Amid Coronavirus crisis: England players set for pay cuts

England's cricket players must "realise the bigger picture" and will be expected to take a pay cut as the country's cricket governing body (ECB) tries to deal with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, The Times here reported on Sunday.

More than 662,700 people have been infected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 30,751 have died, according to a Reuters tally, and the outbreak has brought global sport to a virtual standstill.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka was cancelled earlier this month and the ECB announced no professional cricket will be played until the end of May.

England’s home test series against West Indies and Pakistan and limited overs series with Australia from June to August are also at risk of being postponed or cancelled if the situation does not improve, leading to a further loss of revenue.

“We’re looking at everything about how the game can make savings,” an ECB spokesman was quoted as saying by The Times.

“There’s a formal process to go through with centrally contracted players but the game needs to pull together at this time. We believe the players realise the bigger picture.”

English players on central contracts have their salaries paid in full by the ECB, who awarded 10 test contracts and 12 white-ball contracts in September last year.

The Times reported players such as Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler — who play for England in all three formats — would be expected to take pay cuts of approximately 200,000 pounds during the three-month shutdown.

Former US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe tests positive for coronavirus

Davis Cup-winning former US captain Patrick McEnroe said Tuesday he has tested positive for coronavirus but is feeling well and no longer has symptoms.

The 53-year-old younger brother of seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe said in a video posting on Twitter that he was tested at a drive-up facility in Westchester County, the New York suburb where a major outbreak took place.

"I got some minor symptoms 10 or 11 days ago," McEnroe said. "My test just came back positive. I just got it this morning.

"That's the bad news. The good news is I feel fine. My symptoms have passed and I feel really 100%."

McEnroe, speaking from the basement of his home, said he and his family had been self-quarantined for more than two weeks and advised others to do the same as a safety measure.

"Let's nail this thing," McEnroe said. "I'm an example of someone that has been able to fight through it and I'm doing absolutely fine."

McEnroe thanked well wishers later, tweeting, "So So touched by ALL the messages of support."

McEnroe won his only ATP singles title in 1995 at Sydney. He captured a Grand Slam doubles crown at the 1989 French Open alongside compatriot Jim Grabb.

He was captain of the 2007 US Davis Cup squad that beat Russia 4-1 in the final at Portland, Oregon.

Pakistani actress Sajal urges her fans to stay positive amid coronavirus crisis

Pakistani actress Sajal Ali has urged her fans to stay positive amid coronavirus crisis saying we will get through all of this.

Taking to Instagram, Sajal shared a throwback photo and wrote, “Stay safe & stay positive and we will get through all of this. InshALLAH.”

Also, Sajal shared a teary-eyed picture with brother Ali Syed from the wedding ceremony.

Both the photos have taken the internet by storm and have won the hearts of thousands of fans.

Earlier, Sajal had said “It's all in our hands. It might be a scary time but remember, we are all in this together.

The solution is simple.

Stay home.

Wash your hands. For 20 seconds!

Keep your distance from others as much as possible.

Support our government in taking the right steps.

Urge everyone you know to take it seriously.

I know we can sure as hell beat it together.”

KP govt restricts congregational prayers by more than 5 people in mosques

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government issued directives on Tuesday according to which only five or less persons will be allowed to offer congregational prayers inside mosques across the province.

A notification issued by the KP government's Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department said that an Emergency and Section 144 had already been imposed in the province to ensure social distancing.

"Only five or less people designated for Masjid (Muazzin, Pesh Imam, Speaker) shall offer prayers by Jamaat and that the general public will offer their prayers at their respective homes and that this order shall be effective immediately and shall apply to all congregations, till further orders," read the notification.

 

The directives come after the Sindh government banned congregational prayers in mosques by more than five people last week and urged masses to pray at their homes.

Pakistani Ulema have appealed to the masses to offer prayers at home in the wake of the pandemic, which has killed more than 20 people in Pakistan and infected more than 1,800 persons.

Calls for social distancing have increased after the pandemic killed more than 35,000 people worldwide and infected more than 750,000. Governments around the world are scrambling to control the virus as economies and industries bear the brunt of the coronavirus.

IG Sindh orders Tableeghi Jamaat members be quarantined wherever they are

People from religious gatherings and those associated with the Tableeghi Jamaat are to be quarantined wherever they were, Sindh Inspector-General of Police Mushtaq Ahmed Mehar told police officials.

The directions from Sindh's top police officer came after it emerged that there were members of the Tableeghi Jamaat in several districts of the city.

The marakiz, or centres, where the people of the Tableeghi Jamaat — or proselytizers — were present at the moment should be considered as quarantine facilities, the instructions added, advising them to stay where they were.

The instructions came shortly after Raiwind city near Lahore was put under a full-fledged lockdown after 27 of the 50 people suspected to have contracted the coronavirus tested positive and more than 2,200 were still present at the Tableeghi Jamaat gathering.

Mehar instructed police to ensure that no new person entered these centres and the senior superintendents of police (SSPs) were to contact the provincial health department's representatives in this regard.

IG Mehar also directed officers to make arrangements to provide rations — food and other basic necessities — to members of the Tableeghi Jamaat who would henceforth be under quarantine. Information on more people part of the Tableeghi Jamaat and other marakiz in their respective areas was also to be obtained and shared to his operations room, he added.

The top police official noted that contact-tracing must be done for those who were outside of the centres as well in order to make sure the virus did not spread to other people.

Earlier, 54 of the 200 Tableeghi Jamaat members in Hyderabad had tested positive for the novel virus, a health department official said, taking the city's total to 57 and the province's to 627.

Some 830 individuals associated with the Tableeghi Jamaat were in Hyderabad, a local media outlet quoted DIG Naeem Shaikh as saying.

A day prior, two people who had returned to Karachi after attending the "Raiwand Ijtima" had died of the coronavirus, according to the Sindh health department.

They also "had underlying renal & respiratory diseases".Mid-March, at least 250,000 people had congregated in camps near Lahore for the annual, five-day Tablighi Ijtema congregation, ignoring government warnings that such events could propagate the novel coronavirus pandemic. The event was later curtailed.

At the time, Ehsanullah — one of the event's organisers — had told AFP that although most had gone home, "still tens of thousands of people are here" and others would return.

"Our elders and organisers decided that the gathering will proceed as planned," Ehsanullah had said.

51 patients recovered from coronavirus in Sindh: Murtaza Wahab

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Law Murtaza Wahab once again appealed to the masses to observe social distancing as it was the only way to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In a video message, Wahab said: "So far, there is no cure for coronavirus, the only way to defeat it is by observing social distancing."

"We need to take precautionary measures, such as remaining indoors and not leaving our houses unnecessarily," he urged.

Wahab appealed to the people to follow the directives issued by the Sindh government and assured the people that the authorities were doing everything they could to curb the spread.

"The Sindh government is working with NGO's to provide rations to the needy," he said, adding that in due time the commodities will be provided to everyone.

"We do not have enough facilities to tackle this pandemic. The world's superpower has been plagued by this outbreak," he said.

The provincial government has taken several steps to curb the spread of the virus as it was the first to impose a lockdown and limit the number of people in mosques.

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Law Murtaza Wahab tweeted that: 2 more corona virus patients have recovered & have tested negative.

