Research Work & Projects

Reportedly, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is looking to re-enter India into its list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ because of the communal policies pursued by the Modi government, especially its treatment towards the Muslim minority. The Vice Chairman of the Commission, after the release of the ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2Wf5rOH

When we are hit by trauma, as human beings, most of us tend to divide life into two parts; life before the trauma and life after it. We draw reference to the before to draw safety from it and the latter to fantasise about the possibility of even better times. These days everything seems to be before corona and what would it be like after corona. A ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2KMUoab

Despite presenting a brave face to the world, Modi’s India is under an unprecedented economic threat. An economy painstakingly built on exports, even at the cost of 800 million poor of India, is squeaking under the pressure of COVID-19, and it has just started revealing the horrendous signals. The problems of the Indian economy, which was ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2KLIqxp

“They talk about the failure of socialism butwhere is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asiaand Latin America?”— Fidel Castro First of May is celebrated as international workers day. The origin of the May Day lies in the 19th century. During those days, the working class was in a constant struggle to gain the 8-hour workday. ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2yX2XN6

At one point Carnival Cruise Line’s Diamond Princess would have a greater number of Coronavirus cases than anywhere in the world outside China. For GQ , Doug Bock Clark reports on how the delayed, woefully inadequate response from Carnival’s management, the Japanese government, as well as the ship’s captain and crew helped the virus to spread. And Japanese officials eventually acknowledged the quarantine was flawed. They had no idea about the danger. Not as they crowded around the famous champagne waterfall. Hundreds of delighted cruise passengers watched as golden bubbly, poured atop a pyramid of 300 glasses, filled the stemware below. Then the drinks were passed out. Hand to hand to hand. Guests clinked coupes and posed for photos, making the evening feel momentous. It was their fourth night aboard the Diamond Princess—a floating city of a ship that had been churning south from Yokohama, Japan—and they were all still unaware of how much their journey would transform them, and...

Despite the numerous supply-chain disruptions experienced due to environmental catastrophes in the last decade — including the eruption of a volcano in Iceland, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami etc. — most well established companies were still caught off guard by Covid-19 and unprepared to adapt accordingly. But coronavirus is not the first, nor will it be the last, major disruptor of global value chains. Organisations around the world have fabricated a global value chain that runs on outsourcing and thin margins (mostly in China), and the coronavirus has exposed just how fragile this process is. As Covid-19 jolts the world economy, it is quite possible ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/3d2B1Gh

Pakistan’s population is estimated to reach almost 340 million by the year 2050, and will hit nearly 400 million at the end of this century. Unfortunately, based on the current systems, it appears that most of these people will struggle to get even a basic school level education, let alone attend universities. Most of Pakistan’s ever-increasing population comprises of working-class people who need hands on skills and blue-collar vocational training in order to survive and compete in a rapidly changing world. Anyone who lives in the country will know very well that often one is hard pressed to find good technicians, electricians, builders, ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2ySbCjV

There is a battle for data collection in every industry. Not only tech giants but other sectors like governments, insurances, logistics, retailers and financial institutions etc are accumulating information and are also gearing up in this domain. Organisations artistically demonstrate their product features and loyalty programs around their app or ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3bPF2O7

Indian media, more so the right-wing media, has been targeting Muslims, its largest minority, as the cause of spread of coronavirus in the country. Tablighi Jamaat of India held a routine congregation at Delhi in the middle of March. Many other religions congregations including few Hindu congregations took place in the country during the same ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3aQYgS0

Ramadan this year will be different from all other years; there are no big Iftar dinners and other parties with business relatives, colleagues, diplomats, foreign and local friends and acquaintances, and others. Iftar dinners are small gatherings, mostly for family members and close friends. Ramadan can therefore become a quiet month for religious ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3bNEuIE

“Congress and their allies are creating a ruckus. They are doing arson because they did not get their way. Those who are creating violence can be identified by their clothes.” — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Dumka, Jharkhand   Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was founded on 6 April 1980. In its 40 ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2KOO0Py

