Pakistan’s education system is facing renewed criticism after officials revealed that nearly 17,000 children in Islamabad are still out of school, while concerns over the integrity of the Cambridge examination system have intensified following reports of a leaked Mathematics exam paper, The Express Tribune reported. The issue came to light during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Education, where authorities shared findings showing that thousands of children across 30 union councils in the federal capital remain without access to formal schooling.

During the session, Joint Secretary for Education Hameed Niazi informed committee members that a survey had already been completed and the government aims to enrol all out-of-school children by May 30. The meeting, chaired by Acting Chairperson Syeda Aamna Batool, featured updates from several education-related bodies, including the Ministry of Education, the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC).

Committee member Shazia Soomro strongly criticised the absence of both the Education Minister and the Education Secretary, pointing out that lawmakers consistently attend these meetings while senior officials often remain missing. Director General Education Junaid Akhlaq told the panel that admissions in federal government schools are being carried out strictly on merit and that approximately 32,000 seats are currently available in government-run institutions.

Meanwhile, former PEIRA chairman Ghulam Ali Mallah disclosed that officials had identified around 50 unregistered schools operating in Islamabad. Inspection teams have now been assigned to investigate and take appropriate action. He further stated that private schools would now be legally required to allocate 10 per cent of admissions free of cost to underprivileged students. According to the report, nearly 500 out of around 1,600 schools have already submitted compliance documents.

The committee also voiced serious concern over allegations that a Cambridge Mathematics examination paper had been leaked. IBCC officials confirmed that Cambridge authorities had acknowledged the incident and had been asked to provide a detailed clarification. Reacting to the controversy, Shazia Soomro remarked that while Pakistan’s local examination boards are often criticised for transparency issues, the latest incident has now cast doubts on the credibility and fairness of the internationally recognised Cambridge examination system as well.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Vietnam’s President To Lam at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Wednesday, following a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier in the day, which marked the start of the Vietnamese leader’s first State Visit to India. President To Lam was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting the strengthening strategic partnership between India and Vietnam. The ceremonial event featured cultural performances, with children dressed in traditional attire waving both the Vietnamese flag and the Indian Tricolour.

The Vietnamese President arrived in India on Tuesday and began his visit in Bodh Gaya, where he offered prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple. He was welcomed in Bihar by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary before traveling to Delhi. At the airport, he was received by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold comprehensive talks with President To Lam covering bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global matters. President Droupadi Murmu will also hold a separate meeting with him, while several senior officials are expected to engage in discussions with the visiting leader.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met President To Lam to discuss the expansion of the comprehensive strategic partnership. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides exchanged views on strengthening multifaceted cooperation, with the Vietnamese leader expressing anticipation for his meetings with Indian leadership. The MEA described the visit as an important milestone as both countries mark ten years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. President To Lam, who is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will stay in India until May 7.

His schedule also includes a visit to Mumbai, where he will participate in a business forum at the National Stock Exchange and meet state leaders to enhance economic engagement. India and Vietnam continue to share deep historical and civilisational ties that have evolved into a strong and growing strategic relationship.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Healthcare between India and Japan was convened on Tuesday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The session was co-chaired by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Japan’s Minister in charge of Healthcare Policy, Kimi Onoda. Welcoming the Japanese delegation, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that India and Japan share a relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and a common vision for the future. She added that the Joint Committee Meeting, conducted under the India–Japan Memorandum of Cooperation, has become an important platform for strengthening ties through continuous dialogue and deeper understanding, expressing hope for meaningful and forward-looking discussions.

Nadda stated that the meeting reflects the strong commitment of both nations to expand cooperation and build new partnerships in the healthcare sector. He noted that collaboration under the Memorandum of Cooperation on Healthcare and Wellness is guided by a shared goal of improving health systems, expanding access to care, and encouraging innovation for better outcomes.

He also highlighted the long-standing India–Japan relationship, which spans over a century, and reaffirmed India’s development approach based on “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” He described the Joint Committee Meeting as a key mechanism for advancing healthcare cooperation. Onoda emphasized Japan’s continued focus on strengthening healthcare collaboration through innovation, technology, and research, and expressed Japan’s willingness to further deepen ties.

