The Express Tribune
Taliban blamed for extorting food aid in Afghanistan. Country’s human rights commission says insurgents took away five trucks of food aid sent by Turkmenistan Afghanistan’s human rights commission says insurgents took away five trucks of food aid sent by Turkmenistan.
PHOTO: AA KABUL: Afghanistan’s human rights commission on Sunday blamed the Taliban for taking away truckloads of food aid sent by Turkmenistan for needy people amid the coronavirus pandemic. The insurgents extorted five trucks loaded with fresh food items in Faryab province’s restive Sheren Tagab district, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said in a statement. “During Ramadan, when the country is in dire need of food aid and people are suffering from a deadly disease [coronavirus] under quarantine, the commission expresses concerns over the holding of this aid, urge the Taliban to stop hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid, and to keep their promises in this regard,” it read. Special repatriation flights from US to start on May 10. ISLAMABAD : In collaboration with the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the government will operate special chartered flights from May 10 to repatriate stranded Pakistanis from the United States, while five special flights will bring stranded citizens to Pakistan from Qatar in the next two weeks.
According to a press release of the Pakistan’s embassy in Washington on Thursday, two special flights would operate from Washington DC – first to Islamabad on May 10 and second to Karachi on May 13. The date for another flight from Newark Airport, New Jersey for Lahore, will be announced later. In addition, the government would operate three more flights from the US for the repatriation of Pakistani citizens. “Dates, cities of origin and destinations in Pakistan would be announced in due course of time,” the embassy said.
Study suggests coronavirus spread swiftly around world in late 2019. We can't say whether SARS-CoV-2 is becoming more or less lethal and contagious, say London university scientists we cannot say whether SARS-CoV-2 is becoming more or less lethal and contagious, says scientists at University College London’s PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE LONDON: A genetic analysis of samples from more than 7,500 people infected with Covid-19 suggests the new coronavirus spread quickly around the world late last year and is adapting to its human hosts, scientists said on Wednesday.
A study by scientists at University College London’s (UCL) Genetics Institute found almost 200 recurrent genetic mutations of the new coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – which the researchers said showed how it may be evolving as it spreads in people. Francois Balloux, a UCL professor who co-led the research, said results showed that a large proportion of the global genetic diversity of the virus causing Covid-19 was found in all of the hardest-hit countries.
Probe body submits findings in Dr Furqan case. Committee has found FCPS of Civil Hospital Karachi guilty of negligence.
REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE KARACHI: A three-member inquiry committee has completed its inquiry into the death of radiologist Dr Furqanul Haq, who died of coronavirus in Karachi, and submitted its report to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Daily Mail columnist breaks up with Donald Trump over Covid-19 ‘disinfectant ideas’ I used very forceful language to convey my dismay at such reckless, and woefully irresponsible behaviour, says Morgan Piers Morgan interviewing US President Donald Trump.
PHOTO COURTESY: DAILY MAIL/FILE KARACHI: Piers Morgan, the Daily Mail columnist, has ended his 15-year friendship with Donald Trump with a “brutal” open letter to the US president for unfollowing him on Twitter soon after his scathing article over the president’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the letter to Trump, the columnist said he had no regrets for using forceful language against him for asking scientists during coronavirus press briefing to explore whether inserting ultraviolet light or disinfectant into the bodies of people infected with the Covid-19 might help them clear the disease.
'Digital revolution' likely in Pakistan post-coronavirus pandemic: AJK president. Global pandemic has highlighted the importance of data-based government steps, says Masood Khan File photo of AJK President Sardar Masood Khan.
PHOTO: ANADOLU AGENCY MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has said that a digital revolution in the healthcare system, economic planning, education, business and governance is expected in Pakistan and AJK after the containment of coronavirus as the pandemic has highlighted the importance of data-based government steps. Trump says China wants him to lose his bid for re-election. China should have been more active in letting the world know about the coronavirus much sooner, says US President US President Donald Trump answers questions during an interview with Reuters about the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and other subjects in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.
PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON DC: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he believes China’s handling of the coronavirus is proof that Beijing “will do anything they can” to make him lose his re-election bid in November. Political parties agree on physical National Assembly session. Modalities for ‘Covid-safe’ parliamentary proceedings to be worked out.
