Germany 1-2 North Macedonia: Four-time world champions suffer shock defeat

North Macedonia stun Germany as Elif Elmas' late goal secures a shock win in World Cup qualifying.

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MPA takes off clothes during Balochistan Assembly session. Here’s why

Balochistan MPA Zabid Ali Rekhi took off his clothes during an assembly session on Wednesday to protest against the government’s apathy towards the people of the province.

He said that the government employees in Balochistan have been staging a protest for the last three days but the government has turned a blind eye towards their plight.

“They have the right to stage a protest,” he remarked as he became emotional. “What have these people done? Why are they being treated like this?”

Look at the condition of the roads in this province, he said and took off his waistcoat. “The government isn’t telling us what we have done wrong. Are these people terrorists? Do they have any foreign funding? Why is the government doing this to us?” He then started taking off his kameez but was stopped by other MPAs.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines 9am Pakistan – 1 April 2021

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'Child among four dead' in shooting at office building in Orange, California

Police say the suspect was shot and wounded and the situation has now been "stabilised".

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Google pushes start button for reopening offices

The online giant is keen to get more people back into the office while promoting bringing dogs to work.

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In pictures: Usman Mukhtar ties the knot

Actor Usman Mukhtar tied the knot on Wednesday in a private ceremony in Islamabad.

“Zunaira Inam Khan, thank you for making me the luckiest man on earth,” said Usman about his wife. “I haven’t felt such happiness in a very long time.”

Usman Mukhtar, Sabaat, wedding — Photo: Instagram/Usman Mukhtar

The actor said their wedding was small, and everyone followed social distancing protocols.

It was scheduled for April 2, but took place earlier due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Those who attended the function were tested and the SOPs were strictly followed throughout it.

Usman is known for his role in drama serial Sabaat, starring Mawra Hocane and Ameer Gilani. His short film Bench was screened at Cannes International Film Festival.

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Today’s outlook: Federal Cabinet to discuss prices of coronavirus vaccines

Here are some news stories from Pakistan that we are expecting to follow today (Thursday):

PM Imran Khan will chair a meeting of the federal cabinet via video link. They will discuss prices for all the coronavirus vaccines, Walton airport transfer, among other things.
An accountability court in Lahore will resume hearing the money laundering and Ashiana Housing Scheme cases against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz.
The Supreme Court will resume hearing the NA-75 by-election case. PTI has challenged the ECP’s decision to hold re-polling in the constituency. PML-N members and other opposition members have accused the government of rigging the by-polls.
PM’s aide on accountability Shahzad Akbar said on Wednesday that any investigation agency or the FIA can place estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen’s name on the Exit Control List if they want so. In an interview with SAMAA TV, Akbar said there would be no “hurdle” if investigation agencies wanted to put anyone’s name on the ECL.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold its weekly press briefing.
The provincial government has re-structured the Sindh Building Control Authority in Karachi. The SBCA will now be working on the district level, instead of towns. The Sindh Local Government secretary issued the notification, abolishing the posts of SBCA town directors. The government has instead introduced the posts of SBCA district directors. Karachi was divided into 18 towns after the introduction of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001. Each town had a director, under whom two to three deputy directors, six assistant directors, and a maximum of nine senior building inspectors (SBIs) worked.
At least 4,830 children in Punjab tested positive for coronavirus in March, the provincial health department said Wednesday. According to the Punjab health department, 19,357 children who were aged 15 and below had been diagnosed with the virus since it first emerged in the country. Around 5,000 cases were reported in Lahore alone.

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Pooja Bhatt calls Pakistani women the real ‘begums’

Bollywood actor Pooja Bhatt is all praise for Pakistani women after they reviewed her feminist web series Bombay Begums.

“These are the real begums,” said Pooja, referring to the hosts of the web show Aurat Card: Reema Omer, Benazir Shah, Mehmal Sarfraz, and Natasha.

Pooja Bhatt, Bombay Begums, Pakistani journalists, Pakistani hosts — Photo: Twitter/Pooja Bhatt

On Monday, Reema tweeted about how a scene on sexual harassment had moved her to tears.

“Pooja Bhatt’s final speech in Bombay Begums about women’s solidarity and holding sexual predators to account had Mehmal and I in tears.”

In response to her tweet, Pooja thanked her for their review and said she loved it.

Designer Deepak Perwani too lauded the actor’s role, saying it brought tears to his eyes.