Islamic Republic of Mauritania : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Published April 29, 2020 at 09:00AM

Democratic Republic of São Tomé And Príncipe : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Democratic Republic of São Tomé And Príncipe Published April 29, 2020 at 09:00AM

Republic of Mozambique : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of Mozambique Published April 29, 2020 at 09:00AM

Nigeria : Request for Purchase under the Rapid Financing Instrument -Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Nigeria Published April 29, 2020 at 09:00AM

Engineers develop precision injection system for plants Microneedles target plant tissues for delivery of micronutrients, hormones, or genes More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300493&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Dramatic decrease in cold-water plankton during the industrial era Fossilized plankton provide first evidence that 20th century Northeast Atlantic circulation was unusual More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300490&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Researchers developing one-step COVID-19 diagnostic tool Rapid, easy, point-of-need test could enable global tracking of infectious diseases More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300491&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Climate-driven megadrought is emerging in western US, study finds Warming may be triggering drought worse than any in recorded history More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300492&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Tectonic plates started shifting earlier than previously thought Researchers detect some of the earliest evidence for modern plate motion More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300494&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Water molecules dance in three Water may look like a simple liquid. It's anything but More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300495&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Samoa : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Samoa Published April 28, 2020 at 09:00AM

Central African Republic : Request for Disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Central African Republic Published April 28, 2020 at 09:00AM

To date, over 3 million people worldwide are infected with COVID-19, posing a formidable challenge to global public health security and becoming an enormous threat to lives and health. Since March, COVID-19 has already spread across Pakistan, particularly Punjab, where confirmed cases account for half of the total cases in the country. Being the ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2VKnKMx

Cameron Munter, the former United States Ambassador (210-2012) to Pakistan on a recent visit, talked about the past, present and future potential of the country. According to the Ambassador, the republic emerged as a model of development in the sixties. Several Asian countries including South Korea came to study the framework. Again, in the ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2Sj0HGF

April 29 is celebrated in Iran as ‘Persian Gulf Day’. But why do Iranians care so much about the Persian Gulf that they dedicate a day to it in their official calendar? In fact, the Persian Gulf is not just a body of water, but part of the culture, history and identity of ours and the whole region. This gulf also plays an important ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2xYEmaD

“Nuclear power plants must be prepared to withstand everything from earthquakes to tsunamis, from fires to floods to acts of terrorism.” –Ban Ki-Moon   The twentieth century gave the world some truly marvellous inventions. One of many such inventions is nuclear power. It was a game-changer, a weapon of mass annihilation yet ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3bO5g3k

ALMA reveals unusual composition of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov 2I/Borisov likely formed in extremely cold environment, high amounts of carbon monoxide show More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300486&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Creativity feels (really) good for some: Aha! + Aaaah Study shows that some people experience creative insights as intrinsically rewarding More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300487&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

AI fast-tracks drug discovery to fight COVID-19 Deep learning, drug docking and molecular dynamics simulations identify ways to shut down virus More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300481&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Burkina Faso : Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rephasing of Access Under the Extended Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Burkina Faso Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

There was a sudden bombardment of messages in the Whatsapp group chat consisting of my batch from medical college, with more than 200 messages flooding it in over half an hour. They must be discussing some new developments in Covid-19 vaccines or treatment protocols, I assumed. But that was not the case for the sudden upsurge in messages. It all began when one of our batch mates in Canada told us that she, along with other members of the civil society, is volunteering to prepare face masks from home for a local hospital. This started a discussion among my batch mates, working ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2Sfdbz5

As the global economy comes to a standstill, one question dominating headlines in Pakistan is whether or not the country’s economy can afford a lockdown. While analysts weigh the cost and benefits of such a move, it is imperative to first understand the economic ramifications of the current situation before one attempts to present a solution. GDP growth While reviewing the economic situation of Pakistan for 2019-20, it is heartening to note that despite Covid-19’s adverse economic impact, the agriculture sector will still experience modest growth. This is crucial since the sector accounts for roughly 20% of Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP). ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2Yg6Nvd

