Covid-19 news updates at a glance

Here are Covid updates for readers in Pakistan at a glance, Sept 1, 2021:

1. This week the US Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine for people ages 16 and older. This means the vaccine is just like any approved drug or vaccine.
2. The Ministry of National Health Services has provided new guidelines for the Sinopharm, Sinovac and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine booster doses in Pakistan which will be given from today, September 1. 
3. Students of or above the age of 17 years to get fully vaccinated by October 15. Here is a list of vaccination centres across Pakistan.
4. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to board on both international and domestic flights from September 30.
5. Unvaccinated people visiting and working at malls, hotels, restaurants, and guest houses won’t be allowed inside after September 30.
6. Unvaccinated people will be barred from using public transport after October 15.
7. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed on motorways and highways after October 31.
8. The Sindh government has made coronavirus vaccination mandatory for matriculation and intermediate students.
9. The government has approved a grant for Rs24,555 million or $150 million to the National Disaster Management Authority to buy coronavirus vaccines and pay for their transportation and handling charges in order to meet the target of immunising the population of 85 million people by the end of year 2021.
10. The European Union on Monday recommended that its member states reimpose travel restrictions on US tourists over rising Covid infections in the country.
11. Ireland on Tuesday announced that it will fully reopen on October 22 after 18 months of rolling lockdowns introduced to limit coronavirus infections.
12. The Punjab Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department has suspended elective surgeries at four main hospitals in Punjab after coronavirus cases in the province rose.
13. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get vaccinated regardless of whether they’ve already had COVID-19. That’s in part because it’s still unclear how long immunity lasts after an infection. Studies have shown that antibodies hang around in the blood for at least eight months after getting sick, but some recovered patients have gotten reinfected, reports Science News. 

Nine inoculation centres will operate for 24 hours in Karachi. 

Here’s the list of the centres:

• Dow University’s Ojha Campus
• Khaliqdina Hall
• Jinnah Medical College Hospital
• Children’s Hospital, North Nazimabad
• Sindh Government Hospital, North Karachi
• Government Qatar Hospital, Korangi
• Sindh Government Korangi No. 5 Hospital
• Murad Memon Hospital, Malir
• Karachi Expo Centre

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Applications invited for Pakistan Steel Mills shares

The government has invited applications from those interested in buying shares of Pakistan Steel Mills.

The Privatization Commission will receive applications for expression of interest by September 30 and will also hand over management powers to investors who buy 51 to 74 per cent shares of the Pakistan Steel Mills.

The advertisement issued by the Privatization Commission of Pakistan also gives details of the qualifications for those who submit applications for Expressions of Interest.

The SECP is ensuring transparency in the transactions. All the assets of Pakistan Steel Mills will be transferred to a new company, Steel Corporation Pvt.

Pakistan Steel Mill has long been in financial crisis. Production completely shut down since 2015. The previous government had also expressed its intention to privatize the company but the PML-N government did not manage to make much headway.

As soon as the new PTI government was formed, options for the rehabilitation of the Steel Mills were considered under which 5,000 employees have been laid off so far to reduce its deficit.

Some employees formed a Pakistan Steel Mill Stakeholders Group which has written to Federal Minister for Privatization Mian Muhammad Soomro and other officials expressing certain concerns. The group’s convener, Mamriz Khan, told SAMAA Money that the government had announced the restoration of Pakistan Steel Mills through a board of directors but instead decided to sell it. “Yes, PTI used to talk about corruption and recovery from those who looted people’s money, then why are those who looted the institution not being held accountable?” he asked. He felt that if a board of directors were formed, the steel mills could be saved.

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AQ Khan moved to military hospital’s Covid ward

Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has been moved to a military hospital’s Covid ward as his condition has grown critical, APP reported Tuesday night.

According to the nuclear scientist’s spokesman, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was admitted at KRL hospital on August 26, after he tested positive for Covid-19.

Dr AQ Khan is known as the “father of Pakistan’s atomic weapons program”. He founded the Engineering Research Laboratory, or ERL, to develop a uranium-enrichment capability. In 1981 ERL was renamed the Khan Research Laboratory, or KRL.

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Japan finds black particles in Moderna vaccine

It comes less than a week after the country suspended more than a million doses due to contamination.

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Tonga royals deny Australia horse trainer murder link

It has addressed tabloid allegations that the late king was involved in covering up a 1980s killing.

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WHO monitoring new coronavirus variant named ‘Mu’

The World Health Organization has said it is monitoring a new coronavirus variant known as “Mu”, which was first identified in Colombia in January.

Mu, known scientifically as B.1.621, has been classified as a “variant of interest”, the global health body said Tuesday in its weekly pandemic bulletin.

The WHO said the variant has mutations that indicate a risk of resistance to vaccines and stressed that further studies were needed to better understand it.

“The Mu variant has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape,” the bulletin said.

There is widespread concern over the emergence of new virus mutations as infection rates are ticking up globally again, with the highly transmissible Delta variant taking hold — especially among the unvaccinated — and in regions where anti-virus measures have been relaxed.

All viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19, mutate over time and most mutations have little or no effect on the properties of the virus.

But certain mutations can impact the properties of a virus and influence how easily it spreads, the severity of the disease it causes, and its resistance to vaccines, drugs and other countermeasures.

The WHO currently identifies four Covid-19 variants of concern, including Alpha, which is present in 193 countries, and Delta, present in 170 countries.

Five variants, including Mu, are to be monitored.

After being detected in Colombia, Mu has since been reported in other South American countries and in Europe.

The WHO said its global prevalence has declined to below 0.1 percent among sequenced cases. In Colombia, however, it is at 39 percent.

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Today’s Outlook: Petrol cheaper today, rain expected, booster doses

These are some of the stories you may have missed yesterday and others we expect to develop today, Wednesday, September 1, 2021 in Pakistan:

The new price of petrol in Pakistan is Rs118.30 per litre effective today, September 1. It was reduced Rs1.5 per litre.