Pooja ur fab i actually had a tear in my eye great piece of acting . Mubarak

— Deepak perwani (@DPerwani) March 30, 2021

Bombay Begums was released on March 8 and stars Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash. It follows the story of five women from different walks of life in Mumbai as they struggle through loveless marriages, boardroom politics, teenage heartbreaks, infidelity, and gender power play.

The series was issued a notice by an Indian child rights organisation for showing minors having cocaine.

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Hong Kong: Media mogul Jimmy Lai found guilty over 2019 mass protests

The Apple Daily founder is among seven people found guilty of unauthorised assembly in 2019 protests.

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Brazil: More than 60,000 people died of Covid-19 in March

Despite the rising cases, President Bolsonaro urges local governors to ease lockdown measures.

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Covid vaccine manufacturers should work with poorer countries, says WTO chief

WTO head Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says the AstraZeneca deal with India is a good example.

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Runway dining at $540 a meal proving hit in Japan

Japan's biggest airline is making the most of grounded planes while Australian carriers are cutting prices.

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George Floyd: What witnesses have said in the Chauvin trial

Witnesses in Minneapolis have given emotional testimony about being at the scene of Mr Floyd's arrest.

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Tiger Woods crash: Los Angeles police determine the cause of golfer's car accident

The details of what caused Tiger Woods' car crash will only be released if the 15-time major winner gives permission for police to share their findings.

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Facebook bans 'voice of Trump' from platform

An interview with the ex-president was posted by his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, on Facebook.

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Covid: Brisbane lockdown to end ahead of Easter weekend

The Australian city of two million residents has seen a low infection rate, but concerns remain.

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Inside the lives of Asian massage workers: 'How can we not be scared?'

Asian female massage workers in the US speak up about the stigma surrounding their profession.

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How satellite images are helping one country hand out cash

Togo has found a new way to send emergency cash to people struggling in the pandemic.

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Why I bought the Lil Nas X 'Satan Shoes'

With art collective MSCHF, singer Lil Nas X created a pair of pricey and controversial trainers.

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Terrace House: Japan man fined $80 over Netflix star's suicide

Before she died, Hana Kimura had written social media posts implying she was cyberbullied.

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Khairpur accident: FIR registered against vehicle owner, driver

A case has been registered against a van owner and driver after five students were killed during an accident on March 29.

The police have even impounded 11 vehicles owned by the van owner.

The children, aged between nine to 15 years, were travelling to their school on a motorcycle when the accident occurred near Kot Lakho.

The driver managed to escape after the collision. The police are conducting raids for his arrest.

According to the rescue personnel, the wagon was trying to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the motorcycle. The bike overturned and three children died on the spot. Two children died on the way to the hospital.

All children belonged to the same family.

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Karachi activists launch campaign to save stray dogs

On February 24, the Sindh High Court’s Sukkur bench passed orders that if any person is bitten by a dog anywhere in Sindh, the MPA of that area will be suspended.

The decision was taken after the number of dog bite cases in Sindh rose. In an unprecedented move on March 18, the court suspended the membership of Ratodero and Jamshoro MPAs Faryal Talpur and Malik Asad Sikander.

Following this, the local government launched a massive dog culling campaign in Sindh. In the first week of March, the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation killed over 500 stray dogs. A similar operation has been launched in multiple other cities of Sindh, including Karachi.

Sindh begins massive culling of stray dogs — Photo: AFP

Environmentalist and animal rights activists Eric Shehzar told SAMAA Digital that the government’s decision didn’t come as a surprise because they had been planning it for a long time. “They want to conduct this dog culling campaign silently and avoid questions as to why is this taking place when there are other solutions.”

He said that the federal government has given Sindh Rs930 million for the vaccination of stray dogs. “If we are killing dogs, where has that money gone?”

Is culling the solution to prevent dog bites?

According to Dr Wajiha Javed, project director of Rabies Free Pakistan, authorities have been killing dogs for over 30 years now but the population still continues to rise. “One dog produces three litters of puppies in a way which means that a female dog gives birth to 18 puppies.”

This means that no matter how many dogs you kill, it will not affect their population. Rather, it will force them to reproduce quickly. “Dogs are territorial and when they see their species decreasing, they mate quickly,” ACF founder Ayesha Chundrigar said. “It’s like the survival of the fittest.”