2 more corona virus patients have recovered & have tested negative. So the tally of recovered patients now stands at 51. May Allah SWT protect us all & give shifa to the affected patients https://t.co/l3B3KOikpL

— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 31, 2020

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan stands at 1,872 after new cases were reported in the country, while Sindh's infected tally stands at 627 with eight deaths so far.

98-year old Iranian lady recovers from coronavirus

A 98-year old lady Mrs Hassanzadeh from Mashhad, northeastern Iran, defeated the potentially deadly coronavirus after 27 days of medical treatment.

Shapour Badiee, MD, told Media that the almost centennial woman was hospitalized on March 5 after she was diagnosed with coronavirus.

Saeedeh Hassanzahed, her daughter, told that Ms. Hassanzedeh had chronicle kidney complications, but the virus had not hurt her kidneys.

Thanking God, she added that with the “indefatigable” efforts of the medical staff of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, her mother defeated the virus and was discharged from hospital.

Read more: Europe sends medical supplies to Iran in first INSTEX transaction: Germany

Remember, Germany said the three European signatories to the 2015 Iran deal have registered the first transaction under a trade system set up last year to protect companies doing business with Iran from US sanctions, delivering medical supplies to the Islamic Republic amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Russian President sending medical supplies to help U.S. fight coronavirus: IFX

Russia is sending the United States medical equipment to help fight the coronavirus outbreak, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

President Vladimir Putin made the proposal in a phone conversation with President Donald Trump on Monday, when they discussed the coronavirus and oil markets, directing their energy ministers to speak.

“Trump gratefully accepted this humanitarian aid,” Interfax quoted Peskov as saying. A Russian plane with medical and protective equipment may leave for the United States on Tuesday, he added.

Confirmed U.S. cases have surged to nearly 180,000 with 16,000 new positive tests reported on Tuesday. For a second day in a row, the United States recorded more than 500 new deaths as the total climbed to nearly 3,600, according to a Reuters tally of officially reported data.

The state of relations between Moscow and Washington has been complicated in recent years due to U.S. sanctions on some of Russian companies in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russian support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, among other strains.

In the process of agreeing on the details for the medical supply on Tuesday, “it seems that some on the American side at least did not contribute to the prompt resolution of technical issues in accordance with the agreements of the two presidents”, Peskov was quoted as saying by Interfax.

EOBI pensioners to get Rs8,500 per month from 1st of April onward

Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis on Tuesday announced that pensioners of Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) will get Rs 8,500 per month from 1st of April onward.

In a series of tweets, a spokesperson of the ministry said that the EOBI pensioners will also get arrears of Rs 4,000 this month adding that the government had approved increase in the pension from 1st of January 2020.

He maintained that Rs 12,500 will be deposited in the accounts of the pensioners today.

This month Rs 12500 will be deposited in the accounts of pensioners. Government approved increase in pension amount from 1st January 2020. (Amount increased to Rs 8500 from 6500 per month)

— Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD (@mophrd) March 31, 2020

Talking to journalists, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfiqar Hussain Bukhari vowed to increase the pension to Rs15,000 per month during the term of the current government.

Earlier on December 12, in another step towards state of Madina, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government had increased the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pension by 62 percent from Rs5250 to 8500 within first year of its tenure, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said.

 

2020 Games postponement signals growing power shift from IOC to athletes

Tweeting from her Toronto couch two weeks ago, six-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser had two words for the International Olympic Committee, which had yet to postpone the Tokyo Summer Games amid the coronavirus pandemic: “Insensitive and irresponsible.”

Days later the IOC acquiesced, delaying the Olympics until July 2021 and sparking what some say could be a permanent shift in power away from the hierarchical governing body to athletes.

As the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe, sponsors and broadcasters with millions of dollars on the line stayed mostly silent about the timing of the Tokyo Olympic Games, scheduled to open in July. Sports federations simply said they would take their lead from the IOC. The vast majority of nations bided their time.

For exasperated Wickenheiser, 41, something had to give.

“I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity,” she tweeted.

Wickenheiser, a Canadian ice hockey gold medalist and doctor-in-training who also competed in softball in the 2000 Sydney Summer Games, told Reuters that she could not stay silent.

“(Athletes) were the first voices to really alert the world to how tone deaf the IOC was being,” she said.

As a result, the IOC narrative was “turned on its head” Johannes Herber, CEO at Athleten Deutschland said.

“The fact that the IOC and Japan decided to postpone has a lot to do with the fact that athletes spoke out and clearly told their stories. It somehow made it real,” he said.

“Formally, nothing has changed and athletes have formally no more power than before. But the power they have through social media to form public opinion was clearly demonstrated.”

Some in the IOC acknowledge athlete power was key in this unprecedented postponement, signaling a challenge to the body’s supremacy.

“I know for a fact that some colleagues messaged the president urging him to postpone because they were under a lot of pressure back home both from the athletes, and in some cases governments,” one IOC member, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.

“Our athletes played a critical role in our decision to request the postponement of the 2020 Games,” said Isabelle McLemore, a spokeswoman for USA Swimming, which was among the early groups to call for a delay.

Erik Kynard, a high-jumper who won a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic games, said he had called for the postponement of the Olympics in media interviews and in his comments to the USA Track and Field board, of which he is a member.

“The voices of the athletes were always there. It’s just that when you’re up on a pedestal, it’s difficult to hear,” said Kynard, whose grandfather has the virus.

Michelle Carter, an Olympic gold medal-winning shot putter and member of the USA Track and Field board, said the health and safety of their sports’ officials - many of whom are older than 70 - as well as their family members and fans was a motivating factor.

“We’re just now really realizing the power that our voice has, that what we say matters more than what we think,” Carter said.

American Emma Coburn, who took bronze in the 3,000-metre steeple at Rio, said that while there was no “war” with the IOC, the incident showed athletes’ ability “to speak up and say what they wanted.”

“In my mind it wasn’t athletes versus IOC; it wasn’t pitted like that. It was, ‘as athletes this is how we feel, we’re communicating it to you and we feel like it’s your job to not only listen to what we want but to what is the safest choice’,” said Coburn, who hopes to compete in Tokyo next year.

Rob Koehler, head of the Global Athlete movement which aims to empower athletes, told Reuters the IOC should brace itself for more pressure, and a new order of things.

“In general, athletes are realizing that they have the power, or can have the power,” he said. “The athletes used to be told, ‘that’s your sandbox, you go and play in it, we’ll look after the governance of sport.

“There have been some significant moments over the last four years which have led to athletes being frustrated and realize their voices aren’t being listened to.”

For Wickenheiser, there is no turning back: “Athletes in the world need to continue to use their platforms to create change and realize the power they have.”

China zeroes in on coronavirus patients with no symptoms as new infections rise

China will start releasing information from Wednesday on coronavirus patients who show no disease symptoms, ordering them into quarantine for 14 days, a health official said, after the mainland witnessed its first rise in infections in five days.

As local infections peter out and new cases surface among travelers returning home, the existence of virus carriers with no symptoms is fuelling public concern that people could be spreading it without knowing they are ill.

From April 1, the daily report of the National Health Commission will include details of such cases for the first time, Chang Jile, a commission official, told a briefing. People in close contact with them face 14 days of medical observation.

Asymptomatic patients under observation numbered 1,541 by Monday, with 205 of the cases having come from overseas, the commission said separately.