The discussions covered major areas including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). India highlighted the rising burden of such diseases and its strategy focused on screening, continuous care, and health promotion aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Japan shared its initiatives in cancer screening, early detection, and improving treatment systems through technical and institutional cooperation.

On supply chain resilience and medical access, India emphasized its strong pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing base, along with efforts to ensure affordability and reduce dependency through policy support. Japan outlined its public–private collaboration model aimed at improving access, strengthening supply chains, and enabling technology adoption.

In digital health, India presented its Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which supports an integrated, secure, and citizen-focused digital health ecosystem. Japan shared its progress in digital healthcare through AI-enabled systems, research, and digital integration. On human resource development, India highlighted its framework for building a skilled healthcare workforce through training, exchanges, and competency recognition. Japan detailed its ongoing cooperation in joint research and personnel exchange programs.

In his concluding remarks, Nadda said the discussions have added fresh momentum to India–Japan health cooperation and reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthen collaboration in key areas. He added that the outcomes provide a strong base for future cooperation and reiterated India’s intent to work closely with Japan for tangible benefits to citizens of both countries. Onoda also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in healthcare. Both sides expressed confidence in further strengthening ties to improve health outcomes for their populations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PIB.

A concerning report released ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3 by Freedom Network has raised serious alarms about the state of media independence in Pakistan, warning that increasing reliance on cybercrime laws is putting press freedom at risk. The report, titled “Regulatory Repression of Freedom of Expression — Legal Controls and PECA Undermine Media and Journalism in Pakistan,” examines how recent amendments and broader application of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) are placing mounting pressure on journalists. As reported by Dawn, many media professionals are now resorting to self-censorship to avoid potential legal action.

According to the findings, the expanded use of PECA has created an environment where fear of legal consequences, defamation cases, regulatory pressure, and even internet disruptions are restricting independent journalism. While authorities justify these measures as efforts to combat misinformation and online hate speech, the report argues that they often come with increased surveillance and selective enforcement, raising serious concerns about misuse of power.

A key concern highlighted in the report is the unclear and loosely defined terminology used for phrases such as “fake” or “fabricated” news. This lack of clarity, it says, allows for broad interpretation, making it easier to blur the line between legitimate reporting and criticism of state institutions. As a result, journalists who challenge official narratives are more vulnerable to legal action.

Between April 2025 and March 2026, at least 129 violations against media workers were documented, according to Dawn. These included two killings, several threats to life, 58 legal cases—many filed under PECA—as well as incidents of harassment, physical assaults, and abductions. The report notes that provinces like Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain particularly dangerous for journalists, while fatal cases in Sindh and Balochistan further underline the widespread risks across the country.

The findings also reference legal actions taken against rights defenders such as Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, suggesting that imprisonment and prosecution are increasingly being used as tools to discourage dissent and critical expression. The report paints a troubling picture of shrinking media space in Pakistan, where legal frameworks meant to regulate cyberspace are, according to critics, increasingly being used to limit free expression and silence opposing voices.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

The 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and associated meetings in Cebu, scheduled from May 6 to 8, will bring together heads of state and senior officials from all ten ASEAN countries as well as Timor-Leste. The gathering takes place at a critical moment for the region, amid concerns that the Middle East conflict could disrupt global oil supplies, driving up fuel prices and increasing inflationary pressure on ASEAN economies. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the summit’s key issues in detail with Susannah Patton, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Lowy Institute.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Justin McCurry reports on Japan’s prime minister known for her interest in heavy metal music and her proposal to revise the nation’s pacifist constitution. His coverage highlights political and cultural dimensions of her leadership and the broader debate over Japan’s defense policies and constitutional reform efforts in modern times and its implications for regional security and international relations today globally.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

In “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews travel content creator Chelsea Yap, who shares insights from her solo trip to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Yap reflects on her six-day yoga and meditation experience at the Suan Sati Retreat and discusses the effectiveness of its sustainability initiatives. She also highlights her other travel experiences, which she documents through snapshots on Instagram and TikTok under the handle @offbeatsingaporean.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Coverage was dominated by claims that rogue LLMs were responsible, but they had no role in the targeting. The reality is far more unsettling: this atrocity did not emerge from artificial intelligence, but from a long chain of human decisions, policies, and actions taken over many years that ultimately led to this tragic outcome.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.