Envisioned to be a progressive Islamic welfare state by the founding fathers, Pakistan soon became a security state in the face of a real and pervasive existential threat from India that has become more virulent with the passage of time. During a rather tumultuous journey of over seven decades, we have had to endure a number of cataclysmic events, ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2KBeswh

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is going through a transmogrification. The party leadership has realised that it overplayed its hand when it tried to thumb its nose at the circles of power. Its pre-election slogan “Give Respect to the Vote” now seems like a painful reminder of a political misstep. In private conversations, leaders concede ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cS1KoP

I have done a detailed study as to how this corona epidemic is going to affect our economy and what measures we should take to survive in the coming months. I would therefore like to draw the attention of our PM as well as the government’s financial team and the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to the serious negative impact of ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2SdtkoS

Noam Chomsky discussed the difficulty in finding journalists that “used their brains”, referring to the ones who analysed the world, or the US with lucidity. He argued that US media is overwhelmingly uniform and overwhelmingly unplugged from reality, serving the economic interests of corporations rather than reporting reality. For ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2KIlU8A

New model forecasts 9 states likely to see peak in COVID-19 deaths by end of April Model projects COVID-19 deaths for all US states using geolocation data from cellphones More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300475&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Chemically modified mask design could potentially slow the spread of viruses Self-sanitizing face mask project receives NSF rapid response research grant More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300476&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Biologists using supercomputer simulations to analyze the coronavirus Researchers study the molecular structure of the virus that led to the pandemic More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300477&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, at the time of writing, has infected over 2.9 million and killed more than 200,000 people around the globe. However, surprisingly, Australia and New Zealand are two countries that have domestically set political differences aside and are effectively working towards “flattening the curve” of daily new cases of Covid-19 infections. As of April 26, 2020, the total Covid-19 cases in Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan stand at 6,703, 1,121, and 12,723 respectively. Even though the number of cases in both Australia and New Zealand is still on the lower side, when compared to other “western” states, their ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/3aF5CIj

The region of Gilgit Baltistan in ancient times was divided into small states composed of warlike tribes and dominant races. The people of the region were widely known for their courage, natural ability to fight, bravery and there are stories of their heroic resistance against foreign invaders. The struggle of the people of Gilgit Baltistan was ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/357gHRn

Art imitates life; life imitates art. As social media becomes more omnipresent than ever, we’re beginning to see how the influence of the virtual lens shapes the way we experience the culture. Instagram is the most preferred social media platform in the art world. With the intensification of online artwork trading, understanding what kinds ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2Y77zus

Though the spread of coronavirus around the world is essentially a microbiological phenomenon, a communal characteristic of this deadly contagion can be observed in Modi’s India. A typical blame game has held the country’s Muslim community responsible for spreading COVID-19 in India. Regrettably, while most countries in the world are ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3eVAvLN

“First of all, “intolerance” is the wrong word to use for the lynching, shooting, burning and mass murder of fellow human beings. Second, we had plenty of advance notice of what lay in store for us — so I cannot claim to be shocked by what has happened after this government was enthusiastically voted into office with an ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2W4E3mo

All around me, I sense a growing indifference to the dreadfulness of the disease called the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. It is not a mere disease, it is a pandemic. As most countries of the world are observing lockdowns in one form or the other, and self-isolation is considered the fundamental barrier between human beings and the coronavirus, it ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2W0U4ts

There is tact in giving bad news. ‘Cricket they won, Football we lost’. Bringing ‘winning before losing’ no matter for whom, takes the sting out of defeat. Who gains and who loses is what defining the undefinable all is about. In a glance at national and international events dominated by COVID-19, logical explanations, ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3bEMDyP

Over the past several months, coronavirus has wreaked havoc across the world, denting the ego of a world drunk on its technological feats, bringing the economic engine to a halt, and extracting an immeasurable toll in human suffering. Despite all of our collective resources, science and intellect, we do not know where this virus came from, how ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2S8B4Is

“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.” -Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart   Born on January 27, 1756, in Salzburg, Austria, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a musician capable of playing multiple instruments who started playing in public ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2znG19N