RFP’s Javed explained that rabies can’t be controlled by killing dogs. Injecting them instead is the right way. “It’s the virus to blame, not the dogs.”

#stopcullingdogPakistan
They are man’s best friend, our protectors and loyal companions. They are God’s creatures who deserve a chance to live without fear in their homes, the streets.
Today we stand united against the ongoing brutal treatment of the street dogs of #Pakistan.
— RabiesFreePK (@RabiesFreePK) March 28, 2021

In countries across the world, rabies is being eradicated by neutering and vaccinating stray dogs. In the case of female dogs, it’s spaying them.

Watch: How can you protect stray dogs in your area?

“Pakistan is a member of the Zero by 30 campaign initiated by the World Health Organisation which aims to end rabies by the year 2030,” she pointed out. “Even the campaign states that the correct way to stop the reproductive cycle of dogs is by vaccinating them.”

In a bid to protect the culling, ACF and RFP have launched a Save the Dogs campaign. “Under this, Rabies Free Pakistan will neuters dogs across Karachi,” Javed revealed. “For now we are going to areas with most threats such as North Karachi, Shah Faisal, and Federal B Area.”

The neuters dogs will be collared or tagged for identification.

After the dogs are vaccinated, ACF will relocate the animals to a safe location and provide them with food, water, and other care facilities. The plan is, however, only for two weeks.

What can you do to save stray dogs?

While the local bodies are at killing stray dogs, there are some things that can be done on an individual level to save these animals.

Inform RFP or ACF if there’s a threat to poison stray dogs in your area.
Help the organisations through donations, dog food, and fuel.
If you have a stray dog in your areas, who is not rabid, provide them shelter inside your house.

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Intercity public transport should be suspended: Murad Ali Shah

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Wednesday that there is no such thing as smart lockdown.

“There is either a lockdown or no lockdown,” he said while talking to the media after the Nooriabad power plant case hearing at an accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday.

He also suggested that the NCOC should suspend inter-city bus services due to rising coronavirus cases.

The chief minister said that the coronavirus situation did not deteriorate in Sindh due to the efforts of the provincial government.

Murad Ali Shah said that the court had summoned in the case of a power plant that is operational. People are benefitting from it.

“It is a 100 Megawatt project that is providing electricity to Karachi at minimum costs,” Murad said.

He added that he was unaware of the accusations against him in the case.

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Sheheryar Munawar, Humaima Malick to star in Sakina Samo’s next

Actors Sheheryar Munawar and Humaima Malick are all set to share the screen in Sakina Samo’s upcoming film.

“And here is our leading lady,” said Sakina Samo after posting a photo of Humaima on her Instagram account. “I’m humbled and proud to be directing a story set in interior Sindh.”

Sakina Samo, Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui, Asad Siddiqui — Photo: Instagram/Sakina Samo

The film is a love story inspired by true events. Sakina first posted a photo of herself with Sheheryar and Asad Siddiqui, confirming their roles. She left followers anticipating the female lead, who was announced shortly after. The title has yet to be revealed.

“It’s a script that I have been mulling over for decades,” she said. “Finally, I’ve put pen to paper.”

Sakina’s directorial debut Intezar was chosen for premiere at the Harlem International Film Festival in New York in September 2020. It starred Samina Ahmed, Khalid Ahmed, Kaif Ghaznavi, Raza Ali Abid and Adnan Jaffar, among others. She has directed the drama serial Mohabat Subh ka Sitara Hai for HUM TV as well.

Sakina is a Pride of Performance and Tamgha-i-Imtiaz recipient.

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Shabbar Zaidi calls for ‘financial emergency’ in Pakistan

Former Federal Board of Revenue chief Shabbar Zaidi has called for a financial emergency in the country.

Zaidi, while speaking on SAMAA TV programme 7se8, said that the country needs an “economic surgery”.

“A financial emergency should be enforced,” he said. “Cars and shops along with property should be registered till the government comes up with a solution.”

Zaidi added that former finance ministers won’t be able to improve the country’s economic conditions under such circumstances.

The former FBR chief said there is not much difference between the policies of former finance ministers Ishaq Dar, Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, and Asad Umar.

Zaidi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has to make tough decisions. “He should step down if he is unable to do so,” he said.

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Chauvin trial: 'I called police on the police'

The prosecution called several witnesses - some becoming emotional - on day two of the proceedings.

