMESThat’s what you love to see, get it out of the way early. Just 4:51 into the game, Marner picked up an assist on John Tavares’ 13th of the season to extend his incredible point streak to 20 games.

PHOTO: AFP/FILEAn Afghan man convicted of murder was executed in public Wednesday, the Taliban said, the first confirmation of such a sentence since the hardline Islamists returned to power. Last month Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered judges to fully enforce aspects of Islamic law that include public executions, stonings and floggings, and the amputation of limbs from thieves. They have carried out several public floggings since then, but Wednesday's execution in Farah -- capital of the western province of the same name -- is the first the Taliban have acknowledged. Also read: Taliban treatment of women could be crime against humanity: UNWomen in particular have been incrementally squeezed out of public life since the Taliban's return. The statement included the names of dozens of court officials as well as other Taliban representatives as being present for the execution.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja on Wednesday said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not oppose the use of Electric Voting Machines (EVMs) nor did it oppose voting by overseas Pakistanis but urged transparency. While addressing at an event today, the electoral chief said that the commission did not oppose EVMs or overseas votes but emphasised that transparency in the electoral process was mandatory. CEC Raja also said that it will take six months for the delimitation of constituencies. He maintained that the ECP did not want doubts raised regarding election results if polls were held in a haste. Raja furthered that constituencies were delimited twice for the local body elections in Punjab, while the provincial government changed election rules twice.

Every year we have injuries or deaths as a result of aerial firing. The sound of gunfire echoing across the city at the stroke of midnight on Aug 13 is symbolic of ‘freedom’, whenever Pakistan beats India in a cricket match, the sound of gunfire becomes a symbol of nationwide elation, and the same applies to electoral victories and even weddings. While celebratory firing is illegal, it remains prevalent and common in the country. In some parts of the country, celebratory firing is part of culture, and when people with such cultural background move to other parts of the country and settle there, their practices engulf the larger community as well. - Advertisement -What is frustrating is the fact that the aerial firing and use of firecrackers are continuing despite an order having been issued by the Supreme Court against such practices.

COAS visits Quaid's mausoleum to pay homage to nation's founderChief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir has appreciated Army and Ranger's troops for operational preparedness and reaching out to people of Sindh during recent unprecedented floods in the country. The Army Chief was briefed on operational, security and other matters of the formation including assistance to civil administration during recent natural calamity in Sindh particularly interior Sindh. General Syed Asim Munir praised the formation, allied organisations and law enforcement agencies for maintaining safe and secure environment in the province particularly mega-politan city of Karachi. Earlier, the Army Chief visited mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and paid homage to the founder of nation. On arrival at Karachi, the Army Chief was received by Corps Commander Karachi, Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed.

Share:KARACHI- Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Associations Tuesday urged the government to release the vegetable containers stuck at the Karachi port. Containers loaded with onions and garlic are stuck at the Karachi port as the commercial banks have refused to provide clearing documents to the importers. The worth of stuck vegetables is said to be $5.5 million. The association has said delay in clearance of the vegetable containers will ultimately result in a price hike in the market. The government has been urged by the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Association to ensure immediate clearance of the imported onion and garlic.

Photo: filePakistan’s central bank is working to open its debt market for retail investors as it gets set to launch its debt market web portal over the next couple of months. The aim of the launch is to mobilise local resources in order to finance domestic projects and cut reliance on tight foreign financing. Speaking at the CFA Society’s 19th Annual Excellence Award on Tuesday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad spoke at length about developing a domestic debt market and highlighted its importance for developing countries like Pakistan. SBP is working on a debt market web portal these days which is near its completion. “The portal is expected to be launched in the next couple of months and will provide access to investors to the debt market and provide relevant information.

The funeral prayers of Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Asim Ali and Constable Shahid Arshad Ali who were killed in a police encounter with unknown dacoits at Shamkay Bhattiyan Manga Mandi area on Monday night were offered today at District Police Lines Qilla Gujjar Singh. Special prayers were offered for the departed soul of ASI Asim Ali and Constable Shahid Arshad Ali on this occasion whereas a contingent of police presented a guard of honour to the martyred constable as well. CCPO Dogar, along with Additional IG Investigation Punjab, DIG Operations Afzal Ahmad Kausar, DIG Investigation and other senior police officers laid flower wreaths on the coffins of the martyred police personnel. Later, the dead bodies of martyred policemen departed for their final burial in their native areas in the custody of police officers with complete police protocol. Assistant Sub-Inspector Asim Ali and Constable Shahid Arshad suffered bullet wounds and were shifted to the hospital in critical condition.