Earlier this week, Kashmiri journalist Gowhar Geelani was charged by the police in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly “indulging in unlawful activities through his posts and writings on social media”. This was just the latest in a slew of attacks unleashed against press freedom in Kashmir; reporter Peerzada Ashiq and photojournalist Masrat Zahra are also facing charges for their “factually incorrect” news story and “anti-national” social media posts respectively. Evidently, the facts mentioned in Ashiq’s story clearly did not go down well with the authorities since he highlighted a critical issue of one region reaping undue benefits at the cost of a marginalised region. Hence, the ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2S9JLCy

The command that oil holds over the global economy was evident in 1973, when oil producing Arab nations restricted oil sales during the Yom Kippur war, thus resulting in oil prices quadrupling. Thus, the recent oil market crash leading to a 70% decline in oil prices from $70 per barrel to $20 per barrel is a cause for concern for a few while others, like Pakistan, breathe a sigh of relief. But in order to understand the ramifications of falling oil prices it is imperative that one grasps exactly how the oil market has been functioning for the past few years. America has long wanted to reduce ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/3awF9ww

Sardar Usman Buzdar is probably the biggest political mystery in recent years. When he was suddenly plucked out of obscurity and catapulted to the powerful position of Punjab Chief Minister, the move was met with astonishment and bewilderedness. Many wondered whether Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a blunder in anointing a political novice as ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3eQNE8Y

As the highly destructive and disruptive pandemic sweeps the world, coronavirus has upended the traditional and even the more modern economic and social operating assumptions. Governments are focused on planning how to counter this extreme threat, and also on devising ways to blunt the economic recession that the world is already descending ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cFqAYW

I have been advocating for a lockdown and medical emergency since 27 February. The government is confused and till now those sitting in power are confused even on the definition of a lockdown; which is a complete lockdown in the rest of the world which is called a smart lockdown. For God’s sake, have the full lockdown with special emergency ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cJ4Tav

“The world breaks everyone, and afterwards, some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway   Great works of literature are often a reflection of some political, historical or social phenomenon. The statement can be corroborated with examples of Don Quixote of the seventeenth century to Toba Tek Singh of the mid-twentieth ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cN2wUc

Every year, newspaper columns and online blogs seem to debate the merits of policies implemented in Pakistan during the month of Ramzan. Some pundits argue over the role of ‘Ehteram-e-Ramzan’ and some criticise television show presenters that make an obscene amount of money during the month. Ramzan in 2020 is, however, not going to be the usual month, which statistically ends with Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai announcing Eid in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) a day before Mufti Muneeb. This Ramzan may be one of the most challenging times for the country amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.    While some clerics have softened their tone on ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/3eOLJSk

To get a keen sense of where the global economy is headed, we need not look any further than the beleaguered global oil market. Oil supply is in abundance, oil companies are on the verge of bankruptcy, storage spaces are filled to the brim, and the only thing lower than oil prices themselves is the current demand for oil. The phenomenon revolves around the demand and supply of oil, and the current excess supply of oil in the global economy can be attributed to two major factors. Firstly, recently Saudi Arabia and Russia got into an oil war. The feud ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2VvTZiC

Cabo Verde : First Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument and Request for Modification of Targets Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

Cabo Verde : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Cabo Verde Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

It’s been a fascinating experience to see how the world has responded to the lockdown; a unique and unprecedented experience hopefully never to be faced again. We all keep saying this pandemic has brought the world to a united front and we are all experiencing a shared space of uncertainty and trauma. But is this really true? Globally, each ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2yGiAbm

An April 20 column in the Indian press censures Pakistan for continuing with missile test firings and so-called terror missions in Indian Occupied Kashmir amid rising concerns about COVID-19. The op-ed singles out Pakistan Navy for releasing area warnings in the Arabian Sea to conduct missile firings. Worldwide, armed forces remain alive and alert ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2S25iN8

Notwithstanding the fact that the pandemic of coronavirus is universally recognised as the biggest humanitarian challenge facing the global community and requires a global response premised on recognition of the need to extend adequate financial support to the poor and developing countries to cope with the challenge, the response by the affluent ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cCgjN8