Monday’s 48 new infections, and one death, in mainland China were up from 31 the previous day, the commission said, reversing four days of declines. All were imported, taking China’s tally of such cases to 771, with no new local infection reported.

Many were students returning from overseas. About 35 infected Chinese citizens are still studying abroad, with 11 already cured, education ministry official Liu Jin said.

Fearing a second wave of infections sparked by such inbound travelers, China will delay its college entrance exam by a month, until July 7 and 8, China Central Television said, although Hubei province, where the virus emerged late last year, and Beijing, the capital, will get more leeway in scheduling it.

The annual two-day “gaokao” test drew more than 10 million candidates last year, state media have said.

Last week, a study in British medical journal the Lancet Public Health recommended that China extend school and workplace closures, since an earlier relaxation of curbs could bring a second peak in the outbreak by August.

“China has slowed transmission of the virus and in so doing, has passed one peak in the outbreak,” said Tarik Jasarevic, a representative of the World Health Organisation. “The challenge now is to prevent a resurgence of new cases.”

Tax authorities acknowledged the pandemic’s impact on exporters, saying they were studying policies to reduce pressure on businesses, from tax cuts to an extension of preferential policies for foreign firms.

New data from a survey of manufacturers showed that factory activity expanded in March from February’s collapse as businesses returned to work, but analysts warned that slumping external demand could prevent a durable recovery.

“The situation could be very fluid as the virus outbreak remains unpredictable,” analysts at ANZ bank said in a note. “Chinese policymakers will likely step up and expand the stimulus program if needed.”

The commercial hub of Shanghai saw 11 new imported cases on Monday, mainly among returning Chinese nationals, while Beijing had three.

Wuhan, the capital of central Hubei province, reported no new infections for a seventh straight day. Groups of medical teams in brightly colored jackets took photographs around the city as they prepared to leave.

“Thank you, Wuhan. We are back,” read a message on a building that houses a Levi’s clothing store.

By Monday, total infections stood at 81,518 in mainland China, with 3,305 deaths.

No need to wear masks unless you are sick or caring for coronavirus patients: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday reiterated its advice to people to not wear face masks if they were either not infected by the coronavirus or not caring for a COVID-19 patient.

In a media briefing, the WHO emergencies program executive director Dr Mike Ryan said there was "no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit".

"In fact, there's some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly," he added. "There also is the issue that we have a massive global shortage."

Dr Ryan, a former trauma surgeon who has worked very closely with patients during Ebola outbreaks, stressed that people most at risk were those working at the frontline.

"Frontline health workers [...] are exposed to the virus every second of every day. The thought of them not having masks is horrific," he added.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove — an infectious disease expert and the WHO top official's colleague — echoed Dr Ryan's comments, saying it was crucial to "prioritize the use of masks for those who need it most".

"In the community, we do not recommend the use of wearing masks unless you yourself are sick and as a measure to prevent onward spread from you if you are ill," Dr Van Kerkhove noted, adding that masks were only suggested for those who were sick and in self-quarantine or those living with coronavirus-positive patients and caring for them.

Last week, she had emphasised on the dearth of medical gear for healthcare professionals.

"The world is facing a significant shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for our frontline workers — including masks and gloves and gowns and face shields — and protecting our health care workers must be the top priority for use of this PPE."

In Pakistan, however, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab on Monday had expressed disappointment that Prime Minister Imran Khan failed to provide a roadmap to deal with the prevalent coronavirus crisis during his address to the nation.

Senator Wahab had commented on how the premier "should have informed the nation about how he plans to control" the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, there was no mention of any such thing. More than corona tigers, our country needs vents & protective gear for medical staff,” Wahab had added.

So far, Pakistan has only banned the export of protective gear in bid to tackle coronavirus, with the trade ministry saying the ban extended to N95, surgical, and other face masks, as well as hand sanitisers, bio-hazard bags, goggles, disposable gloves, and gowns.

A recent report had highlighted the Pakistani frontline medics' fear and anxiety over being compelled to treat patients potentially infected with the COVID-19 virus without PPE, which includes N95 masks, Tyvek suits, gloves, face shields or masks, and goggles.

Over the past week, tonnes of doctors, paramedics, and healthcare workers at various medical facilities across Karachi were advised to self-quarantine after they came into contact with patients and doctors who had later tested positive for COVID-19.

On the other hand, as the number of cases rise across the country and with a significant shortage of resources to cope with the pandemic, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had approved the purchase of 290 ventilators.

Raiwind city put under complete lockdown after 27 in religious gathering test positive

Punjab police on Tuesday put Raiwind city put under quarantine and shut down all general and medical stores, while no one is being allowed to leave their homes.

Even now more than 2,200 people of the tableeghi jamaat are present in the gathering, police said.

Adjacent to Raiwind city is a tableeghi mosque where it was suspected that 50 people have contracted the virus. Upon screening, it was discovered that 27 do have the virus.

Many people have either been shifted to the Kala Shah Kaku quarantine facility or a quarantine facility in Kasur.

A team of doctors is currently continuing testing of people to ascertain whether there are more people infected.

Inspector-General Sindh Police Mushtaq Mahar issued directives for Sindh Police to quarantine tableeghi jamaat members wherever they find them in Karachi.

Mahar directed police officials to trace tableeghi jamaat members across the city in various districts and quarantine them wherever they were found.

He said that police officials should collect information about tableeghi jamaat centres and members of their respective areas. Mahar said that that police should ensure that tableeghi jamaat members are provided ration and it should be ensured that new persons do not join them.

He directed SPs to work with health officials to ensure the virus is contained and prevented from spreading further.

As many as 550 members of Tableeghi Jamaat including 26 foreigners from Indonesia, Tunis, Nigeria, Afghanistan, China and other countries were quarantined in Sukkur and Hyderabad mosques after one confirmed coronavirus case was reported in Hyderabad among one of their colleagues.

A March 30 report said a young Chinese national, Mubbashir, aged 30 and part of the tableeghi jamaat, arrived at a mosque named Noor Masjid in Qasimabad area of Hyderabad from Raiwind and tested positive for coronavirus. He was shifted to the quarantine centre of Civil Hospital, Hyderabad. 

Centre calls in Rangers after Sindh govt fails to implement transport agreement 'in true spirit'

The government's chief spokesperson Firdous Ashiq Awan on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the Sindh Rangers to ensure supply of goods from Sindh is maintained after it was found the provincial government had failed to implement a transport agreement "in true spirit".

Awan, in a media briefing following a meeting between the cabinet, said that the prime minister expressed displeasure "in strong words" over the fact that despite the National Coordination Committee's decision for all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to keep transport lines open for essential goods, the Sindh government did not implement the same.

Awan said that all export and import takes place through the Sindh shipping port and due to administrative measures and a transport lockdown, traders are facing challenges.

"The supply goes all the way to Gilgit-Baltistan. With no loaders present or those who pack goods or a lack of facilities, the supply chain is facing a delay.

"Rangers will ensure all obstacles in the transport of goods are removed and the transport of goods is secured and ensured," said Awan.

The premier's aide on information also said that the prime minister was informed during the cabinet meeting that coronavirus patients are being treated as "untouchables". She said this is a "criminal act" and that the prime minister expressed great disapproval of the fact.

"Law enforcement agencies or hospital security officials mistreating them have been strictly told to treat them well and not treat them as criminals and not to push them into quarantine," said Awan.

