ISLAMABAD: The Government of Japan has officially announced the MEXT Teachers Training Scholarship 2026 for Pakistani teachers, offering a valuable opportunity for educators seeking advanced professional training and research experience in school education. According to an official statement, selected candidates will participate in a non-degree teachers training and research program at a Japanese university. The program is not linked to bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degrees but is specifically designed to enhance professional teaching skills and educational research. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program. The scholarship is offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science…
Author: Web Desk2
Cambridge, Massachusetts: In a historic first for the United States, two Pakistani-origin politicians have been elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Cambridge. On January 5, 2026, Sanbal Siddiqui, originally from Karachi, was elected Mayor of Cambridge City for the third consecutive term (2024–2026), while Burhan Azim, from Burewala, Punjab, became the youngest Deputy Mayor in the city’s history. Sanbal Siddiqui, a practicing lawyer from Karachi, has been active in American politics since her election to the Cambridge City Council in 2017. She previously served as Mayor from 2020 to 2024. Siddiqui is the first Muslim Mayor of Cambridge and…
After two days of upward momentum, gold and silver prices have declined again in both international and local markets. According to the All Sarafah Association, gold prices dropped by Rs 1,200 per tola in local markets, bringing 24-carat gold to Rs 466,762 per tola. The price of 10 grams of gold also fell by Rs 1,028, reaching Rs 400,173. Silver prices remained stable at Rs 8,361 per tola. On the international front, gold prices fell by $12 per ounce, bringing the rate to $4,444 per ounce. Analysts suggest that the market is experiencing a minor correction after the previous gains,…
Karachi: The ongoing dispute between Karachi Bar officials and Rajab Butt’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, is likely to be resolved soon. Mian Ali Ashfaq is expected to visit the City Court tomorrow at the invitation of the Karachi Bar, where he will announce his withdrawal from cases against the officials. According to sources, the Karachi Bar will also withdraw its application against Mian Ali Ashfaq. Earlier, the Punjab Bar Council had suspended Ali Ashfaq’s license based on a request from the Karachi Bar. Additionally, a case of assault against lawyers has been registered against Rajab Butt at the City Court…
Karachi: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon has welcomed the visit of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to Karachi, assuring that he will be accorded full protocol and security during his stay. Speaking to the media, Memon said that while political differences exist, the KP chief minister can continue his activities in Karachi within the framework of the Constitution and the law. He added that adequate security arrangements will be provided, and the Sohail Afridi Karachi visit is expected to be peaceful and productive. At the same time, Memon criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, claiming that the party’s founder…
Rawalpindi: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi has issued an arrest warrant for Alima Khan in connection with a case related to the November 26, 2024, protest. Her request for a one-day exemption from attendance was rejected, and the court ordered that the case be heard daily to avoid further delays. The hearing was presided over by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah. Alima Khan was represented by her lawyer Faisal Malik, while Prosecutor Zaheer Shah appeared for the government. During the proceedings, cross-examination of 10 witnesses by the lawyers of five accused was completed, but further cross-examination could not be conducted…
China has made travel easier for international visitors by extending its visa fee discount policy until December 31, 2026, allowing tourists, business travelers, and frequent visitors to benefit from reduced visa charges. Under the extended policy, visa applicants will pay approximately 25% lower fees compared to pre-2023 rates. The discounted fees will apply to single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visas, while the application process and eligibility criteria will remain unchanged. China has also extended the exemption from fingerprint collection for visa applicants until the end of 2026. Applicants seeking tourist, business, family visit, or transit visas for stays of up to…
Lahore: Internal divisions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have surfaced openly over the decision to boycott the by-election in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-167 (Lahore). The party appears split into two camps regarding participation in the by-election, with several senior PTI leaders questioning the decision to stay away from the polls. According to party sources, some leaders believe the boycott was unnecessary and not in line with the party’s broader policy. They argue that the PTI founder had issued boycott instructions only for constituencies where elected members were disqualified following convictions. PP-167, they maintain, does not fall under that category and therefore…
The United States has introduced a new visa requirement, further tightening its immigration policy by adding seven more countries to a list whose citizens must submit a security bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for a US visa. According to the Associated Press, most of the newly added countries are from Africa, bringing the total number of countries subject to the bond requirement to 13. The US State Department had previously imposed the same condition on nationals of Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia last year. Under the latest decision, citizens of Bhutan, Botswana,…
Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has announced a major regulatory change allowing all foreign investors worldwide to invest directly in the Saudi stock market starting February 1, 2026. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the CMA board has approved amendments to existing regulations aimed at expanding access to the Kingdom’s main equity market. Under the revised rules, global investors will be able to participate directly in Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange without previous restrictions. The authority said the move is designed to broaden and enhance the investor base in the main market, promote investment inflows, and increase market liquidity.…