23 April of the year is celebrated as the World Book and Copyright Day. The day is also called the International Day of the Book. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has been organising this day to promote reading, publishing and copyright. But this day’s history didn’t start in 1995 when ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2Y7dmQV

Research expedition faces extreme conditions in fast-changing Arctic Study suggests research ship frozen into sea ice may end drift early More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300448&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Changes in snowmelt threaten farmers in western United States Climate change will reduce seasonal water for irrigation More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300449&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Cote d'Ivoire : Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Purchase Under the Rapid Financing Instrument-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Côte d’Ivoire Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

The Gambia : Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Modification of Performance Criteria Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for The Gambia Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

Chad : Requests for Disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility, Extension of the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement, and Rephasing of Access-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Chad Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

Maldives : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Maldives Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

Niger : Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and for Rephasing of Access Under the Extended Credit Facility -Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Niger Published April 23, 2020 at 09:00AM

Burkina Faso : Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rephasing of Access Under the Extended Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Burkina Faso Published April 22, 2020 at 09:00AM

Pakistan continues to hang on as Covid-19 is wreaking havoc across the world. The pandemic has so far claimed nearly 200,000 lives, and has left countries like the United States (US), Italy, Spain and Iran shaken. Despite a weak economy and a healthcare system that has serious capacity constraints at the best of times, the fact that Pakistan has thus far managed to stay afloat speaks to the efficacy of the government’s timely interventions. While there were definitely some early hiccups, even the government’s harshest critics would agree that the response has been steadily improving. Currently, the effort is ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2S3wqM2

As the major powers of the world look inwards to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Indian PM Modi exploits this “historic opportunity” to further his Hindutva-driven agenda in the disputed territories of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K). There is a very perceptible method to the BJP’s madness to “annex and ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2yzxW1p

The international day for women is celebrated every year on March 8 around the world to mark a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This day reminds nations worldwide to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women be they social, political and economic. It further calls for an end to domestic violence and harassment against ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2XY23dJ

Today, I would like to write a bit more about the issues I began writing about last week; I may not have answers, but I believe in the importance of reflecting on both difficulties and opportunities, indeed with a positive outlook. In last week’s article, I said that we should think about how to build back better after the corona pandemic, ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3byhm0v

“Fascism is capitalism in decay.” Vladimir Lenin   Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov, later known as Vladimir Lenin, was born 150 years ago on April 22, in Simbirsk, Russia. His parents, both educated and highly cultured, invoked a passion for learning in their children, especially Vladimir. He excelled at school and went on to study law. At ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2KrFSV7

Earth's atmosphere far dustier than previously believed Underestimation of coarse dust skews models that predict global climate More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300432&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Soot may be half the problem when it comes to cookstoves Researchers find that organic as well as black carbons absorb light, likely harming human health More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300433&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Genomes of 5 cotton species could lead to better varieties Cotton producers in the U.S. and around the world looking for new varieties More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300434&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Water quality could be altered in buildings closed during COVID-19 pandemic Quality of water left sitting in pipes could change More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300435&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

COVID-19: Researchers to model coronavirus for spread mitigation Scientists working to find new methods of determining how virus spreads More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300436&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

10 years later: What did scientists learn from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Paper reviews major findings, technological advances that could help in next deep-sea spill More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=300437&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is a Research News item.

Republic of North Macedonia : Request for Purchase Under the Rapid Financing Instrument-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Republic of North Macedonia Published April 22, 2020 at 02:30AM

Panama : 2020 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report Published April 21, 2020 at 09:00AM

Panama : Selected Issues Published April 21, 2020 at 09:00AM

The world has shut down. Everything from the once buzzing Times Square of New York, to the vibrant Oxford and Piccadilly circus of London are now deserted. Leaders, including in Pakistan, have started urging people to practice social distancing in an attempt to flatten the pandemic’s stern curve. Alarmed, states around the globe scramble to ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2wW5u9t