In its latest travel review released Thursday, the UK announced that Pakistan will remain on the red list. The government has been in contact with the UK authorities. They said that Pakistan is still on the red list because of its failure to meet requirements pertaining to genomic surveillance capability, transmission risk and variants of concern.

Booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine will be given from today to people aged 12 and over who need to travel abroad across the country. The cost of one booster dose will be Rs1,270.

Former captain Ramiz Raja, who has been nominated for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman post, is likely to make reforms in the national team’s selection policy.

The Sindh government has made coronavirus vaccination mandatory for matriculation and intermediate students.

 

 

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India Covid: Economy sees record growth during deadly wave

The country suffered a devastating Covid spike in April and May but looser pandemic curbs still drove growth.

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Hurricane Ida: New Orleans under curfew amid blackout

Millions of homes remain without power across New Orleans and the wider region following Hurricane Ida.

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One-in-three trees face extinction in wild, says new report

Experts say 17,500 tree species are at risk around the world, including magnolias, oaks and maples.

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Gulf Sky: 'Our ship was hijacked and taken to Iran'

Former crew of the oil tanker Gulf Sky talk publically for the first time about the ship's disappearance.

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Marseille drugs: Child victims of French city's vicious gang war

A 14-year-old is the latest victim of Marseille's gang war, prompting a key visit from President Macron.

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CEO Secrets: 'I was making money, but had no money'

Honey boss Scott Davies says cash flow problems meant though he was profitable he "had no money".

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Image of bird at US-Mexico border wall wins contest

The winning image by Mexican photographer Alejandro Prieto shows a roadrunner at the border wall.

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FBI hate crime reports spike to 12-year high in 2020

According to an FBI report, black and Asian Americans saw the biggest surges in targeted offences.

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Why was this athlete 'too tall' to race?

Blake Leeper fought to compete with able-bodied athletes, but his blades were deemed too long.

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Caldor Fire: Thousands flee as Lake Tahoe under threat

Traffic clogs evacuation routes as residents and tourists flee from the encroaching Caldor Fire.

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Afghanistan: Joe Biden defends US pull-out as Taliban claim victory

Staying in Afghanistan was not an option, the US president says, as Taliban militants celebrate.

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Biden defends pulling US troops out before all Americans evacuated

Joe Biden defends his decision to pull US troops out of Afghanistan before all Americans were evacuated.

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Headlines News 12am | 01 September 2021-SAMAA TV

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Mehran Town: KDA cancelling allotment of residential plots used commercially

The Karachi Development Authority is set to cancel the allotments of Korangi’s Mehran Town’s residential plots that are being used for commercial activities. A 15-day deadline has been issued.

This announcement was made by KDA Director General Asif Ali Memon during his visit to Mehran Town chemical factory site where 17 labourers were killed in a blaze on Friday.

The factory was illegally constructed on a residential plot.

DG KDA director general made it clear that allotments of all the plots where illegal commercial activities are taking place will be cancelled after 15 days.

Memon said strict legal action will also be taken against illegal those running commercial activities on residential plots.

He directed KDA officials to seal all the properties that are being used illegally after the dealine ends.

“FIRs qill be lodged against those using their residential property for commercial purposes as precious lives were lost in a tragic fire incident,” he said.

He asked plot owners to change the status of their plots back to original oneif they don’t want their allotments to be cancelled and plots taken into government custody.

During 1970-74, KDA started Mehra Town project in Korangi as a low cost housing scheme for overseas Pakistani. However, the plots were encroached upon by the land mafia with the patronisation of political parties.

Karachi man seeks judicial inquiry into Korangi factory fire

 man, identified as Muhammad Nadeem Sheikh, has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court requesting a judicial inquiry into the factory fire in Karachi’s Mehran Town.

Seventeen labourers were killed in a blaze that erupted at a chemical factory in Korangi Friday. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. According to initial reports, the workers died of asphyxiation.

The petition, submitted in court on Monday, stated that the factory was built on a residential plot. It didn’t have any precautionary measures for fire incidents, nor did it have any fire exits or equipment such as extinguishers.

“The unfortunate factory was practically turned into an oven. The windows had iron grills, a steel mesh, and a glass layer. The Karachi heat already makes things unbearable and one can imagine the discomfort the workers must be felt.”

Advocate Sheikh pointed out that there were two new fire tenders sitting at the office of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry but there was no one to drive them. Consequently, tenders from other areas had to be called in resulting in a delay.

He has requested the court to increase the compensation amount of the factory workers killed in the fire to Rs5,000,000. Earlier, the Sindh government had announced Rs1,000,000 for grieving families.

The petition added that the FIR of the incident registered at the Korangi police station includes sections 322 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. This should be replaced by section 302 [punishment for murder].

“The incident is not an accident, but is a clear murder and attempt of murder.”

The Sindh government, Sindh Building Control Authority, and the Sindh chief secretary have been named as respondents in the petition.

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Dale Steyn announces retirement from all cricket

Dale Steyn, South Africa’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, announced his retirement from all cricket on Tuesday.

Steyn, 38, made the announcement on social media, saying he was “bittersweet but grateful”.

“It’s been 20 years of training, matches, travel, wins, losses, strapped feet, jetlag, joy and brotherhood,” he said.

 

 

Related News

• Ramiz Raja to make reforms in selection policy

• Shahid Afridi hints at retirement after PSL7

• NCOC allows limited crowd for Pakistan-New Zealand series

 

“Thank you to everyone, from family to team-mates, journalists to fans, it’s been an incredible journey together.”

Steyn took 439 wickets in 93 Test matches before announcing his retirement from the five-day format in 2019.

He said at the time that he wanted to continue playing white-ball international cricket and was selected for the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England.

But he had to withdraw from the tournament without playing a match because of a shoulder injury and failed to add to his 196 one-day international wickets.

He played in a T20 international series against Australia in February 2020 and was expected to play in the T20 World Cup later that year before it was postponed because of Covid-19. He took 64 wickets in the short format.

