NEW DELHI, 19 March 2020, TON: The Indian Centre announced on Thursday that no international flights will land in India from 22 March to 31 March 2020.

“No scheduled international commercial airliner shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020 for one week. The state government shall issue appropriate directions so that all citizens above 65 (other than for medical assistance) except for public representative/government servants/medical professionals are advised to remain at home,” the government statement said.

The government has asked all senior citizens above 65 and all children below 10 to stay inside the home as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus, which has claimed four lives in India.”Similarly all children below 10 should be advised to stay at home and not to venture out,” it said.

Railways and civil aviation have also been asked to suspend all concessional travel except for students, patients and divyang category. The Centre has requested states to enforce Work From Home for the private sector.

The new measures indicate that India has stepped up its fight against the novel coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, which has claimed over 9,000 lives across the world. Around 2 lakh people have been affected by the disease since its outbreak in December last year.

As per Ministry of Health Affairs latest numbers, India has registered over 170 positive cases of noval coronavirus, which includes 149 active cases, 19 cured patients, four deaths and oen migrated.

ISLAMABAD, 19 March 2020, TON: APP has reported that Government of Pakistan has so far released development funds of over Rs 12.13 billion for various development projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under its Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2019-20.

According to latest data issued by the ministry of Planning on Thursday, the government had allocated Rs 18 billion for around 20 projects of CPEC for the year 2019-20.

For construction of KKH phase-II Havelian-Thakot (118.057 M) part of CPEC, the government released Rs 2 billion out of total allocation of Rs 2.238 billion.
The government has also released Rs 1.8 billion for preliminary design for up-gradation of main line (ML-1) and establishment of dryport near Havelian under the CPEC.

For improvement and widening of Chitral-Booni-Mastuj-Shandur road, the total allocated amount of Rs 1 billion has been released, whereas for Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, an amount of Rs 2.8 billion was released out of total allocated funds of Rs 6.5 billion.

The government also released Rs 1.2 billion for land acquisition and resettlement for CPEC- Islamabad-Raikot section (Phase-I), Havelian-Thakot (120.12 km), while Rs 1.89 billion were released for construction of Zhob to Kuchlak for which the government had allocated Rs 1.025 billion.

Similarly the government also released Rs 320 million for 5 million gallon per day sea water desalination plant at Gwadar out of total allocation of Rs 400 million and for strengthening of core network and expansion of PERN footprints through CPEC optical fiber (PERN III), an amount of Rs 300 million has also been released.

For construction of offices for Intelligence Bureau alongwith CPEC, the government released Rs 111.2 million out of total allocation of Rs 164 million while for the project upgradation of NGMS (3G/4G) services and seamless coverage along KKH (in support of CPEC) in Gilgit Baltistan, an amount of Rs 600 million has been released.

The government also released Rs 9.455 million for establishment of CPEC Support Unit (CSU) for projects and activities in Gwadar Port Authority for which Rs 18.19 have been allocated for current fiscal year.

Likewise, for construction of Centre of Excellence for CPEC, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), the government has so far released Rs 50 million out of Rs 73.8 million while for CPEC support project at ministry of Railways, another Rs 50 million have also been released.