In just a few days, the world has completely changed from a connected network to a distanced entity (at least in personal space terms). Most of the world’s population is in self-quarantine, which made them more dependent on the internet. This huge dependency on the internet and online services around the world, has created vulnerabilities ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2RWiOC6

Imran Khan’s government seems have to have done the prudent thing in gradually starting the process of re-opening the economy while side by side trying its best to ensure people’s safety. Pakistanis in the meantime are playing their part well by remaining patient, keeping essential national services running at great personal risk, ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2RXmC67

“Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.” –Muhammad Iqbal   April 21 marks Muhammad Iqbal’s, widely known as Allama Iqbal or the Poet of the East, death anniversary. Iqbal was a polymath; he was a poet, a legislator, a thinker, and a philosopher. Iqbal was the first ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2VsD5Be

An exceptional country in an existential predicament? Most of us have known the United States (US) as the supreme global power that has altered the course of history time and time again. Its prowess in almost any given field – from technology to education – had become equated to an extraordinary case. While we may be critical of the havoc that the US had left in the wake of its foreign policy, we still believed that America was an exception to the rules of global politics. The ordinary rules of the game did not apply in its case. However, ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2XT1Zf2

Business and politics cannot co-exist as they have no commonalities. While a businessman never misses an opportunity to make money, a politician has to serve the people to retain his position. Till the first martial law in October 1958, most politicians were honest and credible mainly because conflict of interest was taken very seriously. ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2Kk8rDV

Section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act 2017 (CAATSA), a US Federal Law, which imposes new sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia, empowers the US President to impose at least 05 or more of the entitled sanctions on persons engaging in transactions with Russian defence and intelligence sectors. However, ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2ROtLWn

The United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation was adopted on December 20 2018 by the UN, and this was followed by its opening for signatures in Singapore on August 7, 2019. Popularly called the Singapore Convention on Mediation, it was signed by 51 countries, including Pakistan’s traditional ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2VLv2yE

“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.” -Oscar Wilde   Marco Polo was a Venetian explorer. He was born in 1254, in Venice, Italy. Although he was born to a wealthy Venetian merchant family, much of his childhood was spent parentless. His extended family raised him as his mother died in his childhood while his father was ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cx4J5Z

Haiti : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Haiti Published April 20, 2020 at 09:00AM

Haiti : 2019 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Haiti Published April 20, 2020 at 09:00AM

Haiti : Selected Issues Published April 20, 2020 at 09:00AM

Republic of Korea : Financial System Stability Assessment and Press Release for the Republic of Korea Published April 20, 2020 at 09:00AM

Although Pakistan’s first coronavirus cases were detected on February 26th, it is now clear that our slow trajectory has not followed that of the United States or Europe, but there is still a lot of uncertainty. One doesn’t know what to believe since we are constantly bombarded by information while glued to our smartphones and television sets during the lockdown. Are we not testing enough people? Are the confirmed cases (8,418 to date) just the tip of the iceberg? And is the number of deaths (176 in total so far) being under-reported? Is Covid-19 going to go away in ... Read Full Post from Welcome to Pakistan – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/350eUh3

Unfortunately, a catastrophic novel coronavirus has rung alarm bells around the world. Neither the developed nor developing countries are immune to this pandemic. Its repercussions are long-lasting, disastrous and overwhelming. It is exponentially spreading, wreaking havoc and destroying even the developed, modernised and technologically advanced ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/34MI7f4

It is obvious that the coronavirus pandemic will be front-page news for a good part of 2020. And for good reason, since its human toll and social dislocation has been devastating. Though not theorised in this way, this crisis ought to be understood as yet another marker of our age of transition. The world system of the past five hundred years, one ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3anS5EV

Apart from being a literary genius, Cervantes was a military man too.   Miguel de Cervantes was born on September 29 1547. He was a Spanish novelist, playwright and poet. He is best known for Don Quixote, the novel considered the greatest novel of all times. Don Quixote brought its author considerable success in his lifetime. With huge sales ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/34OnRtp