He had not played any cricket since March this year when he made the last of three appearances for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League in Karachi.

At his peak, Steyn was a master of late away swing with the new ball and reverse swing with the old ball, delivered at high pace.

He spent six years as the number one bowler in Test cricket according to the International Cricket Council’s rankings.

Arguably his greatest performance was when he made his highest Test score of 76 and had match figures of 10 wickets for 154 runs in helping South Africa beat Australia in Melbourne in 2008/09 to clinch their first series win in Australia.

Steyn’s announcement drew immediate tributes on Twitter.

“Great player, great man, amazing memories,” former Proteas team-mate AB de Villiers said.

England’s James Anderson described Steyn as “The Best”, while Australia’s Pat Cummins wrote Steyn had “set the standard” for fast bowlers “for 20 years”.

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Anti-encroachment drive: KMC to present compliance report to Supreme Court

The Karachi Municipal Corporation will present a compliance report of its anti-encroachment drive in the city over the last three months to the Supreme Court.

The report, which contains the details of the operation conducted from June to August to remove illegal construction on government land, has been finalised, KMC’s senior director Bashir Siddiqui told SAMAA Digital.

During this time, the KMC anti-encroachment department demolished a shopping mall built on amenity land of Aladin Park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. The operation saw demolishing and removal of 500 shops along with the Pavilion End Club.

Siddiqui said the department has fully complied with the orders passed by the top court in June.

The court had also ordered the removal of encroachments from the amenity plot located in Federal B Area Block 15, which, Siddiqui said, has been done.

KDA Officer’s Club at Kashmir Road has also been demolished as per court order, Siddiqui added.

He said the anti-encroachment department is conducting routine operation at Karachi’s Gujjar Nullah and Orangi Nullah. “There are six spots at Gujjar Nallah where the KMC anti-encroachment teams are working .”

Siddiqui said four teams are working at Orangi Nullah to demolish encroachments.

He said the department also conducted anti-encroachment operations at Jubilee Market in July.

During the operation, all 164 shops constructed over the stormwater drain were razed.

Siddiqui said some parts of 75 marked IDs (houses) on the route of Manzoor Colony Nullah were initially spared by the department after residents requested the authorities to let them do it on their own to avoid damagex to their houses. However, they failed to do so. Now those portions have also been demolished.

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The last US soldier leaves Afghanistan

Major General Chris Donahue was last aboard the final flight before the Taliban took Kabul airport.

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Headlines News 9am | 31 August 2021-SAMAA TV

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Women safety tips: use pepper spray, photograph predators

The number of rape, murder and abuse cases coming to light in Pakistan is leading to more and more conversations about keeping women safe.

We’ve learned that you can’t outlive the fear you grow up with. Some women even they carry these traumatic memories with them to countries and cities far safer than Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad… In some of the safest places in the world they’re still looking over their shoulder, locking their bedroom doors and on alert in public spaces.

Women and girls have been talking about this for a while now. Parents caution their daughters before dropping them off at school, tuitions, and cousins’ houses. Sisters talk about this on their way to university, jobs, and shopping malls. Grandmothers warn their granddaughters before sending them off to madrassa, family dinners, and bazaars.

Here are some of the precautions women and girls take on a daily basis in Pakistan to keep themselves safe: 

P* 30, Communications Manager

M*, 29, Associate director at a digital agency

H*, 38, Homemaker

S*, 19 , Student.

T*, 29, Senior Science Educator.

F*,31, Student.

A*, 29, Journalist.

*Names have been withheld to protect the identity and privacy of the individuals.

How to make homemade pepper spray

You can make pepper spray at home (watch this video). Use gloves and wear glasses while making it.

You need:
Red chili flakes
Red pepper powder (lal mirch)
Black pepper powder
Vinegar (sirqa)
Oil

Add all the dry powders together. You need about equal quantities (4 tablespoons makes a small bottle). Add the vinegar that helps preserve the concoction. Add the oil which helps the spray stick to the attacker. Then put the mixture in a spray bottle. Use only for self-defence.

Harassment in Pakistan

The Punjab Police has a ‘Women safety app’ worth checking out. It is connected to agencies such as Rescue, Motorway Police and Punjab Highway Patrol. There are plenty of reviews of women who have used it on the Google play store.

If you or anyone you know is a survivor of online harassment, then you can contact the following organisations:

Punjab Commission on the Status of Women: 1043
FIA cybercrime wing. Report the complaint at complaints@fia.gov.pk or helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk
Madadgaar Toll-Free Helpline: 1098
Digital Rights Foundation’s Cyber Harassment Toll-Free Helpline: 0800-39393
Sahil Toll-Free helpline: 0800-13518
Pakistan Citizens portal

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Mollie Tibbetts: Farm worker gets life for murdering Iowa student

Cristhian Bahena Rivera was found guilty in May of the 2018 killing that stoked political debate.

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Tokyo 2020: Toyota restarts driverless vehicles after accident

A visually impaired athlete from Japan's judo team was hit by one of the e-Palette pods on Thursday.

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Today’s outlook: Rs50bn for vaccine, Roosevelt hotel, new NAB cases

It is the last day of the Taliban deadline for the withdrawal of foreign forces. In Pakistan, the federal capital would be quite busy with several important meetings. Punjab is likely to see another protest by the young doctors. We follow these and other stories today, August 31, 2021.

Roosevelt hotel and Vaccine

The Economic Coordinating Committee (ECC) meets under Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin to discusses a three-point agenda. The PIA-owned Roosevelt hotel and the problems it faces during the Covid-19 pandemic would likely be prioritized. The hotel has incurred losses and more funds are needed to prop it up. The other two points on the agenda include approval of Rs50bn to buy Covid-19 vaccine doses and an Rs215mn supplementary grant by the Election Commission of Pakistan. If approved Rs50bn would be the highest allocation for the vaccine so far.

