Thursday, May 14th, 2020
Balanced, skillful diplomacy essential for Pakistan amid evolving new world order
ISLAMABAD, MAY 14 (DNA) – The present world order is at stake due to the coronavirus pandemic and the new world order is apparently starting to take shape with China taking the lead. Pakistan however should not opt to pillion-ride with China on every issue and must engage in skillful balancing of its relations with other important countries as well. The thoughts were shared by former foreign secretary Riaz Hussain Khokhar in a webinar titled ‘Impact of Covid-19 on Pakistan’s International Relations at Regional and Global Levels’. The online session was organizedRead More
PIA plane carrying 150 stranded Pakistanis leaves Paris for Islamabad
PARIS, MAY 14 (DNA) – A special PIA flight took off from Paris to Islamabad carrying onboard 150 stranded Pakistanis. The flight had been arranged by the Government of Pakistan to repatriate stranded Pakistanis in France. Apart from France, a number of stranded Pakistanis from neighboring countries, including Belgium, Italy and Poland also travelled on the special flight. In addition to the passengers, three dead bodies of Pakistani nationals who had unfortunately passed away in the recent past were also repatriated.=DNA ===========
RCCI organizes virtual APCPC
RAWALPINDI, MAY 14 (DNA) – The Twelfth all Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference, organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has unanimously demanded that the sales tax rate, which is currently 17 per cent, be dropped to five per cent. The interest rate should be further reduced to four percent. All types of income should be taxed and FBR should focus on new taxpayers and burden should not be placed on existing taxpayers for revenue collection. The concessions given to the construction sector should be extended to otherRead More
Coronavirus: New Zealand reopens with midnight barbers queues
Thousands of businesses in New Zealand have reopened on Thursday as the country relaxes its coronavirus curbs, with some hairdressers seeing overnight queues round the block. Shops, cafes, and public parks are all open as the country moves into Level 2 of its restrictions, described as a “safer new normal”. New Zealand has reported no new cases of the virus in the past three days. Authorities say the chance of community transmission is now very low. People are allowed to start seeing their friends and families again, with a limitRead More
Coronavirus: State of emergency lifted in most of Japan
Japan has lifted a state of emergency imposed due to the coronavirus in 39 out of 47 prefectures, after a sharp fall in new infections. The order still applies in Tokyo, Osaka and on the northern island of Hokkaido, where new cases are emerging daily. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan’s rate of infection had reduced to one seventh of the country’s peak. He urged the public to be vigilant, wear masks, and keep following distancing guidance. “If possible, before 31 May, we would like to lift the state ofRead More
COVID-19 vaccine could be ready in a year under ‘optimistic scenario’: EU agency
THE HAGUE: A vaccine for the COVID-19 might be ready in a year’s time under an “optimistic” scenario, based on data from under way trials, European Medicines Agency said Thursday. “We can see the possibility if everything goes as planned that some of them (vaccines) could be ready for approval in a year from now,” Marco Cavaleri, the EMA’s head of biological health threats and vaccines strategy, told a video news conference. “These are just forecasts based on what we are seeing. But again I have to stress that thisRead More