KARACHI: Pakistan's central bank held its main policy rate at 13.25% on Friday, taking a second consecutive pause from a series of previous hikes as data pointed to a stabilizing inflation rate.
The bank last lifted rates in July by 100 basis points, raising the interest rate to 13.25%, its ninth cut since the start of 2018, as it faced rising inflation, a substantial current account deficit and downward pressure on the rupee currency.
The decision comes at a time of scrutiny for Pakistan's economy by the International Monetary Fund, which is reviewing progress on reforms agreed as part of bailout package in July.
Pakistan's central bank holds key interest rate at 13.25%
Pakistan's central bank holds key interest rate at 13.25%
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- SBP last lifted rates in July by 100 basis points
- The decision was taken since official data pointed to a stabilization of inflation rate
KSGAAL launches report on global status of Arabic language education
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- Report came during two-day international symposium on status of Arabic language education on Feb. 18 and 19 at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) have published a report titled “The Status of Arabic Language Education in the World.”
The launch of the report came during a two-day international symposium on the status of Arabic language education on Feb. 18 and 19 at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, said in a press release that the report is part of the academy’s ongoing efforts to promote Arabic language education around the world, and “to drive a transformative shift in Arabic language education as a second language globally.”
It “focuses on shaping policies and strategies that elevate teaching standards while conducting an in-depth assessment of Arabic learning institutions” and “aims to broaden the language’s reach, overcome key challenges, and foster stronger partnerships with regional and international organizations dedicated to Arabic language education,” Al-Washmi added.
The report “represents a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive knowledge base on Arabic language education, serving as a key reference for policymakers and academic institutions in developing curricula and educational programs,” he continued.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, director-general of ICESCO, commended Saudi Arabia’s “pioneering vision in advancing the Arabic language and its mission to preserve and promote its status.”
He said in the press release: “Strengthening the Arabic language within its Islamic context and on the global stage is a shared duty and a historic responsibility—one that calls for unified efforts and sustained collaboration.”
According to the press release, the report is the first to assess “the realities of Arabic language education in non-Arabic-speaking countries. It provides “in-depth analysis” of more than 300 educational institutions across 30 countries, includes an analysis of graduates’ employment prospects, and “identifies key challenges facing Arabic language education and proposes practical solutions to enhance educational policies and strengthen coordination among relevant stakeholders.”
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mahmoud, head of the Planning and Language Policy Sector at KSGAAL, told Arab News that the report aims to “drive a paradigm shift in the Arabic language education as a second language,” adding that it will provide “educational institutions, researchers, and relevant stakeholders with the opportunity to strengthen areas in need of development.”
Dr. Khaled Al-Qousi, director of the Language Policy Department at KSGAAL, said the report includes research about the employment prospects and hiring rates for graduates of Arabic language programs in various countries, and assesses the “accessibility of employment opportunities for graduates of Arabic language programs within the global job market.”
The findings, the press release stated, “underscore the necessity of fostering strategic partnerships between Arabic language programs and key sectors, including education, diplomacy, commerce, and media, to ensure that graduates can fully leverage these opportunities.”
Cholera kills 15 in western Ethiopia: health official
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- “Fifteen people have died, and we have 234 cases since the beginning of February,” said Gillo
- “The situation is not yet under control and we don’t have enough medication currently”
ADDIS ABABA: A cholera outbreak in western Ethiopia has killed 15 people and struck more than 200 people this month, a regional health official said Friday, appealing for more medicine.
Several regions of Ethiopia and other African countries have been fighting cholera outbreaks in recent weeks, including Sudan and Angola.
“Fifteen people have died, and we have 234 cases since the beginning of February,” Nigiw Gillo, an emergencies manager in the Gambella region health bureau, told AFP.
“The situation is not yet under control and we don’t have enough medication currently, and we are asking our partners to provide.”
Cholera causes severe diarrhea, vomiting and muscle cramps, and is generally contracted by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the bacterium, according to the World Health Organization.
It said the number of reported cholera cases rose by 13 percent in 2023 from a year earlier, with deaths from the disease surging by more than 70 percent.
Cholera killed 4,000 people in 2024, despite being “preventable and easily treatable,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last year.
Barcelona’s Flick upset by referee harassment
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- “The referees at the moment, what they are doing here in Spain with them is unbelievable,” Flick told a news conference
- “You have to think about the families of the referees, all of us make mistakes”
BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick showed his anger at the harassment of La Liga referees on Friday, after weeks of complaints from title rivals Real Madrid about Spanish arbitration.
Los Blancos sent a letter to the Spanish football federation complaining officiating in the country was “rigged” and referee Jose Munuera Montero faced abuse on social media this week after sending off Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Champions Real Madrid have attacked Spanish referees consistently on their club television channel this season and coach Carlo Ancelotti said he prefers officiating in the Champions League.
