Pakistani nurses and other healthcare professionals could gain wider access to professional opportunities in the United States under a new education and workforce initiative. The American Pakistan Education Foundation and the Pakistan Education Foundation, or Pak-EEF, are set to sign a memorandum of understanding in New York. The agreement aims to create a formal framework for education, training, certification and professional preparation. It will also explore pathways for qualified Pakistani healthcare workers seeking opportunities in the US. According to reports, APPAC Foundation President Dr Ejaz Ahmed and Pak-EEF Chief Executive Officer Syeda Hajra Sohail are expected to sign the agreement. The initiative will also seek stronger links with American hospitals, healthcare systems, universities and professional organisations. 300 nurses selected for NCLEX training Pak-EEF has already launched an NCLEX Nurse Placement Programme for Pakistani registered nurses seeking international licensing. A nationwide registration drive attracted 2,759 candidates. Following screening, the programme selected 300 eligible nurses for training. More than 80 have obtained NCLEX-related licensing credentials, while over 220 are still progressing through the examination process. The programme has also supported candidates who could not easily afford overseas travel for the licensing process. Read More: Why Over 278,000 Pakistanis Registered for Foreign Jobs in 2026 Pakistan gained another advantage in February 2025 when Pearson VUE opened a professional testing centre in Lahore. The centre administers the NCLEX-RN examination on behalf of the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing. NCSBN now officially lists Pakistan among its international NCLEX testing locations. However, passing the NCLEX is only one part of the process. NCSBN says candidates must also meet requirements set by the nursing regulatory body where they intend to practise. US healthcare demand creates opening The initiative comes as the United States continues to need large numbers of registered nurses. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects registered nurse employment to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034. It expects about 189,100 openings each year on average during that period. Many vacancies will result from workers retiring or leaving the profession. Read More: Grand Mosque Launches Heart Attack Treatment Zone for Pilgrims The Pakistan-US nursing initiative received support from New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos. APPAC delegations have previously visited Pakistan and held discussions on healthcare workforce development, training and broader institutional cooperation. Under the planned MoU, the American organisation will seek partnerships with hospitals, nursing facilities, educational institutions and potential employers in the US. Training, scholarships and professional exchanges planned Pak-EEF will identify nurses and other healthcare professionals with suitable qualifications. It will also support candidates with examinations, professional preparation, certification and documentation. The two organisations also plan to explore scholarships, educational assistance, faculty development and professional exchange programmes. Universities, nursing schools and hospitals could participate in joint training initiatives. A joint working group may oversee implementation and develop further cooperation between the two sides. If implemented successfully, the agreement could create a clearer route for Pakistani healthcare professionals seeking US careers. Actual employment would still depend on licensing, employer requirements and applicable US immigration rules.
Viral Video Shows Bear Trapped High Above Road on Power Pole
A viral video showing a black bear stranded on a utility pole in New Mexico has drawn attention after the animal died from electrocution before rescuers could reach it. The incident happened near Gladstone in Union County. Motorists spotted the bear stretched across the top of the pole beside live electrical equipment. Some initially thought the animal had died. Witness Shannon Mullens was travelling on Highway 56 toward Oklahoma when she noticed the bear. “We really didn’t believe what we saw at first, so we turned around to get another look,” Mullens told Storyful. “At first, we thought that the bear was dead, until we got closer to it and then we realized that he was still alive.” Bear trapped among live electrical wires The bear sat about 22 feet above the ground near wires carrying 7,200 volts. Video showed it panting and struggling to position its paws and legs. Several motorists called emergency services. Dispatchers contacted wildlife officials, law enforcement and the power company. Read More: The Wildest Insurance Scam: Rolls-Royce ‘Bear Attack’ Turns Out to Be Human in Disguise Wildlife officers faced a difficult rescue problem. Tranquilizing the bear could have caused it to fall from the pole and endangered people below. The live electrical lines also made approaching the animal dangerous. Officials asked motorists to leave and give the bear space to climb down on its own. Remote location complicates rescue effort Wildlife officials said the closest conservation officer was about 80 miles away. Law enforcement and electric company personnel tried to reach the remote location quickly. “Due to the remoteness of the location, the closest conservation officer was about 80 miles away,” the department said. Officials believe something likely startled the bear and caused it to climb the pole as if it were a tree. The animal remained there for about an hour and a half. Authorities also said some motorists ignored requests to move away. “However, some members of the public continued to stop next to the power pole to film and take pictures of the bear, so the bear remained at the top of the pole,” the department said. Viral encounter ends in tragedy Before responders could safely intervene, the bear came into contact with the electrical equipment and suffered fatal injuries. A conservation officer later removed the animal. Mullens said the outcome left her deeply affected. “We just felt helpless. There was nothing we could do to help the guy out,” she said. “And hearing that the bear didn’t make it was heartbreaking.” The footage quickly spread across social media and news platforms. What first appeared to be an unusual roadside encounter soon sparked discussion about wildlife rescue procedures. Read More: Pelicans’ Eyes Stitched Shut in Shocking Wildlife Smuggling Case Black bears sometimes climb utility poles when traffic, people or other perceived threats frighten them. They may respond to a pole much as they would to a tree, but electrical equipment creates an added danger. Wildlife officials advise people not to approach bears and to give distressed animals space. Crowds can make frightened wildlife less likely to retreat safely. The New Mexico incident has renewed questions about how emergency teams should respond when wildlife becomes trapped around dangerous infrastructure.