Amid frustrating COVID-19 blues, there has been a lot of good news too in Pakistan during the last week. Firstly, Pakistan received major debt relief from G20 in addition to securing an emergency loan of $1.4 billion from IMF under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to mitigate the adverse economic impact of the pandemic. Secondly, in a surprise ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3ew9z5r

Lahore is silent these days. Almost. The familiar sounds of ambulance and police sirens seem to have faded into the hum of breeze that is as temperamental as a miffed lover. Life has hit a pause button. The uncertainty is waltzing with the fear of the unknown. As most people go about their new routine of not doing much while fretting about ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cv4GHK

I have been practicing as a therapist for almost four years and more than any other time, I realise now what image some of my clients have about me as having an untroubled processed individual who, like Joan of Arc, can fight any inner demons and smile at them, coming out unscathed. For a long time, I did behave like Joan of Arc, living in the ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3cAqZMt

“Clearing cheques has always been a headache, well not anymore! 1. Simply walk into the payee bank 2. Present the crossed cheque at the counter 3. Provide your account details & get the funds transferred Clearing time reduced from 48 hours to less than 3 minutes. Surreal? No, done. State Bank’s PSD Circular No. 04 of 2020 on ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2VEXXnV

An image from a meeting between the surrealist and the realist well known for toying with idealism. Today we remember the great Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez, who passed away six years ago — 17 April 2014. As a journalist and political activist, Marquez was present for many of the violent events that rocked his ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2VkKbIk

Eventually, India will recover from this global pandemic and emerge from the crisis which has currently gripped the world. However, the big question remains, can this nation survive the sectarian virus that has seeped deep into the pores of its society? Can this nation ever rid itself of majoritarian communalism? While the coronavirus is occupying the national consciousness today, an equal space is also being occupied by the home grown epidemic of hatred towards the Muslim minority. News reports in India not only talk about the fight against the Covid-19 but they also discuss in the same breath the anti-Muslim environment that has engulfed the country. ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/2zcnQE3

Rwanda : Request for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Rwanda Published April 16, 2020 at 09:00AM

In what came as a major shock to the global community, American President Donald Trump, earlier this week, announced that he is suspending American funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The United States (US) president was critical of the WHO’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that the body “failed in its basic duty”, relied too much on the Chinese government’s information and, therefore, should be held accountable. During a media briefing on April 14th, Trump announced, “Today I’m instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess [its] role ... Read Full Post from The Big Picture – The Express Tribune Blog https://ift.tt/3cqZmoJ

Albania : Request for Purchase under the Rapid Financing Instrument-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Albania Published April 17, 2020 at 09:00AM

Colombia : Selected Issues Published April 18, 2020 at 02:38AM

While we may feel a bit satisfied and grateful to the Almighty due to the fact that the curve representing infections and deaths caused by coronavirus in Pakistan has not yet assumed alarming proportions like in Western countries – USA and others – there is no room for lowering our guard. There are two aspects of dealing with the ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/34I4hzd

Since March 10 2020, the sounds of gunfire have erupted across the Line of Control (LoC) yet again. Indian fire across the LoC – indiscriminate and aimed at civilian population centres – has resulted in heart-rending loss of life and limb of the non-combatants it has targeted. One of its targets; a two-year-old child. But let us ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3ajPMTo

The dirty rich capitalism has failed to provide health security to its citizens. The senior citizens, once heroes of the great depression and World War II have been abandoned to the fury of the virus and fate. Despite a technological edge and an unchallenged superiority in chemical and biological warfare, these countries have so far failed to ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/3boIPBW

“Yes, I tried to change the classical style in a way that people who don’t understand it can enjoy.” –Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan   Nusrat recorded as much as 125 music albums in his music career.   The legendary qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on 13 October 1948 in Faisalabad. Though he hailed from ... from Opinions News https://ift.tt/2VliXBn

Sierra Leone : Selected Issues Published April 17, 2020 at 09:00AM

Sierra Leone : 2019 Article IV Consultation, Second Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion, and Financing Assurances Review Published April 17, 2020 at 09:00AM