She said that admission into a quarantine facility should be carried out respectfully with the patients' approval and their families' consent and that all governments had been told to strictly comply with this.

Recapping some of the cabinet's important decisions, she said that approval for the issuance of Sukuk bonds has been given.

"With this approval, the government will now be issuing the domestic Sukuk bonds.

"The bond has been issued 19 times previously. This is an important and positive step in the promotion of Islamic banking," she said.

Awan said that with the issuance of the bond, an uptick in financing can be expected. She said that the bond will have a three-year maturity.

"With this bond, not only liquidity issues will be addressed but with a Shariah compliant return and a Rs700bn target, the government will be able to develop an action plan to aid the economy."

Europe sends medical supplies to Iran in first INSTEX transaction: Germany

Germany says the three European signatories to the 2015 Iran deal have registered the first transaction under a trade system set up last year to protect companies doing business with Iran from US sanctions, delivering medical supplies to the Islamic Republic amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Tuesday, Berlin’s Foreign Ministry said Germany, France and Britain “confirm that INSTEX (trade system) has successfully concluded its first transaction, facilitating the export of medical goods from Europe to Iran.”

“These goods are now in Iran,” it said in a statement, giving no further details.

The German Foreign Ministry added that Berlin hopes to enhance the mechanism and carry out more transaction with Tehran.

“Now the first transaction is complete, INSTEX and its Iranian counterpart STFI (Special Trade and Finance Instrument) will work on more transactions and enhancing the mechanism,” the German Foreign Ministry said.

Iranian authorities have not commented on the news so far.

The transaction comes over a year after the European trio announced the creation of INSTEX — a non-dollar direct payment channel officially called the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges — in an effort to keep Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers alive.

The apparatus was designed to circumvent the sanctions that the United States re-imposed against Iran after leaving a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic, the trio, plus Russia and China.

However, the Europeans have not been able to operationalize the non-dollar trade mechanism under pressure from the US.

The system was launched after Iran complained about the European countries failing to maintain trade with the country as mandated under the nuclear deal, and bowing insteadto Washington’s pressure.

In May, Iran initiated a set of countermeasures against Washington’s withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and following the European partners’ failure to guarantee Tehran’s business interests under the agreement.

Iran had accepted the nuclear limits voluntarily as part of the deal, despite not being obligated by the UN nuclear agency to commit to any such restrictions.

Tehran has vowed to reverse all its nuclear activities as soon as the other JCPOA signatories begin fully implementing their obligations.

Rouhani hails public compliance with social distancing measures in virus fight

President Hassan Rouhani has expressed his gratitude to the Iranian nation for their cooperation with a crisis task force set up to manage the nationwide battle against the coronavirus pandemic, saying public support has played a key role in the government’s plans to fight and curtail the outbreak.

In a Tuesday address to the National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the Coronavirus, Rouhani hailed Iranians for abiding by restrictions introduced under the social distancing initiative to rein in COVID-19, including not making inter-city trips and closing nonessential businesses.

“My special thanks go to the dear and honorable people of Iran who have been cooperating well with the national coronavirus committee since the onset of the outbreak,” he said.

“The support and cooperation of the people is the principle. The Islamic Republic of Iran has managed to make achievements in confronting the dangerous coronavirus thanks to the people’s support and cooperation. This has come about because the people have been on the scene for the sake of their own health,” he added.

The Iranian chief executive also stressed that the nation had passed three major divine tests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, namely the eight-year Iraq-imposed war in the 1980s, the sanctions and the coronavirus outbreak.

He further noted that despite the difficult times caused by the respiratory disease, Iran has made notable achievements in tackling the crisis compared to other countries.

“It is true that doctors, nurses and medical personnel as well as the Armed Forces have been on the frontlines … but it was, in fact, the entire people” who joined the fight against the virus, Rouhani said.

He also announced new preventive measures approved at the committee fighting the coronavirus, among them an obligatory two-week self-quarantine for individuals who test positive for COVID-19.

Those refusing to observe the quarantine guidelines could even be prosecuted because they have violated the country’s law and endangered other people’s health, Rouhani said, adding that convalescent facilities will be at the service of those people who cannot quarantine at home.

The new coronavirus initially emerged in China late last year and is now spreading across the globe. Worldwide, there have been more than 788,000 confirmed cases of the virus and over 37,780 deaths.

Iran updates toll

On Tuesday, Iran’s Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour reported 3,111 new infections and 141 more deaths from the virus over the past 24 hours.

In total, 44,606 Iranian have contracted the disease and 2,898 have died, he pointed out, saying 14,656 patients have recovered so far.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 1865

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pakistan rose to 1,865 on Tuesday after new cases were reported in the country.

The province-wise break up of the total number of cases are as follows

Total confirmed cases: 1,865
• Sindh: 627

• Punjab: 652

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 221

• Balochistan: 153

• Islamabad Capital Territory: 58

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 148

• AJK: 6

Deaths: 25

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 6

• Sindh: 7

• Balochistan: 1

• Gilgit-Baltistan: 2

• Punjab: 9

More than 37,000 deaths have been recorded globally, of which most have been in Europe since the virus first emerged in December.

Read more: Coronavirus: Two patients recover in Buner, area of KP

More than 785,000 COVID-19 cases have been registered in 200 countries and territories of which a majority have been in Europe, the worst-hit continent by the virus.

Situation in AJK

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Monday said that 204 teams of the government were in the field to tackle the coronavirus outbreak across the valley.

"Saving human lives is my responsibility. We have started spraying disinfectants in the cities, streets and residential areas of the valley," he told the media at a press briefing.

China's special plane carrying relief goods

Another aircraft of China carrying medical supplies regarding Coronavirus pandemic arrived in Karachi on Monday.

The medical supplies include testing kits, N-95 masks and protective suits.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on March 27 had received a consignment of medical aid from China for fighting the coronavirus epidemic in the country at Karachi airport.

Sports Celebrities Boxer Amir Khan to donate Rs40m to Pakistan

Pakistani origin British boxer Amir Khan has announced to donate Rs40 million to Pakistan to help fight the novel coronavirus.

Boxer Amir Khan also offered to use his Islamabad boxing academy as a quarantine for the coronavirus patients.

Developing health sector real service to nation: SAPM Awan

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that developing the health sector is a real service to the nation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the SAPM said that the opposition was upset when government ministers spoke truthfully.

“Developing the health sector was not a priority for the previous rulers,” Awan said. “What mattered to them was putting their name on the board.”

“For Imran Khan, the health of the nation comes first,” she said, adding that the incumbent premier had increased the health budget.

Zafar Mirza urges Pakistanis to follow social distancing directives

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza urged citizens to follow the instructions about social distancing in order to limit the spread of the virus in Pakistan.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that the way some patients were being treated was "extremely saddening".

"They are being criminalised, what will happen is people will get scared and won't come forward to report it [...]," he said.

Cabinet approved economic package, says Hammad Azhar

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar said that the government had announced an economic package which was approved by the ECC after which it was approved by the cabinet today.

It includes:

Rs200 billion for daily-wagers

Arrangements to delay interest payments on loans by six months for industries

Increase quota of deserving people

Rs50 billion for utility stores

Reduced petrol and diesel prices

Read more details on the economic package here.