ISLAMABAD, 19 March 2020, TON: APP reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan said the aim behind enforcement of unified educational curriculum was to equip the young generation to cope with challenges of technological age and to instill in them social values that highlighted distinct national character.
The prime minister said this while chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on the implementation of unified educational curriculum across the country. The meeting was attended by Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood, secretary education and high officials.
Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized that the teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), guidelines of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and philosophy of Allama Muhammad Iqbal should be made part of the curriculum. He also highlighted that the curriculum should cater to the needs of modern times.
The prime minister directed that the mafias’ role should be eliminated during publication of unified curriculum textbooks. He assured full support of the Federal Government in implementation of the uniform education system in the country.
The meeting was told that the present class-based education system had not only divided the educational institutions, education standard, teachers and students but it had also created a system based on the whole social and economic structure, which was serving the interests of a particular class. The system was creating a diverging mind-set in the society, which had caused a divided national consciousness and psyche.
The meeting was informed that the present government after coming into power formed the National Curriculum Council, comprising representatives from all the federating unites, besides famous personalities from the private sector and religious seminaries.
It was briefed that implementation of the unified curriculum for educational institutions and its evaluation had remained one of the important elements of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s election manifesto. The rationale behind the decision was to eliminate the disparity between curriculum, facilities, mediums of instruction, teachers and students’ performance, which had resulted into differing mindsets causing a fractured national psyche.
Working groups were also established wherein technical input was provided by a dedicated team of professionals and subject specialists. World renowned educational assessment institutions including Cambridge, Agha Khan University’s Institute of Educational Development and LUMS also contributed to formulation of evaluation systems.
The prime minister was apprised that under Phase-I, unified curriculum for class one to 5th had been developed and its implementation would be completed by March 2021. Phase-II curriculum for Class 6th to 8th would be ready by March 2021 and implemented by March 2022, while Phase-III curriculum for Class 9th to 12th would be ready by March 2022 and enforced by March 2023.

WASHINGTON, 19 March 2020, TON: The US President Donald Trump, who signed on Wednesday, 18 March, H.R. 6201, the 'Families First Coronavirus Response Act' (the "Act") has approved multi-billion emergency aid package to help Americans mitigate the adverse economic impact of the fast-spreading coronavirus.  

The bill offers free coronavirus testing including free testing through commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program), Indian Health Service (HIS), responsible for providing direct medical and public health services to members of federally-recognized Native American Tribes and Alaska Native people.( original inhabitants of land that now constitute America) and TRI-CARE, formerly known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS).

Medicaid in the United States is a federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, including nursing home care and personal care services. 

NEW DELHI, March 19: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Thursday evening on the situation arising out of coronavirus outbreak and the efforts to combat it.

In his Thursday address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that coronavirus is spreading among communities across the world. He said that since last two months we are hearing about coronavirus and the nation is fighting against the disease.  He repeated phrases such as ‘social distancing, ‘isolation’ and ‘self-quarantine’ and asked the India masses to follow it to defeat coronavirus. He demanded cooperation fro 130 Crore India masses to curb coronavirus spread by maintaining distance and closing down of all place of assembly including temples, mosques, Churches, cinema halls etc. He asked masses to even do not visit hospitals for one month and stay home.

He announced establishment of Task Force under Finance Minister, “Covid-19 Economic Response Task Force” which will take feedback from all stakeholders and take decisions. The task force would implement the decision taken by the force. He asked all the India to get all their appointment cancelled or extend date.

The Prime Minister appealed all Indians to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid getting infected by coronavirus, saying the world has never seen a danger as grave as this. He called for 'Janta curfew' on 22 March from 7 am to 9 pm, saying no citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of house.

He apologized and said that it is disappointing to hear that so many events, festivals and other gatherings are being cancelled but there is a public health reason for these measures. He said, people should even avoid going to Government offices.

Earlier the PMO tweeted, "PM Shri @narendramodi will address the nation on 19th March 2020 at 8 PM, during which he will talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat it."

The Indian Prime Minister was committed in consultation at a high level meeting in which ongoing effort were revived. The Indian Army leadership and Intelligence agencies command was also present on the occasion. It was decided that Indian security forces would be tasked to implement the orders of the Prime Minister through actively engaging with individuals, groups, local communities and organizations in chalking out mechanisms to fight the coronavirus menace.

On Tuesday, 17 March India banned entry of all Afghans from Afghanistan to India with immediate effect. Later government included names of Philippines and Malaysia in the list. India has also banned the entry of passengers from the European Union countries, Turkey and the United Kingdom from 18 March till 31 March to check the spread of the virus.

BAGHDAD, 19 March 2020, TON: People in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Thursday, 19 March complaint of non presence of EU staff at  EU Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq), which is part of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP),various Embassies and setups including International Non Government Organizations (INGOs). In a latest development the European Union (EU) members and the officials in Baghdad are thinning up since few weeks and the offices seems abandoned. There is a general perception that EU has deleted Iraq from the priority list.

