Oil prices fell sharply today, with crude oil near an 18 year low and Brent hitting its lowest since November 2002, as the global coronavirus pandemic worsens. Saudi Arabia-Russia price war shows no signs of abating which could also be one of the possible reasons behind. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell as far as $19.92, near an 18-year low hit earlier this month, and was last trading down 3.77%, or $20.70 a barrel.
Pakistani origin British boxer Amir Khan has announced to donate Rs40 million to Pakistan to help fight the novel coronavirus. Khan also offered to use his Islamabad boxing academy as a quarantine for the coronavirus patients. Earlier, boxer Amir Khan offered to his 60,000 square foot four storeyed building to help people affected by the coronavirus in Britain.
Legendary squash player Azam Khan, who won the British Open four times in a row from 1959-62, passed away due to the coronavirus in London. The 95-year-old, whose brother Hashim Khan won the 1951 British Open, had moved to Britain during his playing days. Azam had been moved to London’s Ealing Hospital after being tested positive for coronavirus but could not recover from the deadly virus that has gripped the world.
Punjab government introduced the Punjab Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Ordinance, 2020 reinforcing coronavirus security measures. According to the law, any private hospital or practitioner in Punjab can be ordered to treat coronavirus patients and anyone knowing about a potential patient has to inform certified medical officer immediately. Burial and transportation of these patients has to be carried out under restricted provisions.
Pakistan has decided to keep its borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India closed for another two weeks as it stepped up efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf announced the decision but added that the government could give special waivers for flights if a country requests to evacuate its stranded citizens in Pakistan.
China has sent eight health experts in a special flight to Pakistan as a part of its assistance to help Pakistan combat the novel coronavirus. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the special flight will land at the Islamabad International Airport and the special team will stay in the country for two weeks.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), has tested positive for coronavirus. According to an official statement, he has mild symptoms and will continue to lead the government while he’s self-isolated. Boris informed about his condition in a tweet earlier today, adding that he has gone into self-isolation. The premier will continue to lead the government’s efforts to control the spread of the deadly virus virtually.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has increased the printing of its currency notes to replace the coroanvirus-contaminated notes. Experts have said that following the decision, it’s likely that inflation would go up, causing prices of essential items to increase. Economist Baqir Jaffari clarified that prices of in the economy increase when the bank increases its liabilities and the money supply in the economy without any reason.
Saudi Arabia has told Pakistan not to prepare a Hajj agreement as the coronavirus continues to spread across the world. Saudi Arabia Hajj Minister Dr Saleh bin Taher Benten told the Pakistani government in a letter written on Thursday that there should be no agreement till the coronavirus situation is clear. He wrote that the Saudi government is taking measures to remain careful.
The Shawn Mendes Foundation that is a non profit organization made a donation of $175,000 to the SickKids Foundation earlier this week for coronavirus relief. The donated amount would serve the purpose of purchasing equipment and supplies to prepare for the coronavirus in Toronto’s The Hospital for Sick Children. Shawn Mendes in a statement said that they hope to help provide support in the urgent screening and prevention of COVID-19 for their patients and the surrounding community of Toronto.