Sindh reports one more death; provincial toll at 8

A 74-year-old man has died from the coronavirus in Sindh, with the provincial death toll from the disease rising to eight.

The patient, a resident of Karachi, was brought to the hospital on March 26 where he was tested, the Sindh health minister said.

He had a history of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Diabetes.

Testing capacity to rise to 280,000 people tomorrow: Asad Umar

Asad Umar said that it is important to increase the testing capacity for Covid-19.

He said that the country had the capacity to test 30,000 people on March 13 and this will rise to 280,000 tomorrow.

By April 15, he said this capacity will rise to 900,000.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that an important thing that was discussed in the cabinet meeting was that citizens who test positive should not be treated as criminals by society.

He said people would stop reporting out of fear.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that the National Coordination Committee and the National Command Centre, that began working from today, will not be partisan.

Facebook Invests Additional $100 Million to Support News Industry During the Coronavirus Crisis

The news industry is working under extraordinary conditions to keep people informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when journalism is needed more than ever, ad revenues are declining due to the economic impact of the virus. Local journalists are being hit especially hard, even as people turn to them for critical information to keep their friends, families and communities safe.

Today we’re announcing an additional $100 million investment to support the news industry—$25 million in emergency grant funding for local news through the Facebook Journalism Project, and $75 million in additional marketing spend to move money over to news organizations around the world.

Through the COVID-19 Community Network grant program, direct funding is helping journalists cover important stories when we all need them most. We're building on this work and will direct a portion of these funds to publishers most in need in the hardest hit countries. The first round of these grants went to 50 local newsrooms in the US and Canada. Here are some examples of how they've used the funding to support their COVID-19 news coverage:

The Post and Courier, South Carolina

Took down its paywall for coronavirus stories. It will use the grant to cover travel costs and remote work capabilities to extend coverage to rural, news desert portions of the state.

Southeast Missourian, Missouri

Publishing email newsletters highlighting coronavirus coverage. The newspaper will use its grant to bolster remote work technology and on contingency plans for reaching elderly readers should print distribution be disrupted.

El Paso Matters, Texas

New local online news organization launched earlier this year by former El Paso Times editor Bob Moore. The team will use their grant to hire freelance reporters and translators to expand coverage of coronavirus in El Paso and across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

“This money will not only help keep journalists reporting right now amidst the crisis, the funding will also fuel opportunities for local media to accelerate business transformation toward a more sustainable digital footing,” said Nancy Lane, CEO of Local Media Association.

"Local news organizations, especially hyper-local news organizations including those serving black and other underserved communities, have experienced challenges with the sustainability and distribution of news and information in the current media environment.

COVID-19 has exacerbated an already existing crisis and our jobs have just gotten tougher. With such a sizable infusion from Facebook, local news organizations across the country will benefit as will our readers, our viewers and our listeners," said Janis Ware, publisher of The Atlanta Voice.

This commitment builds upon $300 million we’ve committed already to serving journalists around the world through diverse and inclusive news programs and partnerships, including Report for America, the Pulitzer Center, the Community News Project and the Facebook Journalism Project’s Local News Accelerator training program.

If people needed more proof that local journalism is a vital public service, they're getting it now. And while almost all businesses are facing adverse financial effects from this crisis, we recognize we're in a more privileged position than most, and we want to help.

Opposition Leader demands NSC meeting over coronavirus situation

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has demanded to summon a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on coronavirus situation.

The PML-N leader, in a statement, said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government should immediately call the National Security Committee meeting and clear its strategy about lockdown across the country in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

He said that hiding facts on corona pandemic from the masses will create more problems for the federal and provincial administrations.
Shehbaz Sharif also demanded to form parliamentary monitoring committee on coronavirus relief funds.

It must be noted that the National Security Committee (NSC) held on March 14 had announced closure of educational institutions, borders besides cancellation of mass gatherings and partial suspension of flight operations.

A meeting of the country’s top civil-military body took place at the Prime Minister’s House under the chair of PM Imran Khan. The three services chiefs, the federal ministers for interior, foreign and law affairs as well as the education minister were in attendance in the meeting.

The meeting constituted a high-level National Coordination Committee to carry on joint efforts to fight against coronavirus across the country.

Meanwhile, the confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan has reached 1,865, according to the National Command and Control Centre.

According to the report, there are 652 cases in Punjab, 625 in Sindh, 221 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 153 in Balochistan, 58 in Islamabad, 148 in Gilgit Baltistan and six cases in Azad Kashmir.

The number of patients recovered from the virus stands at 57, whereas, 25 Pakistanis lost their lives and 11 remain critical in different hospitals, according to the national dashboard.

Court rejects Faryal Talpur’s plea to unfreeze her bank accounts

An Islamabad accountability court has turned down PPP leader Faryal Talpur’s plea to unfreeze her bank accounts which were previously frozen in the fake bank accounts and money laundering case.

Judge Azam Khan heard the case on Tuesday.

The PPP leader had approached the court after her release on bail, asking it to unfreeze her bank accounts of her children.

During the hearing, NAB opposed Talpur’s appeal.

After hearing the arguments of both the parties, the court ordered the restoration of the accounts of Talpur’s children but denied doing so for her.

Coronavirus: US death toll passes 3,000

The US death toll from the coronavirus pandemic passed 3,000 on Monday, according to the running tally compiled by the Johns Hopkins University, with more than 163,000 confirmed cases.

The United States has recorded 3,008 deaths, according to the tally, while its 163,429 cases are by far the highest national number ahead of Italy, Spain and China.

President Donald Trump has been criticized for an initially slow response by the federal government to the now-accelerating pandemic spread.

Harrowing scenes from hospitals in New York and elsewhere revealed a health system unprepared with basic supplies such as face masks, as well as life-saving devices like respirators.

On Sunday, Trump cancelled his plans to re-open much of the country by Easter — April 12 — and extended social distancing guidelines until the end of April after his top scientists confronted him with data on the rising coronavirus crisis.

Trump said America’s death rate was likely to increase for two weeks, describing as “horrible” a prediction by senior scientist Anthony Fauci that COVID-19 could claim up to 200,000 lives.

Coronavirus epidemic 'far from over' in Asia: WHO official

The coronavirus epidemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region, and current measures to curb the spread of the virus are buying time for countries to prepare for large-scale community transmissions, a WHO official said on Tuesday.

Even with all the measures, the risk of transmission in the region will not go away as long as the pandemic continues, said Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the World Health Organization (WHO).

The new coronavirus first surfaced in central China in late 2019. Infections have now exceeded 770,000 cases worldwide, with the United States, Italy and Spain overtaking mainland China in confirmed cases.

“Let me be clear. The epidemic is far from over in Asia and the Pacific. This is going to be a long-term battle and we cannot let down our guard,” Kasai told a virtual media briefing.

Covid-19: PML-N criticises the government’s response over pandemic

The PML-N has criticised the response of the government towards the coronavirus pandemic.

The party leaders held a meeting on Monday via video link. It was chaired by Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif.

Shehbaz said that the prime minister cares more about the opposition and media than the country’s people.

They expressed their concerns over the way the funds for coronavirus are being distributed among the people. The PML-N has asked for the formation of a parliamentary committee to look into the distribution of funds.

Shehbaz remarked that the Corono Relief Tigers Force is nothing but a sham. The government should’ve asked the relevant authorities to come into force, he added.