EUAM Iraq was established on 16 October 2017 by the Council of the EU in response to a request from the western-installed Iraqi Government for the EU to provide advice and assistance on the implementation of civilian aspects of the National Security Strategy. The Mission informs planning for potential further EU engagement, and assist in the coordination of EU and Member States' assistance in the civilian Security Sector domain.

The High Representative / Vice President European Commission in reply said today, “EU is committed to remain fully engaged in Iraq. The EU Delegation and Mission continue to operate on the ground and the EU has no intention of leaving the country”.

The statement added, “The EU intends to continue its efforts to help Iraqis develop a well-functioning security sector that is respectful of human rights principles. However and in light of the current situation, necessary and appropriate security measures are being taken. The security of EU staff is a priority”.

In January this year, US military’s Task Force Iraq, Brigadier General William Seely issued statements that American troops were preparing to pull out of the country. However, later the report that US-led coalition would “be repositioning forces over the course of the coming days and weeks” was denied by the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON, 18 March 2020, TON: The United States of America has cancelled annual joint military exercise with African nations due to coronavirus pandemic. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said, exercise was set to begin on 23 March and run through 4 April 2020. Partner nations included Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, with Spain. It was to be the largest African Lion exercise held by AFRICOM to date.

Officials at Pentagon informed that US personnel have suffered a lot due to corona virus and its services personnel not ready to deploy abroad and cancellation was but natural.  

CAIRO, 19 March 2020, TON: The Egyptian government has approved collaboration between space agencies of Egypt and China. Egyptian space agency would Chinese institution for using its satellite launching stations.

The Egypt's official news agency MENA  reported that Egyptian Space Agency has been authorized to sign a contact with the China Great Wall Industry Corporation to use its stations to launch Egyptian satellites.

Egypt and China signed an agreement in September 2019, to commence the construction of satellite assembly, integrating and testing facilities in Egypt with the development of the China-funded Egyptian satellite MisrSat-II.

Egypt launched TIBA-1, a state-owned civil communication satellite in November 2019. 

Beijing and Cairo signed a USD 72 million grant for Egypt's space programme for EgyptSat-2 Earth observation satellite programme on 21 January 2019, In this year more meetings between the two space agencies are taking place and in the coming months important breakthroughs are expected. .

NEW DELHI, 17 March 2020, TON: The Indian Supreme Court held that officers of both genders had to be treated equally in granting permanent commission in the Navy. The Court said, noting that women officers can sail with same efficiency as male counterparts. A Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said, “There could not be gender discrimination in granting permanent commission to women officers citing psychological conditions, once the statutory bar for inducting women in the navy had been lifted. The bench highlighted, “Once the statutory bar was lifted to allow entry of women officers then male and female officers are to be treated equally in granting permanent commission. A Naval officer at Vizag said, “We will enable women navy officers to get permanent commission in ATC and Logistics and Education only.

The top court asked the Centre to comply with its order in three months. The navy had allowed females permanent commission from 2008 but they were inducted under short service commission (SSC) for only 10 years extendable upto four years. But after the Courts order, grant of permanent commission would entitles an officer to serve in the navy till he/she retires. Recently, the top court had delivered a similar judgment with regard to women officers in the Army.

NEW DELHI, 17 March 2020, TON: The India Government has imposed a ban on the entry of passengers from Afghanistan to India with immediate effect, according to an travel advisory issued by Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

In continuation of the travel advisory issued on 11 March and 16 March 2020, the additional advisory has been issued that says that travel of passengers from Afghanistan to India is prohibited with immediate effect. The statement said,

no flight shall take off from Afghanistan to India after 1500 hours Indian Standard Time (IST) till 31 March. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure, according to the advisory. The ban shall remain imposed till further reviewed.

An official at New Delhi who introduced himself as Pardhan Dass disclosed on the condition of anonymity that New Delhi intend to impose tougher rules for the Afghans who had been in India for over a decade. It is worth mentioning that after the peace deal between the US and Taliban, New Delhi feel threatened as it is against the interests of the US and India to allow Taliban to control Afghanistan or live in peace there. He added, names of the Philippines and Malaysia have also been added to balance the equation.