NAB inquiries

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will convene an Executive Board meeting to approve new inquiries and references. A new complaint against the former PIA Managing Direction Ijaz Haroon would be discussed. The board is also likely to approve a new fraud inquiry against the Omni-Group, which is accused of defrauding farmers supplying sugar cane to its mills. A new inquiry against the OGDCL officers is also on the table.

Federal cabinet

The federal cabinet would discuss the spread of Covid-19 cases and countermeasures. The cabinet would likely endorse a decision made by a special committee on the CPEC. It is going to undersign some key postings as well.

Pakistani students commit suicide in Australia

At least three Pakistani students have committed suicide in Australia after the Covid-19 related restrictions made their life miserable, a National Assembly penal heard. Read the full story here.

Evacuation from Afghanistan

The Taliban have asked the US and its allies to complete withdrawal by today. The last US troops are likely to depart from Kabul airport by the end of the day. Reports suggest that they may come under attacks from ISIS-K (Daesh in Khorasan) which launched six rocket attacks a day earlier and a twin suicide bombing on Thursday.

The US is leaving thousands of its Afghan allies – interpreters and other people who worked for the US and Nato forces – behind. The Taliban have assured the international community that they would allow these civilians to leave the country after August 31, 2021.

Doctors Protest

The young doctors would be holding a demonstration at the Nishtar Hospital in Multan to protest the recently introduced National Licensing Examiniaton.

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11 militants killed in Balochistan

The counterterrorism department (CTD) personnel have killed at least 11 militants in Balochistan’s Mastung, according to a spokesman.

“Acting on a tip-off, CTD personnel raided a compound being used by the terrorists in Kali Qamar Mazhar Abad area of Mastung,” the spokesman said.

The militants holed up in the compound fired upon the security forces, who responded accordingly, and 11 militants died, the spokesman said.

The CTD Balochistan says a heavy cache of weapons was recovered from the compound. The militants belonged to a banned outfit, he added.

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Afghanistan: Last US military flight departs ending America's longest war

The US military's last C17 aircraft left Kabul with the ambassador on board early on Tuesday.

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Highly polluting leaded petrol now eradicated from the world, says UN

The highly polluting fuel has contaminated the atmosphere, water and crops for nearly a century.

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Theranos scandal: Who is Elizabeth Holmes and why is she on trial?

The former boss of blood testing company Theranos is accused of fraud and could face years in jail.

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Nigerian students amass degrees to stay in Europe

Modupe Osunkoya enrolled on her third post-graduate degree because she says there are no jobs at home.

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Fury as Covid crisis hits Australia's Aboriginal communities

Indigenous Australians say surging infections in remote areas should have been prevented.

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Can apps move the #MeToo movement forward?

Reporting sexual harassment at work is getting easier thanks to new technologies.

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From Bush to Biden: One war, four US presidents on Afghanistan

Two decades of conflict in Afghanistan shaped the legacies of each of these commanders-in-chief.

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Para-Taekwondo: Taking 360 tornado kicks to Tokyo

For the first time, the Paralympic games will host a Para-Taekwondo competition.

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Afghanistan: Fleeing the Taliban into Pakistan and leaving dreams behind

The BBC speaks to Afghans fleeing the Taliban into Pakistan at the Chaman Spin Boldak border.

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Watch moment US military declares final flight out of Afghanistan

Top US general reveals last US aircraft took off from Hamid Karzai Airport ahead of deadline for withdrawal.

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Gunfire as Taliban celebrate US leaving Afghanistan

Gunfire rang out as the BBC's Lyse Doucet reported on US troops' departure from Kabul.

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Hurricane Ida: Louisiana assesses damage after storm

A million people in Louisiana are still are without electricity after a devastating storm hit.

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Headlines News 12am | 31 August 2021-SAMAA TV

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Afghanistan drone strike: 'Ten people died here.. including my daughter'

A family comb through rubble for remains of relatives they say were killed by a US drone strike.

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Afghan left behind by UK: I'm fighting to stay alive

An Afghan who had authorisation to fly to the UK speaks to the BBC about his struggle to escape.

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Rising imports, Afghanistan triggered recent rise in dollar price

The dollar price in Pakistan has risen 20 paisas to reach its yearly-high of Rs166.60. On August 31 last year as well, this was the exact price of the dollar.

According to forex dealers, an increase in imports has raised the demand for the currency, increasing its price. The changes in Afghanistan’s political landscape has also impacted the dollar rates.

The dollar prices started to take off on August 24 when it rose by 90 paisas to reach Rs165.40 from Rs164.50. The very next day, a 40-paisa increase brought it to Rs165.80. This was followed by a 70-paisa rise to bring the price to Rs166.50 on August 25. In the next two days, there was another increase of 50 paisas. Thus, the dollar price saw a rise of Rs2.10 in just six days.

Forex association chairman Malik Bostan said the quantity of imports is rising and last month a 45% increase was recorded. He said the importers are buying the currency in high numbers nowadays. While the State Bank of Pakistan’s forex reserves are at an all-time high, most of these funds are for stand-by support, Bostan said. Therefore, he added, the inflow of the currency in the market is not enough to avoid the kind of rise it has seen in the recent days.

Due to the closure of money markets in Afghanistan, Bostan said, the war-torn country is also relying on Pakistan to meet its needs of some commodities.

In an attempt to fulfil this demand from across the border, many in Pakistan are importing goods to supply to Afghanistan, a situation that has contributed to the increase in dollar prices.

The currently unstable security situation in the country after recent blasts in its capital Kabul, has also made an impact on the rates. The banking system is also struggling in Afghanistan, while there are fears that Pakistan will have to face some security related challenges.

Forex dealer Zafar Paracha said one of the reasons behind the rise in dollar price is the smuggling of the currency across the border to Afghanistan.

Paracha says apart from smuggling, the government’s policy to allow travellers to carry $10,000, while crossing the border, is also becoming a burden for Pakistan. Bostan echoed Paracha’s views in this regard.