At a time of crisis, the PM has dissolved the country’s biggest authorities on medicine, he said while referring to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

Train services to remain suspended for the time being: Sheikh Rashid

Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid has said that passenger trains will not operate throughout the country for the time being as the service was suspended following the outbreak of the coronavirus in Pakistan.

The minister, while talking to media at Rawalpindi station, shared that the cabinet will tomorrow decide on the amount that will be given to the underprivileged through the Ehsaas programme.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar had claimed that the 'Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme' will help 67 million people around Pakistan.

Dr Nishtar had also announced that the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme had been approved for 10 million people, wherein Rs12,000 would be provided per family.

Meanwhile, Railways minister said the coming 15 days were very important and if the virus does not spread then it will lose steam in Pakistan. He added that Pakistan’s situation was not as worse as Italy, Spain or America.

Rashid also shared that all the factories were operating in the country and that in the next two to three days, more will re-open. He added that freight trains will continue to operate so that the food supply does not get affected.

“Chairman Railway Habib Gilani did brilliant work and set up a 310-bed quarantine centre,” said the minister. He also assured that the country will get rid of the disease, adding that the department has allocated 65 hospitals for coronavirus. He added that if any province required hospitals then they can ask the department for help.

Saeed Ghani recovers from coronavirus a week after testing positive

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani has recovered from the novel coronavirus a week after he tested positive, according to a video he shared on his Twitter account.

"Today, my coronavirus test report came out negative," he said on Twitter. "I'm thankful to all of you who in the past 10 days prayed for me and boosted my morale."

الحمدللّٰہ آج میرے کورونا وائرس کے ہونے والے ٹیسٹ کی رپورٹ نیگیٹو آئی ہے۔ میں آپ تمام خیر خواہوں کا شکرگذار ہوں جنہوں نے گذشتہ دس روز میں میرے لئے دعائیں کیں اور میری حوصلہ افزائی کی ۔ انشااللہ میری کوشش ہوگی کہ آئندہ بھی اپنی ذمہ داریاں بہتر طور پر انجام دے سکوں۔ pic.twitter.com/kie4nzD7x3

— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) March 30, 2020

"I'll continue fulfilling my responsibilities in the future," he added.

Ghani had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 23, he had said in a video message, adding that had isolated himself despite not feeling any symptoms associated with the virus and feeling healthy.

SC suspends all high court orders regarding release of prisoners

The Supreme Court on Monday suspended orders issued by the high courts relating to the release of under-trial prisoners amidst the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

In its order, the top court said: “No further order shall be passed by any of the high courts and by any of the provincial governments/ICT/Gilgit-Baltistan of releasing the prisoners from the jails.”

It added if any order has been passed regarding the release of the prisoners and not given effect or implemented till now, the same shall not be acted upon until further orders by the Supreme Court.

The apex court further suspended the implementation of the Islamabad High Court's orders regarding the release of under-trial prisoners.

During today’s hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed questioned the powers of the IHC in issuing orders to release prisoners to pre-empt the spread of the virus in prisons.

“How can high courts take suo motu notice,” CJP Gulzar remarked while reviewing a decision taken by the IHC on March 26 ordering the release of 24 under-trial suspects named in NAB references.

The accountability bureau had contested the decision, with an additional prosecutor of the bureau asking the court to arrange for coronavirus testing of the suspects on an immediate basis.

"Why do you want to keep under-trial suspects in detention? What if the virus spreads to other prisoners while the test results are awaited? Who will be responsible?" the IHC chief justice had asked the prosecutor while issuing the orders.

"During trial, suspects are considered innocent until the trial has concluded," IHC CJ Minallah had noted in his remarks. He advised the prosecution to build up solid cases against suspects and provide evidence in court.

IHC orders bail for prisoners on trial for minor crimes

In an earlier decision, the IHC had ordered the issuance of bail for prisoners who were facing trial for minor crimes to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. IHC Chief Justice Minallah had issued the order after hearing a case regarding 1,362 prisoners incarcerated in crowded jails.

During the hearing, the court inquired from officials if prisoners who were facing jail-time without having been tried could be released.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqat had assured the court that no prisoner held at Adiala Jail has been infected with the virus.

However, Justice Minallah worried that the coronavirus outbreak had worsened in China after it spread among prisoners. He said that the prisons in Pakistan were in dire straits and if any prisoner becomes infected; the situation would get out of control.

PBC, SCBA express concern over petition filed against IHC verdict

In a joint statement issued on Saturday, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Abid Saqi and Syed Qalb-i-Hassan, President, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) expressed their concern over the filing of a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging thereby the judgement of the IHC for the release of 408 prisoners from prisons in the wake of COVID-19 risk.

They recalled that all the bar bodies and the legal fraternity have fully appreciated and supported the timely decision/judgment of the IHC regarding the conditional release of 408 prisoners from Adiala Jail, which has been taken/passed in peculiar circumstances arisen as a result of the outbreak of deadly COVID-19, just on humanitarian and compassionate grounds only in cases of under-trial prisoners.

They also expressed the hope that the other superior courts may also take/pass similar decisions/orders on humanitarian grounds that being the demand of the grave situation confronting Pakistan.

"The rapid increase in spread of coronavirus the world over, which has also gravely attacked Pakistan as well, needs concerted efforts and practical contributions on war footing basis by all concerned, within sphere of their activities, including our courts, to combat the deadly disease”, they maintained.

They said that Pakistan is one of very few countries in the world, having a large percentage of under-trial prisoners which is one of the main causes of overcrowding of our jails.

“The verdict of the apex court of the country surely will improvise the system of dispensation of justice pertaining to preservation of human rights”, they said.

ECC approves Rs1200bn coronavirus relief package

The Economic Coordination Committee on Monday approved the Rs1200 billion economic relief package announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan last week.

The meeting of the committee was chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. The package was given the final shape so it can be presented before the cabinet for approval when it meets tomorrow.

According to a notification, a Rs100bn emergency fund has been set up to deal with the impact of the pandemic. It was also agreed to provide 20.2 million people Rs12,000 on a monthly basis for four months via the Ehsaas Kifalat Programme.

These funds will be disbursed through finger-printing by two private banks. Rs72 billion will be provided through the Benazir Income Support Programme.

Rs200 billion have been allocated for daily wage earners and labourers. The Federal Bureau of Revenue has been tasked to issue Rs75bn in tax refunds.

As per the package, the 2% tax on import of pulses has been abolished and the withholding tax rate on spices, dry milk and salt supplies has been set at 1.5% for utility stores.

Withholding tax on sugar, pulses and wheat suppliers has been kept at 1.5%. The council approved Rs30bn for textile exporters as payment of duty drawbacks.

A Rs6bn grant was approved for the Pakistan Railways.

Earlier, PM Imran had on Tuesday unveiled a financial relief package worth around Rs1.2 trillion to ward off the negative impact of the coronavirus on the country and the economy.

The package included a reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene by Rs15 per litre, the approval of a Rs3,000 monthly stipend for daily wage earners, and a rescue package for exporters and industrialists.

“We have provided a relief package to the tune of Rs1.2 trillion, as it did not incorporate tax relief provided through abolishing/reducing taxes on pulses and palm oil,” Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar had told The News when asked about the exact financial impact of relief package announced by the premier.