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Nashville floods kill four people

The storms in Tennessee required 100 people to be rescued from vehicles and buildings.

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Arafat Mazhar’s Swipe to be screened at Annecy 2021

Swipe, an animated short film directed by Arafat Mazhar, has become the first Pakistani film to feature at Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2021.

“After a day of imposter syndrome seeing my name alongside Oscar-winning and -nominated directors it has finally sunk in,” Arafat said.

after a day of imposter syndrome seeing my name alongside oscar winning and nominated directors it has finally sunk in. @swipefilm and Jugno are going to France and Croatia to @annecyfestival and @Animafest_Zg the oldest and 2nd oldest animated film festivals pic.twitter.com/qaRyyWaiE4

— ArafatMazhar (@ArafatMazhar) March 30, 2021

Swipe tells the story of a boy who is addicted to iFatwa, an app that crowdsources religious death sentences. He spends most of his time swiping on the lives of strangers as the app allows users to vote in favour of or against persons whose cases are submitted. Those with 10,000 swipe rights are sentenced to death publicly. The film examines extremism resulting from excessive accessibility to technology.

OUT NOW: https://t.co/QU1k7ceRwg – a Pakistani animated short.

A young boy addicted to iFatwa, an app that crowdsources religious death sentences, spends his days swiping on the lives of strangers as he attempts to get a top spot on the Ajar Board.

Directed by @ArafatMazhar pic.twitter.com/Mv0EwIQLGh

— swipefilm (@swipefilm) November 8, 2020

Swipe was released in November 2020. It will be featured in Perspectives Short Films competition. The festival will open June 14 and conclude on June 19. It is held every year in France. Swipe has been selected by Animafest Zagreb as well, another animated film festival in Croatia.

A number of Pakistani films and documentaries have bagged international awards. Last week, Shehzad Hameed Ahmad’s Pakistan’s Himalayan Meltdown won the Green Image award in Japan. Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha has won the Kim Ji-Seok, Busan International Film, and two Snow Leopards Awards for Best Film.

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Did Ahmad Butt just confess to cheating on his wife?

Actor Ahmad Ali Butt has revealed his wife Fatima caught him cheating on her twice.

“She usually catches me,” he said while speaking on Vasay Chaudhry’s show Ghabrana Mana Hai last week. “I’ve been caught red-handed twice.”

During a segment, Vasay asked him to record a note asking for tips to flirt with a girl and send it to actors Mehwish Hayat, Humayun Saeed, Fahad Mustafa, and his own wife. The first three recipients responded, but Ahmad’s wife didn’t.

“She knows I’m on this show,” he said, laughing. “She has ignored my message.”

Ahmad said his wife knows he can never send her such a message, adding that she usually catches him red-handed.

“Doing what,” asked Vasay.

“Now that I can’t tell you,” Ahmad said, adding that there were a couple of old texts on his phone that his wife had seen.

This is not the first time an actor has openly discussed cheating on his wife. Veteran actor Naumaan Ijaz once came under fire for admitting on Say It All with Iffat Omar that he had affairs with several women which he “cleverly hid” from his wife. He remarked that the husbands of those women didn’t find out, either.

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Islamabad airport fines employees for not wearing masks

Twenty-three employees of multiple departments at the Islamabad International Airport were fined for not wearing masks.

According to the director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority, employees not wearing masks will be fined between Rs200 and Rs500. “We have instructed airport officers of all cities to ensure that coronavirus SOPs are being followed.”

He warned that violations will result in fines and punishments for both passengers and staff members.

The decision was taken after the number of coronavirus cases in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad rose due to the UK variant. The NCOC has instructed all provinces to ensure that coronavirus SOPs are followed as the third wave of the virus is more lethal than the other waves.

In Punjab, the government has started registering FIRs against anyone not wearing a mask. Smart lockdowns have been imposed in virus hotspots as well.

In the last 24 hours, Pakistan reported 4,757 new cases while 78 people died.

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Volvo goes global with its Swedish family values

The Chinese-owned carmaker will offer its generous parental leave scheme to 40,000 employees globally.

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Watch SAMAA TV Headlines 9am Pakistan – 31 March 2021

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Biden picks first Muslim for federal judgeships

President Joe Biden nominated several Black women, an Asian American, and the first Muslim ever to federal judgeships Tuesday in a push for diversity in the US court system.