Traders working near the Pak-Afghan border in Peshawar and Chaman said smuggling of the currency is common. Transporters are used for smuggling and their vehicles have various compartments where currency is placed.

While this smuggling is done both ways across the border, currently the destination is mainly Afghanistan, due to the increased demand in the war-torn country.

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Military leadership to brief parliamentary committees on security situation

An important meeting is being held to discuss the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Over 50 lawmakers from the Senate and the National Assembly will be briefed by the country’s top brass at the Pakistan Army’s General Head Quarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

The treasury and the opposition lawmakers on the defence committees of both houses are likely to spend up to six hours at the GHQ. They will be briefed by the director-general military operations (DGMO) and have an interactive session with the Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Director-General Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir will also attend the meeting.

 

 

Related News

• Rawalpindi men arrested for raping, blackmailing teenager

• Before Afghan army vanquished Pakistan offered to train, equip brigade

• Pakistan Army soldier martyred in Balochistan IED explosion

 

The situation in Afghanistan is a cause of concern for Pakistanis. On Sunday night two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred when terrorists from across the border fired at Pakistani positions in Bajaur.

Parliamentarians are expected to meet Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Mushahid Hussain Syed will lead the Senate defence committee, NA Committee will be led by Amjad Ali Khan and the Kashmir Committee will be headed by Shehryar Afridi.

After the briefing, the committees will present their suggestions and recommendations.

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First ever female Paralympic gold medal for India

Avani Lekhara has become the first Indian woman to win a Paralympics gold medal.

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Hurricane Ida's 150mph winds batter Louisiana

Ida makes landfall as a category four hurricane as pilots take us inside the eye of the storm.

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Several rockets fired at Kabul airport as evacuation winds down

Several rockets were fired at Kabul’s airport Monday, witnesses and security sources said, less than 48 hours before the United States is due to complete its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The sound of rockets whooshing over the capital was heard by AFP staff before the morning rush hour began.

A security official who worked in the administration toppled two weeks ago by the Taliban said the rockets had been fired from a vehicle in north Kabul.

 

 

Related News

• Explosion kills ‘bombers’ near Kabul airport as US ends evacuation

• Today’s outlook: PDM Karachi rally, coronavirus, Afghanistan updates

• Kabul Airport attack: 77 Afghans, 13 US troops killed

 

The sound of the airport’s missile defence system could be heard by local residents, who also reported shrapnel falling into the street — suggesting at least one rocket had been intercepted.

Smoke could be seen rising above buildings in the north, where the Hamid Karzai International Airport is located.

Social media posts — which could not immediately be verified — also showed a vehicle on fire after being apparently struck by retaliatory fire.

Further details were not immediately available.

An evacuation of foreigners and Afghans considered at risk of Taliban retribution for working with US-led forces for the last 20 years is in its finals stages and will officially end Tuesday when the last American troops pull out.

The Islamic State group, rivals of the Taliban, pose the biggest threat to the withdrawal after carrying out a suicide bomb attack at the airport last week that claimed more than 100 lives, including 13 US troops.

US President Joe Biden had warned more attacks were highly likely, and the United States said it carried out an air strike Sunday night in Kabul on an explosives-laden vehicle.

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Yasir Hussain’s look as serial killer Javed Iqbal is out

A poster has been released for Yasir Hussain and Ayesha Omar’s highly anticipated film Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer.

“You will know how refined an actor Yasir Hussain is after watching the film,” said Abu Aleeha, who has written and directed the film.

سیریل کلر جاوید اقبال کی فرسٹ لک حاضر ہے۔ یاسر حسین کتنا منجھا ہوا اداکار ہے۔ یہ فلم دیکھ کر آپ کو ادراک ہوجائے گا۔#JAVEDIQBALFILM pic.twitter.com/1gkVdwN6Pz

 

 

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— ابوعلیحہ Abu Aleeha (@abualeeha) August 29, 2021

Yasir’s look as Javed Iqbal surprised a number of people who praised the make-up artist and the actor’s efforts. In an interview with SAMAA Digital, Aleeha had said that besides Yasir’s fine acting skills it was his ability to get into the character visually that made him a “perfect” choice for the role.

Photo: SAMAA Digital

The film is based on Pakistan’s most notorious serial killer Javed Iqbal. In 1999, Javed turned up at the office of an Urdu daily newspaper and surrendered, confessing to have killed 100 boys.

He was infamous for delivering details of his crimes to the authorities along with evidence, including photos of the victims. Several bags with children’s clothes and shoes were recovered from the house where he disposed of the bodies in barrels of acid. Javed was found dead in his prison cell in October 2001.

The film will be pitched to Netflix, Amazon Prime, ZEE5 and other international streaming platforms. Aleeha claims that the production meets the standard requirements (visuals and sound design) set by them.

Javed Iqbal is expected to be completed before November. A release date will be announced once cinemas reopen across Pakistan.

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Covid: Australia records 1,000th death from the pandemic

The country has fared better than many nations but is seeing more infections than ever before.

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Vietnam lockdown adds to global coffee supply concerns

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Sonya Hussyn breaks silence over Lux Style Awards’ ‘double standards’

The Lux Style Awards 2021 nominations have left a few celebrities questioning LSA’s criteria and if it really acknowledges meaningful content.

Actor Sonya Hussyn, who has been silent for seven years, has spoken out against what she calls the LSA’s “double standards”.

“It’s very disappointing to see that a project like Saraab did not bag even a single nomination at the Lux Style Awards 2021,” wrote Sonya. 

 

 

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Photo: Instagram/Sonya Hussyn

She lamented that everyone talks about the need for meaningful content that educates audiences besides entertaining them, but when such content is created it is hardly recognised or nominated for awards.

“Aren’t those double standards?” 

On Thursday, the LSA unveiled its nominations in the television, film and fashion categories. Since no submissions were received due to the pandemic, there will be no film awards this year. Ehd-e-Wafa, Sabaat and Pyaar ke Sadqay have been nominated in the Best Drama Serial category.

Sonya complained that the LSAs prioritise ratings over strong content. 

