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In a major reform aimed at standardising assessment and reducing exam pressure, the Sindh government has abolished the long-standing “number system” in all education boards of the province. Sindh Universities Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahu confirmed that the old marks-based system has been replaced with a grading system for both matriculation and intermediate levels. The decision was taken in line with policy guidelines issued by the Inter-Board Coordination Commission at the federal level, ensuring uniformity across boards. According to the minister, the new grading system will be implemented in phases across Sindh. It will be introduced with the first annual examinations of…

Pakistan has secured a $603 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to support key social and economic programs. Agreements were signed by IDB Vice President Dr. Rami Ahmed and Pakistan’s Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, Muhammad Hameer Karim. Under the agreement, $118.4 million will be allocated for a poverty alleviation program targeting extremely poor and flood-affected families. The initiative will benefit more than 160,000 families across 25 districts. Additionally, $10 million will be provided for the out-of-school children project in Azad Kashmir. The program aims to re-enroll 60,000 children in schools and train 4,000 teachers to ensure…

The deadly Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi has entered its third day, with authorities unable to declare the site fully cleared as rescue teams continue search and recovery efforts under extremely dangerous conditions. The death toll in the incident has reached 26, according to officials. So far, 20 bodies have been formally identified, while medico-legal examinations of 19 bodies have been completed. Authorities have confirmed that 75 people are still missing, intensifying anxiety among families gathered near the site. Officials have also received location information for 39 individuals believed to have been inside the building. Rescue operation continues Search and…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for Switzerland on Tuesday, leading a delegation to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF). The visit aims to strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic ties and explore new economic opportunities. The premier is accompanied by Deputy prime ninister and foreign minister, Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Information, and other key partners. The delegation will represent Pakistan in several strategic discussions with international leaders. Diplomatic and economic engagements During his visit, Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to meet with heads of state, government officials, and leaders of major international organizations. Discussions will focus on fostering economic cooperation, attracting foreign…

A prison break involving ISIL fighters sparked clashes between Syrian Army forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria on Monday, prompting authorities to impose a citywide curfew. The Syrian Army reported that some 120 ISIL detainees escaped from al-Shaddadi’s prison during fighting with SDF forces. The clashes came a day after a ceasefire agreement between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF leader Mazloum Kobani. Authorities swiftly imposed a curfew across al-Shaddadi to secure the city and locate the escaped militants. The Syrian Army claimed that the SDF deliberately freed the ISIL fighters, while the Kurdish-led force…

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and his wife, author Twinkle Khanna, had a narrow escape on Monday night after their convoy was caught in a freak road accident shortly after they returned to the city. The incident occurred around 9pm near the Silver Beach café, a busy stretch in Juhu that was already crowded due to an event attended by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar nearby. According to witnesses, a speeding Mercedes rammed into an auto rickshaw, which was then pushed into a vehicle from Akshay Kumar’s security convoy. That vehicle subsequently crashed into the actor’s SUV. Akshay…

The success of U.S. companies in China shows that both sides benefit from cooperation, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that China welcomes businesses from all countries, including the United States, to seize the opportunities of China’s high-quality development. A recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in China showed that a growing number of U.S. companies in China are optimistic about market growth. More than half expect to be profitable or very profitable in 2025, over 70 percent report no plans to relocate operations, and nearly 60 percent plan to increase investment in China. This…

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday presided over a symposium for soliciting opinions and suggestions on the draft government work report as well as the draft outline of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, heard opinions and suggestions on the two documents from representatives from academia, the business community and sectors including education, science, culture, public health and sports. Li stressed the need to thoroughly implement the CPC Central Committee’s recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year…

A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the international community to jointly prevent Japan from reverting to “the old and pernicious path of militarism.” Sun Lei, charge d’affaires of China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, made the appeal at the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. Crimes against humanity constitute grave offenses that threaten international peace and security. This charge first appeared in the Charter of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and the Charter of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, embodying…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for China’s economic growth in 2025 and 2026 to 5.0 and 4.5 percent, respectively, in its updated World Economic Outlook on Monday. This upward revision reflects stronger activity supported by stimulus measures and additional investment financing from policy banks, which have helped sustain domestic demand and bolster confidence amid external pressures, according to the outlook. According to the IMF, the global economy is expected to remain relatively resilient despite trade disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties. The Fund projects global growth of about 3.3 percent in 2026, an upward adjustment of 0.2 percentage points from its…