Breaking with predecessor Donald Trump’s four-year effort to staff federal courts with largely white male conservatives, Biden unveiled his first 11 picks for judges, with only two of them men, neither of them white.

At the top of his list was nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is African-American, to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is known to handle major cases.

If confirmed by the Senate, Jackson, 50, would replace Merrick Garland — who is now Biden’s attorney general — and be in a good position to become a candidate for the Supreme Court if a vacancy opens up.

No Black woman has yet served on the nine-justice high court.

“Ketanji Jackson Brown is one of the best judges in the nation. Brilliant and with deep values. That she is now joining our second-highest court is fitting and awesome,” tweeted Neal Katyal, a former acting US solicitor general at the Department of Justice.

Biden nominated two other African-American women to federal appeals court vacancies.

Among those chosen for federal district courts, two more were African Americans (one of them male), two were Asian Americans, one was of Hispanic origin and two were white women.

Zahid Quraishi, 45, would become the first-ever Muslim to serve as a federal district judge if approved by the Senate.

Quraishi is of Pakistani ancestry and currently serves as a magistrate judge in New Jersey.

“Judge Quraishi has defended and served our country with distinction in numerous roles — and will make history if confirmed as the first Muslim American federal judge,” said New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.

The nominations as a whole “represent the broad diversity of background, experience, and perspective that makes our nation strong,” Biden said in a statement.

The group is also diverse in its origins, including nominees with experience as public defenders, who provide free legal counsel to people who cannot afford it but face civil or criminal charges.

Under the US Constitution, the president nominates people to serve on the Supreme Court and other federal courts for life, and the Senate votes on whether to confirm them.

Trump managed to win the appointment of more than 200 conservative judges during his term, working closely with then-Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell on an issue that has been dear to US conservatives for decades.

This includes three Supreme Court justices named by Trump.

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Today’s outlook: Heatwave in Karachi, NCOC discusses coronavirus restrictions

Here are some of the news stories which we are following today (Wednesday):

Prime Minister resumed his duties after fully recovering from coronavirus. He will chair a key meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
The Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the Lahore High Court’s decision in the Multan Electric Power Company hiring case to be null and void. It was stated that the volume of judges giving verdict by crossing the constitutional limits must be controlled and they should avoid giving judgment based on their emotions.
Tabish Gohar has been appointed special assistant on petroleum. His company is accused of closing oil refineries during the petroleum crisis and is this organization is also said to be involved in smuggling of petroleum goods.
Sindh Transport Minister Owais Qadir Shah has launched an electric bus service of a private company.
The first batch of Cansino coronavirus vaccine reached Pakistan. It has been purchased from China and comprises 60,000 doses.
More than 100 people died due to coronavirus for the first time in three months whereas over 4,000 cases have been reported in the previous five days. The number of active cases if 48,566 whereas Lahore has 24 per cent of positive cases.
The Sindh government has announced the purchase of single dose coronavirus vaccine. The health department spent Rs500 million to purchase and import COVID-19 vaccines.
Dollar continues to slide as it fell below below Rs154 in Pakistan in the past 22 months.
Lyari gangster Uzair Baloch was acquitted in rioting cases against him. He has been acquitted in 14 out of 61 cases against him.
Karachi will continue to face hot weather. The temperature is expected to reach up to 40 degrees in the next four days. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave warning. Health experts have recommended people to drink fluids as much as they can.
The Asian Development Bank has approved a loan of Rs300 million for Pakistan. It will be spent on hydro-electric power plant for clean energy generation. Pakistan also received Rs500 million in loan installment from the International Monetary Fund.
The Federal Investigation Agency has summoned the officers of sugar mills which are said to be involved in alleged betting. The department had issued arrest warnings over non-cooperation.
The physical verification of ghost employees in public hospitals and dispensaries will take place in Karachi.
All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association may stage a protest in Islamabad’s D-Chowk over the closure of educational institutes.
Pakistan Kissan Ittehad will stage a tractor march in Renala Khurd. They are demanding decrease in prices of fertilizers and seeds.
An accountability court in Islamabad has summoned in Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in fake accounts case. He is accused of granting illegal contracts for the Nooriabad power plant and money laundering.
A two-member investigation panel will present its recommendations and suggestions to PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani on the violation of bio-secure bubble during the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League.
An executive board meeting of the International Cricket Council will hold a two-day meeting on the hosting rights of India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is likely to announce its verdict in the Umar Akmal case.
The Sukkur bench of the Sindh High Court will hear review petition against the PPP provincial assembly members.
The Election Commission of Pakistan will file its reply in the Sindh High Court in the dual nationality case against PTI Senator Faisal Vawda.
The Islamabad High Court will hear a petition seeking disqualification of PTI Senator Faisal Vawda. It will also hear the case against lawyers accused of storming the chamber of its Chief Justice Athar Minallah.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold meetings via video link.
Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani will hold a press conference in Karachi.
PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah will appear before the Lahore High Court for bail.
Awami Rickshaw Union will hold a news conference and talk about the restrictions on public transport.
Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan will talk to the media in Lahore.
Pakistan Football Federation President Engineer Ashfaq Hussain will hold a news conference in Lahore.
A session of the Balochistan Assembly will be held.
Sindh opposition leader Haleem Adil Sheikh will visit Hyderabad for the first time since his release.
The suspects in the rape and murder case of a 13-year-old girl in Pannu Aqil have yet to be arrested.
The family members of slain journalist Ajay Lalwani have rejected the police statement. He was shot dead on March 18 by unidentified men.