Afghanistan Reach 2027 World Cup Crushing Ireland by 92 Runs
Afghanistan have secured direct qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup after a commanding 92-run victory over Ireland in the second ODI of their five-match series. The result at Bready confirmed Afghanistan’s place at the 14-team tournament. It also removed the pressure of World Cup qualification from their remaining matches in Ireland. The ICC has confirmed that the 2027 event will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. 92-run victory seals Afghanistan’s World Cup place Rain forced the first ODI to end without a ball being bowled. Afghanistan responded strongly in the second match and completed a 92-run victory on August 7. The ICC match centre recorded Afghanistan at 299 for eight before Ireland fell well short of the target. That victory secured the result Afghanistan needed for direct qualification. Afghanistan join South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka among teams that have secured their places. Read More: Which Teams Will Play Cricket at LA28? ICC Reveals the Full Plan South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically as Full Member hosts. The other direct places come through the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. The ICC had previously confirmed that the top eight eligible teams in the rankings would reach the World Cup directly. The tournament will feature 14 teams. The ICC recently approved a revised three-stage competition format for the 2027 edition. Gurbaz and Rashid extend Afghanistan’s dominance Afghanistan then strengthened their grip on the series with a three-wicket victory in the third ODI at Stormont on August 10. Ireland made 206 before losing their final wicket in 46.3 overs. Rashid Khan and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed three wickets each. Yamin Ahmadzai took two wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai added one wicket apiece. Afghanistan reached 207 for seven in 45 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the chase with 71. Rashid remained unbeaten on 37, while Sediq Atal scored 27 and Hashmatullah Shahidi made 22. The ICC praised Rashid’s all-round influence after he followed his six-wicket haul in the second ODI with three more wickets. Ireland spinner Gavin Hoey, who took a career-best four for 34, also praised the Afghanistan star. “He’s a serious competitor and he’s somebody I’ve looked at a lot and tried to emulate as much as I can,” Hoey said. Ireland forced to take World Cup Qualifier route Afghanistan’s qualification has ended West Indies’ hopes of claiming a direct World Cup spot. Ireland must now pursue qualification through the 10-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The top four sides from that event will reach the main tournament. Ireland entered the Afghanistan series knowing how important World Cup qualification had become. Read More: Saudi Arabia Enters T20 Cricket With Dunes League Launch “We’re laser-focused on 50-over cricket right now for that reason,” Ireland coach Gary Wilson said before the series. Afghanistan now hold a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The fourth ODI will take place at Stormont on August 12, followed by the fifth match at the same venue on August 15. The qualification adds another major achievement to Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket and guarantees their presence at another global ICC event.
