Authorities in Kazakhstan have denied a report published by Chinese officials that the country is experiencing an outbreak of “unknown pneumonia” potentially deadlier than the novel coronavirus. The Kazakhstan health ministry said that the “unspecified” pneumonia classification followed World Health Organization guidelines “for the registration of pneumonia when the coronavirus infection is diagnosed clinically or epidemiologically but is not confirmed by laboratory testing.”
Saudi Arabia has offered financial assistance for the construction of Pakistan’s first state-owned Quran complex in Islamabad. The government will be building the complex to preserve historical manuscripts of the Muslim scripture. The center will also oversee and set standards for the publication of the Quran in the country and would recycle worn pages of the holy book.
German fashion house Hugo Boss, has placed its first ever sportswear manufacturing order in Pakistan with Sialkot-based Rajco Industries for t-shirts for the German national soccer team. Earlier this week, Pakistan’s adviser on commerce Abdul Razak Dawood announced the Hugo Boss deal in a Twitter post, but did not reveal the name of the Pakistani company that had booked the order.
A 15-year-old boy from Nanning city, China, was paralyzed in the left arm and hand after playing video games for 22 hours a day for a whole month. According to parents, the boy was left alone for the past month in order to attend online classes. The windows and doors of his room were closed at all times, and he was on his computer for as much as 22 hours a day.
The most sought after celebrity in Pakistan, Esra Bilgic, known for her role as Halime Sultan has joined QMobile as its ambassador. Popular for her role in famous Turkish series Dirilis: Ertugrul, Esra had hinted that she will be working with few Pakistani brands. QMobile shared the news on social media, adding that Esra will be ambassador for View Max Pro series.
Bill Gates has called for Covid-19 drugs and an eventual vaccine to be made available to countries and people that need them most, not to the “highest bidder”. The billionaire philanthropist said that relying on market forces would prolong the deadly pandemic. He stated that leaders needed to make hard decisions about distributing based on equity.
Newly reopened theme parks in Japan are asking riders not to scream on roller coasters. The recommendation against screaming — along with use of masks — is included in guidelines issued by the country’s theme-parks associations as a means of preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and most parks are following suit. Parkgoers have been struggling to comply with the no-screaming requirement.
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, 77, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday and was admitted to hospital in Mumbai. Amitabh’s son, Abhishek Bachchan has also tested positive for the virus. The father son duo took to Twitter to announce the news and have stated their symptoms are mild. Big B also requested everyone who came in close proximity to him to get tested.
Qatar and UAE airlines have announced mandatory coronavirus tests for passengers from Pakistan three to four days before the scheduled departure. The mandatory pre-flight requirement for Qatar airways will take effect from Monday, July 13th. Passengers from Pakistan must show they were tested for COVID-19, 72 hours before their flight departure and present a negative result.
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Usman Buzdar has approved the construction of a “Dubai-like” modern city near Lahore. The new city in the north of Lahore, spread over more than 100,000 acres will be called Ravi Riverfront Project. It is anticipated that the private sector would invest about Rs5 trillion in the venture. However, final approval will come from Punjab Cabinet.