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Watergate mastermind G Gordon Liddy dies aged 90

G Gordon Liddy served nearly five years in jail for his role in the scandal that toppled President Nixon.

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Google Maps to start showing eco-friendly routes

The driving app will highlight journeys with lowest emissions based on factors such as traffic.

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Covid: Australia falls 85% short of vaccine delivery goal

The slow rollout sparks concern as Brisbane faces a possible extension of a citywide lockdown.

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Biden's dog Major bites again at White House

Major had been sent to Delaware for training after nipping a White House employee earlier this month.

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A few frequent flyers 'dominate air travel'

A small minority of frequent flyers dominates air travel in countries with high aviation emissions.

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The cost of speaking up against China

Uyghurs abroad describe a pattern of harassment and intimidation they say is designed to silence them.

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Beware the return of the Iberian wolf, say Spain's farmers

A plan to ban hunting of wolves in north-west Spain worries farmers but is hailed by conservationists.

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China sets sights on Middle East with Iran co-operation deal

The strategic accord will help expand Chinese influence in the region and challenge US dominance.

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Coronavirus updates: Essential information for Pakistan

We will keep updating this story. Last update: 12:00pm, Tuesday, March 30, 2020

Number of confirmed cases as of 12:00pm, Tuesday, March 30, 2020
Pakistan: 663,200 (4,084 new)
Islamabad: 57,204
Sindh: 265,158
Punjab: 217,694
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 86,044
Balochistan: 19,535
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 12,549
Gilgit-Baltistan: 5,016

Tests done as of 12:00pm, Tuesday, March 30, 2020
Total: 10,153,360
Over 24 hours: 46,269
Positivity rate: 8.82
Active cases: 46,663
Critical cases: 3,170 (115 new)

Deaths from the virus as of 12:00pm, Tuesday, March 30, 2020
A total of 14,356 people have died of the virus in Pakistan. (100 new)
Islamabad: 563
Punjab: 6,319
Sindh: 4,495
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 2,319
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 350
Balochistan: 207
Gilgit-Baltistan: 103

In memoriam: Names of health workers who died fighting COVID-19

Recoveries as of 12:00pm, Tuesday, March 30, 2020
So far, 600,278 (2,081 new) people have recovered from the virus in Pakistan.
Islamabad: 47,271
Sindh: 255,952
Punjab: 186,985
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 75,324
Balochistan: 19,067
Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 10,812
Gilgit-Baltistan: 4,867

Important SOPs

What to know about the UK coronavirus variant in Pakistan

Vaccine news

All vaccine updates can be found here.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Cough (usually dry), fever, difficulty breathing, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, loss of taste and smell, chest pain

Which authorities should I contact?
Your government helplines

What will they do?
They will guide you about the next steps. You will be connected to a doctor who will take your medical and travel history. You will be told whether you need to be tested or not.
If you need to be tested health authorities will send an ambulance your way to take you to a hospital isolation ward. Your contacts will be traced and also tested.

What precautions should I take to protect myself from COVID-19?

Wear a face mask anywhere outside your house. This includes crowded indoor places as well.
Follow social distancing, keep a distance of at least one metre from other people
Avoid large public gatherings
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with you. The alcohol content should be 60% or higher.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
Stay at home if you feel sick
Disinfect workplace and home surfaces, door knobs, counters
Cook food thoroughly

Advisory in Punjabi

Advisory in Balochi

Advisory in Pashto

Where can I go to get tested?