The PM had also announced the allocation of Rs50 billion for the procurement of medical equipment. He added that a tax reduction on items such as on import of pulses, palm oil, and others had been approved too.

The PM also allocated Rs25 billion for National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). He also announced that he would unveil special relief package for the construction sector in the next few days as it would help to kick-start different industries and would provide jobs at this difficult times.

The journalists present on the occasion raised critical questions over the non-elected representatives of the economic team, laid back monetary policy, and prescription of wrong economic policies. The PM replied that he was responsible for all policies of his government.

Oil price collapses to lowest level for 18 years amid the coronavirus pandemic

The price of oil has sunk to levels not seen since 2002 as demand for crude collapses amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Brent crude fell to $22.58 (£18.19) a barrel at one point on Monday, its lowest level since November 2002.

Meanwhile the price of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell below $20 a barrel and close to an 18-year low.

Oil prices have fallen by more than half during the past month as companies cut back or close production.

In addition to the drop in demand, a price war broke out earlier this month between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

This began when Saudi Arabia failed to convince Russia to back production cuts that had been agreed with the other members of the Opec oil producers' group.

The decision came as refineries around the world are processing less crude oil. Demand for transport has been hammered by grounded airlines and fewer cars on the roads as countries bring in tougher measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

However, an analyst said a collapse in demand from the measures taken to counter the spread of coronavirus was now the main factor.

"Oil prices failed to keep pace, with growing (coronavirus) lock-down measures and reports that this could drive global demand down 20%, potentially pushing the world to run out of storage capacity," said Morgan Stanley analyst Devin McDermott, citing a forecast by the Paris-based International Energy Agency.

Shale oil producers in the US have been particularly hard hit by the slump in prices since early March.

There are growing calls for the US to suspend royalty payment fees from drillers and to buy more oil to fill the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, or have states such as Texas restrict production, Mr McDermott said. The US is now the world's top oil producer.

"Since the 1930s, states have had the authority to limit oil and gas production in order to support oil prices," Mr McDermott said.

"Though this practice is not widely used today, both federal and state regulators still have the ability to place restrictions on production levels."

PM Imran announces relief package, youth force, public fund to fight COVID-19

PM Imran on Monday addressed the nation, saying that he had not imposed the lockdown across the country as the poor would suffer.

"If we cannot provide food to the people of the country, then this lockdown will not be successful," he said. "Look at India. Their prime minister said sorry to the people today for imposing a lockdown," he added.

The prime minister compared the relief package of the United States with Pakistan, saying that there was no comparison between the two. "I announced a relief package of $8bn and the US announced a $2,000bn," he said.

The prime minister said that the nation will battle the coronavirus with two key elements: faith and Pakistan's young population. "We have to combat coronavirus and use these two strengths to win the war [against coronavirus]," he said.

The prime minister announced a "Corona Tigers Relief Force" which would aid the administration and the armed forces in containing the virus. He said that a dedicated cell at the PM Office was monitoring the spread of the virus.

PM Imran said that the relief force will provide food to the people at their homes and will educate them on the safety precautions against the virus.

He said that the government was opening an account with the name "Prime Minister Corona Relief Fund" which will help aid people affected by the pandemic. PM Imran said that the account will be opened in the National Bank of Pakistan.

He called on the people to donate generously to the account  and said that no questions will be asked about the money which is donated. 

Covid-19: PM Johnson's adviser Cummings isolating with virus symptoms

The coronavirus outbreak at the heart of the British government spread on Monday with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, self-isolating with symptoms just days after the British leader himself tested positive.

A Downing Street spokesman confirmed a Daily Mail report that Cummings, one of the most powerful men in the government, had developed symptoms of COVID-19 over the weekend and was now self-isolating.

Johnson on Friday became the first leader of a major world power to test positive for the virus. His health minister, Matt Hancock, also tested positive and the government’s chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, is self-isolating.

Britain initially took an approach to containing the spread of the disease that was modest in comparison to European countries such as Italy.

But Johnson imposed stringent controls after projections showed a quarter of a million people could die.

Coronavirus: Wuhan reports zero new cases as Chinas sees an overall drop in new patients

China reported a drop in new coronavirus infections for a fourth day as drastic curbs on international travellers reined in the number of imported cases, while policymakers turned their efforts to healing the world’s second-largest economy.

The city of Wuhan, at the centre of the outbreak, reported no new cases for a sixth day, as businesses reopened and residents set about reclaiming a more normal life after a lockdown for almost two months.

Smartly turned out staff waited in masks and gloves to greet customers at entrances to the newly-reopened Wuhan International Plaza, home to boutiques of luxury brands such as Cartier and Louis Vuitton.

“The Wuhan International Plaza is very representative (of the city),” said Zhang Yu, 29. “So its reopening really makes me feel this city is coming back to life.”

Sunday’s figure of 31 new cases, including one locally transmitted infection, was down from 45 the previous day, the National Health Commission said.

As infections fall, policymakers are scrambling to revitalise an economy nearly paralysed by months-long curbs to control the spread of the flu-like disease.

On Monday, the central bank unexpectedly cut the interest rate on reverse repurchase agreements by 20 basis points, the largest in nearly five years.

The government is pushing businesses and factories to reopen, as it rolls out fiscal and monetary stimulus to spur recovery from what is feared to be an outright economic contraction in the quarter to March.

China’s exports and imports could worsen as the pandemic spreads, depressing demand both at home and abroad, Xin Guobin, the vice minister of industry and information technology, said on Monday.

The country has extended loans of 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) to 5,000 businesses, from 300 billion allocated to help companies as they resume work, Xin said.

Authorities in Ningbo said they would encourage national banks to offer preferential credit of up to 100 billion yuan to the eastern port city’s larger export firms. The city government will subsidize such loans, it said in a notice.

Zulfi Bukhari sends defamation notice to PML,N's Khawaja Asif

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfikar Bukhari has decided to undertake legal proceedings against PMLN’s Khawaja Asif for levelling allegations against him, on Monday.

According to details, Zulfikar Bukhari has sent Asif a legal notice and sued him for Rs1 billion for wrongly holding him responsible for pilgrims coming into Pakistan from Taftan.

The defemation notice also demands that the senior politcian pleads guilty to his wrong doing and unfounded allegations against a government functionary and apologizes to Zulfikar Bukhari.

The notice give Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz stalwart and current member of the National Assembly, Khawaja Asif 14 days to come clean on the matter or face court proceedings.

Zulfikar Bukhari’s notice entails that the accusations levied by Asif have caused insurmountable damage to his reputation and such acts will not go unpunished.

COVID-19: Pakistan confirms tally of 1625, death toll rises to 28

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan goes past 1625 after more people tested positive in all provinces of the country and 20 deaths reported.

Punjab is still on the top list of coronavirus cases 593, then Sindh 508, 144 in Balochistan, 195 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 128 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 51 in Islamabad; and 06 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, 28 patients have been recovered from coronavirus.

More than 662,000 COVID-19 cases have been registered in 200 countries and territories of which a majority have been in Europe, the worst-hit continent by the virus.

Recovered Patients:
Two coronavirus patients on Monday have recovered their health after treatment in Buner, an area of Khyber Pakhunkhuwa.

According to the health department, both the patients tested negative after being admitted to the hospital due to deadly virus, earlier this month.