Muhammad Ali Malik Gets Key Role at State Bank of Pakistan
The federal government has appointed Muhammad Ali Malik as Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan for a five-year term, effective immediately. The Finance Division issued the appointment notification on Monday, August 10, under Section 11A(2) of the State Bank of Pakistan Act, 1956. The law underwent major amendments in 2022 as part of changes to the central bank’s governance framework. According to the notification, Malik will remain in office for five years from the date of his appointment. A senior SBP official moves into deputy governor role Malik is not new to the central bank’s senior management. State Bank records show that he served as an Executive Director before his latest appointment. Minutes from the Monetary Policy Committee meeting held in January 2025 list Muhammad Ali Malik as an Executive Director at SBP. Earlier central bank records also show that he worked as Director of Domestic Markets and Monetary Management in 2010. Read More: HugoBank Gets SBP Approval to Begin Pilot Operations That background gives Malik experience in areas linked to monetary policy, financial markets and the central bank’s economic management role. The appointment places him among the most senior officials at SBP. The central bank says its governor receives support from three deputy governors. Each deputy governor serves a five-year term and can receive one renewal. SBP leadership and policy responsibilities SBP’s leadership includes Governor Jameel Ahmad and Deputy Governors Saleem Ullah and Muhammad Amin Khan Lodhi. Saleem Ullah became deputy governor in August 2023. The federal government appointed Lodhi in October 2025 for a five-year term. SBP says Lodhi oversees key economic and monetary policy formulation functions and economic publications. Read More The central bank’s deputy governors also form part of its Executive Committee. The committee includes the governor, deputy governors, executive directors and other senior officials when required. Under the SBP Act, the committee can formulate policies covering the bank’s core functions and internal management. Monetary policy decisions remain under the Monetary Policy Committee. Appointment comes during key monetary policy period Malik takes up the role as the State Bank manages inflation risks, external pressures and economic recovery. On July 27, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the policy rate unchanged at 11.5 percent. The committee said Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook had improved, but risks remained elevated because of regional and global uncertainty. SBP data showed foreign exchange reserves of $17.043 billion as of July 31. Total liquid foreign exchange reserves, including commercial bank holdings, stood at $22.475 billion. Read More: SBP Introduces Rs.1 Per Litre Incentive for Digital Fuel Payments The appointment gives Malik a five-year mandate as SBP continues to focus on price stability, financial stability and a more technology-driven financial system. The State Bank says its main responsibilities include monetary policy, exchange rate policy, reserve management, banking supervision, payment systems and financial inclusion. Malik’s elevation places him in a key decision-making position at Pakistan’s central bank as it navigates the next phase of monetary and financial policy.
Al Baraka CEO Among Forbes Middle East Top 100 CEOs 2026
Forbes Middle East has named Houssem Ben Haj Amor, Group Chief Executive Officer of Al Baraka Group, among its Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East for 2026. The regional business publication placed Ben Haj Amor at No. 84 on this year’s list. Forbes identified him as a Tunisian banking executive based in Bahrain. He has led Al Baraka Group since October 2022. Forbes places Al Baraka CEO at No. 84 Forbes Middle East said its ranking assessed executives on their regional and market impact, experience, company size, recent performance, and major innovations or initiatives. Only CEOs of companies headquartered in the Middle East and North Africa qualified for consideration. Forbes said Al Baraka Group’s total assets had crossed $31 billion in the first quarter of 2026. It also highlighted the Group’s network of about 600 branches across 13 countries as of 2025. Read More: PIA Set to Appoint Former Ethiopian Airlines Chief as CEO The publication pointed to Al Baraka’s work to align artificial intelligence, digital operations, information technology and cybersecurity across its subsidiaries. It also cited stronger asset quality, with gross non-performing assets at 3%. Ben Haj Amor also serves as chairman of Albaraka Türk Participation Bank, according to Forbes. Growth and transformation at Al Baraka The recognition comes as Al Baraka continues to pursue closer coordination among its banking subsidiaries. The Group has also focused on transformation projects, revenue diversification and improvements in banking services. Its first-quarter results show the scale of that expansion. Al Baraka reported total assets of $31.37 billion at the end of March 2026. That compared with $31.01 billion at the end of 2025. Total net income reached $93 million during the quarter, compared with $91 million a year earlier. Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent rose 12% to $52 million from $46 million. Read More: Dawood Lawrencepur Appoints Hussain Dawood as Chairman, Retains CEO The Group said higher financing volumes and stronger activity in key markets, particularly Türkiye and Jordan, supported asset growth. It has also expanded cross-border banking and trade finance initiatives. Al Baraka ended 2025 with record total net income of $357 million, up 16% from 2024. Assets rose 18% during the year to more than $31 billion, the highest level in the Group’s history. Strategy built around integration and Islamic banking Under Ben Haj Amor, Al Baraka has focused on using its geographic footprint more effectively. It has also strengthened cooperation across its banking network. The approach aims to create more integrated services while opening new revenue opportunities across markets. The Group continues to develop its Islamic banking products and digital capabilities as the financial services industry evolves. Its strategy also places emphasis on operational efficiency, prudent risk management and sustainable growth. The Forbes recognition therefore comes during a period of expansion for the Bahrain-headquartered banking group. Despite regional and global economic volatility, Al Baraka has continued to report growth across several financial and operational indicators while pursuing deeper integration among its subsidiaries.
