Coronavirus: How will it change national security and spying?
A senior intelligence officer rushes in to a meeting with the latest report and places it in front of anxious politicians and policymakers. In the past, it might have contained details about a planned terrorist attack – perhaps a cell in the Middle East looking at a new way of taking down an airline. This […]
Global cases near a million; UK deaths rise by 569 to 2,921
Confirmed coronavirus cases across the world is approaching one million. Since emerging in China in December, COVID-19 has infected more than 950,000 people — including at least 500,000 in Europe — and claimed more than 48,000 lives, according to John Hopkins tracker. Spain said on Thursday it had suffered a record 950 deaths in 24 hours, […]
Grim one-day virus death toll for US, Spain,
Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States have all reported the highest number of deaths in a single day since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The US recorded 884 coronavirus deaths, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. It has also confirmed more than 213,000 cases of the disease. In the UK, a further […]
Coronavirus: Expert panel to assess face mask use by public
Should more of us wear face masks to help slow the spread of coronavirus? This question is to be assessed by a panel of advisers to the World Health Organization (WHO). The group will weigh up research on whether the virus can be projected further than previously thought; a study in the US suggests coughs can […]
A Pakistani official, politician, army man, reporter walk into a TV show. Only one is a hero
This is a story of four Pakistani friends. Three of them are collateral damage in the service of one. The end. That’s how things are done by Pakistan’s ISPR. These four men represent the four pillars of the Pakistani state, in this latest production of the Pakistan military’s PR wing, the Inter Services Public Relations’ much-hyped television drama Ehd-e-Wafa (Promise of the Faithful). One […]
Pakistan is failing in fight against Covid-19. Here’s why
Pakistan on Wednesday reported the biggest jump in Covid-19 cases for the third consecutive day as the number of people infected with the deadly disease reached 2,238. The country has also witnessed 31 deaths from the disease. Reports of the lack of adequate screening procedures and squalid living conditions at the quarantine camps at the Taftan border […]
Afghanistan and Taliban begin direct talks with aim of prisoner swap
Afghanistan has begun its first face-to-face talks with the Taliban on exchanging thousands of prisoners. Details of the initial meeting in Kabul emerged on Wednesday, ahead of a planned second day of talks, as Afghans observed tight restrictions on movement because of the coronavirus pandemic. Under a US-Taliban deal, the government will free 5,000 Taliban […]
Coronavirus: Australian scientists begin tests of potential vaccines
Scientists in Australia have begun testing two potential coronavirus vaccines in “milestone” lab trials. The vaccines, made by Oxford University and US company Inovio Pharmaceutical, have been cleared for animal testing by the World Health Organization. Australia’s national science agency will assess if the vaccines work, and if they would be safe for humans. The […]
US doctors go online to reveal ‘bold, loud’ coronavirus truths
Dr Ming Lin says they were reasonable requests. Set up a triage system outside the hospital, check the temperatures of all patients, visitors and staff before they can go inside, and give healthcare workers scrubs so that they do not risk taking the novel coronavirus home with them, were high on his list. But about 10 days […]
The law of generosity combatting coronavirus in Pakistan
As Pakistan imposes greater social distancing measures to combat coronavirus, a Muslim law of generosity is helping to save those out of work. Outside grocery stores in Karachi, a remarkable scene has been unfolding over the past two weeks. Instead of rushing home after shopping to avoid being exposed to coronavirus, many Pakistanis are pausing […]