PHOTO : APP/FILE ISLAMABAD: The political parties in parliament on Wednesday agreed to call a physical session of the National Assembly and submitted proposals to ensure that it took place without putting its members at the risk of contracting Covid-19. The parties’ parliamentary leaders participated in a virtual meeting of the NA committee on virtual sessions chaired by National Food Security Minister Syed Fakhar Imam, to finalise the modalities for future proceedings of the assembly in the wake of the viral outbreak. The parliamentary leaders were of the view that parliament embodied the will of the people and so it should be made functional to continue its role of oversight of the executive.
Big powers urged to freeze sanctions on Iran, Syria amid coronavirus crisis. Pandemic threatens to worsen hunger and suffering for the poor, according to an international refugee charity Sanctions are undeniably making it more difficult for these countries to fight the current crisis.
PHOTO : REUTERS/FILE GENEVA: Major powers must suspend economic sanctions against countries including Syria, Iran and Venezuela during the coronarivus pandemic which threatens to worsen hunger and suffering for the poor, an international refugee charity said on Tuesday. Jan Egeland, a former UN aid chief who now heads the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said that despite sanctions exemptions for medical and food supplies, aid groups still face hurdles to help vulnerable people during the health crisis. “My main message is that the abject poverty and hunger tsunami that comes in the wake of the pandemic is in many poor places going to be worse I think, I fear, than the virus may be,” Egeland told a virtual news briefing in Geneva.
PTI govt gives traders utility bills waiver. Special package of Rs70 billion to be announced soon for laid-off workers, says minister Special package of Rs70 billion to be announced soon for laid-off workers, says minister.
Dutch students sail home across Atlantic due to coronavirus. They sailed a 7000 kilometre trip that took them five weeks. PHOTO:REUTERS HARLINGEN, NETHERLANDS: A group of 25 Dutch high school students arrived back in the Netherlands in a two-mast schooner on Sunday, after airline restrictions left them with little choice but to help sail it home from the Caribbean. The group, aged 14-17, had been halfway through a six week sail-study program in the region on board the “Wylde Swan”, which was built in 1920. But by mid-March, it appeared they could no longer fly home from Cuba as planned. Organizers decided the ship, including 12 experienced sailors and three teachers, would have to sail back across the Atlantic, a 7,000 kilometre trip that took them five weeks.
Conscientious living: A village in Punjab serves as model to curb Covid-19. Agricultural community of 5,000 has limited travel, ensured cleanliness and banned gatherings SARGODHA: A village near Sargodha has acted more responsibly than the most advanced and educated cities of the world like New York and Milan to combat the ongoing novel coronavirus infectious pandemic. As most of the educated world struggles to contain the spread of the virus and urges the populace to act conscientiously, the locals of village 159-NB changed their lifestyle in accordance with the government’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) without compulsion.
An agriculturist, Mohammad Ali, revealed that as novel coronavirus began to spread, the educated youth of the rural community called a ‘panchayat’ (meeting) to address the issue. Impossible to delay Olympics again, says Tokyo chief. Yoshiro Mori said there is "absolutely no" chance of postponing the Games beyond their rescheduled July 23 Yoshiro Mori said there is "absolutely no" chance of postponing the Games beyond their rescheduled July 23. PHOTO: AFP The Tokyo 2020 Olympics cannot be delayed beyond the year-long postponement already forced by the coronavirus outbreak, the organising committee’s president has warned in comments published Thursday. Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said there is “absolutely no” chance of postponing the Games beyond their rescheduled July 23, 2021 opening, according to Kyodo News agency. “Also thinking about athletes and issues over Games management, it is technically difficult to delay it by two years,” Mori was quoted as saying.
Mori said he had earlier asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whether Japan should consider a two-year postponement but “the prime minister decided that one year is the way to go”. Virtual diplomacy key to tackling Covid-19. Pakistan should continue to endorse all global efforts to combat the pandemic A Reuters representational image. ISLAMABAD: The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has changed the way diplomacy is conducted and the transformation will see it being practised more and more through virtual meetings in the online world. Possible May 9 resumption of Bundesliga behind closed doors. "A weekend with football is much more bearable than a weekend without football," Soeder said. Salman Khan makes a song about Covid-19. According to the actor, the track is about being emotionally strong with one another while maintaining social distance. Hospital in India segregates Muslim, Hindu Covid-19 patients. WHO warns against any religious profiling of coronavirus patients by governments across the world.