“The referees at the moment, what they are doing here in Spain with them is unbelievable,” Flick told a news conference, bringing up the matter of his own accord.
“You have to think about the families of the referees, all of us make mistakes, and if it happened in a match I think it’s the responsibility of the coaches and the players to protect them.
“I don’t like that, we’re always using our energy to discuss (them)... we have to trust in them, and I think the federation has to show how strong they are.”
The Spanish football federation said Friday the slogan “Respect the referee, respect football” will be used ahead of matches this weekend.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was banned for two matches this week after showing dissent to referee Jose Munuera Montero during his team’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna last weekend.
Bellingham was sent off and Madrid’s appeal against his ban was rejected Friday, meaning he will not be available for Los Blancos on Sunday against Girona.
“Bellingham is an excellent player, one of the best in his position, and he’s not my player, so I don’t have anything to say about that,” continued Flick.
The former Bayern Munich coach said referees should be protected.
“We always look for excuses, if we lose it’s the referee’s fault... I say, everyone makes mistakes, I do too and maybe a referee...
“We have to protect the match because we cannot play without referees, so this is what we have to do.”
Barcelona pulled level on points with Real Madrid on Monday with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano but lead the lead on goal difference, ahead of their visit to Las Palmas on Saturday.
Madrid have been criticizing officials for months on their television channel but stepped up their complaints after Espanyol defender Carlos Romero was not sent off for fouling Kylian Mbappe when the sides met on February 1 in La Liga.
Pakistani security forces kill six militants in northwest
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- The forces carried out the intelligence-based operation in Karak District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Violence by TTP militants, suspected to be based in Afghanistan, has surged in the province
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed six militants in an operation in the northwest, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Friday.
The operation was conducted in Karak District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The region has seen a surge in militant violence since a ceasefire between the government and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) collapsed in late 2022.
Pakistan refers to TTP fighters as “khwarij,” a term historically used for a radical sect in early Islam known for rebelling against authority and declaring other Muslims as apostates.
“On 21 February 2025, Security Forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Karak District, on reported presence of Khwarij,” the ISPR said. “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, resultantly, six khwarij were sent to hell.”
The statement added a “sanitization operation” was underway to eliminate other militants in the area, emphasizing that Pakistan’s security forces are determined to eradicate extremist violence from the country.
Pakistan has accused the TTP of orchestrating cross-border attacks on its forces and civilians, alleging that these militants are facilitated by elements within Afghanistan. However, Kabul has consistently denied such allegations.
Haaland a doubt for Man City showdown with ‘exceptional’ Liverpool
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- “Tomorrow we will know,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference
- The January signing of Omar Marmoush at least means Guardiola does have a back-up option
MANCHESTER: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland remains a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool after sitting out his side’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
The Norwegian was named on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu but did not make an appearance as City were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday to crash out 6-3 on aggregate.
“Tomorrow we will know,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
The January signing of Omar Marmoush at least means Guardiola does have a back-up option should Haaland fail to recover in time to face the league leaders, but Guardiola could not hide the importance of his 27-goal star striker.
“It’s better to have Erling on the pitch than not,” he added. “Of course with Erling we are stronger.”
The battle for supremacy between Guardiola’s City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool marked an era in the Premier League.
But Arne Slot has seamlessly succeeded Klopp to have the Reds on course for the title in his first season in charge.
“For me it’s an exceptional team. I have said many times, they have been the biggest rival in my tenure here,” said Guardiola.
“Arsenal right now in the last years have been involved as well, but I could not expect differently that Liverpool (would) be in the position that they are.”
Liverpool hold an eight-point lead over Arsenal, who have a game in hand and are favorites to cut the gap to five when they host West Ham on Saturday.
After four consecutive title triumphs, City’s defense of their crown is realistically over as they are 17 points adrift of Liverpool in fourth.
Injuries have played a major role in City’s decline.
John Stones is set for another couple of months on the sidelines after limping off with a thigh tear early on against Madrid, while Rodri and Manuel Akanji may also not play again this season.
Guardiola pointed to a brutal schedule as the cause and pointed out that Arsenal, Real Madrid and Tottenham are among other clubs battling a number of serious muscle injuries this season.
City’s season could stretch into mid-July due to their participation in the Club World Cup, with the next Premier League season starting barely a month later.
Guardiola said he is already fearing a repeat situation next season that could hinder City’s hopes of bouncing back and competing for major honors.
“Of course, I’m concerned. So, next season, everybody will be fit? I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he added.
“We have already a lot of players that cannot sustain what we have in the past. Week in, week out, playing a dozen different competitions, travels. Without the problems.
“More than 50 games, it’s too much for the players. It’s too much for the human being, the body cannot sustain without a medical issue.
“And we arrived at 65, 70 games and, at the end, look what happened. It’s not just Man City. It’s all the clubs.”