Read more: Coronavirus: Two patients recover in Buner, area of KP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Health and Finance Taimur Jhagra on Monday lauded the provincial administration for enforcing a coronavirus lockdown in the area.

From the air, Mingora Swat, where the effects of the lockdown are also visible. For sure things can improve, but it is clear the KP administration is doing a fantastic job. Thank you all. pic.twitter.com/hzfBAXEorO

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 30, 2020

Situation in AJK

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Monday said that 204 teams of the government were in the field to tackle the coronavirus outbreak across the valley.

"Saving human lives is my responsibility. We have started spraying disinfectants in the cities, streets and residential areas of the valley," he told the media at a press briefing.

China's special plane carrying relief goods 

Another aircraft of China carrying medical supplies regarding Coronavirus pandemic arrived in Karachi on Monday.

The medical supplies include testing kits, N-95 masks and protective suits.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on March 27 had received a consignment of medical aid from China for fighting the coronavirus epidemic in the country at Karachi airport.

Sports Celebrities Boxer Amir Khan to donate Rs40m to Pakistan

Pakistani origin British boxer Amir Khan has announced to donate Rs40 million to Pakistan to help fight the novel coronavirus.

Boxer Amir Khan also offered to use his Islamabad boxing academy as a quarantine for the coronavirus patients.

Developing health sector real service to nation: SAPM Awan

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that developing the health sector is a real service to the nation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the SAPM said that the opposition was upset when government ministers spoke truthfully.

“Developing the health sector was not a priority for the previous rulers,” Awan said. “What mattered to them was putting their name on the board.”

“For Imran Khan, the health of the nation comes first,” she said, adding that the incumbent premier had increased the health budget.

 

Another special plane of China carrying medical supplies arrives in Karachi

Another aircraft of China carrying medical supplies regarding Coronavirus pandemic arrived in Karachi on Monday.

The medical supplies include testing kits, N-95 masks and protective suits.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on March 27 had received a consignment of medical aid from China for fighting the coronavirus epidemic in the country at Karachi airport.

The governor received the aid consignment on behalf of the federal government. The consignment comprises 56,000 testing kits to detect coronavirus cases, N95 surgical masks, and other medical emergency equipment.

A team of Chinese doctors also arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to help the country in containing the spread of the coronavirus.

Read more: China's special plane carrying relief goods arrives in Islamabad

The Chinese doctors will remain in Pakistan for two weeks and advise health care specialists of Pakistan in the light of their experience and success in battling Covid-19 in China.

China's assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, three million masks, 10,000 protective suits and four million dollars to build an isolation hospital.

Xinjiang government has also provided 50 thousand masks each to the Federal Capital as well as to the Sindh government.

 

COVID-19 outbreak: Pakistan Coast Guards distributed free ration among fishermen

Pakistan Coast Guards has on Monday distributed free ration among the fishermen, said the PCG spokesperson.

The ration was distributed among the fishermen in Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani and Manhora, who are passing through tough times due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

The spokesperson of the Pakistan Coast Guards further said that 20 boats and 600 jawans are on the ground to stop spread of the novel coronavirus. “So far 284 boats and 4,256 fishermen have been screened.”

On the other hand, registration is underway for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Corona Relief Tigers force to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan.

The premier had announced the force in a press talk with journalists past week in Islamabad. He discussed measures taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to contain the virus.

The deadly pneumonia-like disease has infected over 650,000 and claimed more than 30,000 lives since originating in Chinese city of Wuhan December last year.

Some healthy foods that improve immune system strong

Some healthy foods that boost and improve the immune system strong.

Reach for Elderberries
Modern Day Folk Medicine

Elderberrry is a shrub that has been used medicinally for centuries. Sambucus nigra, or black elderberry bush, is the version most commonly used to make syrup and lozenges. Extracts of elderberry have antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Elderberry is also high in flavonoids. People take elderberry syrup as a remedy for colds, flus, and bacterial sinus infections.

The plant medicine works by reducing swelling in mucus membranes. Some studies suggest elderberry extract reduces the duration of the flu. If it works for flu infections, it may help your immune system against coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Elderberry Interactions

Elderberry benefits are numerous, however, the remedy may interact with certain prescription medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist prior to adding any new remedy to your regimen. Elderberry may interact with the following medications.

Diurectics: Elderberry is a diuretic so taking it with a prescription diuretic will increase the effects.

Laxatives: Elderberry has laxative effects, so it should not be taking with other laxative mediations.

Steroids: Elderberry stimulates the immune system so it should not be taken with steroids and other medications designed to suppress the immune

system. People who are on immunosuppressive drugs after having undergone organ transplantation should not take elderberry.

Chemotherapy: Elderberry may interfere with chemotherapy and should not be taken with it.

Diabetes medications: Elderberry lowers blood sugar so it should not be taken with medications that treat diabetes.

Theophylline: Elderberry may reduce blood levels of this medication prescribed to treat asthma and respiratory conditions.

Have More Mushrooms
Immune System Boosters

Wondering how to boost your immune system? Eat more button mushrooms. Mushrooms are high in selenium and B vitamins like riboflavin and niacin. These minerals and vitamins are necessary for the immune system to work in tip top form. Mushrooms are also high in polysaccharides, sugar-like molecules that boost immune function.

Acai Berry Benefits
Antioxidant-Rich Berry

Acai berry is a black-purple fruit that is derived from the acai palm tree in Brazil, Trinidad, and certain parts of South America. The fruit is high in anthocyanins. These flavonoid molecules are very potent antioxidants. They combat oxidative stress in the body by mopping up free radicals. Antioxidants are credited with boosting immunity and lowering inflammation in the body. There's never been a better time to enjoy an acai bowl!

Immune-Boosting Fruit

Acai berry is such a potent antioxidant and stimulator of the immune system, researchers are studying it as a potential treatment for all kinds of conditions. Areas of study include acai use in people with

increasing prostate specific antigen (PSA);
cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome;
lower rectum cancer;
constipation, and
Other potential for studies could include other conditions (for example, yeast infections, Flu, COVID-19).

Watermelon

Watermelon gives the body vitamin A, C and B6, nutrients, and compounds like glutathione for proper immune function.
Pumped About Watermelon
Watermelon Nutrition
Watermelon is an immune-boosting fruit. One 2-cup serving of watermelon has 270 mg of potassium, 30% of the daily value of vitamin A, and 25% of the value of vitamin C.

Calories in watermelon aren't much at all. One 2-cup serving of watermelon has just 80 calories. Watermelon also provides vitamin B6 and glutathione. The body needs these vitamins, nutrients, and compounds like glutathione for proper immune function.

Coronavirus: Two patients recover in Buner, area of KP

Two coronavirus patients on Monday have recovered their health after treatment in Buner, an area of Khyber Pakhunkhuwa.

According to the health department, both the patients tested negative after being admitted to the hospital due to deadly virus, earlier this month.

Moreover, 17 more suspected patients have also tested negative of the novel coronavirus.

The total count of coronavirus cases has jumped to 1625 and 18 deaths were reported, according to the national dashboard of Pakistan on Sunday.

The latest statistics of COVID-19 cases showed the highest count in Punjab with 593 patients, 508 in Sindh, 195 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 144 in Balochistan, 128 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 51 in Islamabad, 6 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

11 patients infected with the virus are being said in critical conditions and some among them were put on ventilators. The patients who have recovered from the disease were 28 so far.