Meaningful content or hit projects?” she remarked. “[I] have never really understood the criteria for these award shows. If [it’s the] latter then why were some of my mega blockbuster dramas like Aesi Hai Tanhai (based on social media abuse), Nazo (based on child abuse), Ishq Zahe Naseeb (based on dual personality disorder), Shikwa (based on societal pressures that widows face) and Meri Guriya (based on child abuse) never considered at all in the past?”

Yasra Rizvi called Lux a “beauty soap brand” which can use its influence to serve a purpose.

Photo: Instagram/Yasra Rizvi

“Just like any other business they can use art to serve this very purpose but to serve art is probably not the purpose.”

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New Zealand woman dies after receiving Pfizer vaccine

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Today’s outlook: Sindh schools open, top brass briefs on Afghanistan

A new week begins with a flurry of activities today, Monday, August 30, 2021. As schools in Sindh reopen and over 50 lawmakers head to the GHQ for an important briefing on Afghanistan, we follow these and other developments and some stories from Sunday night.

Sindh schools reopen

The Sindh government has allowed public and private schools to open from today, but with a caveat. Pupils will be allowed in only after producing their parent’s vaccination certificates. Although Sindh Education and Literacy Department has said in a notification that educational institutions shall operate six days a week with 50% attendance, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) announced Sunday that schools will open only three days a week.

Universities are also opening today in the Sindh province.

GHQ Briefing

An important meeting is being held to discuss the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. Over 50 lawmakers from the Senate and the National Assembly will be briefed by the country’s top brass at the Pakistan Army’s General Head Quarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The treasury and the opposition lawmakers on the defence committees of both houses are likely to spend up to six hours at the GHQ. They will be briefed by the director-general military operations (DGMO) and have an interactive session with the Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, according to a report.

The situation in Afghanistan is a cause of concern for Pakistanis. On Sunday night two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred when terrorists from across the border fired at Pakistani positions in Bajaur.

PDM’s power show

The opposition conglomerate Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Sunday held its first power show in Karachi since it parted ways with the Pakistan People Party (PPP). Leaders declared that they would march on Islamabad with tens of thousands of people to remove the PTI government. There were different estimates on the number of participants. Read the full report here.

The PDM rally is a new topic for TV shows and Twitter debates. You are likely to hear about it all day, today.

Covid restrictions

The federal and the Sindh governments have announced key decisions on Covid-19 related restrictions. The federal government has extended the restrictions to a total of 27 cities. On the other hand, the Sindh government has issued a notification easing restrictions for all Sindh cities except Karachi and Hyderabad. The notification can cause envy among the citizens of the two cities. However, the government says they face a bigger threat of the virus spreading during its fourth wave.

Noor Mukadam Case

Noor Mukadam

The police are likely to present a challan (police investigation report) in the Noor Mukadam murder case before a district court in Islamabad.

The police challan holds Zahir Jaffer responsible for Noor’s grisly murder on July 20. His parents and others including the Therapy Works’s CEO have been named as accomplices. Last month, Jaffer beheaded Noor, 27, after an argument at his Islamabad home.

SC hears journalists

The Supreme Court is to hear applications about journalists who are being harassed by government bodies, according to the applicants. The bench-II headed by Chief Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and comprising Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail would hear the case. Earlier, Justice Faiz Isa had issued notices to the relevant officials on the same applications invoking suo motu jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, but a larger bench under Justice Umar Ata Bandial nixed his notices. The bench, however, fixed the application for today’s hearing.

At today’s hearing, prosecutors are likely to plead for a speedy trial after the police submit the challan, the first crucial step towards a formal indictment.

Factory fire losses

Mehran Town factory

It is the fourth day since the families of 17 factory workers lost their loved ones to a fire that could have been extinguished much earlier had the fire tenders been dispatched from the nearest fire station and other fatal delays avoided, Aamir Majeed reveals his incisive report that you can read here.

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Yongbyon: UN says North Korea appears to restart nuclear reactor

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Ethiopia's economy battered by Tigray war

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Possum skin cloaks: Reviving an Aboriginal cultural tradition

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Japan's huge army of under-employed ex-housewives

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In India, growing clamour to criminalise rape within marriage

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Turkey lockdown: Pigeon-keeping in Istanbul on the rise

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Ranger’s personnel killed ‘resisting robbery’

Unidentified armed men shot dead a sepoy of Pakistan Rangers Sindh in Karachi’s Liaquatabad on Sunday night.

District Central Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ghulam Murtaza Tabbasum told SAMAA Digital that Sepoy Irfan Siddique and a constable of Karachi Police were heading towards Nazimabad when armed men attempted to robe them

During the mugging attempt, the suspects recovered a weapon from possession of the Rangers personnel. The armed men opened fire on him and fled.

SSP said that the Rangers sepoy and the policeman were in civvies when the muggers stopped them.

It seems that armed men shot dead Rangers personnel for resisting the robber, he said.

A contingent and Rangers, besides the police, arrived at the crime scene to investigate.

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Jamaican reggae icon Lee 'Scratch' Perry dies aged 85

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PDM minus PPP holds first power show in Karachi

Highlights

• PDM to give PTI hard time, Fazlur Rehman announces.
• Will march on Islamabad with tens of thousands to remove the government, Shehbaz declares.
• Low women participation
• Drone footage fails to provide an estimate of participants.

The opposition conglomerate Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Sunday held its first power show in Karachi since it parted ways with the Pakistan People Party (PPP).

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Chief and PDM head Maulana Fazalur Reham, Pakistan Muslim League-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, and other leaders addressed the gathering at the Bagh-e-Jinnah in Karachi.

While PDM’s claim of setting up 100,000 chairs for the participants was seen with scepticism, the event attracted a considerable number of people.  “A special branch report put the number between 15,000 and 17,000, while police report that between 18,000 and 20,000 people are attending,” SAMAA TV reported after the event had begun and leaders were addressing.

Drone footage also showed a large number of people. However, it was difficult to pin down a number.