Contact list to get tested for coronavirus in Pakistan

Punjab:
All Divisional Headquarters hospitals
Lahore: Mayo Hospital, Expo Centre, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute, Shaukat Khanum and Chughtai Lab
Sindh:
Karachi: AKUH Karachi, Dow OJHA, Indus Hospital, SIUT, Chughtai Lab, PNS Shifa, Essa Lab, Civil Hospital, Liaquat National, Ziauddin Hospital
Hyderabad: LUMHS Hospital
Khairpur: GIMS
Larkana: CMCH
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Peshawar: Khyber Medical University, Hayatabad Medical Complex, RMI, NWGH, Anwar Lab
Swat: Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals
Abbottabad: ATH
DI Khan: MMTH
Balochistan:
Quetta: Fatima Jinnah Hospital
Taftan: Mobile testing unit
Gilgit-Baltistan:
Skardu: CMCH
Gilgit: DHQ
Islamabad: PIMS, NIH
Azad Jammu and Kashmir:
Muzaffarabad: Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences

Isolation wards and centres in Pakistan

Sindh:
1. AKUH Karachi
2.JPMC, Karachi
3.Dow OJHA, Karachi
4.Civil Hospital, Karachi
5. Liaquat Uni Hospital, Hyderabad
6. PMCH Nawabshah
7. Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas
8. GMMMC Sukkur
9. CMCH Larkana
10. Expo Centre Karachi

Punjab:
1.Mayo Hospital Lahore
2. PKLI Centre Lahore
3. Expo Centre Field Hospital Lahore
4. Nishtar Hospital Multan
5. Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot
6. Allied Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad
7. Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
1. Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
2. Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
3. RMI, Peshawar
4. NWGH, Peshawar
5. Swat: Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals
6. Abbottabad: ATH
7. DI Khan: MMTH

Balochistan:
1. Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Quetta
2. Prince Fahad/ DHQ Hospital, Dalbandin, Chaghi
3. Jam Mir Ghulam Qadir Hospital Hub Lasbela
4. DHQ Hospital, Uthal, Lasbela
5. DHQ Hospital Gwadar
6. Red Crecent Hospital, Gwadar
7. GDA Hospital, Gwadar
8. GDA Hospital, Gwadar
9. DHQ Teaching Hospital, Turbat

If you’re looking for places that can provide oxygen cylinders, oximeters and plasma, we’ve compiled a list of contacts here.

Debunking common coronavirus myths

What treatment approaches has Pakistan used for COVID-19 so far?

Doctors in Pakistan are trying a number of different approaches including:
1. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine
2. Remdesivir
3. Steroids
4. Tocilizumab and Sarilumab
5. Convalescent plasma or immunoglobulins
6. Proning
7. Lopinavir/ritonavir
8. Radiology for diagnosis

Read about them here.

Pakistan’s COVID-19 timeline: Major stories from across the country

Twitter handles to follow:

1.Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health: @fslsltn
2. National Institute of Health (NIH) Pakistan: @NIH_Pakistan
3. Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination: @nhsrcofficial
4.Health and Population Welfare Department, Sindh: @SindhHealthDpt
5. Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister of Health & Population Welfare Sindh: @AzraPechuho
6. Senator Murtaza Wahab, Sindh Government Spokesperson: @murtazawahab1
7. Taimur Khan Jhagra KP Finance and Health Minister: @Jhagra
8. Health Department KP: @HealthKPGovt
9. Usman Buzdar Punjab Chief Minister: @UsmanAKBuzdar
10. Dr Yasmin Rashid Punjab Minister For Primary & Secondary Healthcare: @Dr_YasminRashid
11. Health Department Punjab: @HealthPunjabGov
12. Jam Kamal Khan Balochistan Chief Minister: @jam_kamal
13. Liaquat Shahwani Balochistan Government Spokesperson: @LiaquatShahwani
14. Health Department Balochistan: @HealthDeptBlo
15. World Health Organisation Country Office in Pakistan: @WHOPakistan
16. Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan MMIDSP: @mmidsp
17. Aga Khan University; @AKUGlobal
18. The Indus Hospital: @indus_hospital
19. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation: @DrTedros
20. UNICEF Pakistan: @UNICEF_Pakistan

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