Thailand reports 29 new coronavirus cases, three new deaths. LIVE: Punjab reports new cases, national coronavirus tally crosses 6,200. Charities on the forefront of relief work. Social welfare organisations hand out rations, protective gear and medical items amid crisis LIVE: SC directs govt to remove Dr Zafar Mirza, national COVID-19 tally crosses 5,300. A woman covers her nose and mouth with ? Scarf, as she along with others waits to receive cash from a country-wide Ehsaas Emergency Cash program, introduced by the government for vulnerable families due to the ongoing spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Karachi, Pakistan April 11, 2020. Sindh likely to extend lockdown by a week amid fears of coronavirus spread in slums.
Safety kits provided to gravediggers: Wasim Akhtar. LIVE: Sindh reports 50 new cases, nationwide tally crosses 4,100. Cops clash with protesting doctors in Quetta. PIA halts flight operations from Karachi. A Pakistan International Airline carrier. LIVE: Sindh goes into three-hour complete lockdown, national coronavirus tally crosses 2,400. LIVE: Sindh reports another death as national tally crosses 2,200.
LIVE: NDMA to establish 12 more labs to test for Covid-19 as tally crosses 2,000. Edhi reopens morgues, burial facilities across country. Live: Coronavirus cases surge past 1,650; two more deaths in Sindh. Walk through coronavirus machine from China to arrive in Pakistan soon. Sindh to give rations with help of NGOs. LIVE: China sends medical equipment to Pakistan as coronavirus tally crosses 1,000. LIVE: Passenger trains suspended as Pakistan's COVID-19 tally crosses 890. Students safer in China than back at home: IHC.
PM Imran orders opening of Pak-Afg border 'despite global pandemic' K-P reports second COVID-19 fatality. ‘US knew India would rob Occupied Kashmir of special status’ Output of major crops falls despite surge in financing. Challenges for Pakistan under OECD convention. In pictures: Meetings between Pak, US leaders over the years. Independents, PTI win big in K-P tribal district election. In historic first, ex-FATA goes to polls. Miftah Ismail submits pre-arrest bail plea in SHC. Current account deficit contracts 32% to $13.59b. Qureshi hopes to 'reset' US ties with PM's visit. PayPal a game changer for online business in Pakistan. SJC to issue show-cause to Justice Isa, KK Agha. PM assures Sanjrani of full support to defeat no-trust vote.
At least 11 dead, 35 injured in Sadiqabad train accident. SBP receives $991.4 million first IMF tranche. After slow growth, bank deposits surge 7.43% in June 2019. Forensic audit of clip to put controversy to rest. Report reveals nexus between Sindh police and organised crime. Govt to seek advisory services from ADB for uplift projects. Overseas bonds to be floated in coming months: Hafeez Shaikh. PM Imran wants amendment to production order law. WAPDA contributed 31.4b units of electricity in FY19. Prince William and Kate Middleton to visit Pakistan in autumn. Children’s rights reforms.
Pakistan’s GSP Plus status in jeopardy. Opposition ratchets up pressure on govt. No one has approached me for NRO directly: PM Imran. Code Of Ethics – The Express Tribune. Express Tribune. Finance ministry aide terms budget highly subsidised. Gold price touches fresh peak at Rs78,100 per tola. The Express Tribune. FBR working aggressively to broaden tax net. Elections Feature Stories. NA speaker issues production orders for Zardari, Saad. The Express Tribune. Despite lower exports, trade deficit contracts 13.6% Styleguide – The Express Tribune. Opposition trades barbs with treasury in key PA session. Bilawal, Maryam agree time’s up for govt.
'Zero deficit' in Rs1.21 trillion Sindh budget. Car sales fall 18% to 17,891 units in May. SC dismisses review appeal against acquittal of accused in Mukhtaran Mai gang-rape case. Income tax: What the salaried class will pay now. The Way I See It – The Express Tribune Blog. After arrests in corruption cases, next step is to recover looted money: Fawad.
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