JUI-F took charge of the security and other arrangements. Nevertheless, a large number of PML-N workers participated with party flags, which were painted with Nawaz Sharif’s photos.  The flags of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Balochistan National Party, and Qaumi Wattan Party were also prominent. JUF-F flags waved everywhere at the venue.

Addressing the event, Rehman said the incompetent and illegal government had destroyed the economy. He claimed that the rulers did not have public support and, instead, were propped into power by coersion.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman (C), leader of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) stands with other leaders during an anti-Government rally in Karachi on August 29, 2021. (Photo AFP)

The PMD head said some people claimed that PDM had lost its voice, but it was not true and the PDM would continue to agitate as the state of affairs in the country was a cause of concern.

Rehman declared that PDM was going to give the PTI government a hard time.

Shehbaz Sharif said the PDM would march on Islamabad with tens of thousands of people to remove the federal government.

The leaders chose to speak on Karachi’s problems and Shehbaz took a dig at Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose promise of giving Rs1100bn for Karachi, Shehbaz claimed, was only a tall claim.

Shehbaz held Imran Khan responsible for Karachi’s woes saying that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had informed him that Imran did not give a penny from the promised funds.

Women participation

A day before the rally, JUI-F announced that women were not allowed to participate. The announcement caused quite a stir and it was withdrawn by Fazlur Rehman.

PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb quickly declared that women would attend the rally.

However, very few women arrived at the gathering and most of them were from PML-N. The organizes set up a woman enclosure which remained mostly empty.

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Headlines News 12am | 30 August 2021-SAMAA TV

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Premier League: Son takes Spurs top, Greenwood fires United

Son Heung-min sent Tottenham to the top of the Premier League as the South Korean’s free-kick clinched a 1-0 win against Watford, while Mason Greenwood’s late strike fired Manchester United to a record-breaking 1-0 victory at Wolves on Sunday.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have made a flawless start to the new domestic season and they sit two points clear of second placed West Ham after a third successive victory.

Son settled a hard-fought clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when his free-kick caught Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann out of position in the first half.

After their protracted search for a manager to succeed to Jose Mourinho dragged on throughout the close-season, Tottenham were in danger of becoming a laughing stock.

Nuno was far from their first choice, but the former Wolves boss has hit the ground running north London.

Three consecutive 1-0 wins, including one against Premier League champions Manchester City, as well as progress in the Europa Conference League, suggest Tottenham could enjoy a better season than expected.

Nuno is the first Tottenham manager since Arthur Rowe in 1949 to win his first three league games in charge.

“We knew the threat of Watford, we managed it well. I’m very happy because the players worked very hard,” Nuno said.

Watford midfielder Moussa Sissoko was back at Tottenham, just two days after leaving for the Hornets and he nearly laid on an early goal.

Sissoko picked out Juraj Kucka and his shot was headed off the line by Eric Dier.

Tottenham took the lead in the 42nd minute when Son swung in a free-kick from the left wing and Bachmann was caught out as it sailed past him into the far corner.

It was Son’s second goal of the season after the forward’s winner against Manchester City on the opening weekend.

At Molineux, Manchester United set an English top-flight record for unbeaten away league games in their first match since agreeing a blockbuster deal to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.

Portugal star Ronaldo, who will return to United 12 years after leaving to join Real Madrid, was not available to make his second club debut this weekend as he waits to officially complete the move.

While Ronaldo waits in the wings, unbeaten United had Greenwood to thank for their second win in three matches.

As United fans waved Portugal flags and chanted “Viva Ronaldo”, 19-year-old forward Greenwood scored for the third successive game.

United have now gone 28 successive away league games without defeat, passing the mark they shared with Arsenal.

“It’s a special goal. Of course the keeper maybe could have saved it but he hit it so quickly,” said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who confirmed Ronaldo is expected to feature against Newcastle on September 11.

“Both sides could have won it, of course we were under pressure for a spell but we had most of the possession.”

Solskjaer’s team were indebted to David De Gea for a superb double save that kept the score level before Greenwood’s winner.

De Gea blocked Romain Saiss’s close-range header from a corner, then somehow spread himself to thwart the defender’s close-range follow-up.

Greenwood made Wolves pay for that miss in the 80th minute when he took Raphael Varane’s pass and hit a low shot that flashed under keeper Jose Sa.

Wolves claimed Paul Pogba had fouled Ruben Neves in the build-up to the goal, but referee Mike Dean and VAR ignored their protests.

United climbed to third place, while Wolves remained pointless and goalless under new boss Bruno Lage.

Patrick Bamford rescued a 1-1 draw for Leeds at Burnley.

Sean Dyche’s side took the lead in the 61st minute when Leeds failed to clear a corner and Matt Lowton’s shot was flicked in by Chris Wood from six yards.

But Leeds striker Bamford celebrated his first call-up to the England squad this week with the 86th minute equaliser.

Jamie Shackleton’s shot was deflected into Bamford’s path and he tapped in for his first goal this season.

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Hindutva group burns copy of Kama Sutra in India’s Gujarat

Members of a Hindutva group, Bajrang Dal, burnt a copy of the Kama Sutra outside a bookstore in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad Saturday night, according to India Today.

They said that the book shows Hindu deities in “vulgar positions” and threatened to burn bookstalls down if Hindu sentiments are hurt in the future.

Breaking #Bajrangdal members burnt copy of #Kamasutra in an Ahmedabad bookstall for “showing Hindu deities in ‘vulgar’ positions” and threatened to burn bookstalls down if Hindu sentiments are hurt in future 1/N pic.twitter.com/4jpHZTognM

 

 

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— DP (@dpbhattaET) August 28, 2021

A video of the incident was first made inside the bookstore with a Bajrang Dal member showing the illustrations in the book. The men then went outside the store and burnt the book.

The clip shows the men shouting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Jai Shree Ram’ while setting the book ablaze.

Kama Sutra, written in Sanskrit by ancient Indian philosopher Vatsyayana, is a popular book that explores love and sex.

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Headlines News 12pm | 29 August 2021-SAMAA TV

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Wife of murdered Greek ambassador jailed over his death in Brazil

Françoise de Souza Oliveira was found guilty of planning the murder with her lover, who confessed.

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UAE to resume issuing tourist visas from Monday

The United Arab Emirates will resume issuing tourist visas to vaccinated travelled from August 30, Monday.

The move comes amid a drop in coronavirus infections in the oil-rich Gulf country, after it reported less than 1,000 cases per day last week for the first time in months.

The UAE’s decision to reopen its doors to tourists from all countries was taken in order “to achieve sustainable recovery and economic growth”, the official WAM news agency reported on Saturday.

 

 

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Those eligible would have to be fully inoculated with one of the Covid-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization, which include AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

“The decision applies to citizens of all countries, including those arriving from previously banned countries,” WAM said.

“Passengers arriving on tourist visas must take a mandatory PCR test at the airport,” it added.

The UAE is made up of seven emirates including the capital Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

While life in the country has largely returned to normal amid the Covid pandemic, it continues to enforce strict rules on wearing masks and social distancing.

Dubai was last year counting on the six-month Dubai Expo 2020 — delayed a year by the health crisis and now set to open in October — to attract millions of visitors and boost the economy.

Heavily reliant on tourism, the emirate was one of the first destinations to open its doors to travellers, accepting tourists in July last year, just a few months after the pandemic took hold.

Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, has been more cautious, opening up to some visitors only in December.

The UAE as so far recorded more than 715,000 cases of Covid-19 infection, including 2,036 deaths.

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Pakistan schools to stay open thrice a week, 50% attendance

Schools across Pakistan will stay open thrice a week with 50% attendance, the National Command and Operation Centre announced Sunday.

After noting a rise in coronavirus cases, the forum has decided to extend the following coronavirus SOPs to 27 cities across the country till September 13:

• Markets to stay open till 8pm.
• Markets, malls, businesses to remain closed two days a week. The days will be decided by provinces.
• Indoor dining banned, outdoor dining allowed till 10pm.
• Takeaways and delivery allowed round the clock.
• Indoor weddings banned.
• Outdoor weddings with 300 people allowed till 10pm.
• Shrines, cinemas closed.
• Ban on contact sports activities and tournaments.
• Vaccinated people allowed inside gyms.
• 50% attendance in offices.
• Public transport to operate at 50% capacity, Railways at 70% capacity
• Vaccinated people allowed inside parks

 

 

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• Covid-19: Unvaccinated people barred from using public transport in Sindh

• Today’s outlook: PDM Karachi rally, coronavirus, Afghanistan updates

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People found violating the new orders will be punished. The district administrations have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the precautionary measures. The new restrictions will be imposed in the following cities:

Punjab
>Khanewal
>Mianwali
>Sargodha
>Khushab
>Bahawalpur
>Multan
>Lahore
>Gujranwala
>Rawalpindi
>Rahim Yar Khan

Islamabad

Sindh
>Karachi
>Hyderabad

Azad Jammu and Kashmir
>Muzffarabad
>Mirpur

Gilgit Baltistan
>Skardu
>Gilgit

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
>Peshawar
>Swat
>Haripur
>Mansehra
>Lower Dir
>Swabi
>Abbottabad
>Chitral

In the last 24 hours, Pakistan has reported over 3,900 new coronavirus cases, while 69 people succumbed to the deadly virus. Last week, the country’s death toll reached a four-month high with 140 deaths in a day.

The government has encouraged people to get themselves immediately immunised against Covid-19. Earlier this week, the NCOC announced vaccination for students of or above 17 years will commence from September 1.

The government is also mulling on Covid-19 booster shots for people with weak immune systems and health workers. If the decision is taking, they will be administered the third dose of the vaccine from October 1.

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Israel strikes Gaza after fire balloons, border clashes

The Israeli air force attacked two sites in Gaza on Sunday, the army said, after Gazans clashed with forces on the border and launched incendiary balloons into southern Israel.

Israeli “fighter jets struck a Hamas military compound used for manufacturing weapons and training as well as an entrance to a terror tunnel adjacent to Jabalia,” the Israeli army said.

“The strikes were in response to Hamas launching incendiary balloons into Israeli territory and the violent riots that took place yesterday,” it said in a statement.

 

 

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The army said both incidents were “examples of how Hamas continues to employ terror tactics and target civilians.”

There were no reports from the Gaza Strip of any casualties caused by the Israeli strikes.

Speaking in Washington, where he had met with US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he held Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas responsible for any unrest from the Palestinian enclave.

“As I have already said, our actions in Gaza will serve our interests,” he told reporters before boarding a plane back to Israel.

“As far as I’m concerned, the address (of those responsible) has been and remains Hamas.”

On Saturday evening, two wildfires broke out in the Eshkol region near the Palestinian enclave, Israeli firefighters said.

Protests erupted later in the day, with the Israeli army firing tear gas and stun grenades as Palestinians burned tyres on the border between Gaza and Israel, an AFP reporter said.

The health ministry in Gaza said 11 Palestinians had been hurt in the clashes, three of them by live fire.

Earlier Saturday, Gazans laid to rest Omar Hassan Abu al-Nile, 12, who died of his wounds a week after being shot by Israeli forces during border clashes.

In 2018, Gazans began a protest movement demanding an end to Israel’s blockade and the right for Palestinians to return to lands they fled or were expelled from when the Jewish state was founded in 1948.

The often-violent weekly demonstrations backed by Hamas sputtered as Israel killed some 350 Palestinians in the territory over more than a year.

Hamas and Israel then fought a devastating 11-day conflict in May, the worst between the two sides in years, which ended with an informal truce.

Incendiary balloons from Gaza have continued in the following months, with Israel blaming Hamas.

Israel has at the same time been easing restrictions on civilian life and commerce for the territory it has blockaded since 2007